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Argentinean economic reforms introduced in the 1990s were characterized by structural adjustments which increased both job insecurity and barriers to health care. In Córdoba, some individuals found themselves without health coverage. Conversely, many private practices, also in crisis, were forced to close with a resultant loss of heath care jobs. Rather than accepting layoffs, the employees of the private Junin Clinic took over the facility and reorganized it as a cooperative. They wanted both to keep their jobs and to provide affordable health services primarily to the uninsured. We hypothesized that the quality of their clinical jobs would impact on the care they provided. We undertook to examine how changes in the organization of the clinic affected working relations and working conditions . We undertook a descriptive, correlative survey of 25 employees chosen via a multi-stage process to be representative of the clinic. Four percent worked under contract; eighty percent were professionals who split their earning 50/50 with the cooperative. The remaining workers were cooperative members. Fifty percent of those interviewed earned less than the basic minimum wage. Forty-four percent worked alone; the remaining workers were part of teams. Eighty-eight percent felt that their job was appropriate for their level of training. No one reported any occupational accidents. Eighty percent reported satisfactory hygienic conditions in their workplace. While the division of labor at the clinic had not changed since the take over, administrative structures were different. Cooperative decisions are made in large meetings. Since most professionals are not members of the cooperative, they do not participate in these meetings. However, we observed that relations and exchanges among the workers were less hierarchical. This work was undertaken to inform the debate on the relationship between working conditions and the provision of health care. We found that the work environment impacts on health care workers as they try to provide a more equitable form of health care.

It is estimated that workplace harassment has a high incidence rate within the workforce. It generates negative health consequences and an array of psychosocial problems. The knowledge gaps on the issue make it difficult to evaluate, and create a situation of impotence for the affected workers, perpetuating a silence on the part of those subjected to these attacks. Without being identified as victims of workplace harassment, they are dealt with using non-specific approaches. The scientific evaluation of harassment is an area lacking today in Argentina. The objective is to present a process for the construction of a technique to evaluate psychological workplace harassment within our current socio-cultural context. The stages of this process are: literature review, interviews with key informants and worker-victims, creation and adaptation of an item list, review by expert judges, filtering of item list and use in pilot sample, and an analysis of the validity of items. A reliable instrument was constructed for the evaluation of the phenomenon in our context: the Inventory of Workplace Harassment (Inventario de Hostigamiento Laboral) (IWH, Bustos Villar, Caputo and Aranda Coria, 2011) composed of four scales that identify situations of harassment, those being communication, work, private life, and facilitating environment. In a second component it reveals information about characteristics of the perpetrator and the perceived consequences. KEY WORDS: workplace harassment, inventory, Argentina

Summary: Background: Household transmission studies seek to understand the transmission dynamics of a pathogen by estimating the risk of infection from household contacts and community exposures. We estimated within/extra-household SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and associated factors in a household cohort study in one of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro city. Methods: Individuals ≥1 years-old with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the past 30 days (index cases) and household members aged ≥1 year were enrolled and followed at 14 and 28 days (study period November/2020–December/2021). RT-PCR testing, COVID-19 symptoms, and SARS-CoV-2 serologies were ascertained in all visits. Chain binomial household transmission models were fitted using data from 2024 individuals (593 households). Findings: Extra-household infection risk was 74.2% (95% credible interval [CrI] 70.3–77.8), while within-household infection risk was 11.4% (95% CrI 5.7–17.2). Participants reporting having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine had lower extra-household (68.9%, 95% CrI 57.3–77.6) and within-household (4.1%, 95% CrI 0.4–16.6) infection risk. Within-household infection risk was higher among participants aged 10–19 years, from overcrowded households, and with low family income. Contrastingly, extra-household infection risk was higher among participants aged 20–29 years, unemployed, and public transportation users. Interpretation: Our study provides important insights into COVID-19 household/community transmission in a vulnerable population that resided in overcrowded households and who struggled to adhere to lockdown policies and social distancing measures. The high extra-household infection risk highlights the extreme social vulnerability of this population. Prioritising vaccination of the most socially vulnerable could protect these individuals and reduce widespread community transmission. Funding: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, CNPq, FAPERJ, Royal Society, Instituto Serrapilheira, FAPESP.

ObjectivesIdentify, through a systematic review, the main domains and methods to support health technology assessment of Medical Devices (MD) from the perspective of technological incorporation into healthcare systems.MethodsPerformed structured searches in MEDLINE, Embase, BVS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for full studies published between 2017 and May 2023. Selection, extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two blinded reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer.ResultsA total of 5,790 studies were retrieved, of which 41 were included. We grouped the identified criteria into eight domains for the evaluations.ConclusionOverall, studies discuss the need to establish specific methods for conducting HTA in MD. Due to the wide diversity of MD types, a single methodological guideline may not encompass all the specificities and intrinsic characteristics of the plurality of MD. Studies suggest using clustering criteria through technological characterization as a strategy to make the process as standardized as possible.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of fecal incontinence and its association with clinical, functional, and cognitive-behavioral variables, medication use, frailty, falls, and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults (aged 65 years or older). Methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter study carried out across 16 Brazilian cities. The question “In the last 12 months, did you experience fecal incontinence or involuntary passage of stool?” was defined as the indicator variable for fecal incontinence. Bivariate analyses were carried out to assess the prevalence of fecal incontinence and sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, cognition, functional capacity, depression, frailty, quality of life, and falls. Logistic regression analysis was also performed, with fecal incontinence as the dependent variable. Results: Overall, 6855 subjects were evaluated; 66.56% were female, 52.93% white, and the mean age was 73.51 years. The prevalence of fecal incontinence was 5.93%. It was associated with worse self-care (OR 1.78 [1.08–2.96]), dependence for basic activities of daily living (OR 1.29 [1.01–1.95]), and urinary incontinence (OR 4.22 [3.28–5.41]). Furthermore, the absence of polypharmacy was identified as a protective factor (OR 0.61 [0.44–0.85]). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of fecal incontinence was 5.93%. On logistic regression, one quality of life variable, dependence for basic activities of daily living, and polypharmacy were significantly associated with fecal incontinence.

Objective. To assess how relevant the flow of people between communities is, compared to vaccination and type of vector, on the spread and potential outbreaks of yellow fever in a disease-free host community. Methods. Using a SEIRV-SEI model for humans and vectors, we applied numerical simulations to the scenarios: (1) migration from an endemic community to a disease-free host community, comparing the performance of Haemagogus janthinomys and Aedes aegypti as vectors; (2) migration through a transit community located on a migratory route, where the disease is endemic, to a disease-free one; and (3) effects of different vaccination rates in the host community, considering the vaccination of migrants upon arrival. Results. Results show no remarkable differences between scenarios 1 and 2. The type of vector and vaccination coverage in the host community are more relevant for the occurrence of outbreaks than migration rates, with H. janthinomys being more effective than A. aegypti. Conclusions. With vaccination being more determinant for a potential outbreak than migration rates, vaccinating migrants on arrival may be one of the most effective measures against yellow fever. Furthermore, H. janthinomys is a more competent vector than A. aegypti at similar densities, but the presence of A. aegypti is a warning to maintain vaccination above recommended levels.

The occurrence of acute paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in urban areas of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, has emerged in recent years. Therefore, young populations, including pregnant women, are at a higher risk of infection. Furthermore, young women undergoing itraconazole treatment for PCM have increased chances to get pregnant because this medication may reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives. Acute PCM is invasive, reaching abdominal organs, posing a maternal-fetal risk. PCM treatment in pregnant women is also challenging due to the teratogenicity associated with the currently available oral drugs. There are scarce studies on PCM and pregnancy, mainly consisting of case reports and experimental murine models that highlight the severity of this association. We conducted a database research at a PCM reference center in Rio de Janeiro state from 1980 to 2020. We included patients diagnosed with PCM who were pregnant shortly before, at admission, or at any moment of their PCM follow-up care. Data related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn were obtained from the Brazilian official public databases. We also reviewed the epidemiological and clinical features of these patients. During the study period, we identified 18 pregnant patients, with a median age of 26 years (range: 16-38). Among these cases, six (33.3%) were detected in the last 5 years, and 14 (77.8%) presented acute PCM, supporting the recent shift in the epidemiological profile towards acute PCM. Most pregnancies occurred during PCM treatment (n = 11, 61.1%), which led to challenges in the therapeutic management. Maternal-fetal complications occurred in some of these cases, including vaginal bleeding (n = 1), preeclampsia (n = 1), prematurity (n = 2), low birth weight (n = 4), and fetal deaths (n = 2). PCM during pregnancy presents a significant public health concern in the context of the emergence of acute PCM in urban areas.

Abstract Background During 2020, there were no effective treatments or vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The most common disease contention measures were social distance (social isolation), the use of face masks and lockdowns. In the beginning, numerous countries have succeeded to control and reduce COVID-19 infections at a high economic cost. Thus, to alleviate such side effects, many countries have implemented socioeconomic programs to fund individuals that lost their jobs and to help endangered businesses to survive. Methods We assess the role of a socioeconomic program, so-called “Auxilio Emergencial” (AE), during 2020 as a measure to mitigate the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Brazil. For each Brazilian State, we estimate the time-dependent reproduction number from daily reports of COVID-19 infections and deaths using a Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-like (SEIR-like) model. Then, we analyse the correlations between the reproduction number, the amount of individuals receiving governmental aid, and the index of social isolation based on mobile phone information. Results We observed significant positive correlation values between the average values by the AE and median values of an index accounting for individual mobility. We also observed significantly negative correlation values between the reproduction number and this index on individual mobility. Using the simulations of a susceptible-exposed-infected-removed-like model, if the AE was not operational during the first wave of COVID-19 infections, the accumulated number of infections and deaths could be 6.5 (90% CI: 1.3–21) and 7.9 (90% CI: 1.5–23) times higher, respectively, in comparison with the actual implementation of AE. Conclusions Our results suggest that the AE implemented in Brazil had a significant influence on social isolation by allowing those in need to stay at home, which would reduce the expected numbers of infections and deaths.

IntroductionIn 2020, we reported the first patient with concomitant COVID-19 and paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Since then, no other cases have been recorded in the literature. We aim to update information on the occurrence of COVID-19 in patients with PCM followed at a reference center for infectious diseases at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records from patients diagnosed with PCM who presented with clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and/or laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 at any time during their acute or follow-up care. The clinical profiles of these patients were described.ResultsBetween March 2020 and September 2022, we identified six individuals with COVID-19 among the 117 patients with PCM evaluated. The median age was 38 years and the male to female ratio 2:1. Most patients (n = 5) presented for evaluation due to acute PCM. The severity of COVID-19 ranged from mild to severe in acute PCM and only the single patient with chronic PCM died.ConclusionsThere is a range of disease severity in COVID-19 and PCM co-infection and concomitant disease may represent a severe association, especially in the chronic type of the mycosis with pulmonary involvement. As COVID-19 and chronic PCM share similar clinical aspects and PCM is neglected, it is probable that COVID-19 has been hampering simultaneous PCM diagnosis, which can explain the absence of new co-infection reports. With the continued persistence of COVID-19 globally, these findings further suggest that more attention by providers is necessary to identify co-infections with Paracoccidioides.

Background: Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) is a rare dermatosis recognized as a benign condition of unknown etiopathogenesis. It is more common in pediatric patients and young adults and is characterized by multiple small or large erythematous plaques spread over the trunk and extremities. Case report: We describe the case of a 5-year-old male, previously healthy, with multiple erythematous lesions that disappeared leaving hypopigmented macules. The biopsy reported histological changes suggestive of mycosis fungoides. After a second revision of lamellae in this hospital, lymphocytic vasculitis (LV) with focal epidermal necrosis consistent with acute pityriasis lichenoides (PL) was identified. Conclusions: The existing knowledge about PLEVA lacks a consensus in specifying its classification, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, so this clinical condition represents a medical challenge. The diagnosis is made by clinical suspicion and confirmed by histology. The objective of this article was to report a case of PLEVA with an atypical presentation due to its histopathological findings, being the first report showing LV in children, as well as a review of the literature.

Abstract Background Since 2015, the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria 2016–2030 has been adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a comprehensive framework to accelerate progress for malaria elimination in endemic countries. This strategy sets the target of reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates by 90% in 2030. Here it is sought to evaluate Brazil’s achievements towards reaching the WHO GTS milestone in 2030. Considering the total number of new malaria cases in 2015, the main research question is: will Brazil reach the malaria elimination goal in 2030? Methods Analytical strategies were undertaken using the SIVEP-malaria official databases of the Brazilian Malaria Control Programme for the Brazilian Amazon region from 2009 to 2020. Spatial and time-series analyses were applied for identifying municipalities that support the highest numbers of malaria cases over the years. Forecast analysis was used for predicting the estimated number of new cases in Brazil in 2025–2050. Results Brazil has significantly reduced the number of new malaria cases in 2020 in comparison with 2015 in the states of Acre (− 56%), Amapá (− 75%), and Amazonas (− 21%); however, they increased in the states of Pará (156%), Rondônia (74%), and Roraima (362%). Forecast of the predicted number of new malaria cases in 2030 is 74,764 (95% CI: 41,116–141,160) in the Brazilian Amazon. Conclusions It is likely that Brazil will reduce the number of new malaria cases in the Brazilian Amazon in 2030 in relation to that in 2015. Herein forecast shows a reduction by 46% (74,754 in 2030 forecast/137,982 in 2015), but this reduction is yet far from the proposed reduction under the WHO GTS 2030 milestone (90%). Stable and unbeatable transmission in the Juruá River Valley, Manaus, and Lábrea still support endemic malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. Today’s cross-border malaria is impacting the state of Roraima unprecedently. If this situation is maintained, the malaria elimination goal (zero cases) may not be reached before 2050. An enhanced political commitment is vital to ensure optimal public health intervention designs in the post-2030 milestones for malaria elimination. Graphical Abstract

Introducción: El linfoma de células T tipo paniculitis subcutánea (LCCTP) se caracteriza por la presencia de linfocitos T atípicos que expresan el receptor de células T α/β en el tejido celular subcutáneo. Aunque generalmente es indolente, algunos casos presentan un curso agresivo. Es mayormente una enfermedad de la mediana edad, rara vez afecta a los niños. Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 12 años de edad, previamente sano que presentó una dermatosis diseminada a los cuatro segmentos constituida por vesículas, ampollas, placas eritematocostrosas y hematonecróticas, además de atróficas, asociadas con edema. La biopsia confirmó linfoma cutáneo de células T paniculítico con extensa necrosis epidérmica. Conclusiones: Reportamos el caso de un LCCTP en un paciente pediátrico. Aunque es raro en este grupo de edad, se debe considerar en los niños que presentan cuadros similares y que no responden a tratamiento. El diagnóstico se realiza por sospecha clínica y se confirma por histología. Se discuten los desafíos en su manejo y cómo el diagnóstico oportuno influye en la sobrevida del paciente.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America, mostly in Brazil. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is uncommon and usually associated with the acute form. Recently, a cluster of acute PCM cases has been described in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We report a 42-year-old male, resident of Rio de Janeiro, presenting chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain in the past 3 years, previously diagnosed as Chron´s disease. When immunosuppressive therapy was prescribed, the patient evolved with worsening of the previous symptoms in addition to odynophagia, 20 kg-weight loss, disseminated skin lesions, diffuse lymphadenopathy and adrenal insufficiency. Histopathological and mycological examination of a skin lesion were compatible with PCM. Itraconazole was prescribed in high doses (400 mg/day). After seven months of treatment, the patient presented with acute abdominal pain which led to an emergent appendectomy, revealing the presence of the fungus. After 24 months, the patient reached clinical cure and recovered from adrenal insufficiency. We emphasize the importance of PCM as a differential diagnosis in patients with chronic diarrhea. The risk of fungal infections should be considered prior to initiating immunosupressive therapies, particularly in endemic areas.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major threat to health and primary prevention outstands as the most effective instrument to face this issue, addressing multiple risk factors at a time and influencing behavioral patterns. Community nurses have been involved in many interdisciplinary prevention activities, resulting in effective control of CV risk factors. We conducted a pilot study aiming at describing the impact on the CV risk profile of an 18-month interdisciplinary intervention on lifestyle habits. From September 2018 to May 2020, four general practitioners (GPs) working in the Roman neighborhood of Torresina recruited patients having a cardiovascular risk score (CRS) equal to or higher than 3% and lower than 20%; those patients were included in a nutritional, physical, and psychological counseling program. Assessments of patients' health status were led at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months by a nutritionist, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, their GPs, and a community nurse. The CRS was estimated at every examination, based on the Italian Progetto Cuore algorithm. A total of 76 patients were included (mean age of 54.6 years; 33 men and 43 women). Mean CRS showed a significant reduction between baseline and 12 months (from 4.9 to 3.8); both total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased at 6 months of follow-up (respectively, from 211.1 to 192 and from 133.1 to 123.1). Nonetheless, the reduction was later maintained only for SBP. However, during the last 6 months of the intervention, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, thus, it is not possible to know how much the results achieved at 18 months were influenced by the restrictive measures introduced by the Italian government. When stratifying according to the presence of hypertension/diabetes and physical activity, no differences in the CRS could be highlighted between the two groups. Our pilot study proved that an interdisciplinary counseling intervention program can improve CV risk profile and could be further spread to people that, according to their CRS, would benefit more from changes in lifestyles.

A sífilis é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, que está relacionada a altos índices de morbimortalidade materna e perinatal. O estudo em questão busca descrever o perfil epidemiológico dos casos notificados de sífilis gestacional e congênita em Curitiba, Paraná, no período de 2014 a 2019. Foram notificados 2.599 casos de sífilis gestacional e 891 casos de sífilis congênita. 79,8% das gestantes eram brancas, 48,9% dos diagnósticos de sífilis gestacional firmaram-se no primeiro trimestre de gestação, e 88,9% dos casos eram de sífilis latente. Com relação a sífilis congênita, 83,3% das gestantes realizaram o pré-natal e 74,3% foram diagnosticadas durante o pré-natal e 63,7% das gestantes realizaram o tratamento inadequado. Portanto, os casos sífilis gestacional e congênita foram notificados em sua maioria no primeiro trimestre de gestação, em estágio de sífilis latente e em gestantes que realizaram o pré-natal e tratamento inadequado para sífilis.

A pitangueira (Eugenia uniflora L.) pertence à família Myrtaceae, estando amplamente distribuída em países da América do Sul, principalmente no Brasil, seu centro de origem. Contudo, ainda são poucas as informações acerca dos aspectos da qualidade dos frutos apesar do seu elevado potencial. Na maturação, o fruto passa por mudanças acentuadas na coloração, resultado do acúmulo de pigmentos, como também mudanças físico-químicas que lhe conferem sabor e aroma atrativos para o consumo. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar as mudanças na qualidade de frutos de pitangueira durante a maturação. Frutos de pitangueira foram colhidos apresentando coloração da casca variando de verde amarelada até completamente vermelha. A colheita foi realizada na zona rural, Sítio Paripe, Conde-PB. Os frutos foram encaminhados para o Laboratório Multidisciplinar XI das Instituições Nova Esperança, João Pessoa-PB, sendo realizada a seleção e, com base na coloração da casca, feita a separação em três estádios de maturação. Para posterior análises físico-químicas de sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez titulável e análise de coloração utilizando o aplicativo Colorimeter. Foi observado que a acidez dos frutos da pitangueira apresentou uma redução nos valores médios do estádio Amarelo Dourado para o Completamente Vermelho, de 3,1 para 2,3 g 100 g-1. Para o pH, foi observado que os frutos mais maduros tinham um pH mais elevado. Os sólidos solúveis (SS) apresentaram uma diferença significativa entre os estádios de maturação, observando-se um aumento de 30%. Os parâmetros da coloração da casca pelo sistema CIELab avaliados pelo aplicativo mostraram que os frutos têm mudanças acentuadas ao longo de sua maturação. Desse modo, frutos de pitangueira vermelhos apresentam valores elevados para a acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis no estádio completamente vermelho. O mesmo ocorreu para o conteúdo de antocianinas e flavonoides amarelos.

Summary: Background: COVID-19 serosurveys allow for the monitoring of the level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and support data-driven decisions. We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a large favela complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A population-based panel study was conducted in Complexo de Manguinhos (16 favelas) with a probabilistic sampling of participants aged ≥1 year who were randomly selected from a census of individuals registered in primary health care clinics that serve the area. Participants answered a structured interview and provided blood samples for serology. Multilevel regression models (with random intercepts to account for participants’ favela of residence) were used to assess factors associated with having anti-S IgG antibodies. Secondary analyses estimated seroprevalence using an additional anti-N IgG assay. Findings: 4,033 participants were included (from Sep/2020 to Feb/2021, 22 epidemic weeks), the median age was 39·8 years (IQR:21·8-57·7), 61% were female, 41% were mixed-race (Pardo) and 23% Black. Overall prevalence was 49·0% (95%CI:46·8%-51·2%) which varied across favelas (from 68·3% to 31·4%). Lower prevalence estimates were found when using the anti-N IgG assay. Odds of having anti-S IgG antibodies were highest for young adults, and those reporting larger household size, poor adherence to social distancing and use of public transportation. Interpretation: We found a significantly higher prevalence of anti-S IgG antibodies than initially anticipated. Disparities in estimates obtained using different serological assays highlight the need for cautious interpretation of serosurveys estimates given the heterogeneity of exposure in communities, loss of immunological biomarkers, serological antigen target, and variant-specific test affinity. Funding: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Royal Society, Serrapilheira Institute, and FAPESP.

Abstract Background The outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil in 2015 followed the arrival of chikungunya in 2014 and a long history of dengue circulation. Vital to the response to these outbreaks of mosquito-borne pathogens has been the dissemination of public health messages, including those promoted through risk communication posters. This study explores the content of a sample of posters circulated in Brazil towards the end of the Zika epidemic in 2017 and analyses their potential effectiveness in inducing behaviour change. Methods A content analysis was performed on 37 posters produced in Brazil to address outbreaks of mosquito-borne pathogens. The six variables of the Health Belief Model were used to assess the potential effectiveness of the posters to induce behaviour change. Results Three overarching key messages emerged from the posters. These included (i) the arboviruses and their outcomes, (ii) a battle against the mosquito, and (iii) a responsibility to protect and prevent. Among the six variables utilised through the Health Belief Model, cues to action were most commonly featured, whilst the perceived benefits of engaging in behaviours to prevent arbovirus transmission were the least commonly featured. Conclusions The posters largely focused on mosquito-borne transmission and the need to eliminate breeding sites, and neglected the risk of the sexual and congenital transmission of Zika and the importance of alternative preventive actions. This, we argue, may have limited the potential effectiveness of these posters to induce behaviour change.

Introducción: La queratodermia acuagénica se desencadena tras el contacto de las palmas de las manos y las plantas de los pies con el agua. Se caracteriza por la aparición de pápulas translúcidas que forman placas de aspecto macerado. Puede asociarse con el consumo de ciertos medicamentos y con afecciones como la fibrosis quística, la atopia y la desnutrición, o ser idiopática. Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de una paciente de 17 años con dolor abdominal crónico funcional. Presentó una dermatosis de 2 meses de evolución que afectaba las palmas con «arrugamiento» después del contacto con el agua. Tras el estímulo con el agua, se observaron hiperlinealidad palmar y pápulas blanquecinas y translúcidas que formaban placas de aspecto macerado con una depresión central. Dermatoscópicamente se observaron estructuras blanquecinas anfractuosas de apariencia coraliforme y microgotas de agua. En el estudio histológico se observaron hiperqueratosis continua y dilatación del acrosiringio desde la dermis media hasta el estrato córneo. Con el cuadro clínico y los hallazgos histológicos, se confirmó el diagnóstico de queratodermia acuagénica y se inició el tratamiento, con el que se observó una mejoría parcial. Conclusiones: La queratodermia acuagénica es una afección subdiagnosticada y poco reportada. A pesar de cursar de forma indolente, puede considerarse como un marcador de enfermedad sistémica como la fibrosis quística. Ya que existe discusión sobre la nomenclatura de la enfermedad, consideramos ajustarnos a una nomenclatura descriptiva, como «placas blanquecinas y maceradas acuagénicas del acrosiringio». Es necesario continuar reportando estos casos para comprender mejor la enfermedad, ofrecer un manejo adecuado y dar seguimiento integral a los pacientes.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of the main endemic systemic mycoses in Latin America, usually occurring in rural areas. When PCM occurs simultaneously with underlying immunosuppressive conditions, it can present as an opportunistic disease. Between 2000 and 2017, literature reported around 200 PCM cases in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). To address research gaps on this co-infection and to study its possible temporal changes in the last decade, we performed an active co-infection case search on the HIV/AIDS and PCM cohorts from a Brazilian reference center database from 1989 to 2019. We found 20 PLWHA among 684 PCM patients (2.92%), predominantly male (70.0%) and urban workers (80.0%). The median age of patients was higher in the 2010-2019 decade (p = 0.006). The occurrence of PCM in PLWHA was lower when compared with other fungal diseases. Although 50.0% of the patients had already been diagnosed with HIV infection and presented CD4+ T cell counts greater than 200/mm3 at the time of PCM diagnosis, the suspicion of immunosuppression in the context of atypical and more severe clinical forms of PCM revealed the diagnosis of HIV infection in 35.0% of the patients. Two (10.0%) patients had an evolution compatible with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART).We highlight the importance of considering a PCM diagnosis in PLWHA to prevent a late-onset treatment and progression to severe manifestations and unfavorable outcomes. In addition, HIV investigation is recommended in PCM patients, especially those with atypical and more severe clinical presentations.

Abstract Background The present study sought to analyze smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable mortality estimates produced by the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study for Brazil, 26 states, and the Federal District. Methods Prevalence of current smokers from 1990 to 2017 by sex and age was estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Population-attributable fractions were calculated for different risk-outcome pairs to generate estimates of smoking-attributable mortality. A cohort analysis of smoking prevalence by birth-year cohort was performed to better understand temporal age patterns in smoking. Smoking-attributable mortality rates were described and analyzed by development at state levels, using the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Finally, a decomposition analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of different factors to the changes in the number of deaths attributable to smoking between 1990 and 2017. Results Between 1990 and 2017, prevalence of smoking in the population (≥ 20 years old) decreased from 35.3 to 11.3% in Brazil. This downward trend was seen for both sexes and in all states, with a marked reduction in exposure to this risk factor in younger cohorts. Smoking-attributable mortality rates decreased by 57.8% (95% UI − 61.2, − 54.1) between 1990 and 2017. Overall, larger reductions were observed in states with higher SDI (Pearson correlation 0.637; p < 0.01). In Brazil, smoking remains responsible for a considerable amount of deaths, especially due to cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. Conclusions Brazil has adopted a set of regulatory measures and implemented anti-tobacco policies that, along with improvements in socioeconomic conditions, have contributed to the results presented in the present study. Other regulatory measures need to be implemented to boost a reduction in smoking in order to reach the goals established in the scope of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia del conocimiento sobre trastornos del neurodesarrollo (TdN) y el nivel de aceptación de los modelos de educación inclusiva (MEI) en docentes. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal multicéntrico en México y Centroamérica. Aplicación de un instrumento de autorreporte a docentes de nivel básico sobre conocimiento en TdN y aceptación de los MEI. Resultados. Se obtuvo la respuesta de 511 docentes. La prevalencia de alta aceptación de MEI fue de 28.6%. De los 120 docentes que refirieron tener un amplio conocimiento sobre discapacidad intelectual, 3.8% estuvieron en el percentil más bajo de aceptación de MEI, 19.5% en el percentil de aceptación promedio y 55.5% de ellos se encontraron en el percentil de mayor aceptación (p

Objetivo. Estimar los factores asociados con la comunica­ción abierta entre profesionales de la salud mental y padres de pacientes con discapacidad intelectual y otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo. Material y métodos. Encuesta transversal en 759 profesionales de la salud mental. Se estimó la asociación entre el patrón de comunicación abierto y los atributos de la comunicación a través de un modelo logísti­co, ordinal y multivariado. Resultados. La prevalencia del patrón de comunicación abierta en profesionales de la salud mental fue de 30.6% (IC95% 27.4-34.0). Los factores asocia­dos fueron menor edad (RM=2.42, IC95% 1.57-3.75), espe­cialidad (RM=1.56, IC95% 1.09-2.23), alto valor a la verdad (RM=4.95, IC95% 3.21-7.65), bajo paternalismo (RM=10.93, IC95% 7.22-16.52) y cursos de bioética (RM=1.45, IC95% 1.01-2.09), ajustando por variables confusoras. Conclusión. Los profesionales de la salud mental reportaron bajos niveles de comunicación abierta con los padres de personas con trastornos del neurodesarrollo, por lo que priorizar el valor a la verdad, promover un menor paternalismo y el respeto a la autonomía de los pacientes puede contribuir a cambiar estos patrones de comunicación en la práctica clínica en México.

Rapidly progressive dementias are conditions that worsening the patient’s life; however they are not always considered during the investigation of dementia syndrome. This report describes the case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic use of corticosteroid therapy, who developed rapidly progressive dementia within 5 months. During the investigation, the primary lymphoma of the central nervous system was evidenced as the cause of its dementia syndrome. Importantly, prolonged use of corticosteroids may be associated with a state of immunosuppression, which is a risk factor for the onset of central nervous system lymphoma.

RESUMO Os objetivos deste artigo são descrever e analisar o papel de um Hospital Universitário na Rede de Atenção à Saúde para pacientes reumatológicos no estado de Pernambuco. Realizou-se estudo transversal com abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa. Foram entrevistados informantes-chave da Secretaria Estadual de Saúde e do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Dados secundários foram extraídos do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Em 2016, foram atendidos 4.530 usuários com Doenças Reumatológicas no hospital, média de idade de 52 anos, maioria mulheres (79%), oriundos de 164 municípios pernambucanos com concentração na 1ª região de saúde. A entrada dos pacientes é regulada, havendo protocolo de acesso para avaliar perfil e indicar subespecialidade de atendimento em reumatologia. Existe protocolo único no hospital e são garantidos exames laboratoriais e alguns por imagem; há infusão de imunossupressores no serviço, quando indicada clinicamente. Como fragilidades, apontam-se alto absenteísmo e dificuldades em compartilhar cuidado com a atenção básica, apesar da alta responsável adotada. O Hospital Universitário analisado parece cumprir sua missão institucional e funcionalidade, dando resolutividade aos casos pelos quais se torna responsável e preenchendo, muitas vezes, as lacunas assistenciais da média complexidade do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Background: Acquired smooth muscle hamartoma (ASMH) is a rare benign lesion characterized clinically by hyperpigmented plaques with hypertrichosis and some follicular papules. The main histologic finding is the presence of disorganized smooth muscle bundles in the dermis. Only 25 cases of ASMH have been reported in the literature. Clinical case: We present the case of an 18-year-old male who reported a pigmented area and increased hair growth on the left hemifacial with one year of evolution. Clinically, a plaque was observed in the preauricular region and on the left cheek with a linear Blaschkoid path, consisting of hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, and some papular lesions, with negative pseudo-Darier sign. Histological analysis showed an increase in the number of smooth muscle bundles in the middle and deep dermis surrounding abundant sebaceous glands and numerous hair follicles in different stages of evolution. Conclusions: The sebaceous component in this lesion was prominent. Therefore, we considered this lesion part of a spectrum where the acquired smooth muscle hamartoma and folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma are found at the extremes. This case would fall in the middle of the range, as it combines both histological features.

Background: Folliculitis due to Malassezia spp. (MF), caused mainly by Malassezia furfur, is clinically characterized by an acneiform eruption expressing follicular papules and pustules, predominantly on the trunk. Diagnosis of MF requires confirmation of the presence of yeasts in the hair follicle. The treatment of choice is topical or oral with azoles. We report two cases of folliculitis due to Malassezia spp. of atypical distribution in immunosuppressed patients. Case reports: Case 1. We describe a 14-year-old male patient diagnosed with chondroid osteosarcoma who required surgical treatment and chemotherapy. He was hospitalized for fever and neutropenia, presenting a rash of papulopustular lesions on the upper and lower extremities and neck. Direct examination and biopsy were performed to conclude the diagnosis of disseminated atypical Malassezia spp. folliculitis. Case 2. We describe a 16-year-old male patient diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, treated with surgical resection and chemotherapy. During hospitalization due to fever and neutropenia, he presented with disseminated dermatosis of the head, trunk, and upper extremities, showing multiple follicular papules and pustules with erythematous base; on the trunk, there were few lesions. In the supraciliary region, he showed erythema and furfuraceous desquamation. Direct examination of a follicle showed thick-walled round yeasts compatible with MF. Conclusions: MF is a frequent entity but of low diagnostic suspicion. Immunosuppressed patients may manifest atypical clinical characteristics in non-seborrheic areas, implying diagnostic difficulty. Biopsy and direct examination are essential to corroborate the etiology in patients with immunosuppression or with a non-classical presentation.

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Global health research partnerships with institutions from high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries are one of the European Commission’s flagship programmes. Here, we report on the ZikaPLAN research consortium funded by the European Commission with the primary goal of addressing the urgent knowledge gaps related to the Zika epidemic and the secondary goal of building up research capacity and establishing a Latin American-European research network for emerging vector-borne diseases. Five years of collaborative research effort have led to a better understanding of the full clinical spectrum of congenital Zika syndrome in children and the neurological complications of Zika virus infections in adults and helped explore the origins and trajectory of Zika virus transmission. Individual-level data from ZikaPLAN`s cohort studies were shared for joint analyses as part of the Zika Brazilian Cohorts Consortium, the European Commission-funded Zika Cohorts Vertical Transmission Study Group, and the World Health Organization-led Zika Virus Individual Participant Data Consortium. Furthermore, the legacy of ZikaPLAN includes new tools for birth defect surveillance and a Latin American birth defect surveillance network, an enhanced Guillain-Barre Syndrome research collaboration, a de-centralized evaluation platform for diagnostic assays, a global vector control hub, and the REDe network with freely available training resources to enhance global research capacity in vector-borne diseases.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the evolution of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection among residents aged 18 years or over in the municipality of São Paulo. METHODS This is a population-based household survey conducted every 15 days, between June and September 2020, and January and February 2021. In total, the study comprised 11 phases. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was identified in venous blood using a lateral flow test, Wondfo Biotech. In the last phase, the researchers combined it with an immunoenzymatic test, Euroimmun. The participants also answered a semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic and economic factors, and on social distancing measures. Prevalence estimates and the 95% confidence interval were estimated according to regions, Human Development Index, sex, age group, ethnicity, education, income, and variables associated with risk or prevention of infection. To compare the frequencies among the categories of each variable, the chi-square test with Rao-Scott correction was used, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS In total, 23,397 individuals were interviewed and had their samples collected. The estimated prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 9.7% (95%CI: 7.9–11.8%) to 25.0% (95%CI: 21.7–28.7). The prevalence of individuals with antibodies against the virus was higher among black and brown people, people with lower schooling and income, and among residents of regions with lower Human Development Index. The lowest prevalences were associated with recommended measures of disease protection. The proportion of asymptomatic infection was 45.1%. CONCLUSION The estimated prevalence of the infection was lower than the cumulative incidence variation, except for the last phase of the study. The differences in prevalence estimates observed among subpopulations showed social inequality as a risk of infection. The lower prevalence observed among those who could follow prevention measures reinforce the need to maintain social distancing measures as a way to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Since introduction into Brazil in 2014, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has presented sustained transmission, although much is unknown about its circulation in the midwestern states. Here, we analyze 24 novel partial and near complete CHIKV genomes from Cuiaba, an urban metropolis located in the Brazilian midwestern state of Mato Grosso (MT). Nanopore technology was used for sequencing CHIKV complete genomes. Phylogenetic and epidemiological approaches were used to explore the recent spatio-temporal evolution and spread of the CHIKV-ECSA genotype in Midwest Brazil as well as in the Americas. Epidemiological data revealed a reduction in the number of reported cases over 2018-2020, likely as a consequence of a gradual accumulation of herd-immunity. Phylogeographic reconstructions revealed that at least two independent introductions of the ECSA lineage occurred in MT from a dispersion event originating in the northeastern region and suggest that the midwestern Brazilian region appears to have acted as a source of virus transmission towards Paraguay, a bordering South American country. Our results show a complex dynamic of transmission between epidemic seasons and suggest a possible role of Brazil as a source for international dispersion of the CHIKV-ECSA genotype to other countries in the Americas.

Resumo Objetivo Definir a lista de anomalias congênitas prioritárias para o aprimoramento do registro no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc). Métodos A partir da Décima Revisão da Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde (CID-10), protocolos internacionais e reuniões com especialistas, a lista de anomalias prioritárias foi construída considerando-se dois critérios principais: ser diagnosticável ao nascimento; e possuir intervenção disponível em diferentes níveis. A lista foi submetida a apreciação da Sociedade Brasileira de Genética Médica e Genômica. Resultados Compuseram a lista oito grupos de anomalias congênitas distribuídos de acordo com o tipo de anomalia relacionada, bem como a parte do corpo afetada e sua correspondência ao código do capítulo XVII da CID-10. Conclusão A lista de anomalias congênitas prioritárias para notificação fornece subsídios para o aprimoramento do registro no Sinasc.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a tendência temporal das prevalências de excesso de peso e obesidade nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal, 2006-2019. Métodos Série temporal, sobre dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (n=730.309). Analisaram-se as prevalências de excesso de peso e obesidade para cada ano, segundo a combinação de sexo, faixas etárias e níveis de escolaridade. A variação temporal foi analisada por regressão de Prais-Winsten. Resultados Observaram-se variações das prevalências de excesso de peso, principalmente em homens com 18-24 anos de idade e até 8 anos de estudo (3,17%/ano), e em mulheres de 18-24 anos e ≥12 anos de estudo (6,81%/ano). Observaram-se variações na prevalência de obesidade, principalmente entre mulheres de 18-24 anos e escolaridade ≥12 anos (10,79%/ano). Conclusão Verificou-se aumento do excesso de peso e obesidade na maioria dos estratos sociodemográficos, especialmente entre jovens de maior escolaridade.

Background: Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a dermatosis that affects children and adolescents characterized by hyperpigmented and atrophic linear lesions following Blaschko lines. So far, less than 50 cases have been published. Therefore, it is a rare entity with unknown etiology and a chronic and self-limited course. Histologically, it is described as hyperpigmentation of the basal layer without the involvement of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. No specific treatment exists currently. Localized scleroderma is a chronic and progressive autoimmune connective tissue disorder that affects the skin and adjacent tissues, characterized by abnormal collagen deposition and alteration in elastic fibers, blood vessels, and annexes. No reports have been published on the coexistence of localized scleroderma and LAM. Case report: We describe the case of an 11-year-old male with a clinical diagnosis of linear scleroderma since 5 years of age. Four years later, the patient developed atrophic and hyperpigmented lesions following Blaschko lines in the posterior trunk. A biopsy of both dermatoses was performed: the trunk showed epidermis with hyperpigmentation of the basal layer, and within the dermis, no alteration in the collagen bundles; the forearm biopsy corroborated scleroderma. Based on the clinical-pathological correlation, LAM coinciding with localized linear scleroderma was diagnosed. Conclusions: LAM is an infrequent entity by itself. Moreover, its coexistence with sclerodermiform syndrome has not been reported in the indexed literature.

Resumo Objetivo: Propor uma lista de anomalias congênitas com códigos correspondentes na Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde – 10ᵃ Revisão (CID-10), visando a aplicação no âmbito da vigilância em saúde. Métodos: Em dezembro de 2019, realizou-se busca nas seguintes fontes de dados: CID-10; CID-11; anomalias monitoradas por três modelos de vigilância; base de informações sobre doenças raras (Orphanet). Realizou-se extração das anomalias a partir dessas fontes, processamento para correspondência com base na CID-10 e compilação mediante revisão manual. Resultados: Foram identificados 898 códigos, dos quais 619 (68,9%) constavam no capítulo XVII da CID-10. Dos 279 códigos de outros capítulos, 19 foram exclusivos da busca na CID-11, 72 dos modelos de vigilância, 79 da Orphanet e 36 da busca de termos na CID-10. Conclusão: Os códigos que constam do capítulo XVII da CID-10 não captam a totalidade das anomalias congênitas, indicando a necessidade de adoção de uma lista ampliada.

Estabelecer um perfil clínico dos pacientes que desenvolveram lesão renal aguda durante a internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e a relação desta com processos infecciosos graves. Estudo observacional transversal, realizado na unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Municipal São José. Foram incluídos todos os pacientes maiores de 18 anos internados durante o período de maio a setembro de 2015. Pacientes que apresentaram lesão renal prévia e período de internação menor do que 48 horas foram excluídos. Foram coletados dados referentes aos fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de lesão renal, escores de gravidade de pacientes críticos, terapia antibacteriana administrada e classificação da lesão renal quando presente. A coleta de dados foi realizada nos prontuários eletrônicos dos pacientes. Foram incluídos 37 pacientes, com idade média de 46,6 anos, sendo 26 homens. Os fatores de risco mais encontrados foram hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus. As médias dos escores SAPS 3 foram de, respectivamente, 67,20 e 61,89 para pacientes com e sem lesão renal aguda e as do SOFA foram de 9,80 e 6,94. O grupo acometido por lesão renal aguda apresentou proporcionalmente maior número de casos de sepse e mais associações de antibacterianos nefrotóxicos como tratamento. Dentre os pacientes com lesão renal aguda, a maioria apresentou perturbações renais significativas Segundo a classificação de AKIN. Pacientes que receberam maior número de combinações de antibacterianos e sofreram episódios sépticos possivelmente são mais vulneráveis ao desenvolvimento de lesão renal aguda.

Resumo Este artigo apresenta o histórico e a construção da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2019, inquérito de base domiciliar realizado em parceria com o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. O objetivo da PNS 2019 foi dotar o país de informações sobre os determinantes, condicionantes e necessidades de saúde da população brasileira. A amostra prevista foi de 108.525 domicílios particulares, considerando-se uma taxa de não resposta de 20%. Seu questionário continha três partes, orientadas para (i) o domicílio, (ii) todos os moradores do domicílio, com enfoque na coleta de informações socioeconômicas e de saúde, e (iii) o morador selecionado (idade ≥15 anos), sendo investigados estilos de vida, doenças crônicas, violências, entre outros temas, e aferidas medidas antropométricas (subamostra). As informações da PNS 2019 servirão de base para a (re)formulação de políticas de saúde e subsídio a ações e programas existentes do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Resumo Objetivo descrever a evolução da COVID-19 no Brasil até a Semana Epidemiológica (SE) 20 de 2020. Métodos estudo ecológico baseado em dados e documentos do Ministério da Saúde brasileiro e órgãos internacionais; foram realizadas comparações do Brasil com outros países e calculadas taxas de incidência e de mortalidade. Resultados até o fim da SE 20, no país havia 233.142 casos, 15.633 óbitos confirmados e 3.240 (58,2%) dos municípios apresentavam pelo menos um caso; o Brasil estava em uma fase anterior da pandemia quando comparado aos demais países, exceto Rússia e Turquia, em casos acumulados, e Canadá, em óbitos acumulados; as maiores taxas foram encontradas em Unidades da Federação da Região Norte, com o Amazonas apresentando as maiores taxas de incidência (4.474,6/1 milhão) e mortalidade (331,8/1 milhão). Conclusão o Brasil está entre os países com maiores números de casos e óbitos confirmados, exibindo notáveis diferenças regionais.

Resumo Objetivo identificar as redes de colaboração internacional para vigilância das anomalias congênitas, elencar os programas que as compõem e comparar suas principais características. Métodos revisão narrativa de literatura, mediante busca na base MEDLINE (via PubMed), em endereços on-line, relatórios e documentos oficiais. Resultados foram identificadas seis redes de colaboração internacional para a vigilância de anomalias congênitas (ECLAMC, ICBDSR, EUROCAT, BINOCAR, SEAR-NBBD e ReLAMC), compostas por 98 programas presentes em 58 diferentes países de todos os continentes, exceto a África; as principais características quanto ao tipo de vigilância, cobertura e localização foram discutidas de modo comparativo. Conclusão as redes colaborativas internacionais constituem importantes atores para a vigilância das anomalias congênitas, contribuindo com o entendimento do cenário epidemiológico global desses agravos, além de atuar tanto para o fortalecimento de programas individuais já existentes quanto para a criação de iniciativas de vigilância em regiões desassistidas.

Abstract Background Most analyses of gaps in human resources for health (HRH) do not consider training and the transition of graduates into the labour market. This study aims to explore the labour market for Peru’s recent medical, nursing, and midwifery graduates as well as their transition into employment in the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) system. Methods Data from four different datasets, covering 2007–2013, was used to characterize the patterns of recently trained physicians, nurses, midwives, and postgraduate-trained physicians that enter employment in the MOH system, and scenario analyses were used to describe how this rate of entry needs to adapt in order to fill current HRH shortages. Results HRH graduates have been increasing from 2007 to 2011, but the proportions that enter employment in the MOH system 2 years later range from 8 to 45% and less than 10% of newly trained medical specialists. Scenario analyses indicate that the gap for physicians and nurses will be met in 2027 and 2024, respectively, while midwives in 2017. However, if the number of HRH graduates entering the MOH system doubles, these gaps could be filled as early as 2020 for physicians and 2019 for nurses. In this latter scenario, the MOH system would still only utilize 56% of newly qualified physicians, 74% of nurses, and 66% of midwives available in the labour market. Conclusion At 2013 training rates, Peru has the number of physicians, nurses, and midwives it needs to address HRH shortages and meet estimated HRH gaps in the national MOH system during the next decade. However, a significant number of newly qualified health professionals do not work for the MOH system within 2 years of graduation. These analyses highlight the importance of building adequate incentive structures to improve the entry and retention of HRH into the public sector.

Abstract Background Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized patients and results in a worsened clinical course as well as an increased length of stay, mortality, and costs. Therefore, simple nutrition screening systems, such as CIPA (control of food intake, protein, anthropometry), may be implemented to facilitate the patient’s recovery process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of implementing such screening tool in a tertiary hospital, consistent with the lack of similar, published studies on any hospital nutrition screening system. Methods The present study is carried out as an open, controlled, randomized study on patients that were admitted to the Internal Medicine and the General and Digestive Surgery ward; the patients were randomized to either a control or an intervention group (n = 824, thereof 412 patients in each of the two study arms). The control group underwent usual inpatient clinical care, while the intervention group was evaluated with the CIPA screening tool for early detection of malnutrition and treated accordingly. CIPA nutrition screening was performed upon hospital admission and classified positive when at least one of the following parameters was met: 72 h food intake control

Resumo Objetivo: descrever as expansões temporal e geográfica da circulação do vírus Zika (ZIKV) em países e territórios, desde seu isolamento até 2018. Métodos: revisão não sistemática da literatura do período entre 1947 e 2018, utilizando a base MEDLINE e estimativas da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Resultados: desde seu isolamento em 1947, a circulação do ZIKV expandiu-se pela África, Ásia e Pacífico, até chegar à América em 2013, causando manifestações clínicas graves; as maiores soroprevalências foram registradas na ilha de Yap (74%) e no Brasil (63%); mutações genéticas, a ausência de imunidade e a alta susceptibilidade dos vetores podem ter influenciado sua transmissibilidade e ajudam a explicar a magnitude de sua expansão. Conclusão: a expansão da circulação do ZIKV nas Américas foi a mais ampla já registrada, possivelmente resultado de características populacionais e geográficas dos locais por onde o vírus circulou.

Resumo: A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea de distribuição global e, em geral, os pacientes são tratados ambulatorialmente. Desde 1998, observa-se aumento dos casos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, especialmente por transmissão zoonótica envolvendo gatos. Os pacientes coinfectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), muitas vezes, necessitam de hospitalizações e evoluem a óbito. Este estudo analisa e descreve dados de 1992 a 2015, provenientes de bancos de dados do Sistema Único de Saúde. No Brasil, ocorreram 782 hospitalizações e 65 óbitos. Em 6% das hospitalizações e 40% dos óbitos, havia coinfecção pelo HIV. No Rio de Janeiro, foram 250 hospitalizações e 36 óbitos, com aumento progressivo, ao longo do período. Destacaram-se, ainda, São Paulo e Goiás. Homens, não brancos, com baixa escolaridade evoluíram mais frequentemente a óbito. Conclui-se que a esporotricose está associada a hospitalizações e óbitos em todo o Brasil, com destaque para o Rio de Janeiro.

Zika Preparedness Latin American Network (ZikaPLAN) is a research consortium funded by the European Commission to address the research gaps in combating Zika and to establish a sustainable network with research capacity building in the Americas. Here we present a report on ZikaPLAN`s mid-term achievements since its initiation in October 2016 to June 2019, illustrating the research objectives of the 15 work packages ranging from virology, diagnostics, entomology and vector control, modelling to clinical cohort studies in pregnant women and neonates, as well as studies on the neurological complications of Zika infections in adolescents and adults. For example, the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS) has set up more than 10 clinical sites in Colombia. Through the Butantan Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial, we have access to samples of 17,000 subjects in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil. To address the lack of access to clinical samples for diagnostic evaluation, ZikaPLAN set up a network of quality sites with access to well-characterized clinical specimens and capacity for independent evaluations. The International Committee for Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Tools was formed with global representation from regional networks conducting birth defects surveillance. We have collated a comprehensive inventory of resources and tools for birth defects surveillance, and developed an App for low resource regions facilitating the coding and description of all major externally visible congenital anomalies including congenital Zika syndrome. Research Capacity Network (REDe) is a shared and open resource centre where researchers and health workers can access tools, resources and support, enabling better and more research in the region. Addressing the gap in research capacity in LMICs is pivotal in ensuring broad-based systems to be prepared for the next outbreak. Our shared and open research space through REDe will be used to maximize the transfer of research into practice by summarizing the research output and by hosting the tools, resources, guidance and recommendations generated by these studies. Leveraging on the research from this consortium, we are working towards a research preparedness network.

Background: Given the interconnectivity of Brazil with the rest of the world, Zika virus (ZIKV) infections have the potential to spread rapidly around the world via viremic travellers. The extent of spread depends on the travel volume and the endemicity in the exporting country. In the absence of reliable surveillance data, we did mathematical modelling to estimate the number of importations of ZIKV from Brazil into Europe. Design: We applied a previously developed mathematical model on importations of dengue to estimate the number of ZIKV importations into Europe, based on the travel volume, the probability of being infected at the time of travel, the population size of Brazil, and the estimated incidence of ZIKV infections. Results: Our model estimated between 508 and 1,778 imported infections into Europe in 2016, of which we would expect between 116 and 355 symptomatic Zika infections; with the highest number of importations being into France, Portugal and Italy. Conclusions: Our model identified high-risk countries in Europe. Such data can assist policymakers and public health professionals in estimating the extent of importations in order to prepare for the scale up of laboratory diagnostic assays and estimate the occurrence of Guillain–Barré Syndrome, potential sexual transmission, and infants with congenital ZIKV syndrome.

La salud mental es una prioridad en los sistemas de salud, no sólo porque tenemos conocimiento de la enorme carga que representa en el peso de la enfermedad, sino también porque se considera una condición primordial de calidad de vida. En términos epidemiológicos, la salud mental contribuye con la carga global de las enfermedades en alrededor de 12%, representa hasta 28% de los años vividos con discapacidad y constituye una de las tres principales causas de mortalidad entre las personas de 15 a 35 años, considerando el suicidio. La promoción de salud mental, particularmente desde una edad temprana, es un desafío para la población en su conjunto.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the profile of pharmaceutical clinical interventions performed concurrently with the medical prescription evaluation service. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, prospective and observational study conducted at the General Intensive Care Unit of a public hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil, with 8 beds in full occupation. The study included 54 patients hospitalized from February to July 2017. Included in the study were medical prescriptions and pharmaceutical interventions recorded in the electronic medical record of patients of both genders of any race, origin, age and pathology. Medical prescriptions and pharmaceutical interventions that did not belong to the hospitalization unit studied and the study period were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 499 medical prescriptions belonging to 54 patients (48%), male patients (68%), hypertensive patients (27%), diabetic patients (22%) and polytrauma patients (13%) were analyzed. Of the prescriptions analyzed, 91.1% had a need for pharmaceutical intervention with a total of 64.2% acceptance. The main drug-related problems were drug interaction (40%), potential adverse effect (28%) and need for dose adjustment (13%). The classes of drugs that most needed intervention were analgesics (23%), cardiovascular (14%) and antimicrobials (13%). Conclusions: In assessing clinical pharmaceutical interventions as a benefit in addition to critical care in the Intensive Care Unit we emphasize the percentage of acceptance of pharmaceutical interventions (64%), mostly those involving increased risk for adverse effects and drug interactions, thus contributing to the prevention of complications.

Background: Dengue fever persists as a major global disease burden, and may increase as a consequence of climate change. Along with other measures, research actions to improve diagnosis, surveillance, prevention, and predictive models are highly relevant. The European Commission funded the DengueTools consortium to lead a major initiative in these areas, and this review synthesises the outputs and findings of this work conducted from 2011 to 2016. Research areas: DengueTools organised its work into three research areas, namely [1] Early warning and surveillance systems; [2] Strategies to prevent dengue in children; and [3] Predictive models for the global spread of dengue. Research area 1 focused on case-studies undertaken in Sri Lanka, including developing laboratory-based sentinel surveillance, evaluating economic impact, identifying drivers of transmission intensity, evaluating outbreak prediction capacity and developing diagnostic capacity. Research area 2 addressed preventing dengue transmission in school children, with case-studies undertaken in Thailand. Insecticide-treated school uniforms represented an intriguing potential approach, with some encouraging results, but which were overshadowed by a lack of persistence of insecticide on the uniforms with repeated washing. Research area 3 evaluated potential global spread of dengue, particularly into dengue-naïve areas such as Europe. The role of international travel, changing boundaries of vectors, developing models of vectorial capacity under different climate change scenarios and strategies for vector control in outbreaks was all evaluated. Concluding remarks: DengueTools was able to make significant advances in methods for understanding and controlling dengue transmission in a range of settings. These will have implications for public health agendas to counteract dengue, including vaccination programmes. Outlook: Towards the end of the DengueTools project, Zika virus emerged as an unexpected epidemic in the central and southern America. Given the similarities between the dengue and Zika viruses, with vectors in common, some of the DengueTools thinking translated readily into the Zika situation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the access to drugs for hypertension and diabetes and the direct cost of buying them among users of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.METHODS: Population-based, cross-sectional study of a systematic random sample of 785 patients with hypertension and 823 patients with diabetes mellitus who were registered in 208 randomly selected FHS teams in 35 municipalities of the state of Pernambuco. The selected municipalities were classified into three levels with probability proportional to municipality size (LS, large-sized; MS, medium-sized; SS, small-sized). To verify differences between the cities, we used the χ2 test.RESULTS: Pharmacological treatment was used by 91.2% patients with hypertension whereas 85.6% patients with diabetes mellitus used oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), and 15.4% used insulin. The FHS team itself provided antihypertensive medications to 69.0% patients with hypertension, OADs to 75.0% patients with diabetes mellitus, and insulin treatment to 65.4%. The 36.9% patients with hypertension and 29.8% with diabetes mellitus that had to buy all or part of their medications reported median monthly cost of R$ 18.30, R$ 14.00, and R$ 27.61 for antihypertensive drugs, OADs, and insulin, respectively.CONCLUSION: It is necessary to increase efforts to ensure access to these drugs in the primary health care network.

The aim of this article was to describe the attention functioning of twenty-two truck drivers and its relationship with amphetamine use. Those drivers who reported using amphetamines in the twelve months previous to the interview had the best performance in a test evaluating sustained attention functioning. Although amphetamine use may initially seem advantageous to the drivers, it may actually impair safe driving. The findings suggest the importance of monitoring the laws regarding amphetamine use in this country.