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Background and aimsPersons with substance use disorder are at increased risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Although most of them are attached to social health centers, the vaccination rate in this group is low. In this context, we designed a study to evaluate the prevalence of users of drug addiction centers (DAC) not immunized against hepatitis B and to compare the rate of vaccination against hepatitis B with the rate of immunization against SARS-Cov-2 in 2 years of follow-up.DesignRetrospective study that included individuals attended at DAC. Patients were screened at baseline (June 2020–January 2021) for HBV immunization. Individuals with HBsAb < 10 IU/mL were recommended to receive hepatitis B vaccine, during follow-up (January 2021–October 2022). At the end of follow-up, the HBV vaccination rate among candidates was determined and compared with the vaccination rate against SARS-Cov-2 in this population in the same period.FindingsA total of 325 subjects were surveyed and tested. At baseline, the 65% (211/325) of were candidates to initiate vaccination and were advisor to HBV vaccination. During the follow-up 15 individuals received at least one dose of HBV vaccine, supposing a vaccination rate of 7.2%. In the same period, 186 individuals received at least one dose against SARS-Cov-2, representing a vaccination rate of 83%. The comparison between vaccination rates reached statistically significant (p

Background and aimsThe burden hepatitis C infection in people with history or current drug use suppose a high risk of hepatic complications and transmission infectious disease. This population is poor linked to heath system and is difficult to achieve them and support treatment because they have high rates of lost follow-up. Our aim was to evaluate an intervention for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C and HIV in this population.MethodsSix-hundred and eighty-three people attended in Drugs and Addictions Centers (DAC) were asked to participate in health counseling and provide blood sample for test HCV, HIV, and syphilis from April 2019 to June 2020. Totally 556 subjects were surveyed and tested. All of them were assigned to a patient navigation program to improve health education and linking to the sanitary system. Hepatitis C infection patients were evaluated in an ampliated medical consult to evaluate hepatic stage with transient liver elastography and initiated Direct Acting Antivirals to achieve Sustained Viral Response.ResultsOf the 556 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 33 (5.9%) had active HCV infection. Of the 33 patients infected with HCV, three were lost to follow-up once the diagnosis of HCV infection was made. Twenty-eight patients (93.3%) completed treatment and 26 achieved Sustained Viral Response (78.8%). Of the 30 patients, seven (23.3%) had advanced fibrosis, and of these, four (16.6%) had liver cirrhosis. One of the cirrhotic patients had hepatic space-occupying lesions at the baseline evaluation and was diagnosed with hepatocarcinoma.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the implementation of strategies based on personalized intervention models can contribute to the control of HCV infection in DAC users.

Meloidae are commonly known as blister beetles, so called for the secretion of cantharidin, a toxic substance that causes irritation and blistering. There has been a recent increase in the interest of the cantharidin anticancer potential of this insect group. Cytogenetic and molecular data in this group are scarce. In this study, we performed a karyotype analysis of Hycleus scutellatus, an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. We determined its chromosome number, 2n = 20, as well as the presence of the X and Y sex chromosomes. In addition to a karyotype analysis, we carried out DAPI staining. By fluorescence in situ hybridization we mapped the rDNA clusters on 12 different chromosomes. Compared to others, this species shows an unusually high number of chromosomes carrying rDNA. This is one of the highest numbers of rDNA sites found in the Polyphaga suborder (Coleoptera). Additionally, we isolated a satellite DNA family (Hyscu-H), which was located within the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes, including the sex chromosomes. The results suggest that Hyscu-H is likely to be one of the most abundant satellite DNA repeats in H. scutellatus.