Enterococcus spp. em espécimes clínicos de pacientes atendidos em unidades de terapia intensiva

The relationship between the occurrence of enterococci in the oral microbiota and serious infections in patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU) has been established. This study evaluated the presence of Enterococcus faecalis and other species of this genus in the mouths of patients on ICU, correlating it with oral and systemic conditions. Data on health and socioeconomic, medication use, medical and family history of patients maintained for 72 hours in the ICU, diagnosed with severe infection or who have developed this condition after the entry to the unit were obtained. Fifty patients provided intraoral and extraoral clinical samples for analysis (above and subgingival biofilm, saliva and buccal mucosa, followed by obtaining samples of respiratory secretions for patients with pneumonia, and blood and urine for sepsis). The presence of target microorganisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture using selective media. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis, and the significance level was 5%. The intraoral clinical conditions of the patients showed poor. E. faecalis was significantly more frequent microorganism, followed by E. faecium. The use of broadspectrum antimicrobial action was associated with the presence of these opportunistic microorganisms. These bacteria were more frequent in patients with periodontitis or gingivitis. The results showed that enterococci associated with serious infectious processes may originate from resident microbiota of patients and its prevalence is not elevated in healthy individuals.

Avaliação do desempenho escolar de crianças contaminadas por chumbo

The lead contamination in children has been the subject of research in the field of public health. This study evaluated the academic performance of 102 children from first to fourth grade. The subjects were divided into two groups. The first group was composed of 34 children without lead poisoning or with poison at levels lower than 5 µg/dl. The second group was composed of 68 children with blood lead levels between 10 and 40 µg/ dl. The instruments used to evaluate the academic performance were anamnesis and a scholarly performance test called Teste de Desempenho Escolar, TDE. The results indicated better academic performances from the second group with significant differences in arithmetic, reading and general scores. In a comparison between genders, the girls had better performances than the boys. These results were consistent with the parents’ perception in anamnesis. Although other variables were present, the data showed great academic damage for children with higher leadpoison. These outcomes require political policies to control contamination and intervention in this population.

Um pássaro invocou mudamente o abismo: tensão entre as categorias positivas e negativas na poética de Orides Fontela

Pós-graduação em Letras - IBILCE