Hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil: report of a national survey (Florianópolis, SC, 1995)

In order to investigate epidemiological aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Brazil, basic informations about cases diagnosed from January 1992 to December 1994 were requested to several medical centers of different Brazilian States. A simple questionnaire included age, sex, alcohol abuse (over 80g/day), associated liver cirrhosis, persistent HBV infection (HBsAg), HCV infection (anti-HCV) and serum levels of alpha fetoprotein. 287 cases, over 16 years old, from 19 medical centers of 8 States (Pará, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul) were analysed. The results showed: (a) Mean age was 56.3 ± 14.4 for men and 54.7 ± 16.8 yr for women and the male/female ratio was 3.4:1. (b) 69.6% were caucasians, 21.8% mullatoes, 4.8% orientals and 3.7% blacks. (c) HBsAg (+) in 77/236 cases (41.6%) without differences between males and females. (d) Anti-HCV (+) in 52/193 cases (26.9%). (e) 7/180 cases were positive both for HBsAg and anti-HCV (3.8%). (f) There was chronic alcoholism in 88/235 cases (37%). (g) HCC was found in cirrhotic livers in 71.2% of 202 cases in which the presence or absence of cirrhosis was reported. (h) Alpha-fetoprotein above 20 ng/ml was found in 124/172 cases (72%) and above 500 ng/ml only in 40 cases (23.2%). These results showed that the HCC in Brazil has an intermediate epidemiological pattern as compared to those from areas of low and high incidence of the tumor. In spite of the high frequency of the association of HCC with the HBV and/or HCV infections, 42% of 180 cases were negative both for HBsAg and anti-HCV, indicating the possible role of other etiological factors. The comparison of data from different States showed some regional differences: higher frequency of associated HBsAg in Pará, Bahia, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, higher frequency of associated HCV infection in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and States of the Southern region and low frequency of associated liver cirrhosis in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro (55.5 and 50% respectively). Further investigation will be necessary to study the presence of other possible etiological factors as aflatoxins, suggested by the favourable climatic conditions for food contamination by fungi in the majority Brazilian regions

Biomphalaria tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835) (Mollusca): adaptation to desiccation and susceptibility to infection with Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907

Experiments were carried out to test the susceptibility of Biomphalaria tenagophila to the infection with strain SJ of Schistosoma mansoni in the F1, F2 and non-selected parental generation. The potential adaptation of B. tenagophila to desiccation, in healthy mollusks and those exposed to the larvae of S. mansoni of the F1, F2 and non-selected parental generations was also studied. The presence of mucus and soil, at the shell opening, protected the snails against desiccation, favoring survival. The healthy mollusks performed more attempts against desiccation than those exposed to the larvae of the parasite. The mortality rate, during desiccation, was higher among mollusks that remained buried and with the shell opening unobstructed. During the desiccation period the stage of development of the parasite was influenced by the weight loss and the survival of the snails. The longer the period of desiccation, the greater was the weight loss observed, abbreviating survival. The non-selected parental generation was more sensitive to desiccation than the F1 and F2 generations, both in healthy mollusks and in those exposed to S. mansoni larvae. Healthy mollusks were more resistant to desiccation than those exposed to the larvae of the S. mansoni. Desiccation did not interrupt the development of S. mansoni larvae in mollusks, causing a delay in the cercariae elimination. The susceptibility of B. tenagophila to the SJ strain of S. mansoni, in mollusks maintained in water during the larvae incubation period, was similar in all three generations.

Anti-Taenia solium metacestodes antibodies in serum from blood donors from four cities of Triângulo Mineiro area, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1995

Serological survey was performed to detect IgG antibodies anti-Taenia solium metacestodes in blood donors of Hemocentro Regional de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 1133 sera from blood donors coming from four cities of Triângulo Mineiro area were analyzed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgG antibodies were found in 5.6% of the studied population, showing differences in the positive rates according to their origin: Araguari (13.5%), Tupaciguara (5.0%), Monte Alegre de Minas (4.8%) and Uberlândia (4.7%). The results indicate the probable endemicity of cysticercosis in this population.

Scorpion stings in Turkey: epidemiological and clinical aspects between the years 1995 and 2004

The most important health-threatening scorpions found in Turkey are; Androctonus crassicauda, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Mesobuthus gibbosus and M. eupeus species, all of which belong to the Buthidae family. The epidemiological and clinical findings of scorpion stings in Turkey were evaluated between the years 1995 and 2004 based on data recorded in the National Poison Information Center (NPIC). A total of 930 cases were recorded. The cases mostly occurred in the month of July. The gender distribution was 50.22% female and 45.48% male. It was shown that the 20-29 age group presented more scorpion stings. Most of the stings occurred in Central Anatolia and Marmara regions of Turkey. Patients at the hospital showed signs of localized (pain, hyperemia, edema and numbness) and systemic effects (hyperthermia, nausea and vomiting, tachycardia, shivering and lethargy) but no lethality was notified. According to records, 33% of the poisoned patients were treated with antivenin in healthcare facilities.

Estudo morfológico do Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 encontrado na espécie humana

O presente trabalho estuda; a morfologia do Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907, obtido por filtração extra-corpórea de 5 (cinco) pacientes do Hospital São Vicente de Paula em Minas Gerais. Foram elucidados detalhes morfológicos até então controvertidos na literatura, tendo sido, inclusive, correlacionados com os estudados pela microscopia eletrônica por outros autores. Não foram observadas diferenças morfológicas entre os vermes humanos e os descritos em animais de pequeno porte.

Sobre o comportamento de duas linhagens de Schistosoma mansoni Sambon 1907: proposição para método de estudo quantitativo

Depois de tecerem comentários sobre as relações parasito-hospedeiro, os autores propõem um método para o estudo quantitativo de duas linhagens de Schistosoma mansoni. Após a proposição do método e sua aplicação, os autores concluem que a linhagem mineira de S. mansoni é mais patogênica do que a linhagem paulista do mesmo trematódeo.

Dengue infection in Paracambi, State of Rio de Janeiro, 1990-1995

A seroepidemiological survey was carried out during 1994 in the municipality of Paracambi, state of Rio de Janeiro. Haemagglutination inhibition test positivity was detected in 145 out of 370 (39.2%) schoolchildren. The frequency of positive test by sex was 53.8% (78/145) female and 46.2% (67/145) male. Distribution by age showed the increasing of antibody posivity in older children. Strains of dengue virus type 1 and dengue virus type 2 were isolated before (1990) showing the co-circulation of both serotypes in that area. The house index infestation of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti has been determined.

Prevalência de Aeromonas ssp em fezes diarréicas de crianças menores de 5 anos de idade na cidade de Goiânia, Goiás, no biênio 1995 - 1996

Foram analisadas 163 amostras de fezes de crianças com idade abaixo de 5 anos no período de 1995 a 1996, sendo 91 de fezes diarréicas e 72 de fezes não diarréicas. O material foi coletado em meio para transporte e submetido ao processo de enriquecimento a 4oC por 7 dias. Para o isolamento primário foi utilizado ágar amido ampicilina e incubado a 35oC por 18 a 24 horas. Foram isoladas 20 (21,9%) das seguintes espécies: Aeromonas A. caviae (7,7%), A. salmonicida salmonicida (6,6%), A. sobria (4,3%), A. hydrophila (2,2%) e Salmonicida achromogenes (1,1%). Nenhuma Aeromonas spp foi isolada dos 72 pacientes-controles. A susceptibilidade das amostras de Aeromonas spp aos antimicrobianos foi maior com a ciprofloxacina, diminuindo gradativamente com cloranfenicol, gentamicina, ampicilina e eritromicina.

Avaliação de ações municipais de combate a vetores da dengue na região de São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 1989 a 1995

O objetivo do trabalho é medir as coberturas das atividades municipais de controle de Aedes aegypti e/ou Aedes albopictus, o casa-casa e o arrastão, realizadas entre 1989 e 1995 na região de São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo e avaliar a correlação cruzada entre elas e os Índices de Breteau (IB). Para o municípios com até 50.000 imóveis as coberturas conjuntas das atividade casa-casa e arrastão foram em sua maioria adequadas e as coberturas do casa-casa apresentaram correlação cruzada negativa com os IB. Para município sede (maior que 50.000 imóveis) estas coberturas não apresentaram correlação com os IB. Em geral as coberturas foram inversamente proporcionais ao tamanho dos municípios. Para todas as faixas de tamanho de municípios, os arrastões não apresentaram correlação com os IB, mostrando-se ineficazes.

Leishmaniose tegumentar na Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte: aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais, terapêuticos e evolutivos (1989-1995)

Foram investigados aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais, terapêuticos e evolutivos da leishmaniose tegumentar americana em Belo Horizonte. O estudo incluiu 358 pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea (LC) e 25 com leishmaniose mucosa (LM). Comparados aos pacientes com LC, aqueles com LM apresentaram maior tempo de doença e relato de outras doenças concomitantes, sugerindo que a debilitação pela leishmaniose e/ou outras doenças podem contribuir para a ativação e/ou disseminação mucosa do parasito. As sensibilidades das reações intradérmica, de imunofluorescência indireta e da pesquisa direta do parasito foram de 78,4, 79,3 e 68,3%, respectivamente. O tratamento com antimoniato de meglumina foi 100% eficaz, com 59% de efeitos colaterais ao longo do tratamento. A recidiva após tratamento ocorreu em 32 (10,1%) dos 318 casos seguidos por até dois anos. A maioria das recidivas (31 dos 32 casos) ocorreu em pacientes com LC tratados com 15mg Sb5+/kg/dia. Na investigação de critérios de cura, a reação intradérmica negativa foi o único fator associado a um risco três vezes maior de recidiva. Um aumento da dose ou do tempo de tratamento talvez melhore o prognóstico nestes pacientes.

Epidemiologia do dengue em Salvador-Bahia,1995-1999

Desde 1981, o Brasil tem registrado epidemias de dengue de grande magnitude e atualmente circulam simultaneamente dois sorotipos DEN-1 e DEN--2, em mais de 2.700 municípios. Em Salvador - Bahia, situada na Região Nordeste do país, ocorreram duas epidemias nos anos de 1995 e 1996, e posterior endemização da doença. Este estudo analisa a incidência desta virose nesse município, no período de 1995 a 1999, considerando entre outras variáveis, sua distribuição nos Distritos Sanitários e a situação de densidade do Aedes aegypti. Utiliza como fonte de dados registros oficiais de notificação e do programa de combate vetorial da cidade. A taxa de incidência de dengue foi de 691,4 e 393,5 por 100.000 habitantes, respectivamente, em 1995 e 1996, reduziu-se para 65 por 100.000 em 1998. Nos Distritos Sanitários mais carentes, este indicador alcançou valores superiores a 800 por 100.000 habitantes. O Índice de Infestação Predial pelo Aedes chegou a atingir 54,1% em um dos seus bairros. Considerando a importância da reemergência do dengue no mundo os autores discutem os possíveis fatores que condicionaram a introdução do vírus, as suas apresentações epidemiológicas no curso de 4 anos, e a efetividade do programa de combate vetorial.

Longitudinal clinical and serological survey of abdominal angiostrongyliasis in Guaporé, southern Brazil, from 1995 to 1999

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, a nematode with an intra-vascular location in the mesentery. Our objective was to address several aspects of the natural history of this parasitosis, in a longitudinal clinical and seroepidemiological study. A total of 179 individuals living in a rural area with active transmission in southern Brazil were followed for five years (1995-1999) resulting in yearly prevalence of 28.2%, 4.2%, 10%, 20.2% and 2.8% and incidences of 0%, 5.9%, 8% and 1.5%, respectively. Both men and woman were affected with higher frequencies at age 30-49 years. In 32 individuals serum samples were collected at all time points and IgG antibody reactivity detected by ELISA was variable and usually persisting not longer than one year. Some individual antibody patterns were suggestive of re-infection. There was no association with occurrence of abdominal pain or of other enteroparasites and there was no individual with a confirmed (histopathologic) diagnosis. Mollusks were found with infective third-stage larvae in some houses with an overall prevalence of 16% and a low parasitic burden. In conclusion, abdominal angiostrongyliasis in southern Brazil may be a frequent infection with low morbidity and a gradually decreasing serological reactivity.

Epidemiologia, etiologia e formas clínicas das dermatofitoses em Pernambuco, 1995-2005

Num total de 1.238 casos de dermatofitoses, ocorridas na Cidade de Recife /PE, observou-se predomínio das tinhas de couro cabeludo (33,7%) e Trichophyton tonsurans (25,5%), entre 1995 e 1999, enquanto as tinhas de pele glabra (35,5%) e Trichophyton rubrum (34%) foram mais freqüentes entre 2000 e 2005. Detectou-se importante redução do Trichophyton mentagrophytes, no último período.

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in the State of Pernambuco, 1995-2006

In Pernambuco, the first dengue cases occurred in 1987. After a seven-year interval without autochthonous cases, a new epidemic occurred in 1995. Important aspects of the dengue epidemics during the period 1995-2006 have been analyzed here, using epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data. A total of 378,374 cases were notified, with 612 confirmed cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and 33 deaths. The mortality rate was 5.4%. The incidence rate increased from 134 to 1,438/100,000 inhabitants, corresponding to the epidemics due to serotypes 2 and 3, in 1995 and 2002, respectively. Dengue mainly affected adults (20-49 years); 40.7% were male and 59.3% were female. From 2003 onwards, the number of cases among individuals younger than 15 years old increased. Out of 225 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases, 42.7% primary and 57.3% secondary infections were identified (p = 0.0279). Neurological manifestations were also observed. From 2002 onwards, serotypes 1, 2 and 3 were circulating; serotype 3 was predominant.