The value of ultrasonography in assessment of portal hypertension in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Ultrasonography can reveal most of the manifestations of portal hypertension complicating hepatosplenic, schistosomiasis. However, direct demonstration of gastroesophageal varices by ultrasonography is still very difficult. An attempt was done to correlate sonographic features of portal hypertension with the degree of fibrosis to screen patients having varices and predicting their chance of bleeding. The results obtained were found to be consistent with the esophagogastric endoscopy and with history of hematemesis. Four parameters were used, size of spleen, degree of periportal fibrosis, presence of collaterals and portal vein diameter. A pilot field survey was also done adopting the same principle.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion to normal and injured respiratory mucosa

Human nasal polyps outgrowth culture were used to study the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to respiratory cells. By transmission electron microscopy, bacteria associated with ciliated cells were identified trapped at the extremities of cilia, usually as aggregates of several bacterial cells. They were never seen at the interciliary spaces or attached along cilia. Bacteria were also seen to adhere to migrating cells of the periphery of the outgrowth culture. Using a model of repair of wounded respiratory epithelial cells in culture, we observed that the adhesion of P. aeruginosa to migrating cells of the edges of the repairing wounds was significantly higher than the adhesion to non-migrating cells and that adherent bacteria were surrounded by a fibrocnectin-containing fibrillar material The secretion of extracellular matrix components is involved in the process of epithelium repair following injury. To investigate the molecular basis of P. aeruginosa adhesion to migrating cells, bacteria were treated with a fibronectin solution before their incubation with the respiratory cells. P. aeruginosa treatment by fibronectin significantly increased their adhesion to migrating cells. Accordingly, we hypothesize that during cell migration, fibronectin secreted by epithelial cells may favour P. aeruginosa adhesion by establishing a bridge between the bacteria and the epithelial cell receptors. Such a mechanism may represent a critical step for P. aeruginosa infection of healing injured epithelium.

Phase 1 Study of an Inactivated Vaccine against American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Normal Volunteers in Brazil

A Phase 1 double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate a vaccine against American tegumentary leishmaniasis in 61 healthy male volunteers. Side effects and the immune response to the vaccine were evaluated, with 1- and 2- dose schemes, with intervals of 7 or 21 days, each dose containing 1440 mg of protein N antigen of a single strain of Leishmania amazonensis (PH 8) diluted in merthiolated saline (1:10,000). Merthiolated saline and an inert substance were used as placebos. No significant clinical alterations were found following the respective injections in the vaccinated individuals as compared to the placebos, except for local pain, which was associated significantly with injection of the vaccine. The laboratory alterations we observed bore no association with the clinical findings and were unimportant. We observed no differences between the groups with regard to seroconversion or the Montenegro skin test. However, the group that received a single dose of the vaccine and the one that received two doses with a 21-day interval displayed cutaneous induration significantly larger than in the control group, with 100%, 100%, and 66% conversion in the skin test, respectively. We concluded that the vaccine does not present any major side effect that would contraindicate its use in healthy individuals.

Predictive value of the acid fast smear for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens in a Reference Center of HIV/Aids in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In order to evaluate the predictive value of acid fast bacilii (AFB) smear for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens in a setting with a high prevalence of Aids and an unknown prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), we retrospectively examined specimens cultured for mycobacteria between 1 September 1993 and 30 September 1994 and medical records of patients with positive culture in a General Hospital, Aids reference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Seventy three per cent (1517/2077) of samples were respiratory specimens and mycobacteria were recovered from 20.6% (313/1517) of these. M. tuberculosis was identified in 94.2% (295/313) and NTM in 5.8% (18/313). The yield of positive AFB smear and of positive culture was 6.1% (93/1517) and 20.6% (313/1517), respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) of AFB for M. tuberculosis was 98.4% in expectorated sputum and 96.4% in bronchoalveolar lavage. Forty four percent (130/295) of specimens with positive culture for M. tuberculosis and 66.7% (12/18) for NTM were from patients HIV positive. The conclusion was that in our study population, the PPV of AFB for M. tuberculosis in respiratory specimens was high and the prevalence of NTM was low despite the high prevalence of HIV positive.

Value of morphotyping for the characterization of Candida albicans clinical isolates

Until recently, morphotyping, a method evaluating fringe and surface characteristics of streak colonies grown on malt agar, has been recommended as a simple and unexpensive typing method for Candida albicans isolates. The discriminatory power and reproducibility of Hunter's modified scheme of Phongpaichit's morphotyping has been evaluated on 28 C. albicans isolates recovered from the oral cavity of asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-positive subjects, and compared to two molecular typing methods: randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, and contour clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoretic karyotyping. Morphological features of streak colonies allowed to distinguish 11 different morphotypes while RAPD fingerprinting yielded 25 different patterns and CHEF electrophoresis recognized 9 karyotypes. The discriminatory power calculated with the formula of Hunter and Gaston was 0.780 for morphotyping, 0.984 for RAPD fingerprinting, and 0.630 for karyotyping. Reproducibility was tested using 43 serial isolates from 15 subjects (2 to 6 isolates per subject) and by repeating the test after one year storage of the isolates. While genetic methods generally recognized a single type for all serial isolates from each of the subjects studied, morphotyping detected strain variations in five subjects in the absence of genetic confirmation. Poor reproducibility was demonstrated repeating morphotyping after one year storage of the isolates since differences in at least one character were detected in 92.9% of the strains.

Beyond sepsis pathophysiology with cytokines: what is their value as biomarkers for disease severity?

Sepsis is a major challenge in medicine. It is a common and frequently fatal infectious condition. The incidence continues to increase, with unacceptably high mortality rates, despite the use of specific antibiotics, aggressive operative intervention, nutritional support, and anti-inflammatory therapies. Typically, septic patients exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity due to variables such as age, weight, gender, the presence of secondary disease, the state of the immune system, and the severity of the infection. We are at urgent need for biomarkers and reliable measurements that can be applied to risk stratification of septic patients and that would easily identify those patients at the highest risk of a poor outcome. Such markers would be of fundamental importance to decision making for early intervention therapy or for the design of septic clinical trials. In the present work, we will review current biomarkers for sepsis severity and especially the use of cytokines as biomarkers with important pathophysiological role.

IgA1 levels in milk and serum samples from intestinal parasite-infected or normal puerperae

In this study, IgA1 levels in the milk and serum of puerperae were compared and a correlation was established between the levels of this immunoglobulin and the occurrence of parasitism. Eighty-three paired milk and serum samples were obtained from puerperal and IgA1 levels were analyzed. In addition, the presence of intestinal parasites in stool samples from these puerperae was determined. Twelve puerperae tested positive for intestinal parasites and all their samples presented an IgA1 ELISA Index > 1. There was a correlation between serum and milk IgA1 levels and puerperae with any parasite in their stool (r = 0.6723; p = 0.0166). This finding may reinforce the importance of breast-feeding for the protection of neonates.

Usefulness of PCR-based assays to assess drug efficacy in Chagas disease chemotherapy: value and limitations

One major goal of research on Chagas disease is the development of effective chemotherapy to eliminate the infection from individuals who have not yet developed cardiac and/or digestive disease manifestations. Cure evaluation is the more complex aspect of its treatment, often leading to diverse and controversial results. The absence of reliable methods or a diagnostic gold standard to assess etiologic treatment efficacy still constitutes a major challenge. In an effort to develop more sensitive tools, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays were introduced to detect low amounts of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood samples from chagasic patients, thus improving the diagnosis and follow-up evaluation after chemotherapy. In this article, I review the main problems concerning drug efficacy and criteria used for cure estimation in treated chagasic patients, and the work conducted by different groups on developing PCR methodologies to monitor treatment outcome of congenital infections as well as recent and late chronic T. cruzi infections.

Bonafide, type-specific human papillomavirus persistence among HIV-positive pregnant women: predictive value for cytological abnormalities, a longitudinal cohort study

This study investigated the rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence, associated risk factors, and predictors of cytological alteration outcomes in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant women over an 18-month period. HPV was typed through L1 gene sequencing in cervical smears collected during gestation and at 12 months after delivery. Outcomes were defined as nonpersistence (clearance of the HPV in the 2nd sample), re-infection (detection of different types of HPV in the 2 samples), and type-specific HPV persistence (the same HPV type found in both samples). An unfavourable cytological outcome was considered when the second exam showed progression to squamous intraepithelial lesion or high squamous intraepithelial lesion. Ninety patients were studied. HPV DNA persistence occurred in 50% of the cases composed of type-specific persistence (30%) or re-infection (20%). A low CD4+T-cell count at entry was a risk factor for type-specific, re-infection, or HPV DNA persistence. The odds ratio (OR) was almost three times higher in the type-specific group when compared with the re-infection group (OR = 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 0.43-22.79). Our findings show that bonafide (type-specific) HPV persistence is a stronger predictor for the development of cytological abnormalities, highlighting the need for HPV typing as opposed to HPV DNA testing in the clinical setting.

Práticas assistenciais em reanimação do recém-nascido no contexto de um centro de parto normal

Aproximadamente 10 a 15% dos recém-nascidos (RNs) apresentam dificuldades de adaptação ao nascimento, o que requer habilidade e prontidão dos profis-sionais para intervir nessas situações. Este estudo observacional, transversal objetivou descrever as práticas assistenciais empregadas em reanimação neo-natal em um Centro de Parto Normal de um hospital público de São Paulo. Observou-se 100 atendimentos prestados pela equipe profissional e os dados foram registrados em um instrumento checklist. A presença de líquido meconial foi constatada em 24 (24,0%) partos e a aspiração das vias respiratórias foi realizada em 47 (47,0%) RNs. Desse total, 3 (6,4%) tiveram a traquéia aspirada e 26 (26,0%) RNs receberam oxigenação, sendo que 5 (19,2%) com máscara aberta e pressão positiva. Massagem cardíaca foi realizada em 1 (1,0%) RN. Após a reanimação neonatal inicial, 6 (6,0%)RNs foram transferidos à UTI neonatal devido desconforto respiratório.

Centro de parto normal e a assistência obstétrica centrada nas necessidades da parturiente

Levando em conta os vários estudos e reflexões a respeito do novo modelo de assistência ao parto e nascimento (assistência humanizada), e trabalhando como enfermeira obstétrica em um Centro de Parto Normal, surgiu o questionamento a respeito desse conceito, devido às diversas conotações dadas a esse termo. Este artigo foi produzido com a finalidade de divulgar nossa proposta de substituição da expressão "assistência humanizada ao parto", por "assistência obstétrica centrada nas necessidades da parturiente", e de discorrer como essa assistência é prestada no Centro de Parto Normal do Hospital Geral de Itapecerica da Serra (SP), que segue um protocolo de condutas obstétricas e normas preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde.

Fatores relacionados ao trauma perineal no parto normal em nulíparas

Inúmeros estudos têm sido realizados com a finalidade de contribuir para a prevenção do trauma perineal no parto normal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relacionar a altura do períneo, duração do período expulsivo, variedade de posição no desprendimento cefálico, tipo de puxo, presença de circular de cordão, peso do recém-nascido e ardor na vulva ao urinar com a ocorrência de lacerações perineais. A pesquisa foi realizada em 2003, no Centro de Parto Normal do Amparo Maternal, com uma amostra de 67 parturientes sem partos vaginais anteriores. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação às variáveis analisadas.

Traço e estado de ansiedade de nutrizes com indicadores de hipogalactia e nutrizes com galactia normal

Este estudo objetivou identificar e comparar o traço e estado de ansiedade, no 10º dia pós-parto e estado de ansiedade no 30º dia puerperal, das nutrizes primíparas e multíparas que apresentaram indicadores de hipogalactia e nutrizes com galactia normal; verificar possíveis relações entre o estado de ansiedade das nutrizes nesses dois momentos com a presença dos indicadores de hipogalactia. É um estudo exploratório/descritivo, cujos dados foram obtidos com 168 nutrizes e seus filhos, por meio de entrevistas realizadas em consulta de enfermagem nos 10º e 30º dias pós-parto. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as primíparas e multíparas hipogalactas e as primíparas com galactia normal apresentaram traço de ansiedade mais elevado do que os estados de ansiedade por ocasião do 10º e 30º dia pós-parto. Houve remissão dos sinais maternos de ansiedade, com o passar do tempo, que pode ter sido decorrente da correção da técnica da amamentação e apoio às nutrizes.

Percepções de enfermeiras obstétricas sobre sua competência na atenção ao parto normal hospitalar

Investiga-se a percepção de enfermeiras obstétricas sobre sua competência na atenção ao parto normal (PN) hospitalar. Os dados foram coletados em pesquisa qualitativa, através de entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas, realizadas em um hospital universitário de Porto Alegre, e submetidos à análise de conteúdo. A análise foi embasada nos referenciais que definem competência profissional como a capacidade de mobilizar diferentes conhecimentos, dependendo dos problemas da prática a resolver. Para as entrevistadas, a competência para atender o PN hospitalar é multidimensional, embora tenham enfatizado sua dimensão técnica. Essa ênfase é justificada pela insegurança resultante da falta de espaço para realizarem este atendimento, em função de disputas com médicos e deficiências na formação. O desejo de serem competentes no atendimento ao PN não se traduz, porém, na consciência das suas responsabilidades na transformação deste cenário. Isso sugere que, para agir nesta direção, seria necessário, não só desenvolver competência técnica, mas também ético-política.