Preliminary study into the landing behaviour on the human body of morning-biting mosquitoes in Atlantic forest in the State of Santa Catarina (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes (22 species) (0.5%) and Runchomyia reversa (5%) biting humans in the morning in Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, were significantly more common below than above waist and all Wyeomyia incaudata were collected below the waist. Short trousers are not recommended, unless using repellents.

Phlebotomine sandflies in a focus of dermal leishmaniasis in the eastern region of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina: preliminary results (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Due to the occurrence of cases of dermal leishmaniasis in the Municipality of Piçarras, in the East of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina, collections of Phlebotomine sandflies by the use of CDC-like light traps were developed near the houses of the patients. Three species (Lutzomyia neivai, Lu. fischeri and Lu. ayrozai) were collected. Lu. neivai was predominant near the houses, and Lu. ayrozai was collected in a secondary forest in a nearby municipality (Navegantes). The novelty of this focus, the most southern one in the East of Brazil, underscores the need for more complete studies on the sandfly fauna.

Association of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with bacteria in hospitals in the State of Santa Catarina

The objective of this study was to identify ant occurrence in hospital environments in the State of Santa Catarina, along with associated bacteria. Ants were collected monthly from five inpatient clinics in two hospitals in the municipality of Chapecó, from August 2003 to June 2004. They were collected under aseptic conditions using swabs moistened with sterile distilled water and put into test tubes containing BHI for microbiological analysis. After 24 hours, cultures were made in both 5% sheep blood and MacConkey agar, which were incubated for 24 hours at 35/37°C. The Gram characterization, culture identification and biochemical characterization followed standardized rules for clinical microbiology. Seven species of ants were identified, of which the most frequent were Monomorium pharaonis (71.5%) and Solenopsis saevissima (57%), and nineteen species of bacteria was isolated from hospital "A".

HIV genotyping among female sex workers in the State of Santa Catarina

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of HIV infection among female sex workers in the port area of Imbituba (State of Santa Catarina), and to identify the viral subtype and its susceptibility to antiretroviral medications. Ninety women were interviewed between December 2003 and February 2004. Six (6.7%) were HIV-positive. Genotyping for HIV, performed on four samples, detected subtype C in three of them, which is predominant in Africa and Asia, and subtype B in one of them, which is prevalent in Brazil, USA and Europe. The results suggest that the Port of Imbituba may be one of the gateways for HIV-1 subtype C to enter Brazil, and for its dissemination to the rest of the country and the Mercosul area, along the highway BR-101. This points towards the need for preventive work to reduce the introduction and dissemination of HIV subtype C in Brazil.

Anofelinos de Santa Catarina (Diptera: Culicidae), Brasil

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, a Região Amazônica é endêmica em malária. Em Santa Catarina, a malária foi eliminada na década de 80. A partir daí, ocorreram poucos casos autóctones isolados, e esporádicos. No entanto, em função da existência do vetor em seu território, da existência de extensa área endêmica no Brasil e da grande mobilidade de pessoas em áreas turísticas no estado, existe a probabilidade de reintrodução da doença. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se os seguintes dados: Banco de Dados do Núcleo de Entomologia da Fundação Nacional de Saúde, Santa Catarina (ACCES,1997-2000); Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde (Malária/SC) e Sistema de Informação de Notificação e Agravo(SINAN/SC). Os mesmos foram transportados e analisados, no programa Microsoft Office Excel 2007. RESULTADOS: As coletas foram realizadas em 48 municípios, 159 localidades, sendo identificados 12.310 Culicídeos, 11.546 (93,7%) Anopheles e 764 (6,2%) como outros. Foram identificados três subgêneros e 13 espécies de anofelinos. CONCLUSÕES: Considerando que nos municípios pesquisados, foi identificada a presença de importantes vetores como Anopheles cruzii e Anopheles albitasis e há circulação de pessoas infectadas provenientes de áreas endêmicas, pode-se considerar que os mesmos são áreas receptivas e vulneráveis à malária. Essas espécies são suspeitas de serem responsáveis pela transmissão de malária na região, principalmente nos municípios de Gaspar, Indaial e Rodeio.

Intrahospital spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a University Hospital in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) has been isolated with increasing frequency in Brazilian hospitals. Since June 2003, its detection in a teaching hospital in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, has increased. This study aimed to investigate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), presence of Metallo-β-lactamase (MβL) and a possible clonal relationship among the isolates. METHODS: The study included 29 CRPA and seven isolates with reduced susceptibility. The MIC was determined by agar-dilution. Detection of MβL was performed by Double Disk Sinergism (DDS) and Combined Disk (CD). The MβL gene was verified by PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis. Epidemiological typing was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Among the 29 carbapenem-resistant isolates, polymyxin B presented 100% susceptibility and piperacillin/tazobactam 96.7%. Seventeen (62%) strains were verified as clonal (A clone) and among these, six isolates indicated phenotypically positive tests for MβL and harbored the blaSPM-1 gene. The first CRPA isolates were unrelated to clone A, harbored blaIMP-16 and were phenotypically positive only by CD. CONCLUSIONS: The spread of a high-level of resistance clone suggests cross transmission as an important dissemination mechanism and has contributed to the increased rate of resistance to carbapenems. This study emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance and improved strategies.

Estudo dos efeitos adversos e do efeito protetor da vacina contra influenza em idosos vacinados pela rede pública no município de Tubarão, Estado de Santa Catarina

INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo buscou identificar os efeitos adversos e o efeito protetor da vacina contra influenza, em idosos acima de 60 anos, aplicada pela rede pública no município de Tubarão, Santa Catarina. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma coorte prospectiva de pacientes durante o período de maio a setembro de 2008. Foram recrutados 341 idosos, sendo 289 vacinados na rede pública (VSUS) e 52 não vacinados (NV). A incidência do efeito protetor foi verificada através da comparação dos grupos VSUS com os NV. RESULTADOS: Um percentual de 22,5% de pacientes apresentou pelo menos um efeito adverso. Comparando o grupo VSUS e NV quanto à incidência de sintomas gripais durante o inverno, a presença de pelo menos um sintoma foi verificada em 47% e 28,8% (RR = 1,11; 1,02-1,22; p = 0,0156), respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados apontam uma baixa incidência de efeitos adversos. A maior incidência de sintomas gripais no grupo VSUS comparado ao NV pode estar relacionado às características da população que costuma fazer a vacina contra influenza.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com hanseníase no extremo sul de Santa Catarina, no período de 2001 a 2007

INTRODUÇÃO: A hanseníase é uma das doenças mais antigas da humanidade e persiste como problema de saúde pública. O Brasil ocupa o primeiro lugar na incidência e o segundo na prevalência mundial, e nas Américas representa 93% dos casos, conforme dados da Organização Mundial de Saúde de 2008. O objetivo deste estudo é conhecer o perfil dos pacientes com hanseníase nos municípios da Associação dos Municípios da Região Carbonífera (AMREC), no período de 01/01/2001 a 31/12/2007. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e retrospectivo realizado na região da AMREC em Santa Catarina, Brasil. A amostra foi do tipo censitária, em que todos os pacientes notificados foram analisados. RESULTADOS: A população foi de 54 pacientes: 57,4% do sexo feminino e 42,6% do sexo masculino. A faixa etária prevalente foi de 30 a 39 anos (31,5%), a raça branca representou 79,6%. A ocupação foi ignorada em 51 casos, e a baciloscopia em 98%. As formas tuberculóide e virchoviana apresentaram frequência de 27,8% cada e na classificação operacional 50% eram multibacilares. O coeficiente de detecção das cidades variou de baixo a muito alto. CONCLUSÕES: Na análise não há predomínio de multi ou paucibacilares, nem de uma forma clinica específica, contudo sabemos que o diagnóstico está ocorrendo tardiamente pela menor porcentagem de casos indeterminados e com predomínio do sexo feminino. Soma-se a isso o fato de haver escassez dos dados nas fichas de notificação, o que impossibilita-nos de mostrar a realidade da população estudada.

Seroepidemiological study of human cysticercosis with blood samples collected on filter paper, in Lages, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2004-2005

INTRODUCTION: Human serofrequency of antibodies against Taenia solium antigens was determined and risk factors for cysticercosis transmission were identified. METHODS: Individuals (n=878) from periurban and rural locations of Lages, SC, were interviewed to gather demographic, sanitary and health information. Interviews and blood sample collections by finger prick on Whatman filter paper were performed from August 2004 to May 2005. Observation determined that 850 samples were suitable for analysis and were tested by ELISA using vesicular fluid of Taenia crassiceps heterologous antigen. To ensure the reliability of the results, 77 samples of the dried blood were matched with sera. The reactive samples were submitted to a serum confirmatory immunoblot (IB) test using purified Taenia crassiceps glycoproteins. RESULTS: The ELISA results for the dried blood and serum samples were statistically consistent. ELISA was positive in 186 (21.9%) out of 850 individuals. A group of 213 individuals were asked to collect vein blood for IB (186 with positive result in ELISA and 27 with inappropriate whole blood samples) and 130 attended the request. The IB was positive in 29 (3.4%) out of 850 individuals. A significant correlation (p = 0.0364) was determined among individuals who tested positive in the IB assay who practiced both pig rearing and kitchen gardening. CONCLUSIONS: ELISA with dried blood eluted from filter paper was suitable for cysticercosis population surveys. In Lages, human infection was associated with pig rearing and kitchen gardening. The prevalence index was compatible with other Latin American endemic areas.

Anti-HBs levels among children and adolescents with complete immunization schedule against hepatitis B virus. A cross-sectional study in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2007-2008

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is the main tool for preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, following the completion of the vaccination series, the concentrations of anti-HBs can decline over the years and reach levels less than 10mIU/mL. The persistence of protection in these individuals is still unknown. The present study aimed to determine the anti-HBs antibody levels among children and adolescents who had received a complete vaccination course for hepatitis B. METHODS: Antibodies against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were tested in 371 individuals aged 10 to 15 years-old. RESULTS: Volunteers who showed undetectable quantities of anti-HBs accounted for 10.2% of the population studied and 39.9% presented antibody titers of less than 10mIU/mL. Anti-HBs > 10mIU/mL were verified in 49.9%. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate other studies indicating levels of anti-HBs below 10mIU/mL in vaccinated individuals. Additional studies are required to assess whether this indicates susceptibility to HBV infection and the need and age for booster doses.

Hepatitis B marker seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in adolescents in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2008

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Brazil, however, the current epidemiological situation is not clear. Considering the importance of establishing this prevalence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV markers in voluntary adolescents, junior high (secondary school) students, in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: A seroepidemiological, transverse study was conducted with 353 randomly chosen adolescents from elementary school in 2008. Blood samples were analyzed for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs. All analyses were conducted by automated microparticle enzyme immunosorbent assay (Abbott®, AxSYM system, Deerfield, IL, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.6% (CI 95% 0.1 - 2.0), that of anti-HBc was 1.1% (CI 95% 0.3 - 2.9) and that of detectable anti-HBs was 83.6% (CI 95% 79.3 - 87.3). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 97.5% (CI 95% 95.2 - 98.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the success of the vaccination program against hepatitis B in the region studied and indicate that prevention strategies must be maintained and, if possible, expanded to contribute to the establishment of positive prevalence rates in all age groups.

Prevalence of serum antibodies to hantavirus in a rural population from the southern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Rodent-borne hantaviruses cause severe human diseases. We completed a serological survey of hantavirus infection in rural inhabitants of Turvo County, in the southern State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in which seropositivity for hantavirus was correlated to previous disease in the participants. METHODS: The levels of IgG antibodies to hantavirus Araraquara in the sera of 257 individuals were determined using an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: IgG antibodies to hantavirus were found in 2.3% of the participants. All seropositive participants reported previous disease with symptoms suggestive of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Human infections causing unreported cardiopulmonary syndrome probably occur in the southern State of Santa Catarina.

Catástrofes naturais e seguros

Actas do Colóquio "Catástrofes naturais – uma realidade multidimensional" sob a coordenação de Carla Amado Gomes e Rute Gil Saraiva

Syphilis seroprevalence estimates of Santa Catarina blood donors in 2010

Introduction Knowledge of blood donor characteristics is essential to better guide clinical and serological screening for hemotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine the syphilis seroprevalence and the associated factors of blood donors in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods This population-based study from the State of Santa Catarina used information obtained from blood donation records. We analyzed 83,396 blood donor records generated from donors who were considered eligible to donate between January and August 2010. The aim of the study was to estimate the syphilis seroprevalence and its relationship with educational level, age, gender, geographical region and having donated blood in the past 12 months. We used descriptive analyses and a Poisson regression to calculate the prevalence ratios for the variables of interest. Results We found a 0.14% overall seroprevalence and significant differences among the following: first-time blood donors (0.19%) versus repeat donors (0.03% to 0.08%); low educational levels (0.30%) versus medium and high educational levels (0.08% to 0.19%); and donors who did not report their residence (0.88%) or age (6.94%) versus those who did. Increased syphilis seroprevalence was also significantly associated with increased age. Conclusion High syphilis seroprevalence was associated with lower educational level, age, first-time donation and the failure to provide age or residence information.