[Infectious and parasitic diseases in Brazil, 2010 to 2017: considerations for surveillanceEnfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias en Brasil de 2010 a 2017: aspectos para la vigilancia sanitaria]

Influence of social and environmental factors for Culex quinquefasciatus distribution in Northeastern Brazil: a risk index

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of lymphatic filariasis. One important component in planning filariasis control activities is the mapping of vector distribution. A tool that involves socio-environmental factors and Cx. quinquefasciatus density can contribute to the identification of areas that should be prioritized in surveillance actions. This is an ecological study based on the construction and validation of a risk score of urban areas according to social and environmental variables extracted from a national database. Based on this stratification, female Cx. quinquefasciatus were captured. In total, 30,635 Cx. quinquefasciatus were captured, of which 17,161 (56%) were females. The highest vector density index of mosquitoes were captured in households located in the high-risk stratum and the indicator proved to be a tool that identified an association between social and environmental conditions and areas with the highest vector density index of females Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Distribution and spatial autocorrelation of viral hepatitis B and C in Paraná, Brazil: an ecological study, 2011-2019

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of hepatitis B and C detection rates in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

METHODS

this was an ecological study of hepatitis B and C notifications held on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System, between 2011 and 2019. Percentage change in detection rates between the first and last three-year periods was estimated. Spatial autocorrelation was analyzed using Moran's index.

RESULTS

there were 16,699 notifications of hepatitis B, with a greater reduction in detection in the North (-30.0%) and Northwest (-25.9%) macro-regions. There were clusters of high occurrence in the Foz do Iguaçu, Francisco Beltrão and Cascavel regions between 2011 and 2019. There were 10,920 notifications of hepatitis C, with a greater reduction in detection in the Northwest macro-region (-18.9%) and an increase in the West (51.1%). The Paranaguá region recorded a high detection cluster between 2011 and 2016.

CONCLUSION

hepatitis B and C showed heterogeneous distribution between health regions.

Socio-geographical factors and vulnerability to leptospirosis in South Brazil

BACKGROUND

Leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, is an acute infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by exposure to contaminated soil or water, thereby presenting a wide range of subsequent clinical conditions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cases and deaths from leptospirosis and its association with social vulnerability in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2010 and 2019.

METHODS

The lethality rates and incidence of leptospirosis and their association with gender, age, education, and skin color were analyzed using chi-square tests. The spatial relationship between the environmental determinants, social vulnerability, and the incidence rate of leptospirosis in the different municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through spatial regression analysis.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 4,760 cases of leptospirosis, along with 238 deaths, were confirmed. The mean incidence rate was 4.06 cases/100,000 inhabitants, while the mean fatality rate was 5%. Although the entire population was susceptible, white-colored individuals, males, people of the working-age group, along with less-educated individuals, were more affected by the disease. Lethality was higher in people with dark skin, and the prime risk factor associated with death was the direct contact of the patients with rodents, sewage, and garbage. The social vulnerability was positively associated with the incidence of leptospirosis in the Rio Grande do Sul, especially in municipalities located in the center of the state.

CONCLUSIONS

It is evident that the incidence of the disease is significantly related to the vulnerability of the population. The use of the health vulnerability index showed great relevance in the evaluation of leptospirosis cases and can be used further as a tool to help municipalities identify disease-prone areas for intervention and resource allocation.

The relationship between 896A/G (rs4986790) polymorphism of TLR4 and infectious diseases: A meta-analysis

Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), such as the TLR4, are genes encoding transmembrane receptors of the same name, which induce a pro- or anti-inflammatory response according to their expression as the host's first line of defense against pathogens, such as infectious ones. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of mutation in the human genome and can generate functional modification in genes. The aim of this article is to review in which infectious diseases there is an association of susceptibility or protection by the TLR4 SNP rs4986790. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted in the Science Direct, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and SciELO databases between 2011 and 2021 based on the dominant genotypic model of this SNP for general and subgroup analysis of infectious agent type in random effect. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for genotypic comparison. I² statistics were calculated to assess the presence of heterogeneity between studies and funnel plots were inspected for indication of publication bias. A total of 27 articles were included, all in English. Among the results achieved, the categories of diseases that were most associated with the SNP studied were in decreasing order of number of articles: infections by bacteria (29.63%); caused by viruses (22.23%); urinary tract infection-UTI (7.4%), while 11 studies (40.74%) demonstrated a nonsignificant association. In this meta-analysis, a total of 5599 cases and 5871 controls were finalized. The present meta-analysis suggests that there is no significant association between TLR4-rs4986790 SNP and infections (OR = 1,11; 95% CI: 0,75-1,66; p = 0,59), but in the virus subgroup it was associated with a higher risk (OR = 2,16; 95% CI: 1,09-4,30; p = 0,03). The subgroups of bacteria and parasites did not show statistical significance (OR = 0,86; 95% CI: 0,56-1,30; p = 0,47, and no estimate of effects, respectively). Therefore, it has been shown that a diversity of infectious diseases is related to this polymorphism, either by susceptibility or even severity to them, and the receptor generated is also crucial for the generation of cell signaling pathways and immune response against pathogens.

Kidney complications of parasitic diseases

Parasitic agents have been known to cause human disease since ancient times and are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Complications of parasitic diseases, including kidney involvement, are associated with worse outcomes. Chagas disease, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis are important parasitic diseases that can damage the kidney. These diseases affect millions of people worldwide, primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and kidney involvement is associated with increased mortality. The most common kidney complications of parasitic diseases are acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis and tubular dysfunction. The mechanisms that underlie parasitic disease-associated kidney injury include direct parasite damage; immunological phenomena, including immune complex deposition and inflammation; and systemic manifestations such as haemolysis, haemorrhage and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, use of nephrotoxic drugs to treat parasitic infections is associated with acute kidney injury. Early diagnosis of kidney involvement and adequate management is crucial to prevent progression of kidney disease and optimize patient recovery.

Pharmacogenetics research in Brazil: a systematic review

Aim: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a rising scientific area in many countries, such as Brazil. Objectives: To identify biomarkers, therapeutic areas, probe drugs and regions/ethnicities most studied in the country in order to guide future studies. Materials & methods: Systematic review of 1060 studies (from 1968 to 2020) comprising 80 genes, six probe drugs and 3,819,233 individuals. Results: MTHFR and HLA-A/B were the most studied genes and metoprolol and dextromethorphan the most studied probe drugs. Oncology was the most studied therapeutic area considering PGx biomarkers. The country’s regions and ethnic groups were studied unevenly, with south/southeast and White people over-represented in respect to their demographic relevance, in detriment of the center-west/northeast/north and Black/mixed individuals. Conclusion: Many of the gaps and possible paths to be covered to reach even PGx data are pointed out by this review.

Spatiotemporal pattern and factors related to childhood tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Aim: To identify the spatiotemporal pattern of childhood tuberculosis and the sociodemographic factors related to it. Method: This is an ecological study, which used the municipalities of the state of Ceará as units of analysis. The Notifiable Diseases Information System was used as a data source from January 2001 to December 2017. It was conducted a descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the cases, the temporal and spatial pattern of the incidence of the disease and regression with sociodemographic indicators. Results: An average incidence of 3.48 cases/100 thousand inhabitants was identified, with a reduction of 5.7% during the period 2003-2017 (p<0.001). The following were related to childhood tuberculosis: proportion of the population in households with piped water (β=0.05), proportion of the population in households with density >2 (β=0.09) and number of female heads of household with children under 15 years of age (β=0.0003). Conclusion: Indicators of housing conditions and vulnerability were related to childhood tuberculosis.

Padrão espaço-temporal e fatores relacionados à tuberculose na infância

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar o padrão espaço-temporal da tuberculose na infância e os fatores sociodemográficos a ela relacionados. Método: Estudo ecológico, que utilizou como unidades de análise os municípios do estado do Ceará. Utilizou-se como fonte de dados o Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação durante janeiro de 2001 a dezembro de 2017. Realizou-se análise descritiva das características dos casos, do padrão temporal e espacial da incidência da doença e regressão com indicadores sociodemográficos. Resultados: Identificou-se incidência média de 3,48 casos/100 mil hab., com redução de 5,7% de durante o período de 2003-2017 (p<0,001). Foram relacionados à tuberculose na infância: proporção da população em domicílios com água encanada (β=0,05), proporção da população em domicílios com densidade >2 (β=0,09) e número de mulheres chefes de família e com filhos menores de 15 anos (β=0,0003). Conclusão: Indicadores de condições de moradia e vulnerabilidade foram relacionados a tuberculose na infância.

TREND OF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS DUE TO AMBULATORY CARE SENSITIVE CONDITIONS IN PEDIATRICS IN DISTRITO FEDERAL

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the trend of hospitalizations due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in Pediatrics in Distrito Federal, during the 2008-2018 period. Method: a time series study conducted between 2008 and 2018 with data from Distrito Federal, Brazil, in the age group from 0 to 14 years old. The data were collected in the SUS Hospital Information System, and they were used to perform trend analyses of the most frequent groups. Results: there was a trend towards a significant increase in hospitalizations in the age group studied, with an annual percentage variation of 1.42% and a confidence interval between 0.05 and 2.81. Four groups of reasons for hospitalization and diagnoses were more frequent in the period, namely: bacterial pneumonias, infectious gastroenteritis and complications, pulmonary diseases, and asthma. Among the most frequent groups, considering the study period, there was a trend towards a significant increase in pulmonary diseases (15.71%; 12.40 and 19.12); a trend towards a significant reduction in infectious gastroenteritis and complications (-5.35%; -8.01 and 2.61); and a stationary trend in bacterial pneumonias (-0.43%; -3.80 and 3.07) and asthma (3.82%; 0.57 and 8.40). Conclusion: the results of this study can contribute to the planning, evaluation and monitoring of primary care actions, as this indicator aims at indirectly evaluating access and effectiveness of this care level. In this sense, considering the results of the trend analysis performed, it can be concluded that they do not yet reflect the expected results with the expansion of FHS coverage.

Persistence of Schistosomiasis-Related Morbidity in Northeast Brazil: An Integrated Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend and spatial patterns of schistosomiasis-related morbidity in Northeast Brazil, 2001–2017. Methods: Ecological study, of time series and spatial analysis, based on case notifications and hospital admission data, as provided by the Ministry of Health. Results: Of a total of 15,574,392 parasitological stool examinations, 941,961 (6.0%) were positive, mainly on the coastline of Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe states. There was a reduction from 7.4% (2002) to 3.9% (2017) of positive samples and in the temporal trend of the detection rate (APC—11.6*; Confidence Interval 95%—13.9 to −9.1). There was a total of 5879 hospital admissions, with 40.4% in Pernambuco state. The hospitalization rate reduced from 0.82 (2001) to 0.02 (2017) per 100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: Despite the reduction in case detection and hospitalizations, the persistence of focal areas of the disease in coastal areas is recognized. This reduction may indicate a possible positive impact of control on epidemiological patterns, but also operational issues related to access to healthcare and the development of surveillance and control actions in the Unified Health System.