Background Few studies compared populations with similar genetic and culture background on different continents with standardized methods. Objective To describe methodological issues of the Study of Health in Pomerode - SHIP-Brazil and some characteristics of the participants of the baseline examination. Design and Setting Prospective, population-based cohort study of a representative sample of residents (aged 20 to 79 years) of Pomerode, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods Data for the baseline survey (from 2014 to 2018) were collected through interviews and medical examinations, including socio-demographic and lifestyle information, clinical and subclinical conditions, oral and mental health, among others. Biosamples (blood, urine, stool, and saliva) were collected and stored. Methods of data collection and quality control are described. Preliminary descriptive statistics were performed. Results The response rate was 67.6% (n=2,488 individuals). The Kappa test-retest of some variables varied from 0.54 to 1.0. German culture participants are older (46.5 vs 38.7 years), self-declared white (97.3% vs 82.1%), more frequently never smokers (71.4% vs 66.9%) but had higher risk of consuming alcohol (16.9% vs 13.4%) compared to participants with non-German background. Germans were taller (169 cm vs 166 cm), had greater abdominal circumference among men (101.9 cm vs 97.3 cm). Furthermore, they reported more multimorbidity (56.7% vs 43.6%) , had more arterial hypertension (30.7% vs 18.5%), but less depression (15.4% vs 19,1%) than non-Germans. Conclusions The interaction of genetic and social/environmental issues should be examined to understand the role of risk factors on clinical conditions observed.

Introdução Poucos estudos compararam populações com histórico genético e cultural semelhante em diferentes continentes com métodos padronizados. Objetivos Descrever questões metodológicas do estudo de “Vida e Saúde em Pomerode - SHIP-Brazil” e algumas características dos participantes do exame inicial do estudo. Desenho de estudo e local Estudo de coorte prospectivo de base populacional em amostra representativa de moradores (20 a 79 anos) de Pomerode, Santa Catarina. Métodos As informações para a linha de base (de 2014 a 2018) foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas e exames médicos, incluindo dados sociodemográficos, de estilo de vida, condições clínicas e subclínicas, saúde bucal e mental, entre outros. Amostras biológicas (sangue, urina, fezes e saliva) foram coletadas e armazenadas. A coleta de dados e o controle de qualidade foram descritos. Foram realizadas análises descritivas preliminares. Resultados A taxa de resposta foi de 67,6% (n=2.488 indivíduos). O Kappa teste-reteste de algumas variáveis variou  de 0,54 a 1,0. Os participantes de cultura alemã são mais velhos (46,5 vs 38,7 anos ), autodeclarados brancos (97,3% vs 82,1%), com menor número de fumantes (71,4% vs 66,9%), mas tiveram maior risco de consumir álcool (16,9% vs 13,4%), eram mais altos (169 cm vs 166 cm), tinham maior circunferência abdominal entre os homens (101,9 cm vs 97,3 cm) em comparação com participantes “não-alemães”. Pessoas de cultura alemã relataram mais multimorbidade (56,7% vs 43,6%), apresentavam mais hipertensão arterial (30,7% vs 18,5%), mas menos depressão (15,4% vs 19,1%). Conclusões A interação genética e social/ambiental devem ser examinadas para melhor entender o papel desses fatores de risco nas condições clínicas observadas.

ABSTRACT Propolis is a rich source of bioactive molecules made by bees by collecting an infinite variety of secondary metabolites from plants. This study determined the chromatographic and mass spectrometry profile along with the biological activity of propolis produced by the native Brazilian bee Melipona quadrifasciata. A hydroalcoholic crude extract was prepared and partitioned in solvents of different polarities, generating aqueous, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and insoluble fractions. The phenolic and flavonoid content was also determined in crude aqueous and methanolic extracts as well. The antioxidant activity was determined by three different methods and correlated with the phenolic and flavonoid content. Extracts and fractions were tested against the herpes simplex virus type 1, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated in fibroblast L929 cells. The chromatographic and mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of catechin, epicatechin, aromadendrin, naringenin, pinocembrin and p-coumaric acid. The methanolic extract, ethyl acetate fraction and insoluble fraction possess higher phenolic and flavonoid content along with better antioxidant activities. The ethyl acetate and butanol fractions, along with the FM14 and FM45 subfractions demonstrated better viral inhibition, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 90.5, 294, 188 and 58.5 µg ml−1, respectively. Among these, the ones presenting the best selectivity index were the ethyl acetate and FM45 fractions, with a pronounced virucidal effect. The methanolic extract stood out in the antioxidant activities and showed no cytotoxicity bellow 125 µg ml−1, exhibiting the most promising biological activity. Although this propolis seems to act in the early stages of herpetic infections, it is still difficult to correlate this activity with a single constituent of this complex mixture, suggesting a synergism in the extract components. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind with this propolis type.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Medical students have an occupational risk for hepatitis B (HB). This study sought to determine anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG levels in vaccinated students, check their seroconversion, and correlate this with vaccination. METHODS One hundred and forty-three students’ blood samples and their vaccination schedules were analyzed. RESULTS: 65.7% were positive for anti-HBs; however, anti-HBs was absent in 34.3%. Only two samples were positive for anti-HBc IgG. CONCLUSIONS More than 30% of students did not have minimum protective levels. Comparing HBV vaccination and anti-HBs reactivity, the majority of reactive individuals received their last dose within the past 16 years.

Abstract This work describes the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities in vitro of organic extracts from fourteen seaweeds, eleven sponges, two ascidians, one bryozoan, and one sea anemone species collected along the Brazilian and Spanish coast, as well as the isolation of the diterpene (4R, 9S, 14S)-4α-acetoxy-9β,14α-dihydroxydolast-1(15),7-diene (1) and halogenated sesquiterpene elatol (2). The most promising antimicrobial results for cell wall bacteria were obtained by extracts from seaweeds Laurencia dendroidea and Sargassum vulgare var. nanun (MIC 250 μg/ml), and by the bryozoan Bugula neritina (MIC 62.5 μg/ml), both against Staphylococcus aureus. As for antimollicutes, extracts from seaweeds showed results better than the extracts from invertebrates. Almost all seaweeds assayed (92%) exhibited some antimicrobial activity against mollicutes strains (Mycoplasma hominis,Mycoplasma genitalium,Mycoplasma capricolum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae strain FH). From these seaweeds, A1 (Canistrocarpus cervicornis), A11 (Gracilaria sp.) and A4 (Lobophora variegata) showed the best results for M. pneumoniae strain FH (MIC 250 μg/ml). Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 were also assayed against mollicutes strains M. hominis,M. genitalium,M. capricolum,M. pneumoniae strain 129 and M. pneumoniae strain FH, which showed MIC > 100 μg/ml. Antioxidant activities of extracts from these marine organisms were inactive, except for E7 (from sponge Ircinia sp.), which exhibited moderated antioxidant activities for two methods assayed (IC50 83.0 ± 0.1 μg/ml, and 52.0 ± 0.8 mg AA/g, respectively). Finally, for the anticholinesterase activity, all the 29 samples evaluated (100%) exhibited some level of activity, with IC50 < 1000 μg/ml. From these, seaweeds extracts were considered more promising than marine invertebrate extracts [A10 (IC50 14.4 ± 0.1 μg/ml), A16 (IC50 16.4 ± 0.4 μg/ml) and A8 (IC50 14.9 ± 0.5 μg/ml)]. The findings of this work are useful for further research aiming at isolation and characterization of active compounds.

ABSTRACTTo determine the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of 12 Staphylococcus aureus isolates presenting heteroresistance to vancomycin in laboratories of two cities in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Epidemiological data, including the city of isolation, health institution, and date of isolation were considered, as well as the associated clinical specimen. For molecular characterization, we analyzed the staphylococcal cassette chromosome types, the erm gene presence, and the genomic diversity of isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The 12 isolates of S. aureus were previously confirmed as heteroresistance to vancomycin using the population analysis profile-area under curve. Regarding genetic variability, two clones were detected: the main one (clone A) composed of four isolates and the clones B, with two isolates. For clone A, two isolates presented identical band patterns and were related to the same hospital, with an interval of 57 days between their isolation. The other isolates of this clone showed no epidemiological link between them because they were isolated in different hospitals and had no temporal relationship. The other clone showed no detectable epidemiological relationship. The heteroresistance to vancomycin recovered in Santa Catarina State from 2009 to 2012 had, in general, heterogeneous genomic patterns based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results, which is in accordance with the fact that these isolates had little or no epidemiological relationship among them. Due to the characteristic phenotypic instability and often prolonged vancomycin therapy for selection, clonal spread is not as common as for other resistance mechanisms disseminated through horizontal gene transfer.

Doenças emergentes como a Síndrome Cárdio-Pulmonar por Hantavírus (SCPH) são capazes de promover um grande impacto nas populações humanas devido a sua severidade e alta letalidade. Santa Catarina, localizada ao Sul do Brasil, é o estado com o maior número de relatos de SCPH, com 267 casos desde 1999 a 2011. Apresentamos aqui um inquérito sorológico para hantavírus em doadores de sangue de diferentes cidades do Estado de Santa Catarina, usando um teste IgG-ELISA com proteína recombinante de nucleocapsídeo do hantavírus Araraquara como antígeno. No total, 314 doadores de banco de sangue participaram do estudo, cobrindo geograficamente todo o Estado. Dentre estes, 14 indivíduos (4,4%) apresentaram anticorpos para hantavírus: quatro de 50 (8% de positividade) provenientes de Blumenau, quatro de 52 (7,6%) de Joinville, três de 50 (6%) de Florianópolis, dois de 50 (4%) de Chapecó e um de 35 (2,8%) de Joaçaba. É possível que hantavírus estejam circulando praticamente em todo o Estado, com implicações epidemiológicas importantes. Considerando que os doadores de sangue soropositivos são indivíduos saudáveis, é possível que hantavírus possam estar causando infecções não diagnosticadas, sejam elas assintomáticas ou clinicamente inespecíficas, além da SCPH. É possível ainda que mais de um tipo de hantavírus possa estar circulando na região, causando infecções mais benignas.

Emergent diseases such as Hantavirus Cardio-pulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) are able to create a significant impact on human populations due to their seriousness and high fatality rate. Santa Catarina, located in the South of Brazil, is the leading state for HCPS with 267 reported cases from 1999 to 2011. We present here a serological survey on hantavirus in blood donors from different cities of the state of Santa Catarina, with an IgG-ELISA using a recombinant nucleocapsid protein from Araraquara hantavirus as an antigen. In total, 314 donors from blood banks participated in the study, geographically covering the whole state. Among these, 14 individuals (4.4%) had antibodies to hantavirus: four of 50 (8% positivity) from Blumenau, four of 52 (7.6%) from Joinville, three of 50 (6%) from Florianópolis, two of 50 (4%) from Chapecó and one of 35 (2.8%) from Joaçaba. It is possible that hantaviruses are circulating across almost the whole state, with important epidemiological implications. Considering that the seropositive blood donors are healthy individuals, it is possible that hantaviruses may be causing unrecognized infections, which are either asymptomatic or clinically nonspecific, in addition to HCPS. It is also possible that more than one hantavirus type could be circulating in this region, causing mostly benign infections.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a prevalência de cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) com mutações que podem resultar em resistência às principais drogas utilizadas no tratamento em uma das regiões com o maior número de casos de tuberculose (TB) no Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: O ácido desoxiribonucleico (DNA) de 120 amostras de escarro de diferentes pacientes com suspeita de TB pulmonar que procuraram o serviço público de saúde do município sede da região para o diagnóstico de MT foi diretamente amplificado e analisado por PCR-SSCP. Foram amplificadas regiões conhecidas onde ocorrem a maioria das mutações nos genes rpoB, ahpC, embB, katG, inhA, and pncA. RESULTADOS: Nove virgula dois por cento (11/120) das amostras apresentaram resultado positivo por cultura, 5% (6/120) foi positiva por bacilscopia e PCR para MT, e os fragmentos dos genes mencionados puderam ser amplificados em sete (7) dos onze (11) casos com resultado positivo, seja por cultura ou PCR/baciloscopia. Todos estes casos apresentaram um padrão de SSCP similar ao genótipo nativo, não resistente, por comparação com a cepa controle ATCC 25177, com exceção de uma amostra (0,01%), que apresentou um padrão de SSCP mutante no gene embB. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados são consistentes com as observações empíricas por parte dos clínicos que tratam os pacientes com TB na região, de uma baixa ocorrência de casos refratários ao tratamento convencional, em contraste com outras partes do país. Porém, a vigilância contínua, especialmente molecular, é essencial para identificar e monitorar o aparecimento de cepas de MT resistentes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) strains with mutations that could result in resistance to the main drugs used in treatment in a region with one of the highest numbers of tuberculosis (TB) cases in southern Brazil. METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from 120 sputum samples from different patients suspicious of pulmonary tuberculosis who attended the Municipal Public Laboratory for Mycobacterium sp. diagnosis was directly amplified and analyzed by PCR-SSCP. The DNA was amplified in known hotspot mutation regions of the genes rpoB, ahpC, embB, katG, inhA, and pncA. RESULTS: The percentage of samples positive by culture was 9.2% (11/120); 5% (6/120) were positive by bacilloscopy and MT-PCR, and DNA fragments of the aforementioned resistance genes could be amplified from seven (7) of the eleven (11) samples with positive results, either by culture or PCR/bacilloscopy. All presented a SSCP pattern similar to a native, nonresistant genotype, with the ATCC strain 25177 as control, except for one sample (0.01%), which presented a SSCP profile demonstrating mutation at the embB gene. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the empirical observations by physicians treating TB patients in our region of a low occurrence of cases that are refractory to conventional treatment schemes, in contrast to other parts of the country. Continued surveillance, especially molecular, is essential to detect and monitor the outbreak of MT-resistant strains.

INTRODUÇÃO: A vacinação é o principal instrumento para prevenir a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B. Todavia, após a conclusão da série de vacinação, as concentrações de anti-HBs podem diminuir ao longo dos anos e atingir níveis inferiores a 10mUI/mL. A persistência da proteção nestes indivíduos ainda é desconhecida. O presente estudo objetivou determinar os níveis do anticorpo anti-HBs em crianças e adolescentes que receberam o esquema completo de vacinação para a hepatite B. MÉTODOS: O anticorpo para o antígeno de superfície do vírus da hepatite B (anti-HBs) foi testado em 371 indivíduos com idade entre 10-15 anos. RESULTADOS: Os voluntários que apresentaram quantidades indetectáveis de anti-HBs corresponderam a 10,2% da população estudada, e 39,9% apresentaram títulos do anticorpo inferiores a 10mUI/mL. Anti-HBs ≥ 10mUI/mL foi verificado em 49,9%. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados corroboram com outros estudos que indicam níveis de anti-HBs inferiores a 10mUI/mL em indivíduos vacinados. Estudos adicionais são necessários para avaliar se isso indica suscetibilidade à infecção pelo HBV e necessidade e idade para a dose reforço.

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.

As infecções pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV) e pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) representam a causa de uma substancial proporção das doenças hepáticas em todo o mundo. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência dos marcadores sorológicos do HBV e do HCV em crianças e adolescentes, e verificar a epidemiologia da infecção pelo HBV passada uma década desde a introdução do programa de vacinação. Os marcadores sorológicos HBsAg, anti-HBc total e anti-HCV foram avaliados em 393 amostras. A soropositividade para o HBsAg foi de 0,76% e para o anti-HBc total foi de 1,02%. Co-positividade entre HBsAg e anti-HBc total foi verificada em 0,76% das amostras analisadas. Não houve soropositividade para o marcador anti-HCV. A soroprevalência dos marcadores de infecção pelo HBV em crianças e adolescentes da região sul do Brasil é elevada em relação à reportada em outros países. Medidas preventivas, tais como atividades educativas além da vacinação infantil universal contra o HBV, devem ser iniciadas a fim de reduzir a morbimortalidade e o impacto econômico associados a doença.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections account for a substantial proportion of liver diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV serological markers among children and adolescents and verify the epidemiology of the HBV infection over than a decade of the introduction of vaccination program. Serologic markers to HBsAg, total anti-HBc and anti-HCV had been tested in 393 samples. The seropositivity for HBsAg was 0.76% and for total anti-HBc was 1.02%. Copositivity between HBsAg and total anti-HBc was verified in 0.76% of the analyzed samples. There was no seropositivity for anti-HCV marker. The seroprevalence of HBV infection markers among children and adolescents in the southern Brazilian region is high compared to that reported in other countries. Preventive measures, such as educational activities in addition to the universal childhood HBV vaccination, should be initiated in order to reduce the morbimortality and the economic burden associated with the disease.

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVOS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) é a mais importante patologia que envolve o pâncreas endócrino, sendo uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade na população geral. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a determinação da glicemia em diferentes tipos de amostras e metodologias. MÉTODOS: Utilizando um equipamento Accu-Check Advantage (Roche), foi avaliada a glicemia em amostras de sangue capilar (GCG) e de sangue venoso (GVG), e a dosagem da glicemia venosa em plasma (GVE) foi realizada por método enzimático de rotina. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: Foi observada boa correlação entre a GCG e a GVG (r = 0,8742). Entretanto, houve diferença significativa entre a GCG e a GVE (r = 0,6543) e entre a GVG e a GVE (r = 0,5038) (p < 0,001). Essa diferença é maior considerando-se apenas os pacientes normoglicêmicos. O fato de haver diferentes estudos com resultados conflitantes entre si não depende somente da marca ou série específica do glicosímetro, já que uma mesma marca pode apresentar resultados inconsistentes em diferentes estudos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is the most important pathology that affects the endocrine pancreas and one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among the general population. The aim of this work was to evaluate the correlation of blood glucose determination in different types of samples and methodologies. METHODS: Using an Accu-Check Advantage glucometer (Roche), it was determined the blood glucose levels in capillary (CBG) and venous (VBG) samples, and plasma venous glucose was determined by routine enzymatic methodology (EVG). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was observed a good correlation between CBG and VBG (r = 0.8742). However, there was a significant difference between CBG and EVG (r = 0.6543) and between VBG and EVG (r = 0.5038) (p < 0.001). These differences are even more substantial considering only normoglycemic patients. The existence of different studies with inconsistent results does not depend only on the glucometer brand or its specific series, as the same device may present inconsistent results in different studies.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a dosagem direta do colesterol LDL (LDL-C) por um método homogêneo, em comparação com a estimativa pela fórmula de Friedewald, em uma grande população heterogênea. MÉTODOS: As dosagens do colesterol total (ColT) e dos triglicerídeos (Trig) foram realizadas por métodos enzimáticos tradicionais. As dosagens do HDL-C e do LDL-C foram realizadas por métodos diretos, sem precipitação, e a estimativa da fração LDL-C calculada pela fórmula de Friedewald. RESULTADOS: Por análise de regressão linear, os dois métodos apresentaram coeficientes de correlação extremamente significativos (p<0,001). Entretanto, a fórmula de Friedewald apresentou um bias positivo em relação ao método direto, mais pronunciado com níveis de ColT > 201 mg/dL. Este bias positivo também ocorreu com relação a níveis de Trig < 150 mg/dL. Com níveis de Trig entre 151-200 mg/dL e entre 201-300 mg/dL, não foi observado bias entre os dois métodos. Por outro lado, com níveis de Trig entre 301-400 mg/dL, este bias da fórmula de Friedewald tornou-se negativo. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível demonstrar que a fórmula de Friedewald não apresenta um desempenho homogêneo para a estimativa do LDL-C em amostras com diferentes níveis de Trig, em comparação com o método direto, podendo causar dúvidas na classificação quanto ao risco de desenvolver doença arterial coronariana.

OBJECTIVE: To compare direct measurement of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) determined by a homogeneous method with LDL-cholesterol estimation determined by the Friedewald formula in a large heterogeneous population. METHODS: The measurements of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were performed using traditional enzymatic methods. The measurements of HDL-C and LDL-C were performed using direct methods with no precipitation, and the estimation of the LDL-C fraction was calculated using the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: On linear regression analysis, the 2 methods had extremely significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.001). However, the Friedewald formula had a positive bias in regard to the direct method, more pronounced with TC levels > 201 mg/dL. This positive bias also occurred in regard to TG levels < 150 mg/dL. No bias was observed between the methods for TG levels ranging from 151 to 200 mg/dL and from 201 to 300 mg/dL. On the other hand, for TG levels ranging from 301 to 400 mg/dL, this bias of the Friedewald formula became negative. CONCLUSION: The Friedewald formula did not have a homogeneous performance for estimating LDL-C levels in samples with different TG levels as compared with that of the direct method, what could launch doubts on patients classification on the risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Neste trabalho investigamos a prevalência de três espécies de micoplasma recém-identificadas como patógenos humanos, M. genitalium, implicado em casos de uretrite não-gonocócica, e M. fermentans e M. penetrans, isolados de pacientes imunodeprimidos, e das duas espécies mais freqüentes no trato geniturinário, M. hominis e U. urealyticum. Foram estudados 110 pacientes com sintomas de uretrite (grupo A) e 106 indivíduos infectados pelo HIV-1 (grupo B). M. genitalium foi detectado em 10,9% das amostras de raspado uretral do grupo A, e em 1,9% das amostras de raspado uretral e 0,9% das amostras de urina do grupo B. M. fermentans foi detectado em 0,9% e 5,7% das amostras de raspado uretral dos grupos A e B, respectivamente. M. penetrans foi detectado em 6,6% das amostras de urina somente do grupo B. M. hominis e U. urealyticum tiveram taxas de infecção de 0,9% e 14,5% no grupo A, e de 7,5% e 18,9% no grupo B, respectivamente. A relevante prevalência da infecção por estas novas espécies, em comparação aos micoplasmas mais conhecidos do trato urogenital, sugere que a magnitude do papel destes microrganismos no âmbito das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) e da infecção pelo HIV pode estar sendo subestimada em nossa população.

In this work the prevalence of three mycoplasma species recently identified as human pathogens was investigated: M. genitalium, involved in cases of non-gonococcal urethritis, and M. fermentans and M. penetrans, isolated from immunosupressed individuals, and the 2 species more frequently isolated from the urogenital tract: M. hominis and U. urealyticum. Studied groups were composed by 110 patients with symptoms of urethritis (group A) and 106 HIV-1-infected individuals (group B). M. genitalium was detected in 10.9% of the urethral swab samples from the group A, and in 1.9% of the urethral swab samples and 0.9% of the urine samples from the group B. M. fermentans was detected in 0.9% and 5.7% of the urethral swab samples from the groups A and B, respectively. M. penetrans was detected in 6.6% of the urine samples only from the group B. M. hominis and U. urealyticum presented infection rates of 0.9% and 14.5% in the group A, and of 7.5% and 18.9% in the group B, respectively. The relevant prevalence of infection by these new species, as compared to the better known mycoplasmas of the genitourinary tract, suggest that the role of these microorganisms in the field of STD and HIV infection may be underestimated in our population.

M. hominis e U. urealyticum são as espécies de micoplasmas mais conhecidas como patogênicas para o trato geniturinário humano, causando principalmente uretrite, vaginose bacteriana e complicações da gravidez. Em pacientes infectados pelo HIV, a prevalência e o papel destas espécies ainda não está bem estabelecido. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a prevalência das espécies acima referidas na uretra de pacientes masculinos portadores do vírus HIV (Grupo HIV) com a prevalência das mesmas entre homens não portadores do HIV mas com sintomas de uretrite (grupo DST). No grupo HIV, M. hominis foi isolado de 7,5% pacientes (8/106) e U. urealyticum de 18,9% pacientes (20/106) em concentrações significativas de 62,5% e 85% respectivamente. No grupo DST estas taxas foram 0,9% (1/110) para M. hominis e 13,6% (15/110) para U. urealyticum, sendo 100% e 93,3% em concentrações significantes, respectivamente. Pôde-se demonstrar que no grupo HIV as taxas de infecção por estes micoplasmas foram tão elevadas quanto as observadas no grupo DST. Tais achados podem indicar a ocorrência de infecção oportunista, o que, em pacientes imunocomprometidos representa risco de desenvolvimento de infecções sistêmicas.

M. hominis and U. urealyticum are the better-known mycoplasma species pathogenic to the human genitourinary tract, causing mainly urethritis, bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy complications. In HIV-infected patients, the prevalence and role of these species is still not well known. The aim of this work was to determinate the prevalence of these species in this group of male patients (HIV group), in comparison to a group of men with clinical symptoms of urethritis (STD group). M. hominis was isolated from 7.5% patients (8/106) and U. urealyticum from 18.9% patients (20/106) from the HIV group, being among these 62.5% and 85% in significant concentrations, respectively. In the STD group these rates were 0.9% (1/110) for M. hominis and 13.6% (15/110) for U. urealyticum, being 100% and 93.3% in significant concentrations, respectively. We could demonstrate infection rates by these mycoplasma species in the HIV group as high as the one found in the STD one, what may indicate the occurrence of opportunistic infections in our population. This fact is discussed here because in immunosuppressed patients, specially M. hominis has been reported causing severe infections, even systemically.