ABSTRACT Background: SARS-CoV-2 infections rapidly spread along with Brazilian territory with heterogeneous transmission and mortality rates, mostly depending on region and period. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is an important tool to understand virus circulation. Given that blood donors are a representative casuistic of a healthy population, the authors evaluated the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM COVID-19 antibodies in 2,806 blood donors from a blood bank located in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Aiming to evaluate viral behavior over time, the authors selected samples from blood donors who donated in June and October 2020, and February 2021. To determine whether socio-demographic features affected the seroprevalence, the authors analyzed samples from three different regions from São Paulo (capital, metropolitan and countryside regions) and evaluated predictors as gender, age, educational level, race, and use of public transportation. Results: As expected, the authors observed that seroprevalence increased over time. Seroprevalence was greater in São Paulo city compared to metropolitan and countryside regions, being smallest in the countryside. Characteristics associated with a lower percentage of antibodies were age above 50 years, higher educational level, self-declared Caucasian, and use of individual transportation. Conclusion: In conclusion, blood donors' samples proved to accurately reflect virus circulation in the healthy population.

Introducción: Las parasitosis intestinales pueden provocar manifestaciones clínicas importantes, además que están relacionadas con desigualdades económicas y sociales. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la frecuencia, características macroscópicas, distribución etaria, de género y por estaciones del año de parásitos intestinales en exámenes coproparasitológicos directos simples procesados en el Laboratorio de Investigación Médica entre los años 2011 y 2015. Materiales y Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. El universo corresponde a 3 728 muestras de exámenes coproparasitológicos directos simples que fueron procesadas en el Laboratorio de Investigación Médica de Cochabamba, Bolivia. Los datos recolectados, fueron procesados y analizados bajo estadística descriptiva con el programa Microsoft Office Excel® 2010. Resultados: Un 36,33% (n=1 328) de las muestras presentaron infección por parásitos intestinales, siendo el parásito más frecuente Blastocystis hominis con 44,5% (n=822); Giardia lamblia con 10,6% (n= 195) y Entamoeba histolytica/dispar con 8,1 % (n=149) representan los protozoarios intestinales patógenos. Entre los helmintos (3,41%), Hymenolepis nana es el más frecuente (2%). Según las características macroscópicas se reporta mayores frecuencias en muestras pastosas y semipastosas (53,69% y 38,33%, respectivamente). Los grupos etarios más parasitados fueron personas de 11-20 y 21-30 años (43% y 43,86%, respectivamente), afectando más al sexo femenino. Finalmente, en primavera se reportaron mayores frecuencias. Conclusión: Existe una considerable frecuencia de parásitos intestinales en la población que acude al laboratorio, cuyas características están acordes a las esperadas para las condiciones de nuestro medio.

Introduction: Intestinal parasites can cause important clinical manifestations, in addition they are related to economic and social inequalities. The objective of this study is to describe the frequency, macroscopic characteristics, age distribution, gender and seasonality of intestinal parasites in simple direct coproparasitological tests processed in the Medical Research Laboratory between 2011 and 2015. Materials and methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The universe corresponds to 3 728 samples of simple direct coproparasitological tests that were processed in the Medical Research Laboratory of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The data collected was processed and analyzed under descriptive statistics with the Microsoft Office Excel® 2010 program. Results: A 36,33% (n = 1 328) of the samples presented infection by intestinal parasites, being the most frequent parasite Blastocystis hominis with 44,5% (n = 822); Giardia lamblia with 10,6% (n = 195) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar with 8,1% (n = 149) represent the pathogenic intestinal protozoa. Among the helminths (3,41%), Hymenolepis nana is the most frequent (2%). According to the macroscopic characteristics, higher frequencies are reported in pasty and semipastuous samples (53,69 and 38,33%, respectively).The most parasitized age groups were 11-20 and 21-30 years old (43 and 43,86%, respectively), affecting more the female sex. Finally, the spring year reported higher frequencies. Conclusion: There is a considerable frequency of intestinal parasites in the population that goes to the laboratory, whose characteristics are in line with those expected for the conditions of our environment.

A therapeutic intervention was carried out in 39 workers with pelvic inflammation, diagnosed and treated for 5 months, belonging to the health area from "La Caoba" of San Luís municipality, in Santiago de Cuba, from January to May, 2012, with the aim of comparing the cost of drug treatment with that of the acupunctural treatment. In the series it was obtained that 51.3% of the female with medication improved in 2 weeks and 23.1% required more than 28 days of treatment, while 90.0% of those who received acupuncture recovered in 3 weeks. This alternative therapy constituted a saving for the patients, as they decreased their economic losses due to expenses in medications and to medical certificates; besides reducing the hospital stay and its cost. From the social point of view it was achieved that the affected workers incorporate to their jobs and domestic work even earlier

Se realizó una intervención terapéutica en 39 trabajadoras con inflamación pelviana, diagnosticadas y tratadas desde hacía 5 meses, pertenecientes al área de salud "La Caoba" del municipio de San Luís, en Santiago de Cuba, de enero a mayo del 2012, con vistas a comparar el costo del tratamiento medicamentoso con el del acupuntural. En la serie se obtuvo que 51,3 % de las féminas con medicación mejorara en 2 semanas y 23,1 % requirió más de 28 días de tratamiento, mientras que 90,0 % de las que recibieron acupuntura se recuperaron en 3 semanas. Esta terapéutica alternativa constituyó un ahorro para las pacientes, al disminuir sus pérdidas económicas por gastos en medicamentos y por certificados médicos; además de reducir la estadía hospitalaria y su costo. Desde el punto de vista social se logró que las trabajadoras afectadas se incorporaran a sus quehaceres laborales y domésticos más tempranament

Objectives: to explore the behaviors and attitudes of students from the Program of the New Latin American Physician in some features related to sexuality. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 235 students of above mentioned program from October to December, 2008. Information was obtained by application of a structured questionnaire examining the following variables of sexual behavior: sexual intercourses, age at onset, background of sexually transmitted infections, methods of protection and needs of information. Results: in most of students sexual behavior was not in correspondence with the level of knowledges on these subjects related to sexuality. The 25.9% had sexual intercourses without protection, the 1.3% had some sexual partners, the 51.9% mentioned that occasionally had sexual intercourses without protection, whereas the 44.8% said that always used condom in its sexual intercourses. Conclusions: student started the sexual intercourse in early ages where the males start first, most without protection in the first sexual intercourse. Although they know the advantages of condom use to avoid sexually transmitted infection a significant number not use it. Student refer the need of information on subjects related to sexuality, where the more requested are related to these infections and sexuality with a gender approach.

Objetivos: explorar comportamientos y actitudes de los estudiantes del programa de formación del nuevo médico latinoamericano en algunos aspectos relacionados con la sexualidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en 235 estudiantes del citado programa, entre los meses de octubre a diciembre del año 2008. La información se recogió mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario estructurado que examina variables del comportamiento sexual: relaciones sexuales, edad de inicio, antecedentes de infecciones de transmisión sexual, métodos de protección y necesidades de información. Resultados: en la mayoría de los estudiantes la conducta sexual no se correspondió con el nivel de conocimientos que tienen sobre temas relacionados con la sexualidad. El 25,9 % mantuvo relaciones sexuales sin protección, el 1,3 % tenía varias parejas sexuales, el 51,9 % refirió que ocasionalmente tenía sus relaciones sexuales sin protección mientras el 44,8 % dijo que siempre se protegían para mantener estas relaciones. Conclusiones: los estudiantes inician las relaciones sexuales en edades precoces con tendencia a que los varones comiencen primero, la mayoría sin protección en la primera relación sexual. Aunque conocen las ventajas del uso del condón para evitar una infección de transmisión sexual, un grupo considerable no lo utiliza. Los estudiantes refieren la necesidad de información sobre temas relacionados con la sexualidad, siendo los más solicitados los que tienen que ver con estas infecciones y la sexualidad con enfoque de género.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade da terapia cognitivo-comportamental baseada em um manual adaptado para o formato de grupo em uma amostra brasileira de obesos com transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica. MÉTODO: Em um estudo aberto, 21 pacientes obesos com transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica participaram de um programa da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo. A freqüência da compulsão alimentar, o peso corporal, o grau de satisfação com a forma corporal e os sintomas depressivos foram avaliados no início do tratamento e no final do estudo. RESULTADOS: Houve uma redução estatisticamente significativa da freqüência média de episódios de compulsão alimentar entre a linha de base e o final do tratamento (p < 0,001), com uma taxa de remissão de episódios no final do estudo de 76,1%. Foi observada, também, uma redução significativa dos sintomas depressivos e da insatisfação com a forma corporal (p < 0,001). Adicionalmente, a perda de peso foi clínica e estatisticamente significativa. CONCLUSÃO: A utilização de terapia cognitivo-comportamental baseada em um manual adaptado para o transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica resultou em melhora significativa da compulsão alimentar, do peso corporal, da preocupação com a forma corporal e dos sintomas depressivos associados ao transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica nessa amostra.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a manual-based cognitive behavior therapy adapted to a group format in a sample of Brazilian obese subjects with binge-eating disorder. METHOD: In an open trial, 21 obese subjects with binge-eating disorder received a group cognitive-behavioral therapy program. Changes in binge-eating frequency, weight, body shape concerns, and depressive symptoms were compared between baseline and the end of the study. RESULTS: The mean frequency of binge-eating episodes significantly decreased from baseline to post-treatment (p < 0.001), with a binge eating remission rate of 76.1% at the end of the trial. Depressive symptoms and body shape concern also improved (p < 0.001). In addition, weight loss was statistically and clinically significant. CONCLUSION: The use of this adapted manual-based cognitive behavior therapy in this sample resulted in a marked improvement in binge-eating, weight, body shape concern, and depressive symptoms related to binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Since 1993 dengue has become more frequent in Costa Rica. Adults have been the most affected population, while children have remained virtually unharmed. So far no studies have investigated how many asymptomatic children have been affected by this virus. This pilot study documents the seroprevalence, measured as the presence of IgG antibodies, of dengue virus in asymptomatic children from two different geographical areas. METHODS: This descriptive, prospective epidemiologic study compared the presence of antibodies in children who live in a coastal region of a tropical country where dengue is endemic, and an inland area where dengue is not endemic. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test the serum for dengue virus IgG antibodies. None of the children had a prior history of dengue, fever, immunosuppressive therapy or underlying disease. RESULTS: During the period from July 2002 to July 2003, 103 children were recruited from each area. In the costal region we found a seroprevalence of 36.9%. In the inland area seroprevalence was 2.9% CONCLUSIONS: We found a substantial number of asymptomatic infections in Costa Rican children. This greatly increases the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome in these children, in whom previous dengue infection had gone undetected. Preventive efforts should be targeted at the costal region due to the higher prevalence in this area.

OBJETIVOS: Desde 1993, la frecuencia de dengue en Costa Rica ha venido aumentando. La población de adultos ha sido la más afectada, mientras que en los niños apenas se han presentado casos. Hasta el momento no se han realizado estudios para determinar cuántos niños asintomáticos se han visto afectados por el virus de la enfermedad. Este estudio piloto documenta la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos de tipo IgG contra el virus del dengue en niños asintomáticos procedentes de dos zonas geográficas distintas. MÉTODOS: En este estudio epidemiológico descriptivo y prospectivo se comparó la presencia de anticuerpos en niños que vivían en la zona costera de un país tropical donde el dengue es endémico, y en una zona del interior donde no lo es. Se usó inmunoadsorción enzimática para detectar IgG en el suero. Ninguno de los niños tenía antecedentes de dengue, enfermedad febril, tratamiento inmunosupresor o enfermedad subyacente. RESULTADOS: Durante el período transcurrido desde julio de 2003 hasta julio de 2003, se reunió a 103 niños de cada área. En la zona costera encontramos una seroprevalencia de IgG de 36,9%; en el interior, de 2,9%. CONCLUSIONES: Encontramos muchos casos de infección asintomática por el virus del dengue en niños costarricenses. Esto conlleva un riesgo elevado de fiebre hemorrágica del dengue o de síndrome de choque por dengue en estos niños en quienes la infección había pasado inadvertida. Es necesario tomar medidas preventivas en la región del litoral debido a la mayor prevalencia de la enfermedad en ella.

OBJETIVOS: Desenvolvimento e validação da Sessão de Transtornos Alimentares do Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA). Essa sessão é um pacote de questionários, entrevistas e técnicas de avaliação, desenvolvido para gerar diagnósticos baseados no DSM-IV e CID-10 de anorexia, bulimia nervosa e as respectivas síndromes parciais em estudos epidemiológicos, em jovens de 7 a 17 anos. Os pais são entrevistados em todos os casos, assim como as jovens de 11 anos ou mais. MÉTODOS: 174 meninas, divididas em três grupos, foram avaliadas com a Sessão de Transtornos Alimentares do Development and Well-Being Assessment: 48 jovens com transtornos alimentares, 55 controles clínicos (com depressão, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo ou doença gastrintestinal) e 71 controles da comunidade. Sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos do instrumento foram pesquisados pela comparação dos diagnósticos pelo Development and Well-Being Assessment com diagnósticos psiquiátricos independentes. A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi investigada reaplicando-se o instrumento em 55 sujeitos após duas ou três semanas. RESULTADOS: Para a detecção de qualquer transtorno alimentar segundo o DSM-IV e o CID-10, o diagnóstico final pelo Development and Well-Being Assessment apresentou sensibilidade de 100%, especificidade de 94%, valor preditivo positivo de 88%, valor preditivo negativo de 100% e 95% de concordância entre testes e retestes (Kappa de 0,81). CONCLUSÃO: A Sessão de Transtornos Alimentares do Development and Well-Being Assessment tem boas propriedades psicométricas para o uso em estudos clínicos e epidemiológicos.

OBJECTIVE: Development and validation of the Eating Disorders Section of the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA). It is a package of questionnaires, interviews and evaluation techniques, designed to generate DSM-IV and ICD-10 based diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia nervosa and the respective partial syndromes in epidemiological studies, in subjects who are 7 to 17 years old. The parents are interviewed in all cases, as are young people aged 11 or more. METHODS: 174 girls, divided into three groups, were assessed with the Eating Disorders Section of the Development and Well-Being Assessment: 48 with eating disorders, 55 clinical controls (with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder or gastrointestinal disease) and 71 community controls. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the assessment were investigated by comparing the Development and Well-Being Assessment diagnoses with independent psychiatric diagnoses. The test-retest reliability was investigated by reapplying the measure on 55 subjects after 2 or 3 weeks. RESULTS: For the detection of any DSM-IV and ICD-10 eating disorder, the final Development and Well-Being Assessment diagnosis had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 94%, positive predictive value of 88%, and a negative predictive value of 100%; there was 95% agreement between the initial and repeat diagnoses (a kappa of 0.81). CONCLUSION: The Eating Disorders Section of the Development and Well-Being Assessment has suitable psychometric properties for use in clinical and epidemiological studies.

Se efectuó un estudio retrospectivo de los aislamientos de especies de Candida realizados en el Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital Nacional de Niños. El total de aislamientos fue de 2 021 especies, de las cuales un 74% fueron C. albicans, 12% C. tropicalis, 8% C. parasilopsis y 6% otras especies tales como C. famata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei y C. lusitaniae. Las especies tropicalis y parasilopsis fueron encontradas principalmente en muestras de sangre, al igual que la albicans. Se recalca la importancia de la identificación de la especie de Candida aislada y de realizar la prueba de sensibilidad, debido a que se ha demostrado la resistencia de algunos de estos organismos a los antifúngicos utilizados rutinariamente.

En un periodo de ocho meses, se aislaron 48 cepas de Enterococcus spp. las que se emplearon para realizar una comparación entre la susceptibilidad realizada usando el sistema automatizado Vitek de la casa BioMerieux y el método manual E-test de la casa ABBiodisk. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una buena corelación entre ambos métodos, por lo que se sugiere utilizar el sistema Vitek en forma rutinaria y recurrir al método Etest en casos de duda o como confirmación de resistencia a la hora de escoger la mejor opción terapéutica.

El presente informe, muestra los agentes bacterianos aislados en cultivos de sangre por un periodo de 9 años y en donde se empleó el sistema automatizado Vital de la Casa bioMerieux. Se presenta la información desglosado por agentes Gram positivo y Gram negativo, anaeróbios y levaduras.