ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a commensal habitant of nasal cavities and skin. Colonization by community-acquired methicillin-resistant SA (CA-MRSA) is associated with infections in patients who have not been recently hospitalized. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization in an outpatient population, currently unknown in Brazil. Three-hundred patients or caregivers from two teaching hospitals were included. A questionnaire was applied and nasal swabs were obtained from patients. Swabs were inoculated in brain heart infusion (BHI) with 2.5% NaCl and seeded in mannitol. Suspicious colonies were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS Microflex™ identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility test for oxacillin was performed for SA-positive samples by microdilution. Polymerase chain-reactions for detection of mecA and coA genes were performed for resistant samples. Data about MRSA carriers were compared with non-carriers. There were 127 S. aureus isolates, confirmed by MALDI-TOF. Only seven (2.3%) were MRSA and positive for mecA and coA genes. Factors associated with MRSA carriage were African ethnicity, skin diseases or antibiotic use. The majority of them were from Dermatology clinics. Prevalence of MRSA colonization in individuals from the community was low in our study (2.3%). This finding raises the hypothesis of inter-household transmission of SA, although we did not find any association between MRSA-colonization and the shared use of personal objects. Given the low prevalence of MRSA carriers observed, empirical antimicrobial coverage for MRSA in community-acquired infections should be not necessary.

This original study describes the intra-urban distribution of cases of leprosy in residents under 15 years old in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; the study also identifies the environment in which Mycobacterium leprae is being transmitted. The cases were distributed by operational classification, clinical forms, type of contact and the addresses were geo-referenced by neighborhood. Between 2007 and 2011, were reported 145 cases of leprosy in target population living in Salvador, corresponding to detection rates of 6.21, 6.14, 5.58, 5.41 and 6.88/100,000 inhabitants, respectively. The spatial distribution of the disease was focal. Of the 157 neighborhoods of Salvador, 44 (28.6%) notified cases of leprosy and in 22 (50%) of these were detected more than 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The infectious forms were found in 40% of cases. Over 90% of cases had been living in Salvador for more than five years. Overall, 52.6% reported having had contact with another infected individual inside the household and 25% in their social circle. In Salvador, M. leprae transmission is established. The situation is a major concern, since transmission is intense at an early age, indicating that this endemic disease is expanding and contacts extend beyond individual households.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a carga de treinamento e o estado de humor durante um macrociclo. Vinte nadadores velocistas de alto rendimento, de ambos os sexos, foram avaliados pela Escala de Percepção Subjetiva de Esforço (PSE) e pelo Perfil Brums. A carga de treinamento foi determinada com a multiplicação dos quilômetros nadados (volume) semanalmente pela resposta da PSE semanal. A correlação de Pearson foi usadaparaverificar a relação entre a carga de treino e o estado de humor. Os resultados mostraram correlação positiva da carga com a fadiga e negativa com o vigor (p < 0,01). Assim, foi possível concluir que a carga de treinamento determinada pela relação entre o volume e a PSE se relaciona com os estados emocionais, o vigor e a fadiga de nadadores.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between training load and athletes mood states during a macrocycle. Twenty sprinters swimmers of high performance, of both sexes, were evaluated through the Rating of Perceived Exertion (PSE) and the Brums Profile (BR). The training load was determined multiplying the weekly kilometers swam (volume) by the score of the PSE. The Pearson correlation was used to verify the relationship between the training loads and the emotional states. Results showed a positive correlation with fatigue and negative correlation with vigor (p < 0.01). Thus, it was concluded that the training load determined by the relationship between volume and PSE is related to emotional states, vigor and fatigue.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la carga de entrenamiento y el estado de ánimo durante un macrociclo. Veinte nadadores velocistas de alto rendimiento, de ambos sexos fueron evaluados a través de la Escala de Percepción Subjetiva del Esfuerzo (PSE) y el perfil Brums. La carga de entrenamiento se determina multiplicando kilómetros nadó (volumen) semanalmente por la respuesta del PSE semanal. La correlación de Pearson fue usada para verificar la relación entre la carga de entrenamiento y el estado de ánimo. Los resultados mostraron una correlación positiva entre la carga y la fatiga, y negativa con el vigor (p < 0,01). Por lo tanto, se concluyó que la carga de entrenamiento determinada por la relación entre el volumen y la PSE está relacionada com los estados emocionales, el vigor y la fatiga.

Leprosy is an ancient infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. According to comparative genomics studies, this disease originated in Eastern Africa or the Near East and spread with successive human migrations. The Europeans and North Africans introduced leprosy into West Africa and the Americas within the past 500 years. In Brazil, this disease arrived with the colonizers who disembarked at the first colonies, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, at the end of the sixteenth century, after which it was spread to the other states. In 1854, the first leprosy cases were identified in State of Amazonas in the north of Brazil. The increasing number of leprosy cases and the need for treatment and disease control led to the creation of places to isolate patients, known as leprosaria. One of them, Colonia Antônio Aleixo was built in Amazonas in 1956 according to the most advanced recommendations for isolation at that time and was deactivated in 1979. The history of the Alfredo da Matta Center (AMC), which was the first leprosy dispensary created in 1955, parallels the history of leprosy in the state. Over the years, the AMC has become one of the best training centers for leprosy, general dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases in Brazil. In addition to being responsible for leprosy control programs in the state, the AMC has carried out training programs on leprosy diagnosis and treatment for health professionals in Manaus and other municipalities of the state, aiming to increase the coverage of leprosy control activities. This paper provides a historical overview of leprosy in State of Amazonas, which is an endemic state in Brazil.

Introdução: A infecção do trato urinário (ITU) tem alta incidência e recorrência, e o tratamento é empírico na maioria dos casos. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as culturas de urina realizadas em um hospital secundário, durante dois períodos: 2005-2006 e 2010-2011, para estimar a resistência microbiana. Pacientes e métodos: Foram analisadas 11.943 culturas aeróbicas de urina de acordo com um conjunto de dados demográficos básicos e susceptibilidade aos antibióticos, obedecendo às normas do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) para Vitek 1 e 2. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes era adulta e jovem atendida no Serviço de Emergência. E. coli foi a mais freqüente (70,2%) entre as 75 espécies isoladas. Resistência de todos os isolados foi ≥ 20% para sulfametoxazol/trimetoprim (SMX/TMP), norfloxacina, nitrofurantoína, cefazolina e ácido nalidíxico, apesar de E. coli ter sido mais suscetível (resistência ≥ 20% apenas para SMX/TMP e ácido nalidíxico) entre todos os isolados, levando em conta a porcentagem de resistência e o número de antibióticos testados. Resistência às fluoroquinolonas foi de 12%. Fatores de risco para E. coli: sexo feminino e idade < 65 anos. Homens e pacientes com mais de 65 anos apresentaram isolados mais resistentes. Beta-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL) foram identificadas em 173 de 5.722 isolados Gram-negativos (3,0%), 2010-2011. Conclusões: E. coli foi o isolado mais sensível a antibióticos. Houve uma evolução significativa da resistência antimicrobiana entre os dois períodos. Foi preocupante o aumento da resistência às fluoroquinolonas.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) has a high incidence and recurrence, therefore, treatment is empirical in the majority of cases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the urine cultures performed at a secondary hospital, during two periods, 2005-2006 and 2010-2011, and to estimate the microbial resistance. Patients and methods: We analyzed 11,943 aerobic urine cultures according to basic demographic data and susceptibility to antibiotics in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for Vitek 1 and 2. Results: Most of our cohort consisted of young adult females that were seen at the Emergency Department. E. coli was the most frequent (70.2%) among the 75 species isolated. Resistance of all isolates was ≥ 20% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), norfloxacin, nitrofurantoin, cefazolin and nalidixic acid. Although E. coli was more susceptible (resistance ≥ 20% for TMP/SMX and nalidixic acid) among all of the isolates, when classified by the number and percentage of antibiotic resistance. Global resistance to fluoroquinolones was approximately 12%. Risk factors for E. coli were female gender and an age less than 65 years. Men and patients older than 65 years of age, presented more resistant isolates. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were identified in 173 out of 5,722 Gram-negative isolates (3.0%) between 2010 and 2011. Conclusion: E. coli was the most frequent microbe isolated in the urine cultures analyzed in this study. There was a significant evolution of bacterial resistance between the two periods studied. In particular, the rise of bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones was concerning.

Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, que apresentou quadro de febre hemorrágica da dengue, evoluindo com icterícia e importantes alterações da coagulação. O diagnóstico de dengue foi realizado pela presença de anticorpos IgM antidengue (MAC-ELISA). Esta doença deveria ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial das icterícias febris agudas.

We describe the case of a female patient who presented a condition of dengue hemorrhagic fever that evolved with jaundice and significant coagulation abnormalities. Dengue was diagnosed through the presence of anti-dengue IgM antibodies (MAC-ELISA). This disease needs to be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis for acute febrile jaundice.