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Biomedical subjects

S A Nogueira

Publications and source records attributed to S A Nogueira.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phytate technetium-99m versus dextran 500 technetium-99m in the sentinel lymph node biopsy.

PURPOSE: To study which of the two most used radiopharmaceutical drugs for the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy procedure (dextran 500 99mTc and phytate 99mTc) best defines the SLN and migrates less to other lymph nodes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats, separated into two groups, underwent lymphoscintigraphy examination with either dextran or phytate followed by sentinel (popliteal), lumbar, and inguinal lymph node biopsy. Radiation was detected with a gamma probe. RESULTS: The statistical study indicated count rates significantly higher in the SLN than in the other basins for both the dextran (P<0.01) and phytate groups (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference concerning SLN absorption in either group (P=0.2981). In the dextran group, migration occurred to 1.5 lymphatic basins with counting higher than 10% of that found in the SLN versus 0.8 in the phytate group (P=0.0023). Migration was thus higher in the dextran group (P=0.0207). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between dextran and phytate in the SLN identification, but the phytate migrated to fewer lymphatic basins beyond the SLN and with less intensity.

Animals↗

A pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the administration of AZT/3TC fixed dose combination to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of zidovudine and lamivudine (AZT/3TC) given to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: This open label phase II study enrolled 40 HIV infected antiretroviral naive women >or=20 weeks gestation, CD4 <500 cells x10(6)/l, from two public hospitals. TREATMENT: fixed dose AZT 300 mg/3TC 150 mg by mouth every 12 hours until labour; AZT 300 mg by mouth every 3 hours until delivery; infants: AZT 4 mg/kg every 12 hours plus 3TC 2 mg/kg every 12 hours for 6 weeks. Blood haematology and chemistry were monitored; adherence evaluated by pills count; efficacy measured by changes in lymphocyte (CD4) and viral load, and by HIV RNA-PCR tests performed at birth, 6 and 12 weeks, to diagnose infant infection. No women breast fed. RESULTS PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: mean age 24.48 (SD 3.5) years; gestational age 24.5 (4.5) weeks; AZT/3TC duration 14.4 (4.4) weeks; vaginal delivery: 11/39; caesarean section: 28/39. Entry and pre-labour CD4: 310/486 cells x10(6)/l (p<0.001); entry and pre-labour viral load: 53 818/2616 copies/ml (p<0.001). Thirty nine women tolerated treatment with >80% adherence; one was lost to follow up. Five newborns were excluded from 3TC receipt. All 39 babies were uninfected. Haematological toxicity in newborns was common: anaemia in 27; neutropenia in five (two severe); platelets counts <100000 in two. All values recovered on study completion. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed dose AZT/3TC is well accepted, gives improvements in CD4 and viral load; no infants were HIV infected. Haematological toxicity in infants needs careful monitoring.

Administration, Oral↗

The incidence of GB virus C / hepatitis G virus infection in Brazilian patients who received blood transfusion during cardiac surgery.

The incidence of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection after blood transfusion is unknown in Brazil. Many studies have so far addressed its relationship with blood transfusion, but its association with liver disease was not confirmed. A prospective study was carried out between 1996 and 1999 in Rio de Janeiro. Ninety three patients who received blood transfusion during cardiac surgery were followed for six months and blood samples were drawn before and after surgery to determine antibodies to GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (anti-HGenv) using a step sandwich immunoassay and GBV-C/HGV-RNA using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were serially determined as well as clinical data compiled related to hepatitis. Prior to surgery, anti-HGenv was present in 35.5% (33/93) of patients and 4.3%(4/93) were found to be viremic. Seroconversion following transfusion was observed in 9 patients and 4 additional individuals became viremic for a total incidence of 23% (13/56). Six months after blood transfusion, only 4 of those nine patients previously antibody positive still had anti-HGenv detectable in serum. No patients had clinical or laboratory evidence of acute hepatitis and no correlation was found with GBV-C/HGV infection and number of blood units transfused (p = 0.37). This study highlights the importance of using both HGV-RNA PCR and anti-HGenv to accurately estimate the magnitude of GBV-C/HGV infection. The observed high prevalence and incidence rates show that this infection is common in Brazil; however, no clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease was demonstrated in the period of study and longer longitudinal observation is needed to define any pathogenic effect.

Adolescent↗

Osteomyelitis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in a child from the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro.

The authors describe a case of paracoccidioidomycosis in a 7-year-old girl from the city of Rio de Janeiro who initially presented to her physician with a lesion in her calcaneous which was misdiagnosed and treated as bacterial osteomyelitis. Later, cutaneous manifestations, lymph node enlargement, and hepatosplenomegaly developed and biopsy of the skin and cervical lymph nodes showed the fungus which was also present in the sputum. It is emphasized that Paracoccidioides brasiliensis can be the cause of bone lesions in endemic areas of Latin America and that response to treatment with amphotercin B is good.

Amphotericin B↗

Successful prevention of hiv transmission from mother to infant in Brazil using a multidisciplinary team approach.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the HIV vertical transmission rate (VTR) and associated risk factors by use of zidovudine and infant care education in Brazil. METHODS: Since 1995, a prospective cohort of HIV infected pregnant women has been followed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A multidisciplinary team was established to implement the best available strategy to prevent maternal-infant HIV transmission. Patients with AIDS or low CD(4) and high viral load received anti-retroviral drugs in addition to zidovudine. Children were considered infected if they had 2 positive PCR-RNA tests between 1 and 4 months of age, or were HIV antibody positive after 18 months. Education regarding infant treatment and use of formula instead of breast feeding was provided. RESULTS: Between 1995 and August, 2000, HIV status was determined for 145 infants. Compliance with intra-partum treatment, infant treatment and use of formula was 88.2%. Intra-partum zidovudine treatment was completed in 134/145 (92.6%) of patients; 88.1% had rupture of membranes < 4 hours; 85.4% of mothers were asymptomatic. The mean CD(4) count was 428.4 cells and mean viral load 39,050 copies. HIV vertical transmission rate was 4/145 (2.75%; CI: 0.1%-5.4%). The only risk factor significantly associated with transmission was a failure to use zidovudine intra-partum in 2 of the 4 mothers (50% versus 6.4% in non-transmitting mothers). A trend toward low CD(4) and high viral load at entry, and rupture of membranes > 4 hours were associated with increased HIV transmission. CONCLUSION: HIV vertical transmission in Brazil was reduced to a level similar to other countries with the most effective prevention programs using a multidisciplinary team approach. A high level of compliance for use of anti-retroviral drugs, the provision of health education to mothers, and use of formula for all exposed infants.

Adolescent↗

[Dengue]

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about epidemiological, clinical and preventive aspects of hemorrhagic dengue fever in children, and to provide Brazilian pediatricians with an update on dengue METHODS: We reviewed MEDLINE and classic texts.RESULTS: Dengue is an arbovirus disease, transmitted by Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that feeds indoors and is disseminated in Brazil. Its clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic forms to acute disease with fever, myalgia, headache and rash. Evolution with hemorrhage, hemoconcentration, decreased platelets and shock is characteristic of dengue shock syndrome. Mortality rate is high, chiefly in children, if not treated earlier. There is no specific antiviral treatment, but a polyvalent vaccine is presently being evaluated.CONCLUSION: Among the prevalent acute infectious diseases in our setting, dengue is one of the most frequent, and may be highly lethal if associated with shock. Vector control is still the most effective prophylactic measure.

Journal Article↗

[Meningococcal disease: epidemiology and control of secondary cases].

Epidemiological features of meningococcal disease described as from the second half of the 80's inclusive, have motivated a revision of current guidelines for sporadic disease and outbreak control. The increase of disease among teenagers and linked cases involving schools are the two most significant aspects that have prompted the revision of control measures. Vaccination routines and advice for the disease management of clusters are also relevant features recently revised. This present paper describes the management and some epidemiological features of secondary cases.

Humans↗

Mycobacteremia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Bacillemia is a key event in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Although current evidence indicates that Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteremia is rare in patients seronegative for the human immunodeficiency virus, it has been increasingly reported in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with AIDS and tuberculosis with and without bacillemia. METHODS: Fifty patients with AIDS with clinical suspicion of disseminated mycobacterial disease were prospectively selected. Three consecutive blood samples were collected for culture using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Mycobacterium was isolated from any body site in 42 patients (84%). Bacillemia was detected in 30 (71.4%) of these 42 patients: 11 (28.2%) caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex and 19 (71.8%) caused by M tuberculosis. Blood culture was the only method used to confirm the diagnosis in 5 (15%) of the 33 tuberculosis cases. Tuberculosis in patients with AIDS developed with nonspecific insidious symptoms, a remarkable elevated alkaline phosphatase level, and without the classic miliary radiological pattern. We could demonstrate 2 previously unrevealed clinical characteristics of bacteremic tuberculosis in patients with AIDS: a shift to the left in the white blood cell count and abdominal lymph node enlargement. In patients with tuberculosis, the in-hospital mortality rate was higher among patients with bacillemia, although the posttreatment survival rate was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Blood culture is a valuable tool to confirm the clinical diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis in patients with AIDS and can distinguish patients with characteristic clinical findings and outcome. Abdominal ultrasonography may be an additional helpful tool to identify these patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Diagnosis of disseminated mycobacterial infection: testing a simple and inexpensive method for use in developing countries.

With the development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, the isolation of mycobacteria from blood has become a common problem for clinical laboratories. In this study two methods were used for the recovery of mycobacteria from blood specimens obtained from AIDS patients: (1) direct inoculation of a biphasic medium, and (2) a non-commercial lysis-centrifugation method. A total of 3 consecutive blood samples were taken at 15-minute intervals from each of 50 AIDS patients with clinical suspicion of disseminated mycobacterial disease. Mycobacterium growth was noted in 70/138 blood specimens from 30 (60%) patients. These cultures yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 19 (63%) and Mycobacterium avium complex organisms in 11 (37%) patients. Cultures using the lysis-centrifugation method were positive in 54% of the patients while cultures using biphasic medium were positive in 44% (P > 0.05). The positivity for M. avium complex was higher with lysis-centrifugation (91%) than with biphasic medium (45.4%) (P < 0.05). However, the positivities for M. tuberculosis with the lysis-centrifugation method (89.5%) and direct inoculation in biphasic medium (100%) were similar (P > 0.05). The use of a non-commercial lysis-centrifugation technique is inexpensive, reliable, and can be an alternative method for the diagnosis of mycobacteraemia in developing countries.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Aspects of the social reintegration of stoma patients].

The social rehabilitation represents a challenge to ostomy patient and a concern for health professional team. This study intends to verify the difficulties related to returning to the daily domestic, leisure, job and sexual activities showed by 45 ostomizeds after hospital discharge in different periods of late post operative. The data was obtained from patients assisted by two Outpatient Services of São Paulo city, through the interviews. The patients were selected by previous established criteria agreement and then subdivided in three groups as the post operative period. It's possible to verify that the majority of the clients didn't returned totally or returned only partially to the daily activities like before the disease or surgery, specially in the sexual area. They justified these difficulties by physical problems, insecurity and the use of inadequate appliances.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Pulmonary function changes in the acute stage of histoplasmosis, with follow-up. An analysis of eight cases.

We have studied eight patients, six children and two adults, during a microepidemic of soil- and patient-proven histoplasmosis. Pulmonary function tests were performed between the 15th and 23rd days after the onset of symptoms, and repeated between the fifth and sixth, the ninth and tenth and the 15th and 22nd months afterward. Initial abnormalities were mild in seven cases and severe in one. There was a restrictive pattern in three cases and an obstructive pattern in two. The fraction of CO extraction was reduced in five cases and the diffusing capacity for CO was reduced in five of six cases so tested. Hypoxemia was present in three cases. On follow-up, the obstructive defect had disappeared by the sixth month, the restrictive pattern by the tenth month, and the diffusing defect still remained in three cases by the end of follow-up. Hypoxemia remained only in the severe case.

Adolescent↗

Is CK-MB isoenzyme useful for diagnosis of cardiac involvement in icteric leptospirosis?

In the absence of heart failure or cardiogenic shock, cardiac involvement diagnosis in icteric leptospirosis is possible on the basis of abnormal electrocardiograms. As metabolic and electrolytic disorders are frequently seen during acute leptospirosis infection, they may be responsible for some electrocardiograms changes. We conducted a study to assess if creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme determinations are useful in selecting patients with a high cardiac involvement suspicion. Sixty-nine patients were studied prospectively. Ten patients out of 16 with cardiac involvement and 25 without had high CK-MB levels (p > 0.05), although mean values of abnormal CK-MB levels were higher in the group with cardiac involvement (p < 0.05). Our analysis indicates that serum CK-MB determination does not provide a specific indicator of myocardial involvement in the course of icteric leptospirosis.

Adult↗

Paracoccidioidomycosis in children in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Geographic distribution and the study of a "reservarea".

Thirty six cases of acute disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in 3 to 12 year-old children, natives of the state of Rio de Janeiro, were seen in the period 1981-1996. All patients were residents in the rural region of 15 counties, scattered on the Southwestern part of this state. The rural region of two neighboring counties, where 16 cases (44.4%) occurred, was visited. It exhibited the environmental conditions that are considered favorable to the survival of P. brasiliensis. The most important of these conditions, abundant watercourses and autochthonous forest, are distributed on well defined and limited areas, in which the dwellings are also localized. Probably, a careful epidemiological study of forthcoming cases of the disease in children may facilitate the search for the micro-niche of the fungus.

Acute Disease↗

Bacillary angiomatosis: description of 13 cases reported in five reference centers for AIDS treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of this case series was to describe the clinical, laboratory and epidemiological characteristics and the presentation of bacillary angiomatosis cases (and/or parenchymal bacillary peliosis) that were identified in five public hospitals of Rio de Janeiro state between 1990 and 1997; these cases were compared with those previously described in the medical literature. Thirteen case-patients were enrolled in the study; the median age was 39 years and all patients were male. All patients were human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected and they had previous or concomitant HIV-associated opportunistic infections or malignancies diagnosed at the time bacillary angiomatosis was diagnosed. Median T4 helper lymphocyte counts of patients was 96 cells per mm(3). Cutaneous involvement was the most common clinical manifestation of bacillary angiomatosis in this study. Clinical remission following appropriate treatment was more common in our case series than that reported in the medical literature, while the incidence of relapse was similar. The frequency of bacillary angiomatosis in HIV patients calculated from two of the hospitals included in our study was 1.42 cases per 1000 patients, similar to the frequencies reported in the medical literature. Bacillary angiomatosis is an unusual opportunistic pathogen in our setting.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Women with AIDS: disclosing risk stories].

This study approaches the social and cultural profile concerning risk for HIV infection in women, describing some epidemiological variables and disclosing reports of risk situations, the meaning of living with AIDS, and support received. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 25 women from the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, prior to the availability of multi-drug treatment. The majority reported limited schooling, were housewives or engaged in under-skilled occupations, and had family incomes lower than average for users of this public teaching hospital. The view of AIDS as "someone else's disease" was prevalent, and STDs were perceived as male infections, although several women reported episodes of STDs prior to HIV. They had received their diagnosis and initial medical care only after their partners' and/or children's illness or death. The study points to preventive strategies reinforcing these silent women's bargaining power, acting on men as potential active participants in reproductive health programs that incorporate STD/AIDS issues.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗