Abstract Objective To evaluate a simple and fast diagnostic instrument to be used by any health professional to track the disability presented by leprosy patients. Method Validation study of a diagnostic test performed in a sample of 156 leprosy patients to track functional disability through the shortened disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. The simplified neurological assessment proposed by the World Health Organization was used as a reference. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the cutoff point of QuickDASH that best discriminated patients with functional disability caused by leprosy. Results We identified 86 (55.5%) patients with functional disability by simplified neurological evaluation. The performance of the QuickDASH instrument showed that, at a cut-off point of 30 points, the sensitivity and specificity were 72.1% and 68.1% (accuracy of 70.3%), respectively, to identify functional disability, with a positive predictive value of 73.8%. Conclusion The QuickDASH instrument showed good accuracy to track functional disability in leprosy patients, and it may be useful in clinical practice of primary and general outpatient care, with the goal of identifying patients who need specialized reference for the prevention and treatment of this condition.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar um instrumento diagnóstico simples e rápido a ser utilizado por qualquer profissional da saúde para rastrear a incapacidade apresentada por pacientes com hanseníase. Método Estudo de validação de teste de diagnóstico realizado em uma amostra de 156 pacientes com hanseníase para rastrear incapacidade funcional, por meio do questionário abreviado disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH). A avaliação neurológica simplificada proposta pela Organização Mundial da Saúde foi utilizada como referência. Construiu-se a curva de características operacionais do receptor (ROC) para determinação do ponto de corte do QuickDASH que melhor discriminou pacientes com incapacidade funcional provocada pela hanseníase. Resultados Foram identificados 86 (55,5%) pacientes com incapacidade funcional pela avaliação neurológica simplificada. O desempenho do QuickDASH mostrou que, em ponto de corte de 30 pontos, a sensibilidade e a especificidade foram de 72,1% e 68,1% (acurácia de 70,3%), respectivamente, para identificar incapacidade funcional, com um valor preditivo positivo de 73,8%. Conclusão O instrumento QuickDASH mostrou boa acurácia para rastrear incapacidade funcional no paciente com hanseníase, podendo ser útil na prática clínica da atenção básica e ambulatorial geral, com o objetivo de identificar pacientes que necessitam de referência especializada para sua prevenção e tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration reference intervals (RIs) of healthy children aged 1 to 10 years of both sexes, living in the Central Region of Brazil. Subjects and methods: 1,735 children [869 (50.1%) female; 866 (49.9%) male] enrolled in the morning shift of 47 pre- and 83 public elementary schools in the municipality of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, were studied by gathering anthropometric and social data and their medical history. A blood sample was collected from each child to determine the TSH concentration using the electrochemiluminescence method on a Cobas® 6000 modular analyzer (Analyzer series, Roche Diagnostics). Results: The RIs were determined using the 2.5 and 97.5 percentile and the mean ± 2 standard deviations methods. After identifying the homoscedastic groups by age and sex, outliers higher or lower than three standard deviations were excluded. The distribution of serum TSH concentrations showed no significant age or sex differences. Based on the percentile method, TSH RI ranged from 0.93 to 5.86 μIU/mL. Based on the mean ± 2 standard deviations, TSH RI ranged from 0.30 to 5.29 μIU/mL. Conclusion: The normal serum TSH concentration of the Brazilian children evaluated in this study differ from those of populations from other countries. Other regional population studies may validate the RIs found in this study and enable its safer use in pediatric clinical practice.

Abstract Objective: To determine reference intervals (Rl) for serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in healthy children aged 1 to 1 0 years residing in the central region of Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,743 healthy children randomly selected from kindergartens and public schools in Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. The IgA RIs were defined using the statistical methods postulated by the guidelines of the United States Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the nonparametric bootstrap method, and Horn's robust method after the correction of discrepancies by Tukey's, Dixon's, and Horn's methods, respectively. The results were defined based on the values contained between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Results: Partition by sex was not necessary to determine the IgA Rl of the studied children. Homogeneous subgroups were identified among children aged 1-<2, 2-<5, and 5-<11 years, whose IgA-specific RIs were determined. Conclusion: The serum IgA RIs were established for three groups of Brazilian children aged 1-11 years, which differed from those currently applied in Brazilian pediatric practice and from those defined by international studies. This definition will help Brazilian pediatricians formulate an accurate diagnosis and facilitate decision-making.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019, which is caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, became a pandemic in 2020 with a mortality rate of 2% and high transmissibility, thus making studies with an epidemiological profile essential. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the population that performed the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 molecular and serological tests in Carlos Chagas Laboratory – Sabin Group in Cuiabá. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with all the samples collected from nasal swab tested by RT-PCR and serological for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 IgM/IgG from the population served between April and December 2020. FINDINGS: In the analysis period, 23,631 PCR-coronavirus disease 2019 examinations were registered. Of this total number of cases, 7,649 (32.37%) tested positive, while 15,982 (66.31%) did not detect viral RNA and 374 of the results as undetermined. The peak of positive RT-PCR performed in July (n=5,878), with 35.65% (n=2,096). A total of 8,884 tests were performed on serological test SOROVID-19, with a peak of 1,169 (57.16%) of the positive tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in July. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Molecular positivity and serological tests, both peaked in July 2020, were mostly present in women aged 20–59 years, characterizing Cuiabá as the epicenter of the Midwest region in this period due to the high rate of transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Objetivo: avaliar a aquisição de conhecimento cognitivo em reanimação cardiorrespiratória por capacitação mediada por simulação em saúde e verificar a satisfação com o design da metodologia de ensino. Método: estudo de intervenção quase-experimental, do tipo antes-depois, com único grupo. População composta por estudantes de medicina em fase de internato, enfermeiros e médicos residentes, técnicos de enfermagem e enfermeiros do quadro efetivo da instituição. Amostragem por conveniência formada por 91 participantes. Dados coletados por meio do Questionário Sociodemográfico e Educacional, teste de conhecimento e Escala do Design da Simulação. Os dados foram organizados em tabelas e analisados com base em frequências absolutas, medidas de tendência central e dispersão, teste de confiabilidade alfa de Cronbach, teste de Wilcoxon. Resultados: o incremento de aprendizagem cognitiva foi de 81,9%, sendo que para técnicos de enfermagem foi de 117,8 %. Teste de Wilcoxon apontou incremento significativo (p<0,0001) no conhecimento. A Escala do Design da Simulação, apresentou 4,55 de média global. Alpha de Cronbach apontou boa consistência interna (0,898). Conclusão: a simulação em saúde foi eficaz como método de ensino-aprendizagem em reanimação cardiorrespiratória, sendo efetiva no incremento de conhecimento em parada cardiorrespiratória, com ótimo nível de satisfação quanto ao design.

Abstract Objective: to evaluate the acquisition of cognitive knowledge in cardiorespiratory resuscitation through training mediated by health simulation and to verify satisfaction with the teaching methodology design. Method: a study of quasi-experimental intervention, of the before and after type, with only one group. Population composed of medical students in the internship phase, nurses and resident physicians, nursing technicians and nurses of the institution’s effective staff. Convenience sampling consisting of 91 participants. Data collected through the Sociodemographic and Educational Questionnaire, Knowledge Test and Simulation Design Scale. Data was organized in tables and analyzed based on absolute frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, Cronbach’s alpha reliability test, Wilcoxon’s test. Results: the increase in cognitive learning was 81.9%, being that for nursing technicians it was 117.8 %. Wilcoxon’s test showed a significant increase (p<0.0001) in knowledge. The Simulation Design Scale, displayed 4.55 of global mean. Cronbach’s alpha pointed good internal consistency (0.898). Conclusion: the health simulation was effective as a learning-teaching method in cardiorespiratory resuscitation, being effective in increasing knowledge in cardiorespiratory arrest, with a great level of design satisfaction.

Objetivo: evaluar la adquisición de conocimiento cognitivo en reanimación cardiorrespiratoria a través del entrenamiento mediado por simulación de salud y verificar la satisfacción con el diseño de la metodología de enseñanza. Método: estudio de intervención cuasiexperimental, del tipo antes y después, con un único grupo. Población compuesta por estudiantes de medicina en etapa de prácticas, enfermeros y médicos residentes, técnicos de enfermería y enfermeros del personal permanente de la institución. Muestreo de conveniencia compuesto por 91 participantes. Datos recolectados a través del Cuestionario Sociodemográfico y Educativo, prueba de conocimientos y Escala de Diseño de Simulación. Los datos fueron organizados en tablas y analizados con base en frecuencias absolutas, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, prueba de confiabilidad alfa de Cronbach, y prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: el aumento del aprendizaje cognitivo fue del 81,9% y para los técnicos de enfermería fue del 117,8%. La prueba de Wilcoxon mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,0001) en el conocimiento. La Escala de Diseño de Simulación presentó una media global de 4,55. El alfa de Cronbach mostró buena consistencia interna (0,898). Conclusión: la simulación de salud resultó eficaz como método de enseñanza-aprendizaje en reanimación cardiorrespiratoria, siendo eficaz para incrementar el conocimiento en parada cardiorrespiratoria, con un excelente nivel de satisfacción con respecto al diseño.

ABSTRACT In recent years, the number of cases with severe Plasmodium vivax malaria has shown an increasing trend. It is, therefore, important to identify routine laboratory markers that best characterize the acute disease phase and can serve as a tool for clinical follow-up of patients. In a cohort study, we followed 87 patients with acute P. vivax monoinfection acquired in an endemic region of the Brazilian Amazon. Forty-two different biochemical and hematological parameters frequently tested in clinical routine were evaluated at the acute phase and the convalescent phase. A total of 42 laboratory tests were performed: biochemical parameters measured were serum lipids levels, aminotransferases, bilirubin, amylase, glucose, urea, creatinine, albumin, globulin, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Hematological parameters included total and differential white blood cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin concentration, mean platelet volume, platelet width distribution, and plateletcrit. Our results show that several biochemical and hematological parameters were associated with acute phase P. vivax malaria and these parameters reverted to normal values in the convalescent phase. The use of these parameters during diagnosis and follow-up of the infection is a useful clinical tool to evaluate the clinical course and therapeutic response of patients with uncomplicated vivax malaria.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Brazil’s western Amazon basin has the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the country. Coinfection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) is also endemic. To estimate the prevalence of HBV and HDV markers in a population inhabiting the northwest portion of Mato Grosso state in the western Amazon. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence of antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) in the Três Fronteiras District northwest of Mato Grosso. Anti-HBc-positive subjects were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Those positive for this marker were tested for HDV antibodies. Anti-HBc-negative participants were tested for anti-HBsAg. All tests were performed by EIA. RESULTS: A total of 623 individuals in the community were assessed; the majority (67.6%) were male, with a mean age of 30.8 ± 15.4 years. Two hundred and fourteen individuals (34.3%) were anti-HBc-positive, and 47 (7.5%) were HBsAg carriers. Only one individual was anti-HDV-positive. Among the 409 individuals without HBV infection, 18.3% were anti-HBsAg-positive. There was no association between HBV infection and known risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The study area had intermediate-to-high endemicity for HBV infection, but a low prevalence of HDV. Our serological results suggesting low vaccination-induced protection indicate a need for reinforced immunization programs in the populations of northwest Mato Grosso.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: As gestantes são consideradas pacientes de risco para aspiração pulmonar do conteúdo gástrico. O objetivo foi avaliar a área transversal do antro gástrico por meio de ultrassonografia. Método: Neste estudo prospectivo, 85 gestantes a termo agendadas foram submetidas à ultrassonografia do antro gástrico. Os desfechos foram a mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico (desfecho principal), a estimativa do volume gástrico, a incidência de gestantes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar, a associação entre a área transversal do antro gástrico e características clínico-demográficas. A área transversal do antro gástrico e do volume gástrico foi comparada de acordo com o índice de massa corporal < 30 ou ≥ 30. Resultados: A mediana (IIQ) da área transversal do antro gástrico foi 4 cm2 (2,8-6,3), do volume gástrico estimado 49,8 mL (33,7-87,2) e do volume gástrico estimado em mL.kg-1 de 0,62 mL.kg-1 (0,39-0,95). O percentil 95 [intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%] da área transversal do antro gástrico e do volume gástrico estimado foi ≤ 10,3 cm2 (IC 95%: 7,6-15,6) e 1,42 mL.kg-1 (IC 95%: 1,20-2,64), respectivamente. A incidência de gestantes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar foi de 3,5% (IC: 3,5 (1,2-9,8). Houve correlação positiva entre a área transversal do antro gástrico e peso, p < 0,001 e índice de massa corporal p < 0,001. As pacientes com índice de massa corporal ≥ 30 apresentaram maior área transversal do antro gástrico, e do volume gástrico estimado, do que as com índice de massa corporal < 30, respectivamente p < 0,01 e p < 0,02. Conclusão: A mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico de gestantes é factível e fácil. A área transversal do antro gástrico correlacionou-se positivamente com peso e índice de massa corporal. A estimativa do volume gástrico através da mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico pode identificar pacientes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar. As pacientes obesas apresentaram área transversal do antro gástrico e volume gástrico estimado maior do que as não obesas.

Abstract Background and objectives: Pregnant women are considered patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. The study aim was to evaluate the gastric antral cross-sectional area using ultrasound. Method: In this prospective study, 85 scheduled term pregnant women underwent gastric ultrasound. The outcomes were the measurement of the gastric antral cross-sectional area (main outcome), the estimated gastric volume, the incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration, and the association between gastric antral cross-sectional area and clinical-demographic characteristics. Gastric antral cross-sectional area and gastric volume were compared according to body mass index <30 or ≥30. Results: The median (IIQ) for gastric antral cross-sectional area was 4 cm2 (2.8-6.3), for the estimated gastric volume it was 49.8 mL (33.7-87.2), and for the gastric volume estimated in mL.kg-1 it was 0.62 mL.kg-1 (0.39-0.95). The 95th percentile [95% confidence interval (CI)] of the gastric antral cross-sectional area and the estimated gastric volume were ≤10.3 cm2 (95% CI: 7.6-15.6) and 1.42 mL.kg-1 (95% CI: 1.20-2.64), respectively. The incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration was 3.5% (CI: 3.5 (1.2-9.8)). There was a positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area and weight, p < 0.001 and body mass index <0.001. Patients with a body mass index ≥30 had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than those with a body mass index <30, respectively, p < 0.01 and p < 0.02. Conclusion: Measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area of pregnant women is feasible and easy. There was positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area, body weight and body mass index. The estimation of gastric volume by measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area can identify patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Obese patients had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than non-obese patients.

BACKGROUND Timely diagnosis is recommended by the Brazilian Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) Surveillance and Control Program to reduce case fatality. Attempts at assessing this topic in Brazil are scarce. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe where, when, and how the diagnosis of VL has been performed in a Brazilian endemic setting. METHODS Data of all autochthonous cases confirmed between 2011 and 2016 (N = 81) were recorded. The care-seeking itinerary until the confirmation of VL diagnosis was assessed among 57 patients. FINDINGS The majority of VL cases (79.1%) were reported by referral hospitals. The patients mainly sought primary health care centres at the onset of symptoms. However, they had to visit seven health services on average to achieve a confirmed diagnosis. The time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of VL (TD) ranged from 1-212 (median, 25) days. The TD was longer among adult patients. There was a direct correlation between the patient’s age and TD (r = 0.22; p = 0.047) and a higher occurrence of deaths due to the disease among older patients (p = 0.002). Almost all the patients (98.9%) underwent laboratory investigation, and the VL diagnosis was mainly confirmed based on clinical-laboratory criteria (92.6%). Positive results for the indirect fluorescence antibody test (22.7%) and parasitological examination plus rk39-based immunochromatographic tests (21.3%) were commonly employed. MAIN CONCLUSIONS VL diagnosis was predominantly conducted in hospitals with a long TD and wide application of serology. These findings may support measures focused on early diagnosis, including a greater involvement of the primary health care system.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Uric acid is one of the compounds associated with the inflammatory process in malaria. It acts as an indicator of cellular damage by activating the immune response and inflammatory process. METHODS: We measured serum concentrations of uric acid in 60 symptomatic patients before and after treatment for malarial infections caused by Plasmodium vivax. RESULTS: Lower serum concentrations of uric acid were found during the acute phase of P. vivax malaria compared to those in its convalescent phase (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the acute phase of malaria had lower uric acid levels than those in its convalescent phase.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever a frequência e os motivos das internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde (ICSAP) ocorridas em Rondônia, Brasil, entre 2012 e 2016, e analisar sua relação com a evolução da cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. Resultados: no período do estudo, foram autorizadas 133.958 ICSAP, correspondendo a uma taxa de 75 internações/1.000 hab.; registrou-se incremento anual paralelo da cobertura da ESF e tendência levemente decrescente das ICSAP autorizadas, embora não estatisticamente significante; em 2012, a frequência de ICSAP foi de 20,7% entre todas as hospitalizações ocorridas no estado, enquanto em 2016, esse indicador declinou para 16,7%. Conclusão: foi alta a frequência de ICSAP em Rondônia entre 2012 e 2016; embora tenha havido incremento na cobertura de ESF no mesmo período, esse aumento não foi acompanhado de mudança significativa na frequência de ICSAP registrada no estado.

Abstract Objective: to describe the frequency and reasons for hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (HACSC) in Rondônia, Brazil, between 2012 and 2016, and to analyze their relationship with the evolution of the coverage of the family health strategy (FHS) in the same period. Methods: this was a descriptive study of secondary data from the Brazilian National Health System’s Hospital Information System. Results: during the period of the study 133,958 HACSC were authorized, corresponding to a rate of 75 hospitalizations/1,000 inhab.; there was a parallel annual increase in FHS coverage and a slightly decreasing trend of authorized HACSC, although this was not statistically significant; in 2012, HACSC frequency was 20.7% in relation to all hospitalizations that occurred in the state, while in 2016 this indicator declined to 16.7%. Conclusion: HACSC frequency in Rondônia was high between 2012 and 2016; although there was an increase in FHS coverage in the same period, this increase was not accompanied by a significant change in the frequency of HACSC registered in the state.

Resumen Objetivo: describir la frecuencia y los motivos de las hospitalizaciones por enfermedades sensibles a cuidados de atención primaria en salud (HESCAP) en Rondônia, Brasil, entre 2012 y 2016. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, con datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud. Resultados: en el período del estudio se autorizaron 133.958 HESCAP, correspondiendo a una tasa de 75 internaciones/1.000 hab.; se registró un incremento anual de la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) y tendencia decreciente de las HESCAP, aunque no estadísticamente significativa; en 2012, la frecuencia de HESCAP fue del 20,7% entre todas las hospitalizaciones ocurridas en el estado, mientras que en 2016 ese indicador declinó al 16,7%. Conclusión: fue alta la frecuencia de HESCAP en Rondônia entre 2012 y 2016; aunque hubo un incremento en la cobertura de ESF en el mismo período, ese aumento no fue acompañado por un cambio significativo en la frecuencia de HESCAP registrada en el estado.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever a frequência e os motivos das internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde (ICSAP) ocorridas em Rondônia, Brasil, entre 2012 e 2016, e analisar sua relação com a evolução da cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. Resultados: no período do estudo, foram autorizadas 133.958 ICSAP, correspondendo a uma taxa de 75 internações/1.000 hab.; registrou-se incremento anual paralelo da cobertura da ESF e tendência levemente decrescente das ICSAP autorizadas, embora não estatisticamente significante; em 2012, a frequência de ICSAP foi de 20,7% entre todas as hospitalizações ocorridas no estado, enquanto em 2016, esse indicador declinou para 16,7%. Conclusão: foi alta a frequência de ICSAP em Rondônia entre 2012 e 2016; embora tenha havido incremento na cobertura de ESF no mesmo período, esse aumento não foi acompanhado de mudança significativa na frequência de ICSAP registrada no estado.

Abstract Objective: to describe the frequency and reasons for hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (HACSC) in Rondônia, Brazil, between 2012 and 2016, and to analyze their relationship with the evolution of the coverage of the family health strategy (FHS) in the same period. Methods: this was a descriptive study of secondary data from the Brazilian National Health System’s Hospital Information System. Results: during the period of the study 133,958 HACSC were authorized, corresponding to a rate of 75 hospitalizations/1,000 inhab.; there was a parallel annual increase in FHS coverage and a slightly decreasing trend of authorized HACSC, although this was not statistically significant; in 2012, HACSC frequency was 20.7% in relation to all hospitalizations that occurred in the state, while in 2016 this indicator declined to 16.7%. Conclusion: HACSC frequency in Rondônia was high between 2012 and 2016; although there was an increase in FHS coverage in the same period, this increase was not accompanied by a significant change in the frequency of HACSC registered in the state.

Resumen Objetivo: describir la frecuencia y los motivos de las hospitalizaciones por enfermedades sensibles a cuidados de atención primaria en salud (HESCAP) en Rondônia, Brasil, entre 2012 y 2016. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, con datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud. Resultados: en el período del estudio se autorizaron 133.958 HESCAP, correspondiendo a una tasa de 75 internaciones/1.000 hab.; se registró un incremento anual de la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) y tendencia decreciente de las HESCAP, aunque no estadísticamente significativa; en 2012, la frecuencia de HESCAP fue del 20,7% entre todas las hospitalizaciones ocurridas en el estado, mientras que en 2016 ese indicador declinó al 16,7%. Conclusión: fue alta la frecuencia de HESCAP en Rondônia entre 2012 y 2016; aunque hubo un incremento en la cobertura de ESF en el mismo período, ese aumento no fue acompañado por un cambio significativo en la frecuencia de HESCAP registrada en el estado.

Anti-α-Gal responses may exert a protective effect in falciparum malaria. However, the biological role of such antibodies is still unknown during Plasmodium vivax infections. We investigated IgG and IgM responses to α-Gal in individuals with vivax malaria. Anti-α-Gal IgG and IgM levels were higher in these patients than in controls, but no significant correlation was found between parasitaemia and anti-α-Gal response, nor between this response and ABO blood group status. This is the first study to investigate anti-α-Gal antibodies in P. vivax-infected patients; a larger survey is necessary to achieve a better understanding of host immune response during vivax malaria.

ABSTRACT The Brazilian municipality of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso State, represents an important visceral leishmaniasis (VL) endemic area. This study described epidemiological and clinical aspects of the occurrence, VL/HIV coinfection and lethality related to VL in Rondonópolis. Data from autochthonous cases reported between 2011 and 2016 were obtained from official information systems. During this period, 81 autochthonous cases were reported, with decreasing incidence through 2016. Contrastingly, the lethality rate was 8.6% overall, but varied widely, reaching a peak (20%) in 2016. Almost 10% of patients had VL/HIVcoinfection. The occurrence of VL prevailed among men (56.8%), brown-skinned (49.4%), urban residents (92.6%), aged 0-4 years (33.3%). Housewives or retired (29.6%) were the most affected occupational groups. Lower age was the main difference among the total VL cases and those who were coinfected or died. Clinically, fever, weakness and splenomegaly were more frequent among all VL cases and VL/HIV coinfected individuals. Bacterial infections (p=0.001) and bleeding (p<0.001) were associated with death due to VL. Pentavalent antimonial and liposomal amphotericin B were the first choices for treatment among all VL cases (71.6%) and those who died (71.4%), respectively. VL/HIV patients were equally treated with both drugs. These findings may support control measures and demonstrate the need for further investigations.