BACKGROUND The detection of live Mycobacterium leprae in soil and animals other than humans suggests that the environment plays a role in the transmission of leprosy. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of viable M. leprae in natural water sources used by the local population in five municipalities in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. METHODS Samples were collected from 30 different sources. Viable bacilli were identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the M. leprae gyrA gene and sequencing of the PCR products. Physicochemical properties of each water source were also assessed. FINDINGS M. leprae gyrA mRNA was found in 23 (76.7%) of the water sources. No association was found between depth of the water and sample positivity, nor was there any association between the type of water used by the population and sample positivity. An association between viable M. leprae and temperature and pH was found. Georeferencing showed a relation between the residences of leprosy cases and water source containing the bacterium. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The finding of viable M. leprae in natural water sources associated with human contact suggests that the environment plays an important role in maintaining endemic leprosy in the study region.

Dentre as diversas tecnologias utilizadas para cálculo do volume de materiais na mineração, o Veículo Aéreo Não Tripulado (VANT) e o Light Detecting And Ranging (LiDAR), surgem como alternativas rápidas e precisas, em comparação com as técnicas de topografia tradicionais como estação total e Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Diante destas novas tecnologias, este estudo avaliou a acurácia do cálculo de volume, realizado por meio de Modelos Digitais de Terreno (MDTs), gerados a partir das tecnologias VANT, LiDAR e GNSS, em uma pilha de rejeito da extração de calcário laminado, explorado para fabricação de lajotas in natura, comercializado com o nome de "Pedra Cariri", no município de Santana do Cariri, no Estado do Ceará. A avaliação da acurácia foi realizada com base no método de testes de hipóteses, a partir da análise de tendência e precisão, sendo os resultados classificados de acordo com o Padrão de Exatidão Cartográfica dos Produtos Cartográficos Digitais (PEC-PCD). Como resultado, o modelo gerado a partir do VANT apresentou a melhor acurácia no cálculo de volume da pilha de rejeito, objeto deste estudo, seguido pela modelagem obtida pelos levantamentos GNSS e LiDAR.

Among the various technologies used for calculate the volume of materials in mining, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the Light Detecting And Ranging (LiDAR), appear as fast and accurate alternatives compared to traditional surveying techniques such as total station and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Using these new technologies, the aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in volume calculation, performed by Digital Terrain Models (DTM), generated from the UAV technologies, LiDAR and GNSS in a pile of waste extraction laminated limestone (reject material), exploited for the manufacture of tiles in nature, marketed under the name of "Cariri Stone" in the city of Santana do Cariri, state of Ceará. The assessment of accuracy was based on hypothesis testing method, from the trend and precision of analysis, and the results classified according to the Cartographic Accuracy of Digital Cartographic Standard Products (PEC-PCD). As a result, the model generated from the UAV presented the best accuracy in the waste cell volume calculation, object of this study, followed by modeling obtained by GNSS surveys and LiDAR.

OBJECTIVES: This study has used a combination of clinical information, spoligotyping, and georeferencing system to elucidate the genetic diversity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates circulating in a TB-prevalent municipality of Northeast Brazil. METHODS: A total of 115 M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from pulmonary tuberculosis patients from January 2007 to March 2008 in Fortaleza. Drug susceptibility and spoligotyping assays were performed and place of residence of the patients were georeferenced. RESULTS: Of the M. tuberculosis strains studied, 51 (44.3%) isolates were resistant to at least one drug (R-TB) and 64 (55.7%) were sensitive to all the drugs tested (S-TB). A high frequency of resistance was found in previously treated cases (84%) and among new cases (16%; p < 0.001). a total of 74 (64%) isolates were grouped into 22 spoligotyped lineages, while 41 (36%) isolates were identified as new. among the predominant genotypes, 33% were latim american mediterranean (lam), 12% haarlem (h), and 5% u. there was no association of geographic distribution of rt-tb patients as compared to the controls and also the geographic location to the spoligotype patterns. the geospatial analysis revealed that 24 (23%) patients (hot spot zones) either shared the same residence or lived in a close neighborhood of a case. among these concentration zones, the patients lived in the same residence and shared a common genotype pattern and resistance pattern. DISCUSSION: it was observed that the spoligopatterns family distribution was similar to that reported for south america, prevailing the lam and h lineages. a high rate-case among the resistant TB group occurs as a result of transmitted and acquired resistance. A more effective surveillance program is needed in order to succeed in reducing tuberculosis in Northeast Brazil.