Abstract Genetic variability in the host metabolism of antimalarial drugs influenced by the polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 (CYP) could lead to significant changes in antimalarial treatment response. However, little is known about the frequency of alleles CYP2B6, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6 in an Amazonian population, especially with vivax malaria. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the frequency of CYP alleles CYP2B6*6, CYP2C8*3, and CYP2D6*4 in patients with vivax malaria. The study included 231 patients with vivax malaria treated at a health care reference in Manaus, northern Brazil. A sample of peripheral blood from each subject was collected to perform DNA extraction and genotypic analysis. Genotyping of polymorphisms was performed by allelic discrimination using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. The CYP2D6*4 allele was the most prevalent among patients who developed severe malaria. The frequencies of the CYP2B6*6 and CYP2D6*4 were not different between the severe and uncomplicated malaria. There was a significant association between heterozygous CYP2D6*4 and severe cases of malaria. The results are in agreement with other reports described in the literature for different populations. Future studies are needed to understand the clinical implications of the polymorphisms in patients with vivax malaria.

The analysis of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids usually requires extraction procedures to achieve sample clean-up and analyte preconcentration. Commonly, extraction procedures are performed using liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction. Nevertheless, these extraction techniques are considered to be time-consuming and require a large amount of organic solvents. On this basis, microextraction techniques have been developed. Among them, liquid-phase microextraction has been standing out. This review describes the liquid-phase microextraction technique based on hollow fibers as a novel and promising alternative in sample preparation prior to chromatographic or electrophoretic analysis. The basic concepts related to this technique and its applicability in extraction of drugs are discussed.

Foi realizado um levantamento sobre uso de psicotrópicos entre estudantes da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brasil, em uma amostra de 521 alunos. O "uso na vida" de álcool foi relatado por 87,7% dos estudantes (IC95%: 85,34-90,06) e o de tabaco por 30,7% (IC 95%: 27,39-34,01), sendo o último maior entre estudantes do sexo masculino (39,7%; IC95%: 33,33-46,01). As substâncias ilegais mais usadas foram: solventes (11,9%; IC95%: 9,57-14,23), maconha (9,4%; IC95%: 7,30-11,50), anfetamínicos e ansiolíticos (ambos com 9,2%; IC95%: 7,12-11,28), cocaína (2,1%; IC95%: 1,07- 3,13) e alucinógenos (1,2%; IC95%: 0,42-1,98). O principal motivo relatado para o uso de drogas ilegais foi a curiosidade. O "uso na vida" de esteróides anabolizantes foi citado por 2,1% dos estudantes. O uso abusivo de álcool nos últimos 30 dias foi relatado por 12,4% dos universitários. Entre os eventos ocorridos após a ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas, os estudantes citaram envolvimento em briga (4,7%), acidentes (2,4%), faltaà escola (33,7%), falta ao trabalho (11,8%) e condução de veículos (47,3%). A opinião sobre as drogas e o padrão de uso dos estudantes não diferem muito dos estudos semelhantes em outras regiões do Brasil.

A survey was conducted with 521 undergraduate health sciences students from the Federal University in Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil. Lifetime alcohol consumption was reported by 87.7% students, as compared to 30.7% for tobacco, with the latter reported more frequently by males (39.7%). The most common illicit drugs were solvents (11.9%), marijuana (9.4%), amphetamines and anxiolytics (9.2% each), cocaine (2.1%), and hallucinogens (1.2%). The main reason for illicit drug use was curiosity. Lifetime use of anabolic steroids was reported by 2.1% of the students. Alcohol abuse in the previous 30 days was reported by 12.4% of the students. Events following drinking included: fights (4.7%), accidents (2.4%), classroom absenteeism (33.7%), and job absenteeism (11.8%). Another important finding was that 47.3% of students drove after drinking. Opinions on drug abuse and patterns agree with those from similar studies in other regions of Brazil.

Foi realizado um levantamento sobre uso de psicotrópicos entre estudantes da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brasil, em uma amostra de 521 alunos. O "uso na vida" de álcool foi relatado por 87,7% dos estudantes (IC95%: 85,34-90,06) e o de tabaco por 30,7% (IC 95%: 27,39-34,01), sendo o último maior entre estudantes do sexo masculino (39,7%; IC95%: 33,33-46,01). As substâncias ilegais mais usadas foram: solventes (11,9%; IC95%: 9,57-14,23), maconha (9,4%; IC95%: 7,30-11,50), anfetamínicos e ansiolíticos (ambos com 9,2%; IC95%: 7,12-11,28), cocaína (2,1%; IC95%: 1,07- 3,13) e alucinógenos (1,2%; IC95%: 0,42-1,98). O principal motivo relatado para o uso de drogas ilegais foi a curiosidade. O "uso na vida" de esteróides anabolizantes foi citado por 2,1% dos estudantes. O uso abusivo de álcool nos últimos 30 dias foi relatado por 12,4% dos universitários. Entre os eventos ocorridos após a ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas, os estudantes citaram envolvimento em briga (4,7%), acidentes (2,4%), faltaà escola (33,7%), falta ao trabalho (11,8%) e condução de veículos (47,3%). A opinião sobre as drogas e o padrão de uso dos estudantes não diferem muito dos estudos semelhantes em outras regiões do Brasil.

A survey was conducted with 521 undergraduate health sciences students from the Federal University in Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil. Lifetime alcohol consumption was reported by 87.7% students, as compared to 30.7% for tobacco, with the latter reported more frequently by males (39.7%). The most common illicit drugs were solvents (11.9%), marijuana (9.4%), amphetamines and anxiolytics (9.2% each), cocaine (2.1%), and hallucinogens (1.2%). The main reason for illicit drug use was curiosity. Lifetime use of anabolic steroids was reported by 2.1% of the students. Alcohol abuse in the previous 30 days was reported by 12.4% of the students. Events following drinking included: fights (4.7%), accidents (2.4%), classroom absenteeism (33.7%), and job absenteeism (11.8%). Another important finding was that 47.3% of students drove after drinking. Opinions on drug abuse and patterns agree with those from similar studies in other regions of Brazil.