ABSTRACT Trypanosoma cruzi and Helicobacter pylori (HP) are pathogens that cause chronic diseases and have been associated with hypergastrinemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fasting gastrin levels in patients with different clinical forms of Chagas disease (CD), coinfected or not by HP. The enrolled individuals were outpatients attending at the university hospital. HP infection was assessed by serology and 13 C-urea breath test. Fasting serum gastrin concentration was measured by chemiluminescence assay. Gastric endoscopic and histological features were also evaluated. Associations between CD and serum gastrin level were evaluated in a logistical model, adjusting for age, gender and HP status. A total of 113 patients were evaluated (45 with Chagas disease and 68 controls). In the multivariate analysis, increasing serum gastrin levels (OR= 1.02; 95% CI= 1.01-1.12), increasing age (OR= 1.05; 95% CI= 1.02 - 1.09) and HP-positive status (OR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.10 - 7.51) remained independently associated with CD. The serum gastrin levels were significantly higher in the group of patients with the cardiodigestive form ( P = 0.03) as well as with digestive form ( P = <0.001) of Chagas disease than in the controls. In conclusion, patients with cardiodigestive and digestive clinical forms of CD have increased basal serum gastrin levels in comparison with controls. Moreover, we also demonstrated that H. pylori coinfection contributes to the hypergastrinemia shown in CD.

ABSTRACT Group A rotaviruses are the main causative agent of infantile gastroenteritis. The segmented nature of the viral genome allows reassortment of genome segments, which can generate genetic variants. In this study, we characterized the diversity of the VP7, VP4 (VP8*), VP6, NSP4, and NSP5 genes of the rotaviruses that circulated from 2005 to 2011 in the Triângulo Mineiro (TM) region of Brazil. Samples with genotypes G2 (sublineages IVa-1 and IVa-3), G1 (sublineage I-A), G9 (lineage III), G12 (lineages II and III), G8 (lineage II), G3 (lineage III), P[4] (sublineages IVa and IVb), P[8] (sublineages P[8]-3.6, P[8]-3.3, and P[8]-3.1), I2 (lineage VII), E2 (lineages VI, XII, and X), and H2 (lineage III) were identified. The associations found in the samples were G1, G9, or G12 with P[8]-I1-E1-H1; G2 or G8 with P[4]-I2-E2-H2; G12 with I3-E3-H6; and G3 with P[4]-I2-E3-H3 (previously unreported combination). Reassortment events in G2P[4] strains and an apparent pattern of temporal segregation within the lineages were observed. Five TM samples contained genes that exhibited high nucleotide and amino acid identities with strains of animal origin. The present study includes a period of pre- and post-introduction of rotavirus vaccination in all Brazilian territories, thereby serving as a basis for monitoring changes in the genetic constitution of rotaviruses. The results also contribute to the understanding of the diversity and evolution of rotaviruses in a global context.

Introduction Most studies that have evaluated the stomachs of patients with Chagas disease were performed before the discovery of Helicobacter pylori and used no control groups. This study compared the gastric features of chagasic and non-chagasic patients and assessed whether gastritis could be associated with Chagas disease. Methods Gastric biopsy samples were taken from patients who underwent endoscopy for histological analysis according to the Updated Sydney System. H. pylori infection was assessed by histology, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serology and the 13C-urea breath test. Patients were considered H. pylori-negative when all of these diagnostic tests were negative. Clinical and socio-demographic data were obtained by reviewing medical records and using a questionnaire. Results The prevalence of H. pylori infection (70.3% versus 71.7%) and chronic gastritis (92.2% versus 85%) was similar in the chagasic and non-chagasic groups, respectively; such as peptic ulcer, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Gastritis was associated with H. pylori infection independent of Chagas disease in a log-binomial regression model. However, the chagasic H. pylori-negative patients showed a significantly higher grade of mononuclear (in the corpus) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) (in the antrum) cell infiltration. Additionally, the patients with the digestive form of Chagas disease showed a significantly lower prevalence of corpus atrophy than those with other clinical forms. Conclusions The prevalence of H. pylori infection and of gastric histological and endoscopic features was similar among the chagasic and non-chagasic patients. Additionally, this is the first controlled study to demonstrate that H. pylori is the major cause of gastritis in patients with Chagas disease.

IntroductionInsects have been described as mechanical vectors of nosocomial infections.MethodsNon-biting flying insects were collected inside a pediatric ward and neonatal-intensive care unit (ICU) of a Brazilian tertiary hospital.ResultsMost (86.4%) of them were found to carry one or more species of bacteria on their external surfaces. The bacteria isolated were Gram-positive bacilli (68.2%) or cocci (40.9%), and Gram-negative bacilli (18.2%).ConclusionsInsects collected inside a hospital were carrying pathogenic bacteria; therefore, one must consider the possibility they may act as mechanical vectors of infections, in especially for debilitated or immune-compromised patients in the hospital environments where the insects were collected.

This is a retrospective, exploratory study, undertaken in a psychiatric institution with the aim of characterizing the patients affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by sex, age, provenance, duration of hospitalization, type of discharge, type of hospitalization, and source of financing of hospitalization. The sample comprised 61 patients, the majority of whom were female (47-77%), age range over 41 years old (41-67%), who came to hospital from the family home (31-50.8%) and length of hospitalization of 30 days (33-54.1%). The most frequent type of discharge was medical (51-83.6%), and there were similar prevalences for first hospitalizations (30-49.2%) and re-hospitalizations (31-50.8%); the main financer for hospitalization was the Unified Health System (54-88.5%). Actions for the early diagnosis of this disorder must be developed so that the treatment may be initiated promptly, so as to avoid the worsening of obsessions and compulsions.

Este es un estudio retrospectivo y exploratorio, realizado en institución psiquiátrica con el objetivo de caracterizar los pacientes víctimas del Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo cuanto al sexo, edad, proveniencia, tiempo de internación, tipo de alta, tipo de internación y fuente financiadora de la internación. La muestra fue constituida de 61 pacientes, siendo predominante el sexo femenino (47-77%), la franja etaria de mayores de 41 años (41-67%), provenientes de la propia familia (31-50,8%) y el tiempo de internación de 30 días (33-54,1%). La alta médica fue la más frecuente (51-83,6%), huvo prevalencias similares entre las primeras internaciones (30-49,2%) y reinternaciones (31-50,8%); el principal financiador de las internaciones hospitalares fue el Sistema Único de Salud (54-88,5%). Es necesario desarrolar acciones cuya finalidad sea diagnosticar de modo precoz el trastorno para que el tratamiento sea luego iniciado a fin de evitar que enpeoren las obsesiones y compulsiones.

Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo e exploratório, realizado em instituição psiquiátrica com o objetivo de caracterizar os pacientes acometidos por Transtorno Obsessivo Compulsivo quanto ao sexo, idade, proveniência, tempo de internação, tipo de alta, tipo de internação e fonte financiadora da internação. A amostra foi constituída por 61 pacientes sendo predominante o sexo feminino (47-77%), a faixa etária acima de 41 anos (41-67%), provenientes da própria família (31-50,8%) e o tempo de internação de 30 dias (33-54,1%). A alta médica foi a mais frequente (51-83,6%), houve prevalências similares entre as primeiras internações (30-49,2%) e reinternações (31-50,8%); o principal financiador das internações hospitalares foi o Sistema Único de Saúde (54-88,5%). Ações que visem diagnosticar precocemente o transtorno devem ser desenvolvidas para que o tratamento seja prontamente iniciado a fim de evitar o agravamento de obsessões e compulsões.

INTRODUÇÃO: No presente estudo, foi comparada a soroprevalência da infecção por Helicobacter pylori entre os indivíduos chagásicos e não-chagásicos, bem como entre subgrupos de chagásicos com as formas clínicas indeterminada, cardíaca, digestiva e cardiodigestiva. MÉTODOS: Os indivíduos avaliados eram provenientes da região do Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram realizados testes sorológicos convencionais para diagnóstico da infecção pelo T. cruzi e os chagásicos foram classificados de acordo com a forma clínica. O diagnóstico de infecção por H. pylori foi estabelecido pela detecção de anticorpos IgG específicos utilizando-se um kit comercial de ELISA. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da infecção por H. pylorifoi 77,1% (239/310) no grupo de pacientes chagásicos e 69,1% (168/243) no grupo de não-chagásicos. Esta diferença foi estatisticamente significativa mesmo após ajuste para idade e sexo (OR = 1,57; 95% CI, 1,02-2,42; p = 0,04) na análise multivariada. A prevalência da infecção aumentou de acordo com a idade no grupo não-chagásicos (p = 0,007, χ2 for trend) mas este aumento não foi observado no grupo dos chagásicos (p = 0,15, χ2 for trend). Não houve associação da infecção por H. pylori com a forma digestiva ou com qualquer outra forma clínica da doença de Chagas (p = 0,27). CONCLUSÕES: Foi demonstrado que pacientes chagásicos apresentam maior prevalência da infecção por H. pylori quando comparados com não-chagásicos, independente da forma clínica da doença. Os fatores que contribuem para a frequente co-infecção Helicobacter pylori e Trypanosoma cruzi, bem como seus efeitos na evolução clínica das doenças associadas devem ser melhor estudados.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among chagasic and non-chagasic subjects as well as among the subgroups of chagasic patients with the indeterminate, cardiac, digestive, and cardiodigestive clinical forms. METHODS: The evaluated subjects were from the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Chagasic patients showed positive reactions to the conventional serological tests used and were classified according to the clinical form of their disease. Immunoglobulin G antibodies specific to H. pylori were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: The overall H. pylori prevalence was 77.1% (239/310) in chagasic and 69.1% (168/243) in non-chagasic patients. This difference was statistically significant even after adjustment for age and sex (odds ratio = 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.42; p = 0.04) in multivariate analysis. The prevalence of infection increased with age in the non-chagasic group (p = 0.007, χ2 for trend), but not in the chagasic group (p = 0.15, χ2 for trend). H. pylori infection was not associated with digestive or other clinical forms of Chagas disease (p = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that chagasic patients have a higher prevalence of H. pylori compared to non-chagasic subjects; a similar prevalence was found among the diverse clinical forms of the disease. The factors contributing to the frequent co-infection with H. pylori and Trypanosoma cruzi as well as its effects on the clinical outcome deserve further study.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important hospital pathogens and have become increasingly common in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). To determine the incidence and the risk factors associated with VRE colonisation among ICU patients, active surveillance cultures for VRE faecal carriages were carried out in patients admitted to the ICU of the University Hospital of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Risk factors were assessed using a case-control study. Seventy-seven patients (23.1%) were found to be colonised with vanC VRE and only one patient (0.3%) was colonised with vanA VRE. Independent risk factors for VRE colonisation included nephropathy [odds ratio (OR) = 13.6, p < 0.001], prior antibiotic use (OR = 5.5, p < 0.03) and carbapenem use (OR = 17.3, p < 0.001). Our results showed a higher frequency (23.1%) of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus, species that are intrinsically resistant to low levels of vancomycin (vanC), without an associated infection, associated with prior antibiotic use, carbapenem use and nephropathy as comorbidity. This study is the first to demonstrate the risk factors associated with vanC VRE colonisation in ICU hospitalised patients. Although vanA and vanB enterococci are of great importance, the epidemiology of vanC VRE needs to be better understood. Even though the clinical relevance of vanC VRE is uncertain, these species are opportunistic pathogens and vanC VRE-colonised patients are a potential epidemiologic reservoir of resistance genes.

INTRODUÇÃO: Nas últimas duas décadas, os enterococos emergiram como importantes patógenos nosocomiais no mundo inteiro. Neste estudo, foi analisada a distribuição das espécies e a evolução da resistência aos antimicrobianos entre isolados clínicos de enterococos obtidos em um hospital terciário, no período de 2006 a 2009. MÉTODOS: As espécies foram identificadas por testes bioquímicos convencionais e o perfil de sensibilidade foi determinado pelo método de disco difusão. A sensibilidade à vancomicina foi também determinada pela triagem em agar e pela concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). Testes moleculares foram utilizados para confirmar as espécies e determinar os genótipos dos enterococos resistentes à vancomicina (VRE). RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 324 amostras de enterococos, sendo 87% E. faecalis e 10,8% E. faecium. A incidência de E. faecium por 1.000 pacientes internados aumentou significativamente (p < 0,001) de 0,3 em 2006 para 2,3 em 2009. A taxa de VRE também aumentou significativamente de 2,5% para 15,5% (p < 0,001). Todos os VRE apresentaram genótipo VanA e CIM >256µg/mL para vancomicina. A maioria (89,5%) dos VRE pertencia à espécie E. faecium e foram resistentes à ampicilina e quinolonas. Foi observado um aumento significativo na taxa de resistência à ampicilina, de 2,5% (2006) para 21,4% (2009). As taxas de resistência para gentamicina, cloranfenicol, tetraciclina e eritromicina diminuíram significativamente no período do estudo. Para as quinolonas, as taxas de resistência foram elevadas não alteraram significativamente, no período do estudo. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados do presente estudo mostram um aumento significativo na incidência de E. faecium resistentes à ampicilina e vancomicina.

INTRODUCTION: In the past two decades members of the genus Enterococcus have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens worldwide. This study prospectively analyzed the distribution of species and trends in antimicrobial resistance among clinical isolates of enterococci in a Brazilian tertiary hospital from 2006-2009. METHODS: Enterococcal species were identified by conventional biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile was performed by disk diffusion in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). A screening test for vancomycin was also performed. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for vancomycin was determined using the broth dilution method. Molecular assays were used to confirm speciation and genotype of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). RESULTS: A total of 324 non-repetitive enterococcal isolates were recovered, of which 87% were E. faecalis and 10.8% E. faecium. The incidence of E. faecium per 1,000 admissions increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 0.3 in 2006 to 2.3 in 2009. The VRE rate also increased over time from 2.5% to 15.5% (p < 0.001). All VRE expressed high-level resistance to vancomycin (MIC >256µg/ mL) and harbored vanA genes. The majority (89.5%) of VRE belonged to E. faecium species, which were characteristically resistant to ampicillin and quinolones. Overall, ampicillin resistance rate increased significantly from 2.5% to 21.4% from 2006-2009. Resistance rates for gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and erythromycin significantly decreased over time, although they remained high. Quinolones resistance rates were high and did not change significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained show a significant increasing trend in the incidence of E. faecium resistant to ampicillin and vancomycin.

In this study we report the first isolation of VanA-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strains from two different patients hospitalized in the same intensive care unit at the hospital of Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Estudou-se patógenos associados às formigas encontradas no Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba/MG. Três espécies de formiga foram identificadas: Tapinoma melanocephalum, Pheidole sp e Paratrechina longicornis. Os principais microorganismos encontrados foram Staphylococcus sp, bacilo Gram-positivo, Pseudomonas sp e Micrococcus sp. Os resultados das coletas foram analisados, segundo o número de colônias e os diferentes microrganismos isolados, aplicando teste t de Student. A análise estatística revelou diferença significativa apenas para Staphylococcus sp com p = 0,005. É possível que formigas e agentes patogênicos tenham associações mutualísticas, e que a análise dessa relação possa levar a novas estratégias de controle, com ênfase não apenas nos insetos, mas especialmente em qual agente está associada essa espécie de inseto.

The pathogens associated with ants at the teaching hospital of the Federal University of the Triângulo Mineiro, in Uberaba, MG, were studied. Three species of ants were identified: Tapinoma melanocephalum, Pheidole sp and Paratrechina longicornis. The principal microorganisms found were Staphylococcus sp, Gram-positive bacilli, Pseudomonas sp and Micrococcus sp. The results from the collections were analyzed according to the number of colonies and the different microorganisms isolated, using Student's t test. The statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference only with regard to Staphylococcus sp. (p =0.005). It is possible that ants and pathogenic agents have mutualistic associations, and that analysis of such relationships may lead to new pest control strategies, with an emphasis not only on the insects but also especially on which agent is associated with these insect species.