Abstract INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of filter paper (FP) for lesion scraping collection in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) diagnosis. METHODS: Lesion scrapings from 48 patients were collected and analyzed for PCR. RESULTS: PCR with FP detected up to three Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes. Considering the direct search by microscopy or PCR of samples collected in STE buffer as standards, the sensitivity of PCR with FP was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: FP can be useful for CL diagnosis in remote regions, allowing high sensitivity in the detection of the parasite by PCR.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Genetic polymorphisms define the cytokine production leading to susceptibility or resistance to diseases. We studied the cytokine polymorphism in the development of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). METHODS: Genotyping of TNF-α, TGF-β1, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 were performed by polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: G and C alleles of TGF- β1 (codon 25) were the most common in controls and patients, respectively. G/G was the most frequent genotype in controls, and G/C and C/C in patients. CONCLUSIONS: G/G genotype of codon 25 in TGF-β1 appeared to confer resistance, and G/C and C/C genotypes, susceptibility to TL in this population.

Abstract INTRODUCTION American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an endemic disease in many regions of Brazil; however, only few reports on the actual epidemiological conditions are available. Here, we aimed to assess the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory characteristics of ATL patients and their treatment in the 15th Regional Health Division of Paraná State, Maringá, Brazil. METHODS This epidemiological study included patients diagnosed with ATL from January 2010 to September 2014, from the 15th Regional Health Division database. RESULTS A total of 220 cases aged 3-84 years (85% male and 60.9% with up to 8 years of schooling) were included. The cases were classified as having the cutaneous form (n=183; 83.2%), mucosal form (n=26; 11.8%), mucocutaneous form (n=11; 5%), and relapses (n=21; 9.6%). Diagnosis was made via laboratory test results in 197 (89.5%) patients, and 172 (78.2%) completed the treatment within the study period. With regard to patients with the cutaneous form, 134 (95%) were cured, 131 (97.8%) were treated with Glucantime(r), and 47 (36.7%) received dosage of >15 and <20mg Sb5+/kg/day. Among the cases with mucosal involvement, 87.1% were cured and most were treated with <20mg Sb5+/kg/day. Thus, the cure rate was 93.6%. CONCLUSIONS During the study period in the 15th Regional Health Division of Paraná State, ATL cases had a good response to treatment with a low rate of relapse or treatment failure, although a high percentage of mucosal or mucocutaneous form cases was also noted.

RESUMO Pesquisa de cunho qualitativo, exploratório e intervencionista em hospital universitário do Paraná, com o objetivo de propor um modelo de Gestão do Cuidado da Tuberculose voltado à alta hospitalar, buscando cuidado integral ao portador dessa doença. Foram realizadas entrevistas com informantes-chave (17 sujeitos), tendo a Teoria da Intervenção Práxica de Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva como referencial teórico-metodológico, com suas três dimensões interdependentes, utilizadas como categorias analíticas. Ficou evidenciado fragilidade nos protocolos voltados ao cuidado do doente internado, insuficiente integração entre níveis de atenção e necessidade de comunicação direta entre enfermeiros do hospital e da atenção primária. Diante desse resultado, foi proposto modelo de Gestão do Cuidado, traduzido em fluxo de atendimento com apoio matricial, consulta de enfermagem e contato telefônico entre enfermeiros. Acredita-se que a implantação desse modelo trará maior integração entre os níveis de atenção, melhora no processo de acompanhamento do doente com maior probabilidade de adesão ao tratamento.

ABSTRACT Qualitative, exploratory and interventionist case study at a teaching hospital of Paraná, with the objective of proposing a Tuberculosis Healthcare Management model focused on the hospital discharge, with a view to comprehensive care for patients with tuberculosis. Interviews were conducted with key informants (17 subjects), using the Theory of Nursing Praxis Intervention in Collective Health as the theoretical and methodological framework, with its three interdependent dimensions used as analytical categories. Weakness was revealed in the protocols for hospitalized patient care, insufficient integration between levels of care and the need for direct communication between the hospital and primary care nurses. In view of this result, a Healthcare Management Model, expressed as a flow of care with matrix support, nursing consultation and phone contact between nurses. The implementation of this model will lead to greater integration between the levels of care, permitting improvements in patient monitoring with greater probability of treatment compliance.

RESUMEN Investigación cualitativa, exploratoria e intervencionista en un hospital universitario del Paraná, con el objetivo de proponer un modelo de Gestión del Cuidado de la Tuberculosis centrada en las altas de hospital, en busca de la atención integral de los pacientes con tuberculosis. Se realizaron entrevistas con informantes clave (17 sujetos) con la Teoría de Enfermería Praxis Intervención en Salud Colectiva como marco teórico y metodológico, con sus tres dimensiones interdependientes utilizados como categorías analíticas. Fue evidente una debilidad en los protocolos orientados a la atención del paciente hospitalizado, insuficiente integración entre niveles asistenciales y la necesidad de comunicación directa entre lo hospital y la atención primaria. Teniendo en cuenta este resultado propuso un modelo de gestión de la atención, traducido en flujo de la atención con el apoyo de la matriz, consulta de enfermería y contacto telefónico entre las enfermeras. Se cree que con la implementación de este modelo habrá mayor integración entre los niveles de atención, lo que permite una mejora en el proceso de seguimiento del enfermo con tuberculosis, haciéndolos más propensos a adherirse al tratamiento.

SUMMARY Leishmaniases are infectious diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. They are widely distributed worldwide and endemic in 88 countries in four continents. The present study analyzed the reported cases of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in Paraná State (Brazil) from January 2007 to December 2013. The data were grouped according to Regional Health (RH) districts and macroregions, which allowed visualization of the reality in each region in the state. A total of 2,879 ATL cases were reported and distributed among the 22 RH districts, with an average detection rate of 3.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The northwestern region accounted for 50.1% of the total cases, and the northern region accounted for 26.0-76.1% of the reported cases. The 6th RH district did not report any cases. The 7th, 9th, and 18th RH districts had a higher cure rate (> 80%), and lower cure rates were found in the 1st, 4th, and 12th RH districts. Reported unfavorable outcomes included treatment abandonment and death. Overall cure rates are based on the entire country, and unfavorable outcomes require greater attention of managers and health professionals to meet the goals of the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

The clinical manifestations and prognosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can be influenced by the immune response of the patient and the species of the parasite. A case of atypical clinical presentation of CL, with development of non-characteristic lesions, poor response to therapy, and a long time to resolution is reported. Confirmatory laboratory tests included parasite detection, indirect immunofluorescence, Montenegro skin test, polymerase chain reaction, and parasite identification by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. The parasite was identified as Leishmaniabraziliensis. The lesion was unresponsive to three complete courses of N-methylglucamine antimoniate intramuscular, and to treatment with pentamidine. The patient did not tolerate amphotericin B. The lesion finally receded after treatment with intravenous N-methylglucamine antimoniate. It is essential to ensure the accuracy of diagnosis and the appropriate treatment, which can include the use a second choice drug or a different route of administration.

ABSTRACT Qualitative, exploratory and interventionist case study at a teaching hospital of Paraná, with the objective of proposing a Tuberculosis Healthcare Management model focused on the hospital discharge, with a view to comprehensive care for patients with tuberculosis. Interviews were conducted with key informants (17 subjects), using the Theory of Nursing Praxis Intervention in Collective Health as the theoretical and methodological framework, with its three interdependent dimensions used as analytical categories. Weakness was revealed in the protocols for hospitalized patient care, insufficient integration between levels of care and the need for direct communication between the hospital and primary care nurses. In view of this result, a Healthcare Management Model, expressed as a flow of care with matrix support, nursing consultation and phone contact between nurses. The implementation of this model will lead to greater integration between the levels of care, permitting improvements in patient monitoring with greater probability of treatment compliance.

RESUMEN Investigación cualitativa, exploratoria e intervencionista en un hospital universitario del Paraná, con el objetivo de proponer un modelo de Gestión del Cuidado de la Tuberculosis centrada en las altas de hospital, en busca de la atención integral de los pacientes con tuberculosis. Se realizaron entrevistas con informantes clave (17 sujetos) con la Teoría de Enfermería Praxis Intervención en Salud Colectiva como marco teórico y metodológico, con sus tres dimensiones interdependientes utilizados como categorías analíticas. Fue evidente una debilidad en los protocolos orientados a la atención del paciente hospitalizado, insuficiente integración entre niveles asistenciales y la necesidad de comunicación directa entre lo hospital y la atención primaria. Teniendo en cuenta este resultado propuso un modelo de gestión de la atención, traducido en flujo de la atención con el apoyo de la matriz, consulta de enfermería y contacto telefónico entre las enfermeras. Se cree que con la implementación de este modelo habrá mayor integración entre los niveles de atención, lo que permite una mejora en el proceso de seguimiento del enfermo con tuberculosis, haciéndolos más propensos a adherirse al tratamiento.

RESUMO Pesquisa de cunho qualitativo, exploratório e intervencionista em hospital universitário do Paraná, com o objetivo de propor um modelo de Gestão do Cuidado da Tuberculose voltado à alta hospitalar, buscando cuidado integral ao portador dessa doença. Foram realizadas entrevistas com informantes-chave (17 sujeitos), tendo a Teoria da Intervenção Práxica de Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva como referencial teórico-metodológico, com suas três dimensões interdependentes, utilizadas como categorias analíticas. Ficou evidenciado fragilidade nos protocolos voltados ao cuidado do doente internado, insuficiente integração entre níveis de atenção e necessidade de comunicação direta entre enfermeiros do hospital e da atenção primária. Diante desse resultado, foi proposto modelo de Gestão do Cuidado, traduzido em fluxo de atendimento com apoio matricial, consulta de enfermagem e contato telefônico entre enfermeiros. Acredita-se que a implantação desse modelo trará maior integração entre os níveis de atenção, melhora no processo de acompanhamento do doente com maior probabilidade de adesão ao tratamento.

The herbaceous shrub Tetradenia riparia has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. Recently, a study showed that T. riparia essential oil (TrEO) obtained in summer has antileishmanial effects, although these results could be influenced by seasonal variation. This study evaluated the activity of the TrEO obtained in different seasons against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, in vitro and in vivo. The compounds in the TrEO were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; terpenoids were present and oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the majority compounds (55.28%). The cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production were also tested after TrEO treatment. The TrEO from all seasons showed a 50% growth inhibitory concentration for promastigotes of about 15 ng/mL; at 30 ng/mL and 3 ng/mL, the TrEO reduced intracellular amastigote infection, independently of season. The TrEO from plants harvested in summer had the highest 50% cytotoxic concentration, 1,476 ng/mL for J774.A1 macrophages, and in spring (90.94 ng/mL) for murine macrophages. NO production did not change in samples of the TrEO from different seasons. The antileishmanial effect in vivo consisted of a reduction of the parasite load in the spleen. These results suggest that the TrEO has potential effects on L. (L.) amazonensis, consonant with its traditional use to treat parasitic diseases.

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION:Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a serious and global public health issue, with the potential of developing a mucosal form, occurring as subclinical cases, and showing recurrence despite previous treatment.METHODS:Polymorphonuclear and mononuclear DNA obtained from 49 patients was subjected to polymerase chain reaction for detection of Leishmania (Viannia).RESULTS:DNA was detected in mononuclear cells from two patients with active primary lesions positive for CL, with infection periods of 3 and 6 months, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The DNA of Leishmania (Viannia) indicates probable parasite dissemination possibly explaining subclinical case emergence, lesion recurrence, and mucosal lesion appearance.

RESUMO Leishmania infantum causa leishmaniose visceral (LV) no Novo Mundo. O diagnóstico de LV é confirmado por testes parasitológicos e sorológicos, os quais nem sempre são sensíveis ou específicos. Nosso objetivo foi desenhar novos iniciadores para realizar uma Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) para detecção de L. infantum. Sequências do DNA do minicírculo do cinetoplasto (kDNA) foram obtidos do GenBank, e os iniciadores FLC2/RLC2 foram desenhados. Amostras de DNA de L. infantum, Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania guyanensis, Leishmania naiffi, Leishmania lainsoni, Leishmania panamensis, Leishmania major e Trypanosoma cruzi foram usados para padronizar a PCR. PCR com iniciadores FLC2/RLC2 amplificou um fragmento de 230 pb e detectou 0,2 fg de DNA de L. infantum.Das espécies de parasitos analisadas, somente DNA de L. infantum foi amplificado. Após sequenciamento, o fragmento foi analisado no GenBank, que mostrou homologia com L. infantum. Em análises de amostras de sangue e lesão de cão com suspeita clínica de LV, a PCR detectou DNA de L. infantum. Em amostras de lesão de humanos e cães com leishmaniose cutânea, a PCR foi negativa. A PCR padronizada com os iniciadores FLC2/RLC2 mostrou alta sensibilidade e especificidade, sendo técnica promissora para o diagnóstico de LV.

SUMMARY Leishmania infantum causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the New World. The diagnosis of VL is confirmed by parasitological and serological tests, which are not always sensitive or specific. Our aim was to design new primers to perform a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detecting L. infantum. Sequences of the minicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) were obtained from GenBank, and the FLC2/RLC2 primers were designed. Samples of DNA from L. infantum, Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania guyanensis, Leishmania naiffi, Leishmania lainsoni, Leishmania panamensis, Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi were used to standardize the PCR. PCR with FLC2/RLC2 primers amplified a fragment of 230 bp and the detection limit was 0.2 fg of L. infantum DNA. Of the parasite species assayed, only L. infantum DNA was amplified. After sequencing, the fragment was aligned to GenBank sequences, and showed (99%) homology with L. infantum. In the analysis of blood samples and lesion biopsy from a dog clinically suspected to have VL, the PCR detected DNA from L. infantum. In biopsy lesions from humans and dogs with cutaneous leishmaniasis, the PCR was negative. The PCR with FLC2/RLC2 primers showed high sensitivity and specificity, and constitutes a promising technique for the diagnosis of VL.

Pesquisa qualitativa, tipo estudo de caso, fundamentada na Teoria da Intervenção Práxica da Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, com objetivo de conhecer a realidade objetiva das Doenças e Agravos Não Transmissíveis que acometem trabalhadores de enfermagem. Foram identificados nos discursos dos sujeitos dois gatilhos para o aparecimento de desgastes: a sobrecarga do trabalho e a deficiência de recursos humanos. O estudo forneceu subsídios à instituição para a elaboração de intervenções que melhorem as condições de saúde de seus trabalhadores por meio da reflexão da prática profissional em enfermagem.

Qualitative research, sort of case study, founded on the Theory of Praxis Intervention in Collective Health Nursing, with the aim of knowing the objective reality of non-communicable diseases that affect nursing workers. Two triggers for the emergence of distress were identified in the participants' speeches: workload and staff shortage. The study provided subsidies for the institution to elaborate interventions which improve workers' health conditions by means of reflection of the nursing professional practice.

Pesquisa qualitativa, tipo estudo de caso, fundamentada na Teoria da Intervenção Práxica da Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, com objetivo de conhecer a realidade objetiva das Doenças e Agravos Não Transmissíveis que acometem trabalhadores de enfermagem. Foram identificados nos discursos dos sujeitos dois gatilhos para o aparecimento de desgastes: a sobrecarga do trabalho e a deficiência de recursos humanos. O estudo forneceu subsídios à instituição para a elaboração de intervenções que melhorem as condições de saúde de seus trabalhadores por meio da reflexão da prática profissional em enfermagem.

Qualitative research, sort of case study, founded on the Theory of Praxis Intervention in Collective Health Nursing, with the aim of knowing the objective reality of non-communicable diseases that affect nursing workers. Two triggers for the emergence of distress were identified in the participants' speeches: workload and staff shortage. The study provided subsidies for the institution to elaborate interventions which improve workers' health conditions by means of reflection of the nursing professional practice.

Abstract:INTRODUCTION:The Montenegro skin test (MST) has good clinical applicability and low cost for the diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). However, no studies have validated the reference value (5mm) typically used to discriminate positive and negative results. We investigated MST results and evaluated its performance using different cut-off points.METHODS:The results of laboratory tests for 4,256 patients with suspected ATL were analyzed, and 1,182 individuals were found to fulfill the established criteria. Two groups were formed. The positive cutaneous leishmaniasis (PCL) group included patients with skin lesions and positive direct search for parasites (DS) results. The negative cutaneous leishmaniasis (NCL) group included patients with skin lesions with evolution up to 2 months, negative DS results, and negative indirect immunofluorescence assay results who were residents of urban areas that were reported to be probable sites of infection at domiciles and peridomiciles.RESULTS:The PCL and NCL groups included 769 and 413 individuals, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation MST in the PCL group was 12.62 ± 5.91mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.20-13.04], and that in the NCL group was 1.43 ± 2.17mm (95% CI: 1.23-1.63). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated 97.4% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity for a cut-off of 5mm and 95.8% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity for a cut-off of 6mm.CONCLUSIONS:Either 5mm or 6mm could be used as the cut-off value for diagnosing ATL, as both values had high sensitivity and specificity.

A terapia HAART (terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa) é usada em pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e demonstrou diminuição significativa de infecções oportunistas, tais como as causadas por vírus, fungos, protozoários e bactérias. O uso da HAART está associado com a reconstituição imunológica e diminuição na prevalência de candidíase oral. A terapia antirretroviral beneficia pacientes co-infectados pelo HIV, vírus herpes humano 8 (HHV-8), vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV), vírus da hepatite B (HBV), parvovírus B19 e citomegalovírus (CMV). A HAART também apresentou redução significativa da incidência e modificou as características da bacteremia por agentes etiológicos, tais como Staphylococcus aureus, espécies não-tifóides de Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A HAART é capaz de modificar significativamente a história natural da criptosporidiose e microsporidiose. HAART pode efetivamente restaurar a imunidade da mucosa, levando à erradicação de Cryptosporidium parvum. Semelhante restauração da resposta imune ocorre em infecções por Toxoplasma gondii. O declínio na incidência de co-infecção leishmaniose visceral/HIV pode ser observada após a introdução da terapia com inibidores da protease. Os resultados atuais são altamente relevantes para a medicina clínica e podem proporcionar diminuição no número de prescrições medicamentosas e, consequentemente, melhor qualidade de vida para pacientes com doenças oportunistas.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is used in patients infected with HIV. This treatment has been shown to significantly decrease opportunist infections such as those caused by viruses, fungi and particularly, protozoa. The use of HAART in HIV-positive persons is associated with immune reconstitution as well as decreased prevalence of oral candidiasis and candidal carriage. Antiretroviral therapy benefits patients who are co-infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus (CMV). HAART has also led to a significant reduction in the incidence, and the modification of characteristics, of bacteremia by etiological agents such as Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococcus, non-typhoid species of Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. HAART can modify the natural history of cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis, and restore mucosal immunity, leading to the eradication of Cryptosporidium parvum. A similar restoration of immune response occurs in infections by Toxoplasma gondii. The decline in the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis/HIV co-infection can be observed after the introduction of protease inhibitor therapy. Current findings are highly relevant for clinical medicine and may serve to reduce the number of prescribed drugs thereby improving the quality of life of patients with opportunistic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial aspects for the understanding of the disease characteristics and its relationship with diagnostic tests. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study involving 2,660 American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) suspected patients from southern Brazil was undertaken between April 1986 and December 2005. Data on population characteristics and laboratory tests were obtained. Diagnostic laboratory tests used were direct search for Leishmania spp. (DS), Montenegro skin test (MST) and indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). RESULTS: 62.3% of patients were positive for at least one laboratory test. DS test was positive in 65.1%; MST in 92.3% and IFA in 70.0%. Although Cohen's Kappa test did not reveal any agreement with laboratory diagnosis for ACL, the association between MST and IFA tests increased positiveness to 98.9%; MST and DS to 97.2%; and IFA and DS to 85%. IFA and MST positiveness were higher among patients with < 2-month lesion-evolution time. Most ACL patients were male (72.6%) in the age range of 15-49 years, featuring lesions during two months or less (53.9%) and a cutaneous form of the disease (88.0%). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that for the adequate identification of ACL cases a combination of laboratory tests that involves the association of MST with at least another test should be used.