ABSTRACT Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at -increased risk for severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of COVID-19 in a cohort of HSCT recipients. This retrospective study evaluated a cohort of adult hospitalized HSCT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 in two large hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil post-HSCT, from January 2020 to June 2022. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Of 49 cases, 63.2% were male with a median age of 47 years. Allogeneic-HSCT (51.2%) and autologous-HSCT (48.9%) patients were included. The median time from HSCT to COVID-19 diagnosis was 398 days (IQR: 1211-134), with 22 (44.8%) cases occurring within 12 months of transplantation. Most cases occurred during the first year of the pandemic, in non-vaccinated patients (n=35; 71.4%). Most patients developed severe (24.4%) or critical (40.8%) disease; 67.3% received some medication for COVID-19, primarily corticosteroids (53.0%). The probable invasive aspergillosis prevalence was 10.2%. All-cause mortality was 40.8%, 51.4% in non-vaccinated patients and 14.2% in patients who received at least one dose of the vaccine. In the multiple regression analyses, the variables mechanical ventilation (OR: 101.01; 95% CI: 8.205 – 1,242.93; p = 0.003) and chest CT involvement at diagnosis ≥50% (OR: 26.61; 95% CI: 1.06 – 664.26; p = 0.04) remained associated with all-cause mortality. Thus, HSCT recipients with COVID-19 experienced high mortality, highlighting the need for full vaccination and infection prevention measures. (HSCT increased COVID19. COVID19 COVID 19. 19 COVID-1 Paulo postHSCT, postHSCT post HSCT, post-HSCT 202 2022 allcause all cause 4 632 63 2 63.2 years AllogeneicHSCT Allogeneic 51.2% 512 51 (51.2% autologousHSCT autologous 48.9% 489 48 9 (48.9% included 39 IQR (IQR 1211134, 1211134 1211 134 , 1211-134) 44.8% 448 44 8 (44.8% 1 transplantation pandemic nonvaccinated non vaccinated n=35 n35 n 35 (n=35 71.4%. 714 71.4% . 71 71.4%) 24.4% 244 24 (24.4% 40.8% 408 40 (40.8% disease 673 67 3 67.3 COVID19, 19, 53.0%. 530 53.0% 53 0 (53.0%) 102 10 10.2% Allcause All 514 51.4 142 14 14.2 vaccine analyses OR (OR 101.01 10101 101 01 95 CI 8205 205 8.20 1,242.93 124293 242 93 0.003 0003 003 50 ≥50 26.61 2661 26 61 106 06 1.0 664.26 66426 664 0.04 004 04 Thus measures COVID1 COVID- 20 6 63. 51.2 5 (51.2 48.9 (48.9 121113 121 13 1211-134 44.8 (44.8 n=3 n3 (n=3 71.4 7 24.4 (24.4 40.8 (40.8 67. 53.0 (53.0% 10.2 51. 14. 101.0 1010 820 8.2 1,242.9 12429 0.00 000 00 ≥5 26.6 266 1. 664.2 6642 66 0.0 (51. 48. (48. 12111 1211-13 44. (44. n= (n= 71. 24. (24. 40. (40. 53. (53.0 10. 101. 82 8. 1,242. 1242 ≥ 26. 664. 0. (51 (48 1211-1 (44 (n (24 (40 (53. 1,242 124 (5 (4 1211- (2 (53 1,24 ( 1,2 1,

RESUMO A dengue, infecção caracterizada por ciclos epidêmicos que se repetem a cada 3 a 5 anos, figura como um dos problemas de maior destaque, tendo em vista sua progressiva expansão em número de casos e extensão geográfica. Em que pese sua vasta distribuição geográfica, é nas Américas e Sudeste Asiático que a doença incide de forma mais intensa. No contexto de surtos e epidemias, as infecções transmitidas pelos doadores podem representar um grande desafio devido à falta de dados, na literatura, de uma política clara para triagem dos doadores e dos possíveis desfechos indesejáveis. Casos de transmissão provável e confirmada têm sido relatados em receptores de diferentes órgãos. Embora o total de casos descritos seja pequeno, é importante considerar a possibilidade de subnotificação e o aumento substancial do risco desse evento, especialmente nos períodos em que a transmissão da dengue atinge níveis epidêmicos na população. Com base na escassa literatura, porém baseada em estratégias adotadas em outros países que já experimentaram epidemias de dengue com transmissão do vírus por meio de transplante de órgãos, a Comissão de Infecção em Transplante (COINT) da Associação Brasileira de Transplante (ABTO) sugere triagem de doadores e candidatos a transplante com o uso combinado de NS1/IgM no sangue e critérios para o aceite do doador e do candidato. anos destaque geográfica intensa dados literatura indesejáveis órgãos pequeno evento população COINT (COINT ABTO (ABTO NS1IgM NSIgM NS1 IgM NS candidato

ABSTRACT Dengue, an infection characterized by recurrent epidemic spanning 3 to 5 years, stands out as a one of the most prominent problem due to its escalating case number and geographic extension. Despite its vast distribution, the disease occurs most intensely in the Americas and Southeast Asia. Within this scenario, it is imperative to carefully assess the potential repercussions of this epidemic on transplant activity. Although literature on this matter remains sparse, a review of probable and confirmed cases of dengue transmission through infected donors was carried out, addressing clinical characteristics and outcomes in recipients of such organs. Considering the strategies adopted in other countries that have already experienced dengue epidemics with the transmission of the virus through organ transplantation, the Comissão de Infecção em Transplante (COINT) da Associação Brasileira de Transplante (ABTO) delineates a protocol for screening potential donors and transplant candidates. This protocol involves the combined use of NS1/IgM on blood, alongise stringent criteria for evaluating donor and recipient suitability. Dengue years extension distribution Asia scenario activity sparse organs transplantation COINT (COINT ABTO (ABTO candidates NS1IgM NSIgM NS1 IgM NS blood suitability

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Brazil is facing increasing cycles of numbers of infected people and deaths resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This situation involves a series of factors, including the behavior of the population, that can be decisive for controlling the disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Brazilian population regarding COVID-19. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey-type study, conducted using a population sample from different Brazilian states. METHODS: A quantitative, descriptive and analytical approach was used. Sampling was done according to convenience and via snowballing. The data collection instrument was a knowledge, attitudes and practices system. RESULTS: 1,655 people from all over Brazil participated in the survey; 80% were living in the southern region and 70.15% were female. More than 90% had knowledge and good attitudes relating to the means of transmission, preventive care and symptoms associated with COVID-19, although their knowledge and attitudes were not fully reflected in daily practices, for which there was lower adherence (80%). Greater knowledge was correlated with older participants, larger number of children, female sex and marital status; better attitude, with female sex and complete higher education; and better practices, with greater age, larger number of children and female sex. CONCLUSION: A large part of the population has general knowledge about COVID-19, but not all knowledge was applied in practice. Older people, females and university graduates stood out as the best informed and most committed to controlling the disease.

RESUMO Objetivo: Fornecer recomendações para nortear o manejo clínico do potencial doador em morte encefálica. Métodos: O presente documento foi formulado em dois painéis compostos por uma força tarefa integrada por 27 especialistas de diferentes áreas que responderam a questões dirigidas aos seguintes temas: ventilação mecânica, hemodinâmica, suporte endócrino-metabólico, infecção, temperatura corporal, transfusão sanguínea, e uso de checklists. Os desfechos considerados foram: parada cardíaca, número de órgãos retirados ou transplantados e função/sobrevida dos órgãos transplantados. A qualidade das evidências das recomendações foi avaliada pelo sistema Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Resultados: Foram geradas 19 recomendações a partir do painel de especialistas. Dessas, 7 foram classificadas como fortes, 11 fracas e uma foi considerada boa prática clínica. Conclusão: Apesar da concordância entre os membros do painel em relação à maior parte das recomendações, o grau de recomendação é fraco em sua maioria.

Abstract Objective: To contribute to updating the recommendations for brain-dead potential organ donor management. Methods: A group of 27 experts, including intensivists, transplant coordinators, transplant surgeons, and epidemiologists, answered questions related to the following topics were divided into mechanical ventilation, hemodynamics, endocrine-metabolic management, infection, body temperature, blood transfusion, and checklists use. The outcomes considered were cardiac arrests, number of organs removed or transplanted as well as function / survival of transplanted organs. The quality of evidence of the recommendations was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to classify the recommendations. Results: A total of 19 recommendations were drawn from the expert panel. Of these, 7 were classified as strong, 11 as weak and 1 was considered a good clinical practice. Conclusion: Despite the agreement among panel members on most recommendations, the grade of recommendation was mostly weak.

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is an infection known worldwide for its asymptomatic and self-limited course in most cases. Some cases progressing to chronicity have been described in immunosuppressed patients, especially in recipients of solid organ transplants. We evaluated laboratory parameters of HEV infection (HEV RNA, anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa), confirmed by immunoblotting, in a cohort of 294 patients who received liver transplants at the HCFMUSP (Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo). Laboratory and demographic data were collected from the entirety of the transplanted population. Hepatic biopsies of 122 patients transplanted due liver failure secondary to hepatitis C (HCV), with or without serological or molecular markers of HEV, were analyzed according to METAVIR score. Out of 24 (8.2%) patients tested positive for anti-HEV IgG, six (2%) were positive for anti-HEV IgM and 17 (5.8%) for HEV RNA. Of the patients transplanted because of HCV infection, 95 (77.8%) had received treatment including ribavirin for at least six months before blood sample collection. Among patients transplanted due to HCV cirrhosis who tested positive for anti-HEV IgG, only three (37.5%) showed fibrosis beyond stage 2, while five (41.7%) of the HEV RNA-positive patients had liver fibrosis beyond stage 2. Overall, the prevalence of HEV in the post-hepatic transplant scenario appears to be low, and, at least histologically, seemingly not harmful. We conclude that, although some studies reported a risk of HEV chronification, patients who had their livers transplanted due to HCV and showed serological or molecular markers of HEV did not have higher levels of fibrosis compared to patients who showed no indications of HEV infection at the time of the analysis.

More than 18 million people in 188 countries have been diagnosed as having coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 600,000 deaths worldwide. Brazil is now the second most affected country globally. Faced with this scenario, various public health measures and changes in the daily routines of hospitals were implemented to stop the pandemic. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 as they present with two major diseases: cancer and concomitant chronic liver disease. The COVID-19 pandemic can significantly impact the management of HCC patients from diagnosis to treatment strategies. These patients need special attention and assistance at this time, especially since treatment for tumors cannot be delayed in most cases. The aim of this guideline was to standardize the management of HCC patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document was developed, on the basis of the best evidence available, by a multidisciplinary team from Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), and Instituto Central of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), which are members of the São Paulo Clínicas Liver Cancer Group.

ABSTRACT The Choosing Wisely Initiative aims to collect statements from medical societies all over the world on medical interventions that result in no benefit to patients, with the potential to cause harm. In this article we present the views of the Diagnostic Laboratory Group at the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI). Ten experts from SBI were asked to list 10 diagnostic tests that were perceived as unnecessary in the field of infectious diseases. After voting for the more relevant topics, a questionnaire was sent to all SBI members, in order to select for the most important items. A total of 482 votes were obtained, and the top 10 results are shown in this manuscript. The Choosing Wisely statements of SBI should facilitate clinical practice by optimizing the use of diagnostic resources in the field of infectious diseases.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was considered a contraindication for solid organ transplantation (SOT) in the past. However, HIV management has improved since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) became available in 1996, and the long-term survival of patients living with HIV has led many transplant programs to reevaluate their policies regarding the exclusion of patients with HIV infection. Based on the available data in the medical literature and the cumulative experience of transplantation in HIV-positive patients at our hospital, the aim of the present article is to outline the criteria for transplantation in HIV-positive patients as recommended by the Immunocompromised Host Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with cystitis symptoms who underwent pelvic radiation therapy and identify correlated predictive factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted of patients who met the following: primary pelvic cancer treated with curative intent, older than 18 years old, and good performance status. The exclusion criteria were patients being treated for a UTI, using a urinary catheter, in dialysis or with cystostomy or nephrostomy, and using antibiotics during treatment. Urinalysis and urine culture were collected before the beginning of radiation therapy. Weekly evaluations of urinary symptoms were subsequently performed. In cases of new or worsening symptoms, a questionnaire was applied, and new urine exams were collected. The UTI diagnosis was defined by uroculture as bacterial growth greater than 104 CFU/mL. RESULTS: From September 2014 to November 2015, 112 patients were sequentially recruited, and 72 (64%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During follow-up, 24 (33%) patients had new urinary symptoms or worse preexisting symptoms. A UTI was confirmed in the second urinary culture in only one (1.4%) patient. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of UTI was much lower than expected, suggesting that asymptomatic bacteriuria develops symptoms due to radiotherapy. Due to the low rate of UTI, no predictive factor was identified.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperinfection or disseminated strongyloidiasis has been frequently reported after transplants and is related to high mortality. This study aimed to screen for strongyloidiasis using serological diagnoses in transplant candidates. METHODS: An ELISA test was performed with filariform larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis as a source of antigen. RESULTS: In the serum from transplant candidates, anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies were detected in 35/150 (23.3%) samples by soluble fractions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 31/150 (20.7%) samples by soluble fractions in Tris-HCl, 27/150 (18.0%) samples by membrane fractions in PBS and 22/150 (14.7%) samples by membrane fractions in Tris-HCl. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest the ELISA test, ideally using soluble fractions of filariform larvae S. venezuelensis in PBS, as an additional strategy for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in transplant candidates.

OBJECTIVES: Patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis are at risk of developing acute liver failure due to the hepatotoxicity of antitubercular drugs. We aimed to describe our experience with liver transplantation from deceased donors in this situation. METHODS: We identified patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure due to antitubercular drugs in our prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: Of 81 patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure, 8 cases were attributed to antitubercular drugs during the period of 2006-2016. Regarding the time of tuberculosis treatment until the onset of jaundice, patients were on antitubercular drugs for a mean of 64.7 days (21-155 days). The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of patients ranged from 32 to 47 (median 38), and seven patients underwent transplantation under vasopressors. The 1-year survival was 50%. Three patients died during the week following transplantation due to septic shock (including a patient with acute liver failure due to hepatic/disseminated tuberculosis), and the remaining patient died 2 months after transplantation due to pulmonary infection. There were 2 cases of mild rejection and 1 case of moderate rejection. Of the surviving patients, all were considered cured of tuberculosis after alternative drugs were given. CONCLUSION: Patients arrived very sick and displayed poor survival after deceased donor transplantation.