BACKGROUND:Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is an endemic disease and it is estimated that 6095% of the adult population are infected with symptoms that are usually self-limiting, though they can be serious, extensive and prolonged in immunocompromised individuals, highlighted by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. The study of the wild-type HSV strains based on the cytopathogenic features and its antiviral sensitivity are important in the establishment of an antivirogram for controlling the infection.OBJECTIVE:This study sought to isolate and examine the cytopathological characteristics of circulating strains of the Herpes simplex virus, from clinical specimens and their sensitivity to commercially available antiherpesvirus drugs, acyclovir, phosphonophormic acid and trifluridine.METHODS:Herpes simplex virus isolation, cytopathological features and antiviral sensitivity assays were performed in cell culture by tissue culture infectious dose or plaque forming unit assay.RESULTS:From twenty-two clinical specimens, we isolated and adapted nine strains. Overall, the cytopathic effect was detected 24 h post-infection (p.i.) and the presence of syncytia was remarkable 48 h p.i., observed after cell staining. Out of eight isolates, four developed plaques of varying sizes. All the isolates were sensitive to acyclovir, phosphonophormic and trifluridine, with the percentage of virus inhibition (%VI) ranging from 49.7-100%.CONCLUSIONS:The methodology for HSV isolation and characterization is a straightforward approach, but the drug sensitivity test, regarded as being of great practical importance, needs to be better understood.

OBJETIVOS: Identificar e analisar as causas da mortalidade materna, segundo os níveis de complexidade hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo e de corte transversal das mortes maternas hospitalares ocorridas no Paraná, Brasil, nos triênios de 2005 - 2007 e 2008 - 2010. Foram utilizados dados dos estudos de casos de óbitos maternos, que foram elaborados pelo Comitê Estadual de Prevenção da Mortalidade Materna. As variáveis estudadas foram o local e as causas dos óbitos, a transferência hospitalar e a evitabilidade. Foram calculadas a razão de mortalidade materna, a proporção e a taxa de letalidade hospitalar, segundo os subgrupos hospitais de referência para gestações de alto e baixo risco. RESULTADOS: A razão de mortalidade materna, incluindo os óbitos maternos tardios, foi 65,9/100.000 nascidos vivos (de 2008 a 2010). O local do óbito foi o hospital em cerca de 90% dos casos, em ambos os períodos. No primeiro triênio, nos hospitais de referência para gestação de alto risco, a taxa de letalidade hospitalar foi de 158,4/100.000 partos e, no segundo, 132,5/100.000 e as principais causas foram: pré-eclampsia/eclampsia, infecção urinária, infecção puerperal e causas indiretas. Nos hospitais de referência para gestação de baixo risco, as taxas de letalidade hospitalar foram: 76,2/100.000 e 80,0/100.000, e como principais causas: hemorragias, embolias e complicações anestésicas. Em 64 (2005 - 2007) e 71% (2008 - 2010) dos casos, o óbito ocorreu no hospital do internamento inicial. Foram considerados evitáveis 90% dos óbitos no segundo triênio. CONCLUSÕES: Há dificuldades no atendimento das complicações obstétricas em ambos os níveis de atenção de baixa e alta complexidade. A capacitação dos profissionais para o atendimento às emergências obstétricas e o monitoramento do uso dos protocolos em todos os níveis hospitalares deve ser priorizada para a redução das mortes maternas evitáveis.

PURPOSES: To identify and to analyze maternal mortality causes, according to hospital complexity levels. METHODS: A descriptive-quantitative cross-sectional study of maternal deaths that occurred in hospitals in Paraná, Brazil, during the periods from 2005 to 2007 and from 2008 to 2010. Data from case studies of maternal mortality, obtained by the State Committee for Maternal Mortality Prevention, were utilized. The study focused on variables such as site and causes of death, hospital transfer, and avoidability. Maternal mortality rate, proportions, and hospital lethality ratio were calculated according to subgroups of low and high-risk pregnancy reference hospitals. RESULTS: Maternal mortality rate, including late maternal deaths, was 65.9 per 100.000 live-borns (from 2008 to 2010). Almost 90% of all maternal deaths occurred in the hospital environment, in both periods. The hospital lethality ratio at the high-risk pregnancy reference hospital was 158.4 deaths per 100,000 deliveries during the first period and 132.5/100,000 during the second, and the main causes were pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, puerperal infection, urinary tract infection, and indirect causes. At the low-risk pregnancy reference hospitals, the hospital lethality ratios were 76.2/100,000 and 80.0/100,000, and the main causes of death were hemorrhage, embolism, and anesthesia complications. In 64 (2005 - 2007) and in 71% (2008 - 2010) of the cases, the patients died in the same hospital of admission. During the second period, 90% of the casualties were avoidable. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals of both levels of complexity are having difficulties in treating obstetric complications. Professional training for obstetric emergency assistance and the monitoring of protocols at all hospital levels should be considered by the managers as a priority strategy to reduce avoidable maternal deaths.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a transmissão sexual de GBV-C/HBV, através da detecção do RNA viral em raspados cérvico-vaginais. Portanto, a presença do RNA GBV-C/HGV foi investigada em raspados cérvico-vaginais em mulheres aparentemente saudáveis que realizaram exames preventivos para câncer cervical. GBV-C/HGV RNA foi detectado por reação de transcriptase reversa e reação em cadeia da polimerase (RT-PCR). Apenas uma mulher apresentou a co-infecção com o papiloma vírus humano (HPV). O RNA GBV-C/HGV foi detectado em 13/73 (17,57%) mulheres saudáveis e sua prevalência entre participantes da idade de 28-43 anos foi de 53,85%. Não foi observada relação entre a presença do RNA GBV-C/HGV com a idade de primeira relação sexual, nem com o número de gestações. Entre as mulheres que apresentavam o RNA viral, 69,23% eram casadas. O presente estudo demonstrou que secreções cérvico-vaginais podem conter o RNA viral GBV-C/HBV.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the sexual transmission of GBV-C/HGV, through RNA detection in cervicovaginal smears. Therefore the GBV-C/HGV RNA in cervicovaginal smears from apparently healthy women was investigated using routine proceedings for prophylactic screening to cervical cancer. GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Only one woman presented co-infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). The GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected in 13/73 (17.57%) healthy women and it's prevalence in participating women between 28-43 years old was 53.85%. No association was found with GBV-C/HGV for the age of first sexual intercourse and number of pregnancies. In GBV-C/HGV RNA positive women, 69.23% were married. In conclusion, the present findings show that cervical and vaginal specimens could contain the GBV-C/HGV RNA.