Abstract Objectives: Since the beginning of its use for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in 1921, other uses of BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) have been proposed, particularly in the treatment of malignant solid tumors, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. Its beneficial impact on other infections, by nontuberculous mycobacteria, and by viruses, has been more often studied in recent years, especially after the introduction of the concept of trained immunity. The present study’s objective was to review the possible indications of BCG and the immunological rationale for these indications. Data source: Non-systematic review carried out in the PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar databases, using the following search terms: “BCG” and “history”, “efficacy”, “use”, “cancer”, “trained immunity”, “other infections”, “autoimmune diseases”. Data synthesis: There is epidemiological evidence that BCG can reduce overall child morbidity/mortality beyond what would be expected from TB control. BCG is able to promote cross-immunity with nontuberculous mycobacteria and other bacteria. BCG promotes in vitro changes that increase innate immune response to other infections, mainly viral ones, through mechanisms known as trained immunity. Effects on cancer, except bladder cancer, and on autoimmune and allergic diseases are debatable. Conclusions: Despite evidence obtained from in vitro studies, and some epidemiological and clinical evidence, more robust evidence of in vivo efficacy is still needed to justify the use of BCG in clinical practice, in addition to what is recommended by the National Immunization Program for TB prevention and bladder cancer treatment.

Abstract Objective To review, critically analyze and synthesize knowledge from the international literature regarding the association between allergic rhinitis (AR) and sleep disorders, the impact of AR treatment on children's sleep, and lay the foundation for future research on this topic. Source of data A literature search using PubMed database including original and review articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses using keywords related to AR, sleep disorders and sleep-disordered breathing. Synthesis of data Sleep is fundamental to health, and its assessment and control of conditions that trigger or aggravate disturbances are of the uttermost importance. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is common in children and may interfere with both their quality of life and quality of sleep. It has emerged as one of the most important risk factors for habitual snoring in children and appeared to increase the risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), with AR severity exhibiting a significant and independent association with pediatric OSA severity. However, in some studies, those associations between AR and OSA in children are not very consistent. Conclusions A substantial level of controversy exists regarding the interactions between AR and OSA in children. Notwithstanding, identifying and treating AR in clinical settings is probably an important step toward improving symptoms and preventing deterioration of sleep quality in children and may improve the severity of underlying OSA. Considering the high prevalence, morbidity, economic and social implications of both AR and sleep problems, it is crucial that healthcare providers improve their understanding of the relationships between those conditions among children.

Abstract Objective Allergic sensitization is one of the key components for the development of allergies. Polysensitization seems to be related to the persistence and severity of allergic diseases. Furthermore, allergic sensitization has a predictive role in the development of allergies. The aim of this study was to characterize the pattern of sensitization of atopic patients treated at different pediatric allergy referral centers in Brazil. Methods A nation-wide transversal multicenter study collected data on patients attended in Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected to determine the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE. If allergen-specific IgE was higher than 0.1 kUA/L, the following specific components were quantified. Results A total of 470 individuals were enrolled in the study. Mite sensitization was the most frequent kind in all participants. A high frequency of sensitization to furry animals and grasses featured in the respiratory allergies. Regarding components, there was a predominance of sensitization to Der p 1 and Der p 2. It has been verified that having a food allergy, atopic dermatitis, or multimorbidity are risk factors for the development of more severe allergic disease. Conclusion Studies on the pattern of allergic sensitization to a specific population offer tools for the more effectual prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases. Sensitization to dust mites house was the most prevalent in the evaluated sample. High rates of sensitization to furry animals also stand out. Patients with food allergy, atopic dermatitis, or multimorbidity appear to be at greater risk for developing more severe allergic diseases.

Abstract Objectives: Inborn Errors of Immunity are characterized by infectious conditions and manifestations of immune dysregulation. The diversity of clinical phenotypes can make it difficult to direct the laboratory investigation. This article aims to update the investigation of immunological competence in the context of primary defects of the immune system. Source of data: Searches were carried out on Pubmed to review articles published in the last five years, in English, French or Spanish, using the terms “diagnosis” OR “investigation” AND “immunodeficiency” or “primary immunodeficiency” or “inborn errors of immunity” NOT “HIV”. Recent textbook editions have also been consulted. Summary of findings: The immune system competence investigation should be started based on clinical phenotypes. Relevant data are: characterization of infectious conditions (location, recurrence, types of infectious agents, response to treatment), age during symptom onset and associated manifestations (growth impairment, allergy, autoimmunity, malignancies, fever and signs of inflammation without the identification of infection or autoimmunity) and family history. These data contribute to the selection of tests to be performed. Conclusions: The diagnostic investigation of Inborn Errors of Immunity should be guided by the clinical characterization of patients, aiming to optimize the use of complementary tests. Many diagnoses are attained only through genetic tests, which are not always available. However, the absence of a diagnosis of certainty should never delay the implementation of therapeutic measures that preserve patient life and health.

Abstract Objectives: Classical immunodeficiencies are mainly characterized by infectious conditions. In recent years, manifestations related to allergy, inflammation, autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and malignancies related to this group of diseases have been described. The text intends to make an update on the non-infectious manifestations of the primary defects of the immune system. Source of data: Searches were carried out in the PubMed database for review articles published in the last five years, in English, French, or Spanish, using the terms “allergy,” “inflammation,” “autoimmunity,” “lymphoproliferation,” “cancer,” AND “immunodeficiency” or “primary immunodeficiency” or “inborn errors of immunity” NOT “HIV”. Synthesis of data: Non-infectious manifestations characterize the primary defects in which there is dysregulation of the immune system. The most common manifestations of autoimmunity in this group of diseases are autoimmune cytopenias. Exacerbated inflammatory processes, benign lymphoproliferation, and propensity to malignancy of the lymphoreticular system are related to several diseases in this group. Severe manifestations of atopy or food allergy characterize some immunodeficiencies. Disorders of inborn immunity of the autoinflammatory type are characterized by an aseptic inflammatory process in the absence of autoimmunity, with fever and recurrent manifestations in different organs. Conclusions: Not only infectious conditions should raise the suspicion of immunodeficiencies, but also manifestations of allergy, inflammation, autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, or cancer, especially if they are recurrent, associated to each other, affecting young patients, or in severe and/or difficult to treat conditions.

Abstract Objectives: This was a non-systematic review of the literature on the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Data sources: Searches in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles made available in 2020, using the terms “diagnosis” OR “diagnostic” OR “diagnostic tests” OR “tests” AND “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2” in the title. Summary of findings: Tests for the etiological agent identify genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 or humoral responses to it. The gold standard for diagnosis is the identification of viral genome targets by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory tract materials during the first week of symptoms. Serological tests should be indicated from the second week of symptoms onwards. A wide range of different tests is available, with variable sensitivity and specificity, most of which require validation. Laboratory tests such as complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, clotting tests, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, and procalcitonin identify risk of disease with greater severity, thromboembolic complications, myocardial damage, and/or worse prognosis. Imaging tests may be useful for diagnosis, especially when there is a compatible clinical picture, and other tests presented negative results or were unavailable. Conclusions: The identification of genetic material of the virus by RT-PCR is the gold standard test, but its sensitivity is not satisfactory. The diagnosis of COVID-19 should be based on clinical data, epidemiological history, tests for etiological diagnosis, and tests to support the diagnosis of the disease and/or its complications. New diagnostic methods with higher sensitivity and specificity, as well as faster results, are necessary.

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis of the skull or calvarial tuberculosis (CTB) is rare. The literature until 2019 reported less than 60 cases of CTB in childhood. The authors describe two patients with CTB associated with other manifestations of TB, such as: spine and rib injuries, peripheral adenopathy, hepatic and splenic involvement who improved with chemotherapy. The patients were a four-year-old and an eight-year-old child, whose diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological, bacteriological or molecular investigation. Both were not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and did not need orthopedic treatment.

Resumo Objetivos: Revisão da literatura sobre as repercussões dos diferentes erros inatos da imunidade sobre o crescimento, chamar a atenção para o diagnóstico desse grupo de doenças em pacientes que apresentem desordens do crescimento, assim como permitir que se identifiquem as diferentes causas de alterações do crescimento em pacientes com erros inatos da imunidade, o que pode auxiliar em seu manejo. Fonte dos dados: Revisão não sistemática da literatura, com busca de artigos desde 2000 no Pubmed com os termos "growth" ou "growth disorders" ou "failure to thrive" ou "short stature" AND "immunologic deficiency syndromes" ou "immune deficiency disease" ou "imune deficiency" NOT HIV. E buscas na base OMIN (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) por imunodeficiências e baixa estatura ou falha no crescimento ("failure to thrive"). Síntese dos dados: Há diferentes modos pelos quais os erros inatos da imunidade podem afetar o crescimento e alguns deles podem alterar o crescimento por múltiplos mecanismos simultâneos: síndromes genéticas; afecções do aparelho osteoarticular; afecções do sistema endócrino; redução de aporte calórico; processos catabólicos: perda de nutrientes, assim como afecções inflamatórias e/ou infecciosas. Conclusões: O tipo de erros inatos da imunidade permite prever que tipo de alteração no crescimento devemos esperar. O tipo de alteração no crescimento pode auxiliar no diagnóstico de condições clínicas associadas aos erros inatos da imunidade. Em muitos erros inatos da imunidade, as causas do crescimento deficiente são mistas, envolvem mais de um fator. Em muitos casos, o prejuízo do crescimento pode ser corrigido com o adequado tratamento dos erros inatos da imunidade ou adequada abordagem do mecanismo que causa o prejuízo do crescimento.

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to review the literature on the repercussions of the different inborn errors of immunity on growth, drawing attention to the diagnosis of this group of diseases in patients with growth disorders, as well as to enable the identification of the different causes of growth disorders in patients with inborn errors of immunity, which can help in their treatment. Data sources: Non-systematic review of the literature, searching articles since 2000 in PubMed with the terms "growth", "growth disorders", "failure to thrive", or "short stature" AND "immunologic deficiency syndromes", "immune deficiency disease", or "immune deficiency" NOT HIV. The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIN) database was searched for immunodeficiencies and short stature or failure to thrive. Data summary: Inborn errors of immunity can affect growth in different ways, and some of them can change growth through multiple simultaneous mechanisms: genetic syndromes; disorders of the osteoarticular system; disorders of the endocrine system; reduction in caloric intake; catabolic processes; loss of nutrients; and inflammatory and/or infectious conditions. Conclusions: The type of inborn errors of immunity allows anticipating what type of growth disorder can be expected. The type of growth disorder can help in the diagnosis of clinical conditions related to inborn errors of immunity. In many inborn errors of immunity, the causes of poor growth are mixed, involving more than one factor. In many cases, impaired growth can be adjusted with proper inborn errors of immunity treatment or proper approach to the mechanism of growth impairment.

RESUMO Nos últimos anos, novas imunodeficiências primárias e defeitos genéticos têm sido descritos. Recentemente, produtos de imunoglobulina, com aprimoramento em sua composição e para uso por via subcutânea, tornaram-se disponíveis em nosso meio. Com o objetivo de orientar o médico no uso da imunoglobulina humana para o tratamento das imunodeficiências primárias, os membros do Grupo de Assessoria em Imunodeficiências da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia produziram um documento que teve por base uma revisão narrativa da literatura e sua experiência profissional, atualizando o I Consenso Brasileiro publicado em 2010. Apresentam-se novos conhecimentos sobre indicações e eficácia do tratamento com imunoglobulina nas imunodeficiências primárias, aspectos relevantes sobre a produção, forma de utilização (vias de administração, farmacocinética, doses e intervalos), efeitos adversos (principais efeitos, prevenção, tratamento e notificação), monitorização do paciente, apresentações disponíveis e forma de obtenção deste recurso terapêutico em nosso meio.

ABSTRACT In the last few years, new primary immunodeficiencies and genetic defects have been described. Recently, immunoglobulin products with improved compositions and for subcutaneous use have become available in Brazil. In order to guide physicians on the use of human immunoglobulin to treat primary immunodeficiencies, based on a narrative literature review and their professional experience, the members of the Primary Immunodeficiency Group of the Brazilian Society of Allergy and Immunology prepared an updated document of the 1st Brazilian Consensus, published in 2010. The document presents new knowledge about the indications and efficacy of immunoglobulin therapy in primary immunodeficiencies, relevant production-related aspects, mode of use (routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, doses and intervals), adverse events (major, prevention, treatment and reporting), patient monitoring, presentations available and how to have access to this therapeutic resource in Brazil.

RESUMO A Aprendizagem Híbrida vem sendo considerada importante na educação médica, mas ainda não está estabelecido quando e qual a melhor forma de incorporá-la. Realizamos uma revisão sistemática sobre o tema, do período de janeiro de 2000 a outubro de 2013. A maioria dos artigos foi publicada nos últimos cinco anos e constitui relatos de experiências de curta duração, na graduação, em áreas clínicas, apresentando ampla diversidade de métodos instrucionais e apresentações, bem como de processos de avaliação de eficácia e de resultados, em geral, limitados à avaliação da reação dos alunos e da aprendizagem. Até o momento, não se pode afirmar que a Aprendizagem Híbrida supere o ensino presencial, assim como não é possível esclarecer muitas das questões ainda em aberto sobre o seu uso na educação médica. É necessário difundir o conceito de Aprendizagem Híbrida para além da simples incorporação de tecnologias no ensino presencial, bem com desenvolver agendas de pesquisa especificamente para esta modalidade de ensino, no sentido de definir sua real contribuição, assim como métodos instrucionais mais adequados aos diversos cenários e demandas do ensino médico.

ABSTRACT Blended learning has been increasingly considered as important in medical education, however, it has not yet been established when and how best to incorporate it. We performed a systematic review on the topic, in the period from January 2000 to October 2013. Most of the articles were published in the last five years and are reports of short term experiences in clinical areas of medical courses, showing a wide variety of instructional methods and presentations, as well as of evaluation processes of efficacy and results, mostly limited to the evaluation of student reaction and learning. It is not yet possible to say whether Blended Learning is better than face-to-face education, neither is it possible to clarify many of the issues still open about its use in medical education. It is necessary to spread the concept of Blended Learning, beyond the simple incorporation of technologies into face-to-face education. We also need to develop research agendas specifically for this learning modality in order to define its real contribution, as well as the most appropriate instructional methods for the various scenarios and demands of medical education.

O ensino médico vem enfrentando desafios para modificar suas práticas pedagógicas e estrutura curricular. As tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) podem auxiliar no enfrentamento de muitos desses desafios. Tendo em vista esse cenário, este estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar as formas de apropriação de uma Ferramenta de Autoria de cursos na Internet em processos formativos semipresenciais de graduação, pós-graduação, educação continuada e extensão na área médica, no contexto da UFRJ. Com base nas análises, foi possível identificar o perfil de utilização das TICs e discutir os resultados, a partir dos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem construídos pelos professores, de acordo com as seguintes categorias: unidades acadêmicas de origem; disciplinas e níveis de ensino envolvidos; configuração de áreas de conhecimento dos cursos semipresenciais; conformação das equipes docentes dos cursos; recursos de conteúdo e de comunicação utilizados; e atividades pedagógicas adotadas.

Medical education is facing challenges to modify teaching practices and curriculum structure. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can facilitate tackling several of these challenges. In this scenario, this study aimed at identifying forms of adopting an Internet based course authoring tool in blended learning formative processes in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education at UFRJ. Based on the analyses it was possible to identify a profile of ICT usage and to discuss the results according to the following categories derived from the Virtual Learning Environments developed by professors: academic unit affiliation, disciplines and educational levels involved, field of knowledge of the blended learning courses, formation of the teaching staff team for the courses, content and communication resources used and educational activities adopted.