ABSTRACT Objective Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect transgender women and travestis (TGW), who often lack access to healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. We describe the approach and methodology of a study investigating the prevalence of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and human papillomavirus (HPV) among TGW, as well as their knowledge and perceptions regarding syphilis, to better inform policies to curb STIs among this vulnerable population. Methods: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional study conducted among TGW in five capital cities from major Brazilian regions between December 2019 and July 2021. Self-identified transgender women and travestis aged >18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling after a qualitative formative phase, completed an interviewer-led questionnaire, were offered a physical examination, and were also asked to provide samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs, starting vaccination and treatment when indicated. Results: A total of 1,317 participants were recruited from the five study locations: Campo Grande (n=181, 13.7%), Manaus (n=340, 25.8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14.6%), Salvador (n=201, 15.3%), and São Paulo (n=403, 30.6%). The recruitment period varied at each study location due to logistic constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the enormous challenges posed by the co-occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and field work targeting a vulnerable, elusive, and scattered population, the TransOdara project has been effectively implemented. Caveats did not preclude 1,300 TGW from being interviewed and tested, amid a significant epidemic that disrupted health services and research projects in Brazil and worldwide.

RESUMO Objetivo As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) afetam desproporcionalmente as mulheres trans e travestis (MTT), que muitas vezes não têm acesso a cuidados de saúde devido ao estigma e à discriminação. Descrevemos a abordagem e a metodologia de um estudo que investigou a prevalência de sífilis, HIV, hepatite A, B e C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) e papilomavírus humano (HPV) entre as MTT, bem como seu conhecimento e percepção sobre a sífilis, para melhor as políticas para redução de IST nessa população vulnerável. Métodos: TransOdara foi um estudo multicêntrico, transversal, realizado em cinco capitais das principais regiões brasileiras entre dezembro de 2019 e julho de 2021. Mulheres autoidentificadas como mulheres trans ou travestis, com idade >18 anos, foram recrutadas usando respondent-driven sampling, após uma fase de pesquisa formativa. Responderam a um questionário conduzido por entrevistadoras. Foi oferecida consulta médica, com exame físico, e solicitou-se que fornecessem amostras de vários locais para detectar as IST citadas. Quando indicado e consentido, foram iniciadas a vacinação e o tratamento. Resultados: Foram recrutadas 1.317 participantes nos cinco locais de estudo: Campo Grande (n=181, 13,7%), Manaus (n=340, 25,8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14,6%), Salvador (n= =201, 15,3%) e São Paulo (n=403, 30,6%). O período de recrutamento variou em cada local em razão de restrições logísticas impostas pela pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusão: Apesar dos enormes desafios colocados pela ocorrência simultânea da pandemia da COVID-19 e do trabalho de campo dirigido a uma população vulnerabilizada e dispersa, o projeto TransOdara foi eficazmente implementado. As adversidades não impediram que mais de 1.300 mulheres trans e travestis tenham sido entrevistadas e testadas em meio a uma epidemia de tal magnitude que perturbou os serviços de saúde e os projetos de pesquisa no Brasil e no mundo.

RESUMO Objetivo As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) afetam desproporcionalmente as mulheres trans e travestis (MTT), que muitas vezes não têm acesso a cuidados de saúde devido ao estigma e à discriminação. Descrevemos a abordagem e a metodologia de um estudo que investigou a prevalência de sífilis, HIV, hepatite A, B e C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) e papilomavírus humano (HPV) entre as MTT, bem como seu conhecimento e percepção sobre a sífilis, para melhor as políticas para redução de IST nessa população vulnerável. Métodos: TransOdara foi um estudo multicêntrico, transversal, realizado em cinco capitais das principais regiões brasileiras entre dezembro de 2019 e julho de 2021. Mulheres autoidentificadas como mulheres trans ou travestis, com idade >18 anos, foram recrutadas usando respondent-driven sampling, após uma fase de pesquisa formativa. Responderam a um questionário conduzido por entrevistadoras. Foi oferecida consulta médica, com exame físico, e solicitou-se que fornecessem amostras de vários locais para detectar as IST citadas. Quando indicado e consentido, foram iniciadas a vacinação e o tratamento. Resultados: Foram recrutadas 1.317 participantes nos cinco locais de estudo: Campo Grande (n=181, 13,7%), Manaus (n=340, 25,8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14,6%), Salvador (n= =201, 15,3%) e São Paulo (n=403, 30,6%). O período de recrutamento variou em cada local em razão de restrições logísticas impostas pela pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusão: Apesar dos enormes desafios colocados pela ocorrência simultânea da pandemia da COVID-19 e do trabalho de campo dirigido a uma população vulnerabilizada e dispersa, o projeto TransOdara foi eficazmente implementado. As adversidades não impediram que mais de 1.300 mulheres trans e travestis tenham sido entrevistadas e testadas em meio a uma epidemia de tal magnitude que perturbou os serviços de saúde e os projetos de pesquisa no Brasil e no mundo. (IST MTT , (MTT) discriminação sífilis HIV A C NG, NG (NG) CT (CT HPV (HPV vulnerável Métodos multicêntrico transversal 201 2021 18 >1 anos respondentdriven respondent driven sampling formativa entrevistadoras médica físico solicitouse solicitou se citadas consentido tratamento Resultados 1317 1 317 1.31 n=181, n181 n 181 (n=181 13,7%, 137 13,7% 13 7 13,7%) n=340, n340 340 (n=340 25,8%, 258 25,8% 25 8 25,8%) n=192, n192 192 (n=192 14,6%, 146 14,6% 14 6 14,6%) n= (n =201 15,3% 153 15 3 n=403, n403 403 (n=403 30,6%. 306 30,6% . 30 30,6%) COVID19. COVID19 COVID 19. 19 Conclusão COVID-1 dispersa implementado 1300 300 1.30 mundo (MTT (NG 20 202 > 131 31 1.3 n=181 n18 (n=18 13,7 n=340 n34 34 (n=34 25,8 2 n=192 n19 (n=19 14,6 =20 15,3 n=403 n40 40 (n=40 30,6 COVID1 COVID- 130 1. n=18 n1 (n=1 13, n=34 n3 (n=3 25, n=19 14, =2 15, n=40 n4 4 (n=4 30, n=1 n=3 = n=4

ABSTRACT Objective Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect transgender women and travestis (TGW), who often lack access to healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. We describe the approach and methodology of a study investigating the prevalence of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and human papillomavirus (HPV) among TGW, as well as their knowledge and perceptions regarding syphilis, to better inform policies to curb STIs among this vulnerable population. Methods: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional study conducted among TGW in five capital cities from major Brazilian regions between December 2019 and July 2021. Self-identified transgender women and travestis aged >18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling after a qualitative formative phase, completed an interviewer-led questionnaire, were offered a physical examination, and were also asked to provide samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs, starting vaccination and treatment when indicated. Results: A total of 1,317 participants were recruited from the five study locations: Campo Grande (n=181, 13.7%), Manaus (n=340, 25.8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14.6%), Salvador (n=201, 15.3%), and São Paulo (n=403, 30.6%). The recruitment period varied at each study location due to logistic constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the enormous challenges posed by the co-occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and field work targeting a vulnerable, elusive, and scattered population, the TransOdara project has been effectively implemented. Caveats did not preclude 1,300 TGW from being interviewed and tested, amid a significant epidemic that disrupted health services and research projects in Brazil and worldwide. (STIs , (TGW) discrimination syphilis HIV B C NG, NG (NG) CT, CT (CT) HPV (HPV population Methods multicentric crosssectional cross sectional 201 2021 Selfidentified Self identified 18 >1 respondentdriven respondent driven phase interviewerled interviewer led questionnaire examination indicated Results 1317 1 317 1,31 locations n=181, n181 n 181 (n=181 13.7%, 137 13.7% 13 7 13.7%) n=340, n340 340 (n=340 25.8%, 258 25.8% 25 8 25.8%) n=192, n192 192 (n=192 14.6%, 146 14.6% 14 6 14.6%) n=201, n201 (n=201 15.3%, 153 15.3% 15 3 15.3%) n=403, n403 403 (n=403 30.6%. 306 30.6% . 30 30.6%) COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 Conclusion cooccurrence co occurrence elusive implemented 1300 300 1,30 tested worldwide (TGW (NG (CT 20 202 > 131 31 1,3 n=181 n18 (n=18 13.7 n=340 n34 34 (n=34 25.8 2 n=192 n19 (n=19 14.6 n=201 n20 (n=20 15.3 n=403 n40 40 (n=40 30.6 COVID1 COVID- 130 1, n=18 n1 (n=1 13. n=34 n3 (n=3 25. n=19 14. n=20 n2 (n=2 15. n=40 n4 4 (n=4 30. n=1 (n= n=3 n=2 n=4 n= (n

RESUMO O diagnóstico de carcinomatose peritoneal (CP), indica um estágio avançado do câncer e em geral está associado a um mau prognóstico com sobrevida média variando de 6 a 12 meses. A cirurgia citorredutora (CRS) associada à quimioterapia intraperitoneal hipertérmica (HIPEC) tem sido descrita como uma opção de tratamento para os pacientes portadores de CP primária como nos portadores de mesotelioma, ou secundária como em portadores de cancer colorretal ou pseudomixoma, até recentemente considerados sem possibilidade terapêutica. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento de pacientes portadores de CP submetidos a CRS + HIPEC. Foram analisadas as taxas complicações pós-operatórias, mortalidade e a sobrevida desses pacientes. Resultados: Foram incluídos 56 pacientes com CP, submetidos a c CRS + HIPEC, no período de Outubro 2004 a Janeiro 2020. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 3,8% e taxa de morbidade de 61,5%, sendo a ocorrência de complicações significativamente maior quanto maior o tempo cirúrgico (p<0,001). A sobrevida global pela curva de Kaplan-Meyer foi de 81%, 74% e 53% em 12, 24 e 60 meses respectivamente. Já a sobrevida por diagnóstico nos mesmos períodos foi de 87%, 82%, 47% para os pacientes portadores de pseudomixoma e de 77%, 72% e 57% para pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal (Log -RANK 0,371, p=0,543). Conclusão: A CRS + HIPEC é uma opção de tratamento para pacientes portadores de CP primária ou secundária. Embora com taxa de complicações elevadas, pode proporcionar aumento da sobrevida quando comparado com resultados prévios da literatura e em alguns casos até a cura. , (CP) 1 (CRS (HIPEC mesotelioma terapêutica Objetivo pósoperatórias, pósoperatórias pós operatórias, operatórias pós-operatórias Resultados 5 200 2020 38 3 8 3,8 615 61 61,5% p<0,001. p0001 p p<0,001 . 0 001 (p<0,001) KaplanMeyer Kaplan Meyer 81 81% 74 53 2 respectivamente 87 87% 82 82% 47 77 77% 72 57 Log RANK 0371 371 0,371 p=0,543. p0543 p=0,543 543 p=0,543) Conclusão elevadas cura (CP 20 202 3, 61,5 p000 p<0,00 00 (p<0,001 7 4 037 37 0,37 p054 p=0,54 54 61, p00 p<0,0 (p<0,00 03 0,3 p05 p=0,5 p0 p<0, (p<0,0 0, p=0, p<0 (p<0, p=0 p< (p<0 p= (p< (p

ABSTRACT Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) indicates advanced stage cancer, which is generally associated with a poor outcome and a 6 to 12 months. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an option for treating patients with primary PC, such as mesothelioma, or secondary PC, such as colorectal cancer (CRC) or pseudomixoma. Until recently, such patients were deemed untreatable. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of CRS + HIPEC in patients with PC. Postoperative complications, mortality and survival rates were evaluated according to the diagnosis. Results: Fifty-six patients with PC, undergoing full CRS + HIPEC between October 2004 and January 2020, were enrolled. The mortality rate was 3.8% and the morbidity rate was 61.5%. Complications were significantly higher in proportion to the duration of surgery (p<0.001). The overall survival rates, as shown in the Kaplan-Meyer curve, were respectively 81%, 74% and 53% at 12, 24 and 60 months. Survival rates according to each diagnosis for the same periods were 87%, 82% and 47% in patients with pseudomixoma, and 77%, 72% and 57% in patients with CRC (log-rank 0.371, p=0.543). Conclusion: CRS with HIPEC is an option for pacients with primary or secondary PC. Although complication rates are high, a longer survival rate may be attained compared to those seen in previously published results; in some cases, patients may even be cured. PC (PC 1 months (CRS (HIPEC mesothelioma (CRC pseudomixoma recently untreatable Objective complications Results Fiftysix Fifty six 200 2020 enrolled 38 3 8 3.8 615 61 5 61.5% p<0.001. p0001 p p<0.001 . 0 001 (p<0.001) KaplanMeyer Kaplan Meyer curve 81 81% 74 53 2 87 87% 82 47 77 77% 72 57 logrank log rank 0371 371 0.371 p=0.543. p0543 p=0.543 543 p=0.543) Conclusion high cases cured 20 202 3. 61.5 p000 p<0.00 00 (p<0.001 7 4 037 37 0.37 p054 p=0.54 54 61. p00 p<0.0 (p<0.00 03 0.3 p05 p=0.5 p0 p<0. (p<0.0 0. p=0. p<0 (p<0. p=0 p< (p<0 p= (p< (p

Introduction Despite the great advances in serological testing for transfusion-transmitted infections, the selection of blood donors by blood bank operators remains the only way to avoid transmission within the testing window period. Part of this selection is the self-exclusion form, on which the donors can exclude their blood from donation without any explanation. This study assessed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics related to positivity for viral hepatitis and to the use of the confidential self-exclusion (CSE) form. Methods This transversal study analyzed the data collected from blood donors' files in a hospital in Southern Brazil. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the clinical and epidemiological variables related to positive serologies of viral hepatitis and to whether the donor was self-excluded. Results Of the 3,180 donors included in this study, 0.1% tested positive for HBsAg, 2.1% for anti-HBc, and 0.9% for anti-HCV. When the 93 donors with positive serologies for viral hepatitis were compared with those who were negative, a greater proportion of the positive serology group was found to have had a history of blood transfusions (OR=4.908; 95%CI=1.628 - 14.799; p<0.01), had repeatedly donated (OR=2.147; 95%CI=1.236 - 3.729; p<0.01), and used the CSE form for self-exclusion (OR=7.139; 95%CI=2.045 - 24.923; p<0.01). No variables were independently associated with self-exclusion. Conclusions A history of blood transfusion, repeated donations, and self-exclusion are factors that should be considered during viral hepatitis screenings in blood banks.

For the last two decades, ultrasound (US) has been considered a surrogate for the gold standard in the evaluation of liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not yet standardised for diagnosing and grading liver schistosomal fibrosis. The aim of this paper was to analyse MRI using an adaptation of World Health Organization (WHO) patterns for US assessment of schistosomiasis-related morbidity. US and MRI were independently performed in 60 patients (42.1 ± 13.4 years old), including 37 men and 23 women with schistosomiasis. Liver involvement appraised by US and MRI was classified according to the WHO protocol from patterns A-F. Agreement between image methods was evaluated by kappa index (k). The correlation between US and MRI was poor using WHO patterns [k = 0.14; confidence interval (CI) 0.02; 0.26]. Even after grouping image patterns as "A-D", "Dc-E" and "Ec-F", the correlation between US and MRI remained weak (k = 0.39; CI 0.21; 0.58). The magnetic resonance adaptation used in our study did not confirm US classification of WHO patterns for liver fibrosis.

The efficacy of oral praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis has been considered low by most public health institutions. In this paper, we compared the efficacy of two dosages of praziquantel (80 mg/kg vs. 50 mg/kg) in patients with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni. Two hundred eighty-eight patients with schistosomiasis from a community in Brazil were randomly divided into two groups: 145 patients (Group 1) received 80 mg/kg body weight of oral praziquantel divided in two equal doses with 1 h interval and 143 patients (Group 2) received 50 mg/kg body weight of oral praziquantel. To keep the study masked, patients in Group 2 received placebo 1 h after the first dose. All patients were subjected to clinical and ultrasonographic examination. Cure assessment was performed by repeating two stool examinations, by a quantitative method, at 30, 90 and 180 days after treatment. The morbidity of schistosomiasis was low, with a few cases of light periportal thickening and 16 cases of mild splenomegaly. The cure rates were 89.7% for Group 1 and 83.9% for Group 2. There was no difference in the efficacy of both therapeutic dosages of praziquantel assayed. The adverse reactions were more frequent with higher dosage.

Few publications have compared ultrasound (US) to histology in diagnosing schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis (LF); none has used magnetic resonance (MR). The aim of this study was to evaluate schistosomal LF using these three methods. Fourteen patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis admitted to hospital for surgical treatment of variceal bleeding were investigated. They were submitted to upper digestive endoscopy, US, MR and wedge liver biopsy. The World Health Organization protocol for US in schistosomiasis was used. Hepatic fibrosis was classified as absent, slight, moderate or intense. Histology and MR confirmed Symmers' fibrosis in all cases. US failed to detect it in one patient. Moderate agreement was found comparing US to MR; poor agreement was found when US or MR were compared to histology. Re-classifying LF as only slight or intense created moderate agreement between imaging techniques and histology. Histomorphometry did not separate slight from intense LF. Two patients with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis presented slight LF. Our data suggest that the presence of the characteristic periportal fibrosis, diagnosed by US, MR or histology, associated with a sign of portal hypertension, defines the severity of the disease. We conclude that imaging techniques are reliable to define the presence of LF but fail in grading its intensity.

Abdominal ultrasound (US) has been widely used in the evaluation of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. It represents an important indirect method of diagnosis and classification of the disease, and it has also been used as a tool in the evaluation of therapeutic response and regression of fibrosis. We describe the case of a man in whom US showed solid evidence of schistosomal periportal fibrosis and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that periportal signal alteration corresponded to adipose tissue which entered the liver togheter with the portal vein.