Search

Abstract In endemic areas for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), the occurrence of coinfection with other pathogens, such as Ehrlichia spp., has been associated with worsening of the clinical condition. The study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of histological changes in the myocardia of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania chagasi with or without coinfection with Ehrlichia spp.. We evaluated paraffin-embedded myocardial sections from 31 dogs, affected by either L. chagasi alone or coinfected with L. chagasi and Ehrlichia spp., to compare the extent and degree of cardiac damage. The blocks were divided into two groups. G1 (dogs infected only by L. chagasi) and G2 (dogs coinfected with L. chagasi and Ehrlichia spp.). The right atrium free wall, right ventricle free wall, left ventricle, and interventricular septum of all groups were evaluated. Cardiac alterations were observed in 41.93% (52/124) of the fragments evaluated and inflammatory infiltrate was the most common pattern found. The G2 group showed a higher incidence of myocarditis, with 61.53% (32/52), compared to the G1 group, in which 20 out of 72 cases (27.7%) exhibited histopathological changes (p

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the geospatialization of tuberculosis-HIV coinfection in Brazil, from 2010 to 2021, and the correlation with socioeconomic, housing, and health indicators. METHODS An ecological study of Brazilian municipalities and states, with data from HIV and tuberculosis information systems, previously reported by the Ministry of Health. The crude and smoothed coefficients were calculated by the local empirical Bayesian method of incidence of coinfection per 100,000 inhabitants in the population aged between 18 and 59 years. Univariate (identification of clusters) and bivariate (correlation with 20 indicators) Moran’s indices were used. RESULTS A total of 122,223 cases of coinfection were registered in Brazil from 2010 to 2021, with a mean coefficient of 8.30/100,000. The South (11.44/100,000) and North (9.93/100,000) regions concentrated the highest burden of infections. The coefficients dropped in Brazil, in all regions, in the years of covid-19 (2020 and 2021). The highest coefficients were observed in the municipalities of the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Amazonas, with high-high clusters in the capitals, border regions, coast of the country. The municipalities belonging to the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Paraná, and Piauí showed low-low clusters. There was a direct correlation with human development indices and aids rates, as well as an indirect correlation with the proportion of poor or of those vulnerable to poverty and the Gini index. CONCLUSIONS The spatial analysis of tuberculosis-HIV coinfection showed heterogeneity in the Brazilian territory and constant behavior throughout the period, revealing clusters with high-burden municipalities, especially in large urban centers and in states with a high occurrence of HIV and/or tuberculosis. These findings, in addition to alerting to the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, can incorporate strategic planning for the control of coinfection, aiming to eliminate these infections as public health problems by 2030.

Introduction. Fungal infections in patients with COVID-19 was one of the most debated topics during the pandemic. Objectives. To analyze the clinical characteristics and evolution of people living with HIV/AIDS and coinfection with cryptococcus and COVID-19 (group A) or without it (group B). Materials and methods. This is an analytical and retrospective study. We reviewed medical records of patients with meningeal cryptococcosis between April 2020 and May 2021. Results. We studied 65 people living with HIV/AIDS and with cryptococcosis infection diagnosed from April 2020 to May 2021. Fifteen patients with HIV/AIDS suffered from cryptococcosis and COVID-19, and out of these, 14 presented meningitis (group A), while 28 suffered from meningeal cryptococcosis, but did not have COVID-19 (group B). Conclusions. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (A and B) considering: intracranial hypertension, presence of Cryptococcus antigens in cerebrospinal fluid, sensorium deterioration or mortality. The detection of Cryptococcus antigens in serum by lateral flow assay was highly effective to rapidly diagnose cryptococcosis in patients with HIV/AIDS who also developed COVID-19. Patients of both groups consulted for cryptoccocosis sometime after, in comparison with the pre-pandemic cases related to this infection.

Objective:To estimate the direct costs of hospital care according to coinfection in adult COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective follow-up study of adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and August 2020 at the San Vicente Founda-tion Hospitals (Medellín and Rionegro, Colombia). Patients whose diagnosis of SARS-Cov2 pneumonia was confirmed by RT-PCR test were included. Death from any cause and length of stay were considered outcome variables. Costs were estimated in 20 20 US dollars. Results: 365 patients with an average age of 60 years (IQR: 46-71), 40% female, were analyzed. 60.5% required an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). All-cause mortality was 2.87 per 100 patient-days. Patients admitted to the ICU who developed coinfection had an average length of stay of 27.8 days (SD:17.1) and an average cost of $23,935.7 (SD: $16,808.2); patients admitted to the ICU who did not develop a coinfection had an average length of stay of 14.7 days (SD:8.6) and an average cost of $9,968.5 (SD: $8,054.0). Conclusion:A high percentage of patients required intensive care, and there was a high mortality due to COVID-19. In addition, a higher cost of care was observed for those patients who developed coinfection and were admitted to ICU.

Objective: To determine the frequency of antibiotic use and to know which clinical and socio-demographic variables were related to the probability of suffering infections associated with COVID-19.Methods: Adults hospitalized for COVID-19 who received one or more antibiotics during hospitalization were evaluated. We performed a descriptive analysis of variables in the general population’ bivariate analysis in two groups (documented vs. suspected infection) and multivariate logistic regression of factors associated with mortality.Results: It was determined that 60.4% of adults hospitalized for COVID-19 received antibiotics. Coinfection was documented in 6.2% and superinfection in 23.3%. Gram-negative germs were reported in 75.8% of cultures, fungi in 17.8% and gram-positive in 14.2%. Variables such as age, comorbidities, ICU, anemia, steroids, mechanical ventilation, hemofiltration were statistically significantly related to documented infection. High-flow cannula was associated as a protective factor. Overall mortality was 43.9%, 57.8% in the first group and 38.1% in thesecond (p=0.002).Conclusion: There is a considerable frequency of antibiotic use in subjects hospitalized for COVID-19, particularly related to relevant findings of bacterial superin-fection, in those with comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, anemia and fragility, in whom the behavior of the disease is more severe and lethal.

ABSTRACT Objective: to know the multidisciplinary team’s perspective about the health care of people with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection in relation to treatment. Methods: this is a descriptive-exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in a health care service in São Paulo, from May to June 2019. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine professionals from the multidisciplinary team. Data were processed through discourse analysis with the support of webQDA. Results: Two empirical categories emerged: Health care interfaces for people with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection; Barriers and facilitators for health care for people with co-infection. Final considerations: the health-disease process in co-infection is mediated by conditions that positively or negatively interfere with treatment compliance. People’s health care goes beyond exclusively clinical assistance and requires the recognition of needs in a broad perspective.

Resumen: Introducción: Las coinfecciones por gripe y otros virus respiratorios (OVR) durante las epidemias gripales son frecuentes. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar las variables demográficas y virológicas relacionadas con las coinfecciones entre la gripe y OVR. Materiales y métodos: En este estudio se analizaron muestras respiratorias de 8 epidemias gripales consecutivas (desde la temporada 2011-2012 hasta la temporada 2018-2019), en las que se había detectado un resultado positivo de gripe mediante test en laboratorio. Analizamos los datos objetivándolos frente a diferentes variables: edad, sexo, tipo de paciente (hospitalizado/centinela) y tipo/subtipo de gripe detectada. Resultados: Las coinfecciones entre gripe y OVR se detectaron en el 17,8% de los casos positivos de gripe. En los niños de entre 0-4 años (OR: 2,7; IC 95%: 2,2-3,4), los niños de entre 5-14 años (OR: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,2-2,1) y los pacientes infectados por el subtipo A(H3N2) (OR: 1,4; IC 95%: 1,14-1,79), se detectó una probabilidad significativamente mayor de detectar estas coinfecciones. Además, observamos que las coinfecciones entre gripe y 2 o más OVR fueron llamativamente más frecuentes en niños de 0-4 años (OR: 0,5; IC 95%: 0,32-0,8), en adultos de entre 40-64 años (OR: 0,5; IC 95%: 0,3-0,9) y en mujeres (OR: 0,7; IC 95%: 0,5-0,9). Discusión: Estos resultados muestran que las coinfecciones entre gripe y OVR son más frecuentes en niños de 0-4 años y de 5-14 años, y en los casos en los que el subtipo A(H3N2) está implicado. Estos datos pueden ser útiles para enfocar el diagnóstico mediante métodos multiplex en aquellos laboratorios que posean pocos recursos económicos y humanos. Abstract: Introduction: Coinfections of influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORVs) are frequent in the epidemic season. The aim of this study was to examine the demographic and virological variables associated with coinfections by influenza and ORVs. Materials and methods: We analysed respiratory samples of patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza using molecular diagnostic methods obtained in 8 consecutive influenza seasons (2011-2012 to 2018-2019). We analysed data focusing on different variables: age, sex, type of patient (hospitalized/sentinel) and detected type/subtype of influenza. Results: Coinfections of influenza and ORVs were detected in 17.8% of influenza-positive samples. The probability of detecting coinfection was significantly higher in young children (0-4 years; OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.2-3.4), children (5-14 years; OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and patients infected with the A(H3N2) subtype (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.14-1.79). Also, we found a significantly higher frequency of coinfections involving influenza and 2 or more other respiratory viruses in young children (0-4 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.32-0.8), adults (40-64 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) and women (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Discussion: These results show that coinfections of influenza and ORVs are more frequent in young children and children, and in cases involving the A(H3N2) influenza subtype. Our findings can be useful to guide the use of multiplex diagnostic methods in laboratories with limited resources.

Introduction: Individuals infected with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may present severe and disseminated forms of Strongyloides stercoralis infection with low therapeutic response. Objective: To investigate the S. stercoralis infection and the seroprevalence of IgG anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in individuals infected with HTLV-1 attending the Reference Center for HTLV-1 (CHTLV) in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 178 HTLV-1-infected individuals treated at the HTLV specialized center between January, 2014, and December, 2018. The parasitological diagnosis of S. stercoralis was performed using the Hoffman, Pons and Janer, agar plate culture, and Baermann-Morais methods. The IgG anti-S. stercoralis detection was performed using an in house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The HTLV-1 infection was diagnosed using a commercial ELISA and confirmed by Western blot. Results: The frequency of S. stercoralis infection was 3.4% (6/178). Individuals infected with S. stercoralis from rural areas (50.0%; 3/6) also showed S. stercoralis hyperinfection (>3,000 larvae/gram of feces). The frequency of circulating anti-S. stercoralis IgG antibodies was 20.8% (37/178). Conclusions: HTLV-1-infected people living in precarious sanitary conditions are more prone to develop severe forms of S. stercoralis infection. Considering the high susceptibility and unfavorable outcome of the infection in these individuals, the serological diagnosis for S. stercoralis should be considered when providing treatment.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of HIV-1 and HTLV-1 co-infection and risk behavioral for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the quality of life among people living with HIV-1 (PL-HIV-1). Methods: 985 PL-HIV-1 in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) underwent serologic immunoassay screening for HTLV-1. Fifteen people confirmed (Western blot) for HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection (HIV-1/HTLV-1 group) were then compared to 30 HIV-1 (HIV-1 group) and 30 HTLV-1 (HTLV-1 group) patients, matched groups for biological sex and age, and was analyzed the sociodemographic status/quality of life and risk/behavioral factors for STIs. Results: The prevalence of HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection was 1.5%. The average age of the three groups was 57 (± 11) years old, with 9 and 18 (60%) women within the HIV-1/HTLV-1 and HIV-1 or HTLV-1 groups, respectively. Heterosexual orientation predominated within the three groups. The HIV-1/HTLV-1 and HIV-1 groups had most no fixed partner (p = 0.013), were single (p = 0.001) and referred condom use (p = 0.025). Most the HTLV-1 group had fixed partner, were married, and did not use condom (p = 0.025). Among other STIs, syphilis was common within the HIV-1/HTLV-1 (34%) and HIV-1 (17%) groups, and gonorrhea (13%) within the HTLV-1 group. Intravenous drug use (IDU) in the HIV-1 group was associated with co-infection (p = 0.038), and the quality of life differed among the groups. Conclusions: HIV-1 and HIV-1/HTLV-1 groups had different risk behaviors than HTLV-1 group. The measures to prevent the spread of HIV-1 and HTLV-1 should also highlight IDU in PL-HIV-1 and condom use in people living with HTLV-1.

An important aspect of monitoring, further timely and effective treatment of HIV-TB coinfection is timely and correct diagnosis based on comprehensive clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies. Many factors play a role in the development of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people, but the key and quite important elements are the study of genetic markers and biomarkers of inflammation. A number of studies have been carried out on inflammatory markers, but IL-6, INF-γ, MIG, CRP, IL-18 remain relevant and insufficiently studied in coinfection. A comprehensive study of them will be important in the screening of HIV-TB coinfection). Determining the presence of (SNP) rs4331426 located in chromosome 18q11.2 in HIV-infected and AIDS patients will solve the issue of predisposition to the development of tuberculosis in the early stages of HIV infection and contribute to the development of further tactics of patients treatment and management.

Objective: To describe the proportion, clinical, demographic and programmatic characteristics of fatal cases of TB/HIV coinfection from Cali-Colombia, in 2017.Material and Method: Cross-sectional study, with information from the TB program databases, clinical records and mortality analysis units available.Results: 257 TB fatal cases were cleared in Cali in 2017, 24.5% (63/257) of these died with TB/HIV coinfection. The median age was 43 years (Interquartile Range: 30-52), 73% (46/63) were men, 76.2% (48/63) did not belong to the contributory health regimen, 28.6% were homeless. 81.2% (39/48) were new TB cases, 76.6% (37/47) started treatment; 74.6% (47/63) had mortality analysis register. Pulmonary presentation was frequent (75.9% -44 / 58), in 60% of the registries malnutrition was observed (Body Mass Index

Resumen: Contexto: En la actualidad, la infección por el virus SARS-CoV-2 genera predominantemente una infección respiratoria, que puede derivar complicaciones agudas y tardías, así como secuelas leves o graves. Una complicación que se ha evidenciado es el estado de hipercoagulabilidad, como tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) o trombosis venosa profunda (TVP). Caso clínico: Se presenta una paciente con antecedente de infección reciente por COVID-19 que consulta por disnea y dolor en el hemitórax izquierdo, se toman imágenes complementarias evidenciando una gran caverna en la base pulmonar derecha y un electrocardiograma sugestivo de tromboembolismo pulmonar, se toma una TAC con el protocolo para TEP que lo confirma y baciloscopias que reportan positivo para la coinfección por tuberculosis pulmonar. Discusión y conclusiones: La formación de fenómenos protrombóticos por COVID-19 se ha convertido en una complicación frecuente, sin embargo, es rara la coinfección de tuberculosis y COVID-19, esto se da por un proceso de amplificación de respuesta inmunológica desregulado denominado «tormenta de citoquinas», que activa infecciones latentes y ocultas, además el uso de medicamentos inmunosupresores en el COVID-19 pueden conducir a una expresión de tuberculosis.Se debe sospechar una infección por tuberculosis en un medio endémico si persisten los síntomas tras la resolución de la infección vírica, en los casos sintomáticos antes del proceso vírico agudo o en los casos de hallazgos radiográficos atípicos. En estos casos se debe descartar infección por VIH u otra coinfección bacteriana. Abstract: Context: Currently, infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus predominantly generates a respiratory infection, which can lead to acute and late complications, as well as mild or severe sequelae. A complication that has been evidenced is the state of hypercoagulability, such as pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Clinical case: We present the case of a patient with a recent history of COVID-19 infection who consulted for dyspnea and pain in the left hemithorax, complementary images were taken showing a large cavern at the right pulmonary base and an electrocardiogram suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism, a CT scan was taken with protocol for PET that confirms it and smear microscopies that report positive for pulmonary tuberculosis coinfection. Discussion and conclusions: The formation of prothrombotic phenomena by COVID-19 has become a frequent complication, however, the coinfection of tuberculosis and COVID-19 is rare, this is due to a process of amplification of the deregulated immune response called «cytokine storm», which activates latent and hidden infections, in addition the use of immunosuppressive drugs in COVID-19 can lead to an expression of tuberculosis.Tuberculosis infection should be suspected in an endemic environment together with persistence of symptoms after the resolution of the viral infection, symptomatic cases before the acute viral process or in cases of atypical radiographic findings; in these cases, HIV infection or infection should be ruled out. another bacterial coinfection.

The disease of COVID-19 is an infection of easy transmission like other respiratory viruses, reporting cases of Influenza coinfection in seasonal seasons. 5 cases of co-infection of COVID-19 and the Influenza virus are presented, the most frequent being the Influenza A virus, the symptoms of odynophagia and nasal congestion may suggest co-infection between these two viruses, in the patients evaluated, not Poor prognosis and mortality were observed.

Objective. To inform about the most recent epidemiological trends and integrated programmatic response to tuberculosis (TB) and HIV coinfection in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods. A descriptive review analyzed the most relevant indicators on TB/HIV coinfection in 33 countries in LAC with a cross-sectional and time-trend approach. Data were obtained from publicly available databases and analyzed through simple proportions, weighted means, and risk ratios. Results. In LAC, during 2017, 80.8% of TB patients were actively screened for HIV, with a 25.6% increase between 2011 and 2017. In the same year, the proportion of TB patients with HIV-positive status was 11.2%, with a small but progressive reduction of 5% since 2011. The provision of antiretroviral therapy and anti-TB medication among TB/HIV coinfected patients for 2017 was at 60%. Only one-third of people living with HIV had access to isoniazid preventive therapy. Overall, the mortality in the TB/HIV cohort has not changed since 2012, hovering at around 20%. Conclusions. TB/HIV collaborative activities, as the backbone to address TB/HIV coinfection, are being scaled up in LAC and some indicators show a tendency toward improvement; nevertheless, our review shed light on the need to keep strengthening integration of service delivery, joint monitoring and evaluation, and data quality.

Objective. Several studies from different countries have been performed about the viral diseases of domestic cats, and detailed information has been provided on their transmission, prevalence/incidence, virulence, origins/molecular characteristics and pathogenesis so far. Multiple- or co-infections in domestic and wild cats have been described by many papers. However, viral co-infections have been reported on a limited basis. In this study, three domestic clinically diseased cats have been found to be positive with feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline parvovirus (FPV) and feline foamy virus (FFoV). We aimed to examine triple viral infections circumstances in Turkish cats. Material and method. Ascites and blood samples were collected from diseased cats. Different polymerase chain reaction protocols for each virus were performed. After PCRs, all products were run in agarose gel and visualized under a blue-light transilluminator. Results. We found FCoV, FPV and FFoV as triple infection in three cats. Conclusions. We think that the results indicating the presence of multiple infections will ease the work of veterinary clinicians concerning infection treatment options, especially when animals show multiple clinical findings due to co-infections. It should be not forgotten the presence of multi-systemic co-infections in early routine laboratory diagnosis.

Objective. This study aimed to identify the co-circulation patterns of three viruses (dengue, Zika, and chikungunya) in Colombia from 2008 to 2018 by using notification reports provided to the national surveillance system. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted through a review of data for 2008 through 2018 from Colombias Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA). Results. In 2015, when chikungunya was first detected, it had a higher incidence (1 359.0 cases per 100 000 persons) than did the two other diseases. In 2016, when the circulation of Zika virus was first found, the incidence was 296.4 cases per 100 000 persons; that incidence declined dramatically in the next two years. Between 2015 and 2018, there was a substantial decrease in the frequency of dengue circulation, with it going from 334.1 cases per 100 000 persons in 2015 to 90.7 cases per 100 000 in 2017 and 173.1 cases per 100 000 in 2018. Conclusions. The decrease in the number of dengue cases after co-circulation of the three viruses could indicate possible cross-protection. This finding should be further analyzed.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir el patrón epidemiológico y clínico de la infección por Bordetella pertussis (tosferina) en niños menores de un año hospitalizados en un hospital pediátrico de Gran Canaria. Pacientes y métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico microbiológico de infección por B. pertussis mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, de enero de 2008 a diciembre de 2016. Resultados: Se identificaron 110 pacientes, de los cuales 105 (95,4%) fueron menores de 6 meses y el 59,1% eran varones. La incidencia anual de hospitalización se estimó entre 13,7 y 425,0 casos por cada 100.000 lactantes menores de 12 meses, con 2 picos en 2011 y 2015. Los familiares cercanos fueron las principales fuentes de contagio potenciales. Las principales manifestaciones fueron la tos pertusoide asociada con signos catarrales, cianosis y linfocitosis. El 15,4% de los pacientes presentaron complicaciones (principalmente neumonía), pero la evolución fue favorable en todos los casos. La menor edad y la no vacunación se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones (p

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by dengue virus (DENV) belonging to a group of Flaviviridae. Disease is widely spread in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas. DENV infection causes a spectrum of illness including flu-like syndrome and potentially life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever. Confirmation of DENV infection requires serological serum tests or detection of viral genetic material in a serum sample. There no specific treatment for dengue but symptomatic therapy should be implemented in all cases. Recently there are two modern DENV vaccines available for the people living in the countries at a risk of infection. Efficiency and safety profile of both vaccines are debatable. Dengue symptoms may imitate clinical picture of other diseases that are typical for endemic DENV regions. We present a case of 22-year-old Indonesian woman treated originally due to typhoid fever who develop the symptoms of DENV infection.

Objective: To analyze the coverage of directly observed treatment according to the risk of tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection and unfavorable outcomes. Methods: Ecological study with secondary data related to 10,389 new cases of coinfection notified in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2010 to 2015. They were analyzed by applying local Moran’s index, spatial scan statistics, and hierarchical Bayesian models. Results: The São Paulo metropolitan area and Baixada Santista concentrate the highest incidence of coinfection and treatment default. Low coverage of directly observed treatment was associated with areas at risk for the coinfection and higher withdrawal risk. The city of São Paulo, the coastal region, and the Ribeirão Preto area showed a higher incidence of deaths, which did not show an association with the coverage of directly observed treatment. Conclusion: Low coverage of directly observed treatment was associated with a higher risk of coinfection and treatment default.

Resumen: Introducción: Avances en el diagnóstico molecular han hecho posible la detección de agentes virales desconocidos en infecciones de las vías respiratorias inferiores (IVRI). Sin embargo, sigue habiendo dudas relativamente a su frecuencia y relevancia. Objetivo: Comparar la clínica y la gravedad entre la infección por virus único y la coinfección en niños admitidos por IVRI. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio durante 3 años consecutivos (2012-2015) que incluyó a niños menores de 2 años ingresados por IVRI. La identificación viral se realizó mediante la técnica de PCR para 16 virus. Los datos clínicos y el uso de los recursos hospitalarios se recogieron de forma estándar durante la estancia hospitalaria y se compararon la infección única con coinfecciones virales. Resultados: Fueron analizadas 524 muestras (451 pacientes); 448 (85,5%) tuvieron al menos un virus identificado. Coinfecciones virales se encontraron en 159 (35,5%). RSV y HRV fueron los virus más frecuentes; bronquiolitis y neumonía, los diagnósticos principales. Los pacientes con coinfecciones virales eran mayores, iban a la guardería, tenían sibilancias recurrentes con más frecuencia y eran más sintomáticos al ingreso. No fueron sometidos a más exámenes, pero les fueron prescritos medicamentos con más frecuencia. El grupo de la coinfección viral no mostró una mayor duración de la estancia hospitalaria, de la necesidad de oxígeno, de UCI o soporte ventilatorio. Discusión: Nuestro estudio mostró una proporción significativa de coinfecciones virales en los niños pequeños ingresados con IVRI y confirma dados previos que muestran que la prescripción es más frecuente en las coinfecciones virales, sin asociación con peor resultado clínico. Abstract: Introduction: Advances in molecular diagnosis have made it possible to detect previously unknown viral agents as causative agents of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). The frequency and relevance of viral coinfections is still debatable. Objective: compare clinical presentation and severity between single virus infection and viral coinfection in children admitted for LRTI. Methods: A 3-year period observational study (2012-2015) included children younger than two years admitted for LRTI. Viral identification was performed using PCR technique for 16 viruses. Clinical data and use of health resources was gathered during hospital stay using a standard collection form and we compared single virus infection and viral coinfections. Results: The study included 524 samples (451 patients); 448 (85,5%) had at least one virus identified. Viral coinfections were found in 159 (35,5%). RSV and HRV were the most commonly identified virus; bronchiolitis and pneumonia the most frequent diagnosis. Patients with viral coinfections were older, attended day-care centers, had previous recurrent wheezing more frequently and were more symptomatic at admission. These patients did not have more complementary exams performed but were prescribed medications more often. Viral coinfection group did not show longer length of hospital stay and oxygen need, more need for ICU nor ventilatory support. Discussion: Our study showed a significant proportion of viral coinfections in young infants admitted with LRTI and confirmed previous data showing that prescription was more frequent in inpatients with viral coinfections, without an association with worst clinical outcome.

Introduction: Intestinal parasite infections and polyparasitism are highly prevalent in the most vulnerable populations of developing countries due to environmental, biological and social determinants common in the transmission of parasites. Children between 1 and 15 years of age are the most affected population. Objective: To describe the prevalence and profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in 1 to 15 year-old children from native communities in the Colombian Amazon region. Materials and methods: We used a non-probability sampling of 300 children between 1 and 15 years of age from several rural settlements and the main urban area of Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia, who participated voluntarily in the study. We obtained fecal samples that were analyzed by the direct method (0.85% saline solution-lugol) and the Kato-Katz technique. The most prevalent polyparasitism profiles were identified using Cohen’s kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of polyparasitism, defined as the presence of at least two intestinal pathogenic parasites, was 84% (95 % CI: 79.35-87.96). Polyparasitism by two or three of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus from the Ancylostomatidae family, and Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii of the Entamoeba complex, had the highest prevalence. Conclusion: Several intestinal polyparasitism profiles were found, although in most cases fewer than six parasites were involved. Better prevalence estimations and identification of determinant factors will allow to priorize and direct resources to control these infections.

Introducción. Las infecciones por el virus del dengue y del chikungunya presentan síntomas clínicos similares, lo cual dificulta el diagnóstico clínico. Además, son transmitidas por los mismos vectores, por lo que en una región puede haber circulación e infección simultánea con los dos virus. Los resultados de cada enfermedad, no obstante, son diferentes: la fiebre del chikungunya rara vez es fatal, pero puede dejar secuelas de tipo articular y neurológico, en tanto que el dengue es potencialmente fatal. De ahí la importancia de un diagnóstico preciso y oportuno. Objetivo. Comparar el diagnóstico presuntivo basado en los hallazgos clínicos con el diagnóstico diferencial hecho mediante pruebas de laboratorio. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron pruebas virológicas y serológicas específicas para dengue y chikungunya en ocho muestras de sangre de pacientes pediátricos con síndrome febril. Se empleó la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa para detectar los virus del dengue y del chikungunya y el método de ELISA basado en la captura de IgM para confirmar los casos de dengue. Resultados. Con base en los hallazgos clínicos, dos pacientes se clasificaron como casos probables de dengue o chikungunya, dos como casos probables de chikungunya y en cuatro no hubo diagnóstico presuntivo de infección viral. Las pruebas de laboratorio confirmaron la infección por el virus del dengue en dos pacientes, por el virus del chikungunya en otros dos e infección simultánea de dengue y chikungunya en los cuatro restantes. Conclusión. Los hallazgos clínicos no fueron suficientes para hacer un diagnóstico en pacientes pediátricos con síndrome febril, por lo cual se requirieron pruebas específicas de laboratorio para establecer con precisión el agente etiológico causante de la enfermedad.

Introducción. El virus de la hepatitis E se ha convertido en un problema de salud pública, especialmente en los países en desarrollo. Se conocen cuatro genotipos en mamíferos, de los cuales el G3 se ha encontrado en hepatitis autóctonas en países y regiones con gran población de cerdos, y el G1 se ha asociado a muertes maternas. Objetivo. Determinar la infección simultánea con el virus de la hepatitis E y sus genotipos circulantes en Colombia en 1.097 sueros utilizando los marcadores serológicos de los virus de las hepatitis A, B y C. Materiales y métodos. Se seleccionaron 1.097 sueros provenientes de diferentes municipios de Colombia, conservados en el Laboratorio de Virología del Instituto Nacional de Salud. Se determinaron los anticuerpos IgG e IgM anti-hepatitis E. A los positivos se les amplificó el genoma viral mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa convencional. Los productos se secuenciaron y analizaron filogenéticamente y se los comparó con las secuencias del ORF2 registradas en el GenBank. Resultados. Se identificaron 278 sueros positivos para IgG anti-hepatitis E, 62 para IgM y 64 para ambos marcadores. La infección simultánea con los virus de la hepatitis E y la hepatitis A determinada por IgG anti-hepatitis E fue de 33,6 % y por IgM anti-hepatitis E fue de 16,1 %; la infección simultánea por los virus de la hepatitis E y B fue de 23,4 % y 8,1 %, y por los virus de la hepatitis E y C fue de 35,4 % y 5,83 %, respectivamente. De las 52 muestras positivas en la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa convencional, nueve secuencias se agruparon como genotipo 3a de origen porcino, cepa norteamericana. Conclusiones. La mayor seropositividad se registró para las hepatitis A y E. La frecuencia de la infección simultánea con el virus de la hepatitis E y otros virus hepatótropos indica que este patógeno puede ser más frecuente de lo esperado. La circulación del genotipo 3a implica que esta enfermedad puede presentarse en forma de brote y de zoonosis en Colombia.

Objective: analyze the epidemiological profile of coinfection by tuberculosis and the immunodeficiency virus. Method: descriptive study, developed based on a survey in the database of the Disease Notification System in the State of Piauí between 2007 and 2016. The data were collected through an instrument with sociodemographic characteristics and data related to the coinfection by tuberculosis and the immunodeficiency virus. Simple descriptive analysis was applied. Results: The prevalence of coinfection by tuberculosis and the immunodeficiency virus amounted to 6.1% of the patients (n=619). The data show the predominance of male individuals (n=467/75.4%), adults between 20 and 49 years old (n=492/79.5%) and mulattos (n=457/ 73.8%). The most identified clinical form of tuberculosis was the pulmonary with n=412 (66.6%) cases. These patients’ cure percentage corresponded to 60.8%. Conclusion: The results appointed a high prevalence of this coinfection and a high detection of the infection by the immunodeficiency virus in tuberculosis patients.

Introduction: Fungal infections in patients with COVID-19 was one of the most debated topics during the pandemic., Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics and evolution of people living with HIV/AIDS and coinfection with cryptococcus and COVID-19 (group A) or without it (group B)., Materials and Methods: This is an analytical and retrospective study. We reviewed medical records of patients with meningeal cryptococcosis between April 2020 and May 2021., Results: We studied 65 people living with HIV/AIDS and with cryptococcosis infection diagnosed from April 2020 to May 2021. Fifteen patients with HIV/AIDS suffered from cryptococcosis and COVID-19, and out of these, 14 presented meningitis (group A), while 28 suffered from meningeal cryptococcosis, but did not have COVID-19 (group B)., Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (A and B) considering: intracranial hypertension, presence of Cryptococcus antigens in cerebrospinal fluid, sensorium deterioration or mortality. The detection of Cryptococcus antigens in serum by lateral flow assay was highly effective to rapidly diagnose cryptococcosis in patients with HIV/AIDS who also developed COVID-19. Patients of both groups consulted for cryptoccocosis sometime after, in comparison with the pre-pandemic cases related to this infection.

Introduction: there are multiple entities that are transmitted by ticks; one of them isthe babesiosis, an entity that is produced by species of hemoparasites that produce,in the human host, hemolysis due to the parasitic invasion. Other of the entities is taquicártheehrlichiosis, which is characterized by the infection of intracellular microorganismswhose symptoms are part of the spectrum of a fever pattern.Clinical case: patient from rural area, with history of exposure to ixodoidea (ticks)in a permanent way. Who is admitted with signs of systemic inflammatory response,constitutional symptoms and fever of evening predominance. Hepatomegaly andadenomegalies in supraclavicular area were found. With clinical impression of prolongedfever pattern and hemolytic anemia; it was asked for spread of peripheral blood forhemoparasites. Positive report for two species: Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia spp whichwere visualized by Wright-Giemsa stain. It is carried out treatment with doxycycline,clindamycin and quinine, with good clinical aspects. Without any complications.Conclusions: this is the first case of co-infection that is known in the ColombianCaribbean region, the diagnosis was suspected due to the importance that was givento the epidemiological antecedents, to the history of exposure to ixodoidea and to theclinical symptoms of persistent fever syndrome. It was done under microscopy techniqueby Wright-Giemsa stain and the result after the conjugated antibiotic treatment wassuccessful. Rev.Cienc.Biomed. 2012;3(2):339-345.RESUMEN:Introducción: múltiples son las entidades transmitidas por garrapatas, una de ellases la babesiosis, entidad producida por especies de hemoparásitos que producen en elhuésped humano hemolisis secundaria a la invasión parasitaria. Otra de las entidadeses la ehrlichiosis, caracterizada por la infección de microorganismos intracelulares cuyossíntomas hacen parte del espectro de un cuadro febril.Caso clínico: paciente procedente de área rural, con historia de exposición aixodoideos (garrapatas) de forma permanente. Ingresa cursando signos de respuestainflamatoria sistémica, síntomas constitucionales y fiebre de predominio vespertino.Hepatomegalia y adenomegalias en región supraclavicular. Con impresión clínica decuadro febril prolongado y anemia hemolítica, se solicita extendido de sangre periféricapara hemoparásitos. Reporte positivo para dos especies: Babesia spp. y Ehrlichiaspp., fueron visualizadas por tinción de Giemsa-Whright. Se realizó tratamiento condoxiciclina, clindamicina y quinina, con buena evolución clínica. No se presentaroncomplicaciones.Conclusiones: este es el primer caso de coinfección conocido de la región Caribecolombiana. El diagnóstico se sospechó debido a la importancia dada a los antecedentesepidemiológicos, a la historia de exposición a ixódidos y a la clínica de síndrome febrilpersistente. Este, se realizó bajo técnica de microscopía por tinción de Wrihgt-Giemsay el resultado, tras el tratamiento antibiótico conjugado, fue exitoso. Rev.Cienc.Biomed. 2012;3(2): 339-345

Hepatotoxicity due to antituberculosis drugs limits treatment in patients coinfected with HIV and tuberculosis. We conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors for hepatotoxicity among patients coinfected with tuberculosis and HIV in two hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. The sample consisted of 57 patients (36.5% of the total) who developed hepatotoxicity and a control group of 99 patients (63.5% of the total), who did not present this effect. Hepatotoxicity consisted of jaundice or a high concentration of AST/ALT or total bilirubinemia. Multivariate logistic regression showed that a T CD4+ count of < 200cells/mm³ increased the risk of hepatotoxicity by a factor of 1.233 (p < 0.001) and that coinfection with hepatitis B or C virus increased this risk by a factor of 18.187 (p = 0.029). Discharge occurred among 66.1% of the case group (p = 0.026). The absence of hepatotoxicity was a protective factor against death (OR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.20-0.91). Coinfection with the B and C hepatitis virus and a T CD4+ cell count below 200cells/mm³ were independent risk factors for hepatotoxicity in these patientsHepatotoxicidade secundária às drogas antituberculose limita o tratamento em pacientes coinfectados com HIV e tuberculose. Conduzimos estudo caso-controle para identificar fatores de risco para hepatotoxicidade entre pacientes com tuberculose e infecção pelo HIV em dois hospitais de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. O grupo caso consistiu de 57 (36,5%) pacientes com hepatotoxicidade e o grupo controle, 99 (63,5%) pacientes que não a apresentaram. Hepatotoxicidade foi definida como icterícia ou alta concentração de ALT/AST ou de bilirrubinemia total. Regressão logística multivariada mostrou que a contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ < 200 células/mm³ aumentou o risco de hepatotoxicidade em 1,233 vezes (p < 0,001), e coinfec��ão com vírus de hepatite B ou C aumentou o risco em 18,187 (p = 0,029). Alta hospitalar ocorreu em 66,1% dos pacientes do grupo caso (p = 0,026). Ausência de hepatotoxicidade foi fator de proteção para óbito (OR = 0,42; IC: 0,20-0,91). Coinfecção pelos vírus das hepatites B e C e linfócitos T CD4+ abaixo de 200 células/mm³ foram fatores de risco independentes para a hepatotoxicidade nesses pacientes.

Objective: To analyze the frequency of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections, as well as the differences in the course of disease (risk of mortality, hospital and intensive care admissions) in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in relation to flu vaccination status in the 2021-2022 season., Methods: Population-based observational retrospective study in a cohort of 19,850 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022 on the island of Gran Canaria., Results: A total of 1,789 patients (9%) diagnosed with COVID-19 had received flu vaccinations. 13,676 people (68.9%) had a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations. In the period between June 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, 8 cases of flu and COVID-19 coinfection were recorded. Hypertension (18.5%), asthma (12.8%) and diabetes (7.2%) were the most frequent comorbidities. There were 147 deaths (0.7%). Older patients ([OR] 1.11 95% CI 1.09-1.13) and people with cancer ([OR] 4.21 95% CI 2.58-6.89) had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (p<0.05). Female sex was noted as a protective factor ([OR] 0.61 95% CI 0.40-0.92)., Conclusions: Old age, male sex and cancer were independent prognostic factors for mortality. Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and influenza vaccines were highly effective in preventing COVID-19-related deaths and hospital admissions. These findings suggest that flu vaccination can help control the pandemic., (©The Author 2023. Published by Sociedad Española de Quimioterapia. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).)