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Objectives: Molecular tests show low sensitivity for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). A screening and risk assessment system for smear-negative PTB using artificial neural networks (ANNs) based on patient signs and symptoms is proposed. Methods: The prognostic and risk assessment models exploit a multilayer perceptron (MLP) and inspired adaptive resonance theory (iART) network. Model development considered data from 136 patients with suspected smear-negative PTB in a general hospital. Results: MLP showed higher sensitivity (100%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 78–100%) than the other techniques, such as support vector machine (SVM) linear (86%; 95% CI 60–96%), multivariate logistic regression (MLR) (79%; 95% CI 53–93%), and classification and regression tree (CART) (71%; 95% CI 45–88%). MLR showed a slightly higher specificity (85%; 95% CI 59–96%) than MLP (80%; 95% CI 54–93%), SVM linear (75%, 95% CI 49–90%), and CART (65%; 95% CI 39–84%). In terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the MLP model exhibited a higher value (0.918, 95% CI 0.824–1.000) than the SVM linear (0.796, 95% CI 0.651–0.970) and MLR (0.782, 95% CI 0.663–0.960) models. The significant signs and symptoms identified in risk groups are coherent with clinical practice. Conclusions: In settings with a high prevalence of smear-negative PTB, the system can be useful for screening and also to aid clinical practice in expediting complementary tests for higher risk patients.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Evatuate if Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine could be used as a tool against SARS-CoV-2 based on the concept of trained immunity. Methods: A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial recruited health care workers (HCWs) in Brazil. The incidence rates of COVID-19, clinical manifestations, absenteeism, and adverse events among HCWs receiving BCG vaccine (Moreau or Moscow strains) or placebo were compared. BCG vaccine-mediated immune response before and after implementing specific vaccines for COVID-19 (CoronaVac or COVISHIELD) was analyzed. Cox proportional hazard and linear mixed effect modeling were used. Results: A total of 264 volunteers were included for analysis (BCG = 134 and placebo = 130). The placebo group presented a COVID-19 cumulative incidence of 0.75% vs 0.52% of BCG. The Moreau strain also presented a higher incidence rate (1.60% × 0.22%). BCG did not show a protective hazard ratio against COVID-19. In addition, the log (immunoglobulin G) level against SARS-CoV-2 presented a higher increase in the BCG group, whether or not participants had COVID-19, but also without statistical significance. Conclusion: Our results suggest that BCG has a tendency of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and higher immunoglobulin G levels than placebo. The clinical trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT04659941).

Objective: To compare the socio-demographic, clinical, and diagnostic characteristics and treatment outcomes between extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children and adolescents in Rio de Janeiro, a high TB-burdened Brazilian city. Methods: This retrospective study used data from patients with EPTB and PTB aged 0 – 18 years, notified on two national databases from 2014 to 2016. Results: Among the 1008 patients, 144 (14.2%) had EPTB. Patients with EPTB showed higher odds of hospital-based diagnosis (odds ratio (OR): 6.76 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 4.62–9.90]; p < 0.001), no laboratory confirmation (OR: 4.9 2.14 [95% CI: 3.07 – 7.85]; p < 0.001), and being

Objective: To describe the investigation of latent tuberculosis infection and indication for isoniazid preventive therapy in children and adolescents evaluated at the children's hospital. Methods: This retrospective study examines all latent tuberculosis infection subjects with indication for isoniazid preventive therapy attended during 2002–2009 at the pulmonology outpatient clinic from children's hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The subjects were classified into three groups by origin: (G1) primary and secondary health units; (G2) children's hospital-pulmonology outpatient clinic; and (G3) children's hospital-specialty outpatient clinics. The association between the variables examined and G1 was analyzed using univariate analysis. Results: Of the 286 latent tuberculosis infection cases included 169 (59.1%) were from G1, 56 (19.6%) from G2, and 61 (21.3%) from G3. Latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis without isoniazid preventive therapy prescription was present in 142 (49.6%) cases before arrival at the pulmonology outpatient clinic: 135 (95.1%) from G1, three (2.1%) from G2, and four (2.8%) from G3. Variables associated with G1 were presence of isoniazid preventive therapy criteria before attending the pulmonology outpatient clinic (OR: 62.3; 26.6–146.2), negative HIV infection status (OR: 9.44; 1.16–76.3); contact with pulmonary tuberculosis (OR: 5.57; 1.99–15.5), and residing in Rio de Janeiro city (OR: 1.89; 1.04–3.44). Conclusion: Strategies that increase latent tuberculosis infection identification and isoniazid preventive therapy prescription in primary and secondary health units are urgently needed. Keywords: Preventive therapy, Operational research, Pediatric tuberculosis

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos da tuberculose infantil (TB) em hospital de referência. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo (1999-2008) de 473 indivíduos (0-14 anos) com TB confirmada, ou com melhora clínica até o quarto mês de tratamento sob os cuidados da unidade, incluindo a revisão dos prontuários médicos, fichas de acompanhamento clínico de TB e fichas de notificação da unidade de TB do hospital. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 473 casos de TB incluídos no estudo, 52% apresentou reatividade à prova tuberculínica, 66% história de contato com paciente com tuberculose pulmonar, principalmente intradomiciliar, sendo o pai/padrasto o familiar mais envolvido; TB disseminada em 22%. O resultado do teste de HIV foi obtido em 265 casos (56%), sendo positivo em 45 (17%). O diagnóstico de TB foi confirmado em 31% dos casos, mais frequentemente em crianças com idade acima de 5 anos, com prova tuberculínica negativa, e nas formas disseminadas. Das 65 culturas positivas para a TB realizadas no estudo, o teste da sensibilidade às drogas anti-TB foi obtido em 30 casos (46%), entre os quais 10 (33%) eram resistentes a um ou mais fármacos anti-TB, e 2 (0,8%) eram multirresistentes. Entre os pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar confirmada, 31% não preencheram os critérios para iniciar o tratamento com anti-TB de acordo com pontuação do Ministério da Saúde (< 25 pontos). CONCLUSÃO: A elevada percentagem de TB resistente à fármacos e a co-infecção com HIV identificados neste estudo enfatiza a necessidade de realizar estudos adicionais para avaliar tal impacto nas atividades de controle da TB infantil.

Introduction: In developing countries, there is little information about the risk factors that predict noncompliance with tuberculosis (TB) treatment in hospitals. Objective: This study analyzes possible factors associated with noncompliance with TB treatment among patients treated at HAA. Design: A retrospective cohort study was made including all patients who initiated TB treatment at HAA, from January to December 1998. A standard form was used to review medical records and to collect data on each patient. This data was evaluated in comparison with data from the state TB control program. Results: Of the 341 patients included in the study, 186 (61.2%) were considered cured and 67 (22%) were non-compliant. The factors associated with noncompliance were: previous anti-TB treatment (RR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.93), prescription of drugs other than the standard first-line regimen proposed by the Brazilian Health Ministry (Rifampin + Isoniazide + Pyrazinamide) (RR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.83), the need for hospitalization (RR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.46 to 3.29) and non-inclusion in the hospital's TB Control Program for treatment follow up (RR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.82). Setting: Anuar Auad Hospital (HAA) - Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Conclusion: Our results indicate the importance of establishing Tuberculosis Control Programs in hospitals, while paying special attention to patients with risk factors for noncompliance with TB treatment.