Search

In 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has spread around the world. Approximately 5% of infected patients are critical cases that require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). In these patients, COVID-19 can be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multi-organ failure, including kidney and heart failure.Summarize the recommendations included in the Guidelines for Care of Critically Ill Adult Patients with COVID-19 in the Americas, version 3, published by the Pan American Health Organization in 2021 to guide the management of critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 treated in the ICU, and address key aspects of implementation of the recommendations.The guidelines and their recommendations were summarized. In addition, a systematic search was carried out in Pubmed, Lilacs, Health Systems Evidence, Epistemonikos, and gray literature on studies carried out in the Region of the Americas, in order to identify barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies.Forty-three recommendations are presented that address the identification of markers and risk factors for mortality, infection prevention and control, specimen collection, supportive care (ventilatory and hemodynamic), pharmacological treatment, early rehabilitation, use of imaging studies, prevention of complications, and discharge criteria for critical patients with COVID-19.The recommendations seek to provide knowledge on the management of critical patients with COVID-19 and offer considerations for implementation of the recommendations in the Region.A Organização Mundial da Saúde declarou em 2020 a pandemia de COVID-19 (sigla em inglês), causada pelo coronavírus do tipo da Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (SARS-COV-2, o vírus na sigla em inglês) e que tem se espalhado por todo o mundo. Aproximadamente 5% dos pacientes infectados ficam em estado crítico e precisam de cuidados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Nesses pacientes, a COVID-19 pode piorar em decorrência da síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo, choque séptico e insuficiência de múltiplos órgãos, que inclui a falência renal e a insuficiência cardíaca.Sintetizar as recomendações doFoi realizada uma síntese do guia e de suas recomendações. Além disso, foi feita uma busca sistemática nas bases Pubmed, Lilacs, Health Systems Evidence e Epistemonikos e na literatura cinzenta de estudos conduzidos na Região das Américas para identificar barreiras, facilitadores e estratégias de implementação.São apresentadas 43 recomendações que abordam a identificação de marcadores e fatores de risco de mortalidade, prevenção e controle de infecções, coleta de amostras, cuidados de suporte (ventilatório e hemodinâmico), tratamento farmacológico, reabilitação prematura, uso de estudos por imagens, prevenção de complicações e critérios para a alta de pacientes em estado crítico com COVID-19.As recomendações buscam disponibilizar conhecimento sobre o manejo de pacientes em estado crítico com COVID-19 e oferecer considerações para sua implementação na Região.

The project 'Integrated Monitoring of Vaccines in Europe' aimed to measure seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness against hospitalised adults, aged 65 years and over, with influenza. We describe the protocol implementation in Portugal.We implemented a test-negative design, targeting community-dwelling patients aged 65 years old and over hospitalised with severe acute respiratory illness. Patients were reverse transverse-polymerase chain reaction tested for influenza. Cases were those positive for influenza while others were controls. Most variables were collected using hospital medical records. Selection bias was evaluated by comparison with the laboratory influenza test requests database according to demographic characteristics. Crude, season-adjusted influenza vaccine effectiveness was estimated as = 1 - odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals were obtained by conditional logistical regression, matched with the disease onset month.The recruitment rate was 37.8%. Most participants (n = 368) were female (55.8%) and aged 80 years old and over (55.8%). This was similar to values for potentially eligible severe acute respiratory illness patients (80 years old and over: 56.8%, female: 56.2%). The proportion of missing values was below 2.5% for 20 variables and above 5% (maximum 11.6%) for six variables. Influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates were 62.1% against AH1pdm09 (95% confidence intervals: -28.1 to 88.8), 14.9% against A(H3N2) (95% confidence intervals: -69.6 to 57.3), 43.6% against B/Yam (95% confidence intervals: -66.2 to 80.8).Given the non-existence of a coded admission database in either participating hospital the selection of severe acute respiratory illness due to clinical features was the feasible one. These results are only valid for the older adult population residing in the catchment area of the two participating hospitals who were admitted to a public hospital with severe influenza or SARI symptoms.Despite the low participation rate, we observed comparable characteristics of participants and eligible severe acute respiratory illness patients. Data quality was high, and influenza vaccine effectiveness results were in accordance with the results of meta-analyses and European season-specific estimates. The final sample size was low, which inhibited obtaining estimates with good precision.Introdução: O projeto “Integrated Monitoring of Vaccines in Europe” pretende medir a efetividade da vacina antigripal nas hospitalizações por gripe nos adultos com mais de 65 anos. Este estudo pretende descrever a implementação do protocolo em Portugal. Material e Métodos: Implementou-se um estudo com desenho caso-controlo teste negativo. A população-alvo foram indivíduos com idade superior a 65 anos, hospitalizados com doença respiratória aguda grave. Os doentes foram testados para gripe por reverse transverse-polimerase chain reaction. Foram considerados casos aqueles com resultado positivo; os restantes foram controlos. Os dados foram obtidos através de registo clinicos. O potencial viés de seleção foi avaliado por comparação de características demográficas e enfermarias com dados das requisições laboratoriais. A efetividade da vacina, foi estimada em 1 – odds ratio por regressão logística condicional, emparelhada para o mês de início da doença. Resultados: A taxa de recrutamento foi de 37,8%. A maioria dos participantes (n = 368) era do sexo feminino (55,8%) e tinha idade superior a 80 anos (55,8%). Padrão similar foi verificado nos doentes elegíveis (idade superior a 80 anos: 56,8%; feminino: 56,2%). Os valores omissos foram inferiores a 2,5% em 20 variáveis e acima de 5% (máximo 11,6%) em seis variáveis. As estimativas da efetividade foram 62,1% contra AH1pdm09 (intervalo de confiança IC 95%: -28,1, 88,8); 14,9% contra A (H3) (intervalo de confiança 95%: -69,6; 57,3) e 43,6% contra B/yamagata (intervalo de confiança 95%: -66,2; 80,8). Discussão: Dada a inexistência de uma codificação em base de dados de admissão em qualquer um dos hospitais participantes, a abordagem de identificação e casos clínicos de doença respiratória aguda grave foi a exequível. Estes resultados são válidos para a população idosa residente na área de abrangência dos dois hospitais participantes que foram internados em um hospital público com gripe grave ou sintomas de doença respiratória aguda grave. Conclusão: Apesar da baixa taxa de participação, observámos características comparáveis entre os participantes e os doentes elegíveis. A qualidade dos dados foi elevada, e os resultados da efetividade concordantes com resultados de meta-análises e estimativas europeias. A reduzida dimensão da amostra impediu a obtenção de estimativas mais precisas.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effects of nasal aspiration with Proetz® in peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in pediatric sinusitis (PS) patients with nasal obstruction. METHODS: This is a non-randomized descriptive-analytical clinical trial with a quantitative approach. The sample comprised 30 children. Initially, the PNIF was measured and the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) was used for nasal obstruction, followed by the nasal aspiration procedure. The SNOT-22 questionnaire was applied to the legal guardian of each child, and one week later, it was reapplied for the sake of follow-up. RESULTS: 16 (53.3%) patients were females and 14 (46.7%) were males, with an average age of 6.4±1.8 years (between 4 and 10 years of age). Analyses of the VAS for obstruction before the intervention revealed that 10 of the participants (33.3%) presented moderate levels, and 20 of them (66.7%) severe levels. However, after the Proetz® method was applied, all the samples (n=30) had mild levels. The PNIF significantly increased after the technique was used, with an improvement of 23.4% in mean values. There was no significant correlation between the VAS and the PNIF. CONCLUSION: Nasal aspiration with the Proetz® method significantly improved the clinical condition of sinusitis patients with nasal obstruction according to the visual analogical scale, the PNIF, and the SNOT-22 questionnaire. No correlation between the VAS and the PNIF could be found. The study confirms the importance of non-pharmacological interventions in the treatment of sinusitis in children, thus resulting in an improvement in their quality of life. RESUMO OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os efeitos da aspiração nasal com Proetz® no pico do fluxo inspiratório nasal (Pnif) em pacientes com sinusite pediátrica (SP) com obstrução nasal. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico analítico descritivo, não randomizado, com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi composta por 30 crianças. Inicialmente, o Pnif foi medido e a escala visual analógica (EVA) foi utilizada para obstrução nasal, seguida do procedimento de aspiração nasal. O questionário Snot-22 foi aplicado ao responsável legal de cada criança e, uma semana depois, foi reaplicado para fins de acompanhamento. RESULTADOS: Dezesseis (53,3%) pacientes eram do sexo feminino e 14 (46,7%) do sexo masculino, com idade média de 6,4±1,8 anos (entre 4 e 10 anos). A análise da EVA para obstrução antes da intervenção revelou que dez dos participantes (33,3%) apresentaram níveis moderados e 20 deles (66,7%), níveis graves. No entanto, após a aplicação do método Proetz®, todas as amostras (n=30) apresentaram níveis leves. O Pnif aumentou significativamente após a utilização da técnica, com uma melhoria de 23,4% nos valores médios. Não houve correlação significativa entre EVA e Pnif. CONCLUSÃO: A aspiração nasal com o método Proetz® melhorou significativamente o quadro clínico de pacientes com sinusite com obstrução nasal, de acordo com a escala visual analógica, o Pnif e o questionário Snot-22. Não foi encontrada correlação entre EVA e Pnif. O estudo confirma a importância de intervenções não farmacológicas no tratamento da sinusite em crianças, resultando em melhoria na sua qualidade de vida.

Background: It is essential to study the effect of potential co-factors on the risk of death in patients infected by COVID-19. The identification of risk factors is important to allow more efficient public health and health services strategic interventions with a significant impact on deaths by COVID-19. This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 deaths in Portugal. Methods: A national dataset with the first 20,293 patients infected with COVID-19 between 1 January and 21 April 2020 was analyzed. The primary outcome measure was mortality by COVID-19, measured (registered and confirmed) by Medical Doctors serving as health delegates on the daily death registry. A logistic regression model using a generalized linear model was used for estimating Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for each potential risk indicator. Results: A total of 502 infected patients died of COVID-19. The risk factors for increased odds of death by COVID-19 were: sex (male: OR = 1.47, ref = female), age ((56&ndash, 60) years, OR = 6.01, (61&ndash, 65) years, OR = 10.5, (66&ndash, 70) years, OR = 20.4, (71&ndash, 75) years, OR = 34, (76&ndash, 80) years, OR = 50.9, (81&ndash, 85) years, OR = 70.7, (86&ndash, 90) years, OR = 83.2, (91&ndash, 95) years, OR = 91.8, (96&ndash, 104) years, OR = 140.2, ref=(0&ndash, 55)), Cardiac disease (OR = 2.86), Kidney disorder (OR = 2.95), and Neuromuscular disorder (OR = 1.58), while condition (None (absence of precondition), OR = 0.49) was associated with a reduced chance of dying after adjusting for other variables of interest. Conclusions: Besides age and sex, preconditions justify the risk difference in mortality by COVID-19.

This study intended to identify and quantify the social ecological model (SEM) levels associated to seasonal IV uptake in the Portuguese elderly population. Data from the 2014 National Health Survey was restricted to individuals aged 65+ years (n = 5669). Twenty-three independent variables were allocated to the SEM levels: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and policy. Sex stratified and age adjusted analysis using Poisson regression were performed for each level and for a fitted full model. Relative reduction in pseudo R magnitude measured marginal contribution of each level. For men and women, older groups (85+ vs. 65–69; men, PR = 1.59 and women, PR = 1.56); having 3+ chronic conditions (men, PR = 1.39 and women, PR = 1.35); previous 4 weeks GP and outpatient visits were associated to higher IV uptake. For men, only 2 SEM levels were associated (individual and organizational) while for women the community level was also relevant. Main marginal contribution came from individual (17.9% and 16.3%) and organizational (30.7% and 22.7%) levels. This study highlights the importance of individual characteristics, access and use of health care services for the IV uptake and the sex differential behaviour.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a distribuicao das unidades de terapia intensiva para adultos, segundo a regiao geografica e o setor sanitario no Rio de Janeiro, e investigar a mortalidade por infeccao respiratoria aguda grave no setor publico e sua associacao com a capacidade de terapia intensiva no setor publico. Metodos: Avaliamos a variacao da disponibilidade de terapia intensiva e a mortalidade por infeccao respiratoria aguda grave no setor publico em diferentes areas da cidade em 2014. Utilizamos as bases de dados do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saude, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica, do Sistema de Informacoes sobre Mortalidade e do Sistema de Informacoes Hospitalares do SUS. Resultados: Foi ampla a variacao na disponibilidade de leitos em unidades de terapia intensiva per capita (desde 4,0 leitos de terapia intensiva por 100 mil habitantes em hospitais publicos na zona oeste ate 133,6 leitos em unidades de terapia intensiva por 100 mil habitantes nos hospitais privados na zona central) na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. O setor privado respondeu pelo suprimento de quase 75% dos leitos em unidades de terapia intensiva. Uma analise espacial com base em mapas mostrou falta de leitos em unidades de terapia intensiva em vastas extensoes territoriais nas regioes menos desenvolvidas da cidade. Houve correlacao inversa (r = -0,829; IC95% -0,946 - -0,675) entre a quantidade de leitos publicos em unidade de terapia intensiva per capita em diferentes areas de planejamento em saude na cidade e a mortalidade por infeccao respiratoria aguda grave em hospitais publicos. Conclusao: Nossos resultados mostram disponibilidade desproporcional de leitos em unidades de terapia intensiva na cidade do Rio de Janeiro e a necessidade de uma distribuicao racional da terapia intensiva.

Background Reliable testing for SARS-CoV-2 is key for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We estimate diagnostic accuracy for nucleic acid and antibody tests 5 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and compare with manufacturer-reported accuracy. Methods We reviewed the clinical performance of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody tests based on 93,757 test results from 151 published studies and 20,205 new test results from 12 countries in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Results Pooling the results and considering only results with 95% confidence interval width ≤ 5%, we found four nucleic acid tests, including one point-of-care test and three antibody tests, with a clinical sensitivity ≥ 95% for at least one target population (hospitalised, mild or asymptomatic, or unknown). Nine nucleic acid tests and 25 antibody tests, 12 of them point-of-care tests, had a clinical specificity of ≥ 98%. Three antibody tests achieved both thresholds. Evidence for nucleic acid point-of-care tests remains scarce at present, and sensitivity varied substantially. Study heterogeneity was low for eight of 14 sensitivity and 68 of 84 specificity results with confidence interval width ≤ 5%, and lower for nucleic acid tests than antibody tests. Manufacturer-reported clinical performance was significantly higher than independently assessed in 11 of 32 and four of 34 cases, respectively, for sensitivity and specificity, indicating a need for improvement in this area. Conclusion Continuous monitoring of clinical performance within more clearly defined target populations is needed.

Recent studies have shown that persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised patients can trigger the accumulation of an unusual high number of mutations with potential relevance at both biological and epidemiological levels. Here, we report a case of an immunocompromised patient (non-Hodgkin lymphoma patient under immunosuppressive therapy) with a persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection (marked by intermittent positivity) over at least 6 months. Viral genome sequencing was performed at days 1, 164, and 171 to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Among the 15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (11 leading to amino acid alterations) and 3 deletions accumulated during this long-term infection, four amino acid changes (V3G, S50L, N87S, and A222V) and two deletions (18-30del and 141-144del) occurred in the virus Spike protein. Although no convalescent plasma therapy was administered, some of the detected mutations have been independently reported in other chronically infected individuals, which supports a scenario of convergent adaptive evolution. This study shows that it is of the utmost relevance to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 evolution in immunocompromised individuals, not only to identify novel potentially adaptive mutations, but also to mitigate the risk of introducing "hyper-evolved" variants in the community. IMPORTANCE Tracking the within-patient evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is key to understanding how this pandemic virus shapes its genome toward immune evasion and survival. In the present study, by monitoring a long-term COVID-19 immunocompromised patient, we observed the concurrent emergence of mutations potentially associated with immune evasion and/or enhanced transmission, mostly targeting the SARS-CoV-2 key host-interacting protein and antigen. These findings show that the frequent oscillation in the immune status in immunocompromised individuals can trigger an accelerated virus evolution, thus consolidating this study model as an accelerated pathway to better understand SARS-CoV-2 adaptive traits and anticipate the emergence of variants of concern. This study was partially cofunded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020-Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Program (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

I-MOVE-COVID-19 primary care study team (in addition to authors above): Nick Andrews, Jamie Lopez Bernal, Heather Whitaker, Caroline Guerrisi, Titouan Launay, Shirley Masse, Sylvie van der Werf, Vincent Enouf, John Cuddihy, Adele McKenna, Michael Joyce, Cillian de Gascun, Joanne Moran, Ana Miqueleiz, Ana Navascués, Camino Trobajo-Sanmartín, Carmen Ezpeleta, Paula López Moreno, Javier Gorricho, Eva Ardanaz, Fernando Baigorria, Aurelio Barricarte, Enrique de la Cruz, Nerea Egüés, Manuel García Cenoz, Marcela Guevara, Conchi Moreno-Iribas, Carmen Sayón, Verónica Gomez, Baltazar Nunes, Rita Roquete, Adriana Silva, Aryse Melo, Inês Costa, Nuno Verdasca, Patrícia Conde, Diogo FP Marques, Anna Molesworth, Leanne Quinn, Miranda Leyton, Selin Campbell, Janine Thoulass, Jim McMenamin, Ana Martínez Mateo, Luca Basile, Daniel Castrillejo, Carmen Quiñones Rubio, Concepción Delgado-Sanz, Jesús Oliva. The I-MOVE-COVID-19 network collates epidemiological and clinical information on patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virological characterisation in 11 European countries [1]. One component of I-MOVE-COVID-19 is the multicentre vaccine effectiveness (VE) study at primary care/outpatient level in nine European study sites in eight countries. We measured overall and product-specific COVID-19 VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among those aged 65 years and older. We also measured VE by time since vaccination. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101003673. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Objective: To identify the implications, for Nursing, of pulmonary infections by coronavirus in people with chronic non-communicable diseases and to propose actions for care. Materials and method: A literature review, with a search for primary studies in the Biblioteca Regional Virtual de Saúde, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, National Library of Medicine and Scopus databases, from March 15th to March 30th, 2020, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases with respiratory infection by viruses of the coronavirus family, from 2010 to 2020. Results: A total of 11 articles were analyzed, which made it possible to identify guidelines for Nursing actions at the community and hospital levels and in critical care; among the care actions proposed for people with chronic diseases are education in health, encouragement to control the disease, immunization and lifestyle change, monitoring of suspected and confirmed cases, and use of masks in public environments. Conclusions: The study highlights the role of Nursing at all health care levels and the possibilities for learning and improving care actions through the use of evidence obtained from previous experiences. RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las implicaciones para la enfermería de las infecciones pulmonares por coronavirus en personas con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y plantear acciones para el cuidado. Materiales y método: revisión de literatura desde la búsqueda de los estudios primarios en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Regional Virtual en Salud, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, National Library of Medicine e Scopus, del 15 al 30 de marzo del 2020, en portugués, inglés y español, con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo en adultos con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles con infección respiratoria por virus de la familia del coronavírus, del 2010 al 2020. Resultados: se analizaron 11 artículos que posibilitaron identificar directrices para las acciones de enfermería en los niveles comunitario y hospitalario, y en los cuidados críticos; entre los cuidados propuestos para las personas con enfermedades crónicas están la educación en salud, el fomento al control de la enfermedad, la inmunización y el cambio de estilo de vida, el monitoreo de casos sospechosos y confirmados, el uso de tapabocas en ambientes colectivos. Conclusiones: se destaca el rol de la enfermería en todos los niveles de atención en salud y las posibilidades de aprendizaje y perfeccionamiento de las acciones de cuidado mediante la utilización de evidencias obtenidas en experiencia anterior. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as implicações para a enfermagem das infecções pulmonares por coronavírus nas pessoas com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e propor ações para o cuidado. Materiais e método: revisão de literatura, com busca dos estudos primários nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Regional Virtual de Saúde, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, National Library of Medicine e Scopus, de 15 a 30 de março de 2020, em português, inglês e espanhol, com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa em adultos com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis com infecção respiratória por vírus da família do coronavírus, de 2010 a 2020. Resultados: analisaram-se 11 artigos que possibilitaram identificar diretrizes para as ações de enfermagem nos níveis comunitário e hospitalar, e nos cuidados críticos; entre os cuidados propostos para as pessoas com doenças crônicas, estão a educação em saúde, o incentivo ao controle da doença, a imunização e a mudança do estilo de vida, o monitoramento de casos suspeitos e confirmados, o uso de máscaras em ambientes coletivos. Conclusões: destaca-se o papel da enfermagem em todos os níveis de atendimento da saúde e as possibilidades de aprendizagem e aperfeiçoamento das ações de cuidado mediante a utilização de evidências obtidas em experiência anterior.

Letter to the Editor Extract: In 2017, the notification rate of tuberculosis in the Northern Region of Portugal was 21.1 cases per 100 000 inhabitants. According to the National Tuberculosis Programme Surveillance System (SVIG-TB), poly-resistance to isoniazid and streptomycin (PR-HS) represented 2.6–5% of the cases notified in the Northern Region between 2009 and 2017 Although they represent a relatively low proportion of cases in Portugal, poly-resistances such as PR-HS are precursors to multidrug resistance and, consequently, should be closely monitored. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Objectives To assess the perinatal and maternal outcomes of pregnant women with cystic fibrosis (CF) and severe lung impairment. Methods This was a series of cases aiming to review the maternal and fetal outcomes in cases of singleton pregnant women with a diagnosis of CF. We have included all of the cases of singleton pregnancy in patients with CF who were followed-up at the obstetrics department of the Medical School of the Universidade de São Paulo, between 2003 and 2016. The exclusion criteria were the unattainability of the medical records of the patient, and delivery at other institutions. A forced expiratory volume in 1 second < 50% was considered as severe lung impairment. We have also analyzed data regarding maternal hospitalization and respiratory exacerbations (REs). Results Pregnant women with CF and severe lung impairment did not present an association with spontaneous prematurity, fetal growth restriction or fetal demise. All of the cases involved multiple RE episodes requiring antibiotic therapy. The median (range) of events per patient was of 4 (2-4) events. Conclusion Cystic fibrosis patients with severe lung impairment may achieve successful term pregnancies. However, pregnancies of women with CF are frequently complicated by REs, and this population may require hospital admission during the course of the pregnancy. Cystic fibrosis patients should be followed by a specialized team with experience in treating respiratory diseases. Resumo Objetivo Avaliar os desfechos maternos e perinatais de gestações em mulheres portadoras de fibrose cística (FC) e disfunção pulmonar grave. Métodos Série de casos visando a avaliação dos desfechos maternos e perinatais em gestações únicas de mulheres com diagnóstico de FC. Foram incluídos todos os casos de gestações únicas de pacientes comFC que tiveramacompanhamento no departamento de obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, no período de 2003 a 2016. Os critérios de exclusão foramnão disponibilidade do prontuário da paciente e parto em outro serviço. Disfunção pulmonar grave foi definida como presença de volume expiratório forçado em1 segundo < 50%. Foramanalisados tambémos dados referentes a exacerbações respiratórias e internações maternas. Resultados Gestação em mulheres portadoras de FC com disfunção pulmonar grave não se associaramcomprematuridade espontânea, restrição de crescimento fetal ou óbito fetal. Todos os casos apresentarammúltiplos episódios de exacerbações respiratórias necessitando de antibioticoterapia. A mediana de eventos por pacientes (intervalo) foi de 4 (2-4) eventos. Conclusão Mulheres portadoras de FC com disfunção pulmonar grave podem evoluir com gestações de termo bem sucedidas. Entretanto, gestações nestas pacientes são frequentemente complicadas por exacerbações respiratórias, necessitando de internação. Gestantes portadoras de FC devem ser acompanhadas por uma equipe especializada com experiência no manejo de doenças respiratórias.

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), including rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis and otitis media (OM), comprise of 88% of total respiratory infections, especially in children. Therefore effective prevention and treatment of RTIs remain a high priority worldwide. Preclinical and clinical data highlight the rationale for the use and effectiveness of immunity-targeted approaches, including targeted immunisations and non-specific immunomodulation in the prevention and management of recurrent upper RTIs. OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW: The idea of this review was to summarise the current evidence and address key questions concerning the use of conservative and immunity-targeted approaches to recurrent and chronic URTIs, with a focus on the paediatric population. SEARCH STRATEGY/EVALUATION METHOD: Literature searches were conducted in March 2017 and updated in September 2017 using: Academic Search Complete; CENTRAL; Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition; MEDLINE; clinicaltrials.gov; and Cochrane databases. In total, 84 articles were retrieved and reviewed. Two independent researchers focused on primary and secondary endpoints in systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised, controlled trials, using immunity-directed strategies as the control group or within a subpopulation of larger studies. Existing guidelines and interventional/observational studies on novel applications were also included. RESULTS: Children are particularly susceptible to RTIs due to the relative immaturity of their immune systems, as well as other potential predisposing factors such as day care attendance and/or toxic environmental factors (eg increased pathogenic microbial exposure and air pollutants). Recurrent URTIs can affect otherwise healthy children, leading to clinical sequelae and complications, including the development of chronic conditions or the need for surgery. Available pre-clinical and clinical data highlight the rationale for the use and effectiveness of immunity-targeted approaches, including targeted immunisations (flu and pneumococcal vaccines) and non-specific immunomodulation (bacterial lysates), in the prevention and management of recurrent croup, tonsillitis, otitis media, recurrent acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this review, we summarise the current evidence and provide data demonstrating that some immunity-targeted strategies, including vaccination and immunomodulation, have proved effective in the treatment and prevention of recurrent and chronic URTIs in children. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Introdução: As infeções do trato respiratório são das patologias que mais frequentemente motivam a prescrição antibiótica em idade pediátrica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identifiar a frequência e padrão de prescrição de antibacterianos na patologia respiratória. Material e Métodos: Durante dois anos (divididos pela apresentação das normas de orientação clínica), os dados foram obtidos através da consulta de processos clínicos de crianças com patologia respiratória. Utilizaram-se os testes qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher para testar associações entre variáveis, assumindo-se signifiado estatístico quando p < 0,05. Resultados: Realizaram-se 547 consultas (idade média de seis anos ± 5,3, 55% do género masculino). A pesquisa do antigénio do Streptococcus do grupo A na orofaringe foi realizada mais frequentemente por internos de Pediatria (p = 0,005). A radiografi de tórax foi mais pedida pelo especialista de Medicina Geral e Familiar (p = 0,033). Prescreveu-se antibiótico em 87% pneumonias, 84% otites médias agudas, 68% amigdalites, 25% laringites, 17% infeções respiratórias superiores e 16% bronquiolites agudas. O especialista de Medicina Geral e Familiar prescreveu mais antibiótico que o interno de Pediatria na amigdalite aguda (p = 0,003) e na otite média aguda (p = 0,013). O antibiótico mais prescrito foi amoxicilina (61%). Não houve diferenças entre os dois períodos estudados quanto ao número de prescrições e escolha de antibiótico das patologias estudadas. Discussão: A prescrição de antibióticos foi elevada e numa proporção signifiativa a antibioterapia poderia ser ajustada. Realça-se que não houve diferenças na prescrição após a apresentação das normas de orientação clínica. Conclusão: Considera-se necessária uma melhoria da prescrição antibiótica pediátrica no ambulatório. Introduction: Respiratory tract infections represent the most frequent conditions in pediatric clinical practice that motivate antibiotic prescribing. The objective was to identify the frequency and pattern of antibacterial prescribing in respiratory diseases. Material and Methods: Over a period of two years (divided by the presentation of the clinical guideline standards) data was collected from clinical records of children with respiratory disease. Chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact test were used to test associations between variables, statistical significance p < 0.05. Results: There were 547 visits (mean age 6 years ± 5.3, 55% male gender). Analysis for Group A Streptococcus of the oropharynx was most frequently requested by pediatric residents (p = 0.005). Chest x-rays were more frequently requested by the Family Physician (p = 0.033). An antibiotic was prescribed in 87% of pneumonias, 84% acute otitis media, 68% acute tonsillitis, 25% laryngitis, 17% upper respiratory infections, 16% acute bronchiolitis. The Family Physician prescribed antibiotics more often than the Pediatrics resident in acute tonsillitis (p = 0.003) and in acute otitis media (p = 0.013). The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin (61%). There were no significant differences between the two periods studied regarding the number of prescriptions and antibiotic choice of the conditions studied. Discussion: Antibiotic prescribing in pediatric acute respiratory infections was high and the choice of antibiotic therapy could be adjusted. We found no difference in antibiotic prescribing after the presentation of the clinical guideline standards. Conclusion: An improvement in the antibiotic prescription in children and adolescents in the outpatient clinic is considered necessary. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) represent a major threat for global TB control. In 2017, the World Health Organization estimated 460 000 cases of MDR-TB, of which 8.5% were also extensively drug-resistant (XDR) cases [1]. In Portugal, over the last decade, the decreasing tendency of TB cases is about 7% per year, and the proportion of MDR-TB cases remains steadily around 1% of the total TB cases. In 2017, the preliminary report of the Portuguese national TB programme reported 1607 new cases of pulmonary TB, with 12 MDR-TB cases [2]., Analysis of MDR-TB rates showed consistent decreases in cases and clustering rates but did not establish valid relationships with the epidemiological information collected by the public health authorities http://ow.ly/3BnN30nxqW3

COVID study groups - PORTUGAL: Portuguese Laboratory Network for the Diagnosis of COVID-19 and Public Health Department of the Health Administrative Regions, Physicians that provided data and samples from suspected cases and SARS-CoV-2 genetic characterization. INSA laboratory team for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Algarve Biomedical Center and Unilabs. We compared 19,207 cases of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7/S gene target failure (SGTF), 436 B.1.351 and 352 P.1 to non-variant cases reported by seven European countries. COVID-19 cases with these variants had significantly higher adjusted odds ratios for hospitalisation (B.1.1.7/SGTF: 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-2.9; B.1.351: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.1-6.2; P.1: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.4-4.8) and B.1.1.7/SGTF and P.1 cases also for intensive care admission (B.1.1.7/SGTF: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.5; P.1: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.7-2.8). ECDC internal funds. The ICSC and the AIID Cohort are supported by Science Foundation Ireland under the Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland COVID-19 Rapid Response Funding Call (Grant number: COVID-RRC 20/COV/0103 and COVID-RRC 20/COV/0305). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

BackgroundDissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare institutions affects both patients and health-care workers (HCW), as well as the institutional capacity to provide essential health services.MethodsWe conducted an investigation of a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases detected in a “non-COVID-19” hospital ward during Summer 2020. The magnitude of the nosocomial outbreak was disclosed by massive testing, challenging the retrospective reconstruction of the introduction and transmission events. An in-depth contact tracing investigation was carried out to identify the contacts network during the 15-day period before the screening. In parallel, positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA samples were subjected to virus genome sequencing.ResultsOf the 245 tested individuals, 48 (21 patients and 27 HCWs) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. HCWs were mostly asymptomatic, but the mortality among the vulnerable patient group reached 57.1% (12/21). Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that all cases were part of the same transmission chain, thus confirming a single origin behind this nosocomial outbreak. By combining vast epidemiological and genomic data, including analysis of emerging minor variants, we unveiled a scenario of silent SARS-CoV-2 dissemination within the hospital ward, mostly driven by the close contact within the HCWs group and between HCWs and patients. This investigation triggered enhanced prevention and control measures, leading to a more timely detection and containment of novel nosocomial outbreaks.ConclusionsThe present study shows the benefit of combining genomic and epidemiological data for the investigation of complex nosocomial outbreaks, and provides valuable data to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities.Short summarySARS-CoV-2 nosocomial outbreaks are of utmost public health concern. Here, we performed an in-depth investigation of a high-fatality rate nosocomial outbreak by combining vast genomic and epidemiological data, providing valuable information to understand cryptic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within healthcare institutions.

Likely as in other viral respiratory diseases, SARS-CoV-2 elicit a local immune response, which includes production and releasing of both cytokines and secretory immunoglobulin (SIgA). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the levels of specific-SIgA for SARS-CoV-2 and cytokines in the airways mucosa 37 patients who were suspected of COVID-19. According to the RT-PCR results, the patients were separated into three groups: negative for COVID-19 and other viruses (NEGS, n = 5); negative for COVID-19 but positive for the presence of other viruses (OTHERS, n = 5); and the positive for COVID-19 (COVID-19, n = 27). Higher specific-SIgA for SARS-CoV-2, IFN-β, and IFN-γ were found in the COVID-19 group than in the other groups. Increased IL-12p70 levels were observed in OTHERS group as compared to COVID-19 group. When the COVID-19 group was sub stratified according to the illness severity, significant differences and correlations were found for the same parameters described above comparing severe COVID-19 to the mild COVID-19 group and other non-COVID-19 groups. For the first time, significant differences are shown in the airway's mucosa immune responses in different groups of patients with or without respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Clinical strategies focusing on pathogen elimination are expected in an infectious-disease outbreak, such as the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to avoid organ dysfunction. However, understanding the host response to viral infection is crucial to develop an effective treatment to optimize the patient’s conditions. The pathogenic viruses can promote metabolic changes during viral infection, favoring its survival, altering cell phenotype and function, and causing sustained inflammation and tissue injury. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19, provokes systemic and cell metabolic changes and possibly altering lipid and glucose metabolism. Besides severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS-CoV-2 can cause acute kidney injury, which has been associated with the severity of the disease. Although it is not clear the mechanisms whereby SARS-CoV-2 induces kidney dysfunction, it is known that the virus presents kidney tropism, namely, podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells. Changes in renal cell metabolism and systemic metabolic disorders are important events in kidney injury progression. Here, we explored the metabolism and its interface with SARS-CoV-2 infection and raised the perspective on metabolism disturbances as a critical event to kidney dysfunction in COVID-19.

We aimed to describe, for the first time, the prescribing patterns among patients on persistent respiratory treatment, from the Portuguese electronic prescription and dispensing database. This was a one-year retrospective population-based analysis of prescriptions (n = 39810) for medication for respiratory disease and exacerbations. Cluster analysis was applied based on medication and prescribers' specialty. Prescribing patterns were grouped and labelled as: possible medication for asthma and allergic rhinitis (General Practitioners-GPs and allergists to younger patients); COPD (GPs and pulmonologists to older patients); asthma or Asthma-COPD Overlap (GPs and pulmonologists); exacerbation, infection and relievers. This analysis was an important first step to understand the Portuguese reality on the treatment of respiratory diseases. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Objetivo: descrever as evidências científicas acerca da utilização da posição prona na assistência ao paciente com insuficiência respiratória aguda provocada por COVID-19. Método: trata-se de uma scoping review. O instrumento PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews foi utilizado para a redação do estudo. As buscas foram realizadas em sete bases de dados, resultando em 2.441 estudos dos quais 12 compõem a amostra. Uma análise descritiva dos dados foi realizada empregando frequências relativas e absolutas. Resultados: a utilização da posição prona ocorreu principalmente em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, com duração mínima de 12 a 16 horas, e teve como fundamentos de indicação critérios específicos, tais como a relação PaO2/FiO2, a saturação de oxigênio e a frequência respiratória. As complicações mais prevalentes da sua utilização foram: extubação acidental, lesão por pressão e edema facial. Identificou-se a redução da hipoxemia e da mortalidade como principais desfechos evidenciados na amostra. Conclusão: os desfechos positivos sobressaíram-se face às complicações. São necessários vários ciclos de pronação do paciente, fator causador de possível sobrecarga de trabalho da equipe de saúde. Portanto, são importantes um adequado dimensionamento dos profissionais, uma equipe treinada e protocolos institucionais específicos a fim de se garantir a segurança do paciente nesse contexto. Objetivo: describir las evidencias científicas acerca de la utilización de la posición prona en la atención al paciente con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda provocada por COVID-19. Método: se trata de una revisión de escopo. El instrumento PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews fue utilizado para la redacción del estudio. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en siete bases de datos, resultando en 2.441 estudios de los cuales 12 integran la muestra. Un análisis descriptivo de los datos fue desarrollado empleando frecuencias relativas y absolutas. Resultados: la utilización de la posición prona ocurrió principalmente en Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, con duración mínima de 12 a 16 horas, y tuvo como fundamentos de indicación criterios específicos, tales como la relación PaO2/FiO2, la saturación de oxígeno y la frecuencia respiratoria. Las complicaciones más frecuentes de su uso fueron: desintubación accidental, lesión por presión y edema facial. Se identificó la reducción de la hipoxemia y de la mortalidad como principales resultados evidenciados en la muestra. Conclusión: los resultados positivos se destacaran ante las complicaciones. Son necesarios varios ciclos de pronación del paciente, factor causante de una posible sobrecarga de trabajo del equipo de salud. Por lo tanto, son importantes un adecuado dimensionamiento de los profesionales, un equipo capacitado y protocolos institucionales específicos a fin de garantizar la seguridad del paciente en ese contexto. Objective: to describe scientific evidence regarding the use of prone positioning in the care provided to patients with acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19. Method: this is a scoping review. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews was used to support the writing of this study. The search was conducted in seven databases and resulted in 2,441 studies, 12 of which compose the sample. Descriptive statistics, such as relative and absolute frequencies, was used to analyze data. Results: prone positioning was mainly adopted in Intensive Care Units, lasted from a minimum of 12 up to 16 hours, and its prescription was based on specific criteria, such as PaO2/FiO2 ratio, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. The most prevalent complications were: accidental extubation, pressure ulcer, and facial edema. Decreased hypoxemia and mortality rates were the main outcomes reported. Conclusion: positive outcomes outweighed complications. Various cycles of prone positioning are needed, which may cause potential work overload for the health staff. Therefore, an appropriate number of trained workers is necessary, in addition to specific institutional protocols to ensure patient safety in this context.

Mycobacterium pinnipedii , the known causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) in marine mammals, was only recognised as a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in 2003 [1] and is believed to cause TB in several species, including non-marine mammals [2, 3] and even humans [4]. The assumption of zoonotic transmission has been strongly reinforced by a disruptive study published in 2014 by an archaeologists team from Tubingen [5]. Based on archaeological and genomic investigations on millennial human skeletons, the authors implicated sea mammals infected with M. pinnipedii as a source of New World human TB. Considering that this phenomenon dates several centuries before the human migrations to South America, they refuted the previous scientific hypothesis of tuberculosis driven by human contact [6]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Macedo has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Isidro has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Gomes has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Botelho has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Albuquerque has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Sogorb has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Bernardino has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Fernandes has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Mourato has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Durval has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Gomes has nothing to disclose.

Importance: A 4-component meningococcus group B vaccine (4CMenB) is the only vaccine in use to prevent group B invasive meningococcal disease in young children, but no matched controlled studies have evaluated it. Objective: To determine the association between receipt of 4CMenB and invasive group B meningococcal disease. Design, setting, and participants: Matched incidence density case-control study. Patients presenting from October 2014 to March 2019 were ascertained, with follow-up until death or discharge (last follow-up in June 2019) in 31 pediatric services in Portugal. Children and adolescent residents in Portugal with laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease were included. Controls, usually 2 per case, with unrelated conditions who were at the same hospital at the same time were matched for sex, age, and residence. Exposures: Immunization with 4CMenB, ascertained from the national database (2-4 doses are recommended, depending on age). Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was group B invasive meningococcal disease in fully vaccinated cases compared with controls. The secondary outcomes were all serogroup invasive meningococcal disease in fully vaccinated cases compared with controls and group B and all serogroup invasive meningococcal disease in cases compared with controls who received at least 1 vaccine dose. Results: Of 117 patients with invasive meningococcal disease, 98 were eligible for inclusion and 82 had group B invasive meningococcal disease; 69 were old enough to have been fully vaccinated and considered protected. Among these 69 cases, the median (interquartile range) age was 24 (4.5-196) months, 42 were male, and the median (interquartile range) duration of hospitalization was 8 (0-86) days. Five of 69 cases (7.2%) and 33 of 142 controls (23.1%) were fully vaccinated (difference, -16.0% [95% CI, -26.3% to -5.7%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.21 [95% CI, 0.08-0.55]). For all serogroup invasive meningococcal disease, 6 of 85 cases (7.1%) and 39 of 175 controls (22.3%) were fully vaccinated (difference, -15.2% [95% CI, -24.3% to -6.1%]; OR, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.09-0.53]). For group B disease, 8 of 82 cases (9.8%) and 50 of 168 controls (29.8%) received at least 1 vaccine dose (difference, -20.0% [95% CI, -30.3% to -9.7%]; OR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.08-0.44]) and for all serogroup invasive meningococcal disease, 11 of 98 cases (11.2%) and 61 of 201 controls (30.3%) received at least 1 vaccine dose (difference, -19.1% [95% CI, -28.8% to -9.5%]; OR, 0.23 [95% CI, 0.11-0.49]). Conclusions and relevance: During the first 5 years of vaccine availability in Portugal, vaccination with 4CMenB was less likely among children who developed invasive meningococcal disease compared with matched controls without invasive meningococcal disease. These findings may help inform the use of the 4CMenB vaccine in clinical practice. Trial registration: ISRCTN Identifier: ISRCTN10901628. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of dental treatment in improving oral health in critical patients. Methods This randomised clinical trial was conducted in a general intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care public facility from 1 January 2011 to 8 August 2013. Data from 254 adult patients staying in the ICU for 48 hours or more were analysed. The experimental group (n = 127) had access to dental treatment provided by a dentist four to five times a week, in addition to routine oral hygiene, whereas the control group (n = 127) had access only to routine oral hygiene, including topical application of chlorhexidine, provided by the ICU nursing staff. The baseline oral health status of the enrolled patients was poor and included edentulism, caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and residual roots. Dental treatment consisted of toothbrushing, tongue scraping, removal of calculus, scaling and root planing, caries restoration and tooth extraction. Results The Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) and Gingival Index (GI) scores decreased in the experimental group but did not change significantly in the control group during the ICU stay. Dental treatment prevented most of the episodes of respiratory tract infections, as previously reported. No severe adverse events from the dental treatment were observed. Conclusion From an interprofessional perspective, our results support the idea of including dentists in the ICU team to improve oral health in critical patients and effectively prevent respiratory tract infections, in addition to the improvement achievable by applying chlorhexidine alone.

Coronavirus disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is mainly transmitted through droplets, but other ways of transmission have been hypothesized. We report a case of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a preterm born to an infected mother, confirmed by the presence of the virus in the neonatal blood, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected in the first half an hour of life. The neonate presented with acute respiratory distress, similar to the findings in severely affected adults. This case highlights the importance of pregnancy, labor and neonatal period surveillance of affected mothers and their newborns. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease (COVD-19) outbreak has overburdened the surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs), including the laboratory network. This study was aimed at correcting the absence of laboratory results of reported SARI deaths. METHODS: The imputation method was applied for SARI deaths without laboratory information using clinico-epidemiological characteristics. RESULTS: Of 84,449 SARI deaths, 51% were confirmed with COVID-19 while 3% with other viral respiratory diseases. After the imputation method, 95% of deaths were reclassified as COVID-19 while 5% as other viral respiratory diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The imputation method was a useful and robust solution (sensitivity and positive predictive value of 98%) for missing values through clinical & epidemiological characteristics.

Environmental air pollution is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Environmental air pollution has a direct impact on human health, being responsible for an increase in the incidence of and number of deaths due to cardiopulmonary, neoplastic, and metabolic diseases; it also contributes to global warming and the consequent climate change associated with extreme events and environmental imbalances. In this review, we present articles that show the impact that exposure to different sources and types of air pollutants has on the respiratory system; we present the acute effects—such as increases in symptoms and in the number of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths—and the chronic effects—such as increases in the incidence of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer, as well as a rapid decline in lung function. The effects of air pollution in more susceptible populations and the effects associated with physical exercise in polluted environments are also presented and discussed. Finally, we present the major studies on the subject conducted in Brazil. Health care and disease prevention services should be aware of this important risk factor in order to counsel more susceptible individuals about protective measures that can facilitate their treatment, as well as promoting the adoption of environmental measures that contribute to the reduction of such emissions. RESUMO A poluição do ar ambiental é um dos principais fatores de risco de morbidade e mortalidade global. Ela tem impacto direto na saúde humana, sendo responsável pelo aumento de incidência e de óbitos por doenças cardiorrespiratórias, neoplásicas e metabólicas; também contribui para o aquecimento global e para as consequentes alterações do clima associadas a eventos extremos e aos desequilíbrios ambientais. Nesta revisão, apresentamos artigos que evidenciam o impacto da exposição a diferentes fontes e tipos de poluentes do ar no sistema respiratório; apresentamos os efeitos agudos — como aumento de sintomas e no número de atendimentos em serviços de emergência, internações e óbitos — e crônicos — como o aumento da incidência de asma, DPOC e câncer de pulmão, assim como o declínio acelerado da função pulmonar. Também são apresentados e discutidos os efeitos da poluição atmosférica em populações mais suscetíveis e dos efeitos associados à realização de exercícios físicos em ambientes poluídos. Por fim, apresentamos os principais estudos brasileiros sobre o assunto. Os serviços de atenção à saúde e de prevenção de doenças devem ficar atentos a esse importante fator de risco para orientar indivíduos mais suscetíveis sobre medidas de proteção que possam facilitar seu tratamento, além de estimular a adoção de medidas ambientais que contribuam para a redução dessas emissões.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of mucosal bacterial vaccines (MBV) in reducing the number of exacerbations in patients with chronic respiratory disease. METHODS A prospective cohort study of patients followed at the Pneumology Unit of the University and Hospital Centre of Coimbra, with frequent infectious exacerbations (3 or more) despite the best therapeutic strategies employed. MBV was used as additional therapy. The number of exacerbations 1 year before therapy and 1 year after it were analyzed. RESULTS A sample of 11 individuals, 45.5% male, mean age 62.5 years. Eight patients had non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, 2 COPD (1 on long-term oxygen therapy), and 1 patient with Mounier Kuhn’s syndrome. Three patients were on azithromycin, 1 on inhaled colistin, and 2 on inhaled tobramycin. Out of the 11 patients, one presented complication (fever), which led to a suspension of therapy (excluded from results). Of the 10 patients who completed treatment, 5 had bacterial colonization and were submitted to a custom vaccine. The remaining 6 completed the standard composition. The average of infectious exacerbations in the previous year was 4.3 (0.7 with hospitalization). In the year after therapy, the mean number was 1.5 (0.5 with hospitalization). CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study favor the use of bacterial immunostimulation to reduce the frequency of RRIs in patients with chronic respiratory disease. RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar a eficácia de vacinas bacterianas de mucosa (MBV) na redução do número de exacerbações de pacientes com doença respiratória crônica. MÉTODOS Um estudo de coorte prospectivo incluindo pacientes da Unidade de Pneumologia da Universidade e Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra, com exacerbações infecciosas frequentes (3 ou mais), apesar do uso das melhores estratégias terapêuticas. MBVs foram usadas como terapia adicional. O número de exacerbações 1 ano antes da terapia e 1 ano após ela foram analisados. RESULTADOS Amostra incluiu 11 indivíduos, 45,5% do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 62,5 anos. Oito pacientes apresentaram bronquiectasia não relacionada à fibrose cística, 2 DPOC (1 em oxigenoterapia prolongada) e 1 paciente com síndrome de Mounier-Kuhn. Três pacientes estavam sendo medicados com azitromicina, 1 com colistina inalada e 2 com tobramicina inalada. Dos 11 pacientes, um apresentou complicação (febre), o que levou à suspensão da terapia (excluído dos resultados). Dos 10 pacientes que completaram o tratamento, 5 apresentaram colonização bacteriana e receberam uma vacina personalizada. Os 6 restantes foram tratados com a composição padrão. A média de exacerbações infecciosas no ano anterior foi de 4,3 (0,7 com hospitalização). No ano após a terapia, o número médio foi de 1,5 (0,5 com hospitalização). CONCLUSÃO Os resultados obtidos neste estudo favorecem o uso de imunoestimulação bacteriana para reduzir a frequência de infecções respiratórias recorrentes em pacientes com doença respiratória crônica.

Introduction: Tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the standard test for screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection for decades. Identifying persons with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is crucial, as they constitute a reservoir that sustains the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. However, different factors, such as HIV infection, can lower the sensitivity of the test. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the TST sensitivity in active TB patients and to ascertain risk factors that could be associated with false-negative results. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all active TB notifications with a TST result (n = 8833), from 2008 to 2015. TST results were interpreted using a 5 mm and 10 mm cutoff. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and clinical factors with false-negative TST results and to develop predictive risk models. Results: TST presented an overall sensitivity of 63.8% (5 mm) and 56.1% (10 mm). HIV infection was the risk factor with the strongest association with false-negative results (aOR 4.65-5 mm; aOR 5.05-10 mm). Other factors such as chronic renal failure (CRF) (aOR 1.55-5 mm; aOR 1.73-10 mm), alcohol abuse (aOR 1.52-5 mm; aOR 1.31-10 mm), drug abuse (aOR 1.90-5 mm; aOR 1.76-10 mm) or age ≥65 years (OR 1.69-5 mm and 10 mm) were also associated with a probability of false-negative results. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of knowing which factors influence TST results, such as HIV status, substance abuse or age, thus improving its usefulness as a screening method for LTBI. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Grant/Award Number: PTDC/SAUPUB/31346/2017 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses co-circulated in Europe in 2017-18, predominated by influenza B. WHO-recommended, trivalent vaccine components were lineage-mismatched for B. The I-MOVE hospital network measured 2017-18 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against influenza A(H3N2) and B among hospitalised patients (≥65 years) in Europe. Following the same generic protocol for test-negative design, hospital teams in nine countries swabbed patients ≥65 years with recent onset (≤7 days) severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), collecting information on demographics, vaccination status and underlying conditions. Cases were RT-PCR positive for influenza A(H3N2) or B; controls: negative for any influenza. "Vaccinated" patients had SARI onset >14 days after vaccination. We measured pooled IVE against influenza, adjusted for study site, age, sex, onset date and chronic conditions. We included 3483 patients: 376 influenza A(H3N2) and 928 B cases, and 2028 controls. Most (>99%) vaccinated patients received the B lineage-mismatched trivalent vaccine. IVE against influenza A(H3N2) was 24% (95% CI: 2 to 40); 35% (95% CI: 6 to 55) in 65- to 79-year-olds and 14% (95% CI: -22 to 39) in ≥80-year-olds. Against influenza B, IVE was 30% (95% CI: 16 to 41); 37% (95% CI: 19 to 51) in 65- to 79-year-olds and 19% (95% CI: -7 to 38) in ≥80-year-olds. IVE against influenza B was similar to A(H3N2) in hospitalised older adults, despite trivalent vaccine and circulating B lineage mismatch, suggesting some cross-protection. IVE was lower in those ≥80 than 65-79 years. We reinforce the importance of influenza vaccination in older adults as, even with a poorly matched vaccine, it still protects one in three to four of this population from severe influenza. This study received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 634446. The I‐MOVE study team is very grateful to all patients, hospital teams, laboratory teams and regional epidemiologists who have contributed to the studies. Sí

It is estimated over 600 million pharyngotonsillitis (PT) cases worldwide per year and 30% of this total are caused by Streptococcus pyogenes with standard antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) has been studied for the clinical research in infectious diseases. The study aim was to analyze the evolution of aPDT on inactivation of clinical strains of multiple cycles. S. pyogenes and clinical strains isolated from patients with PT were incubated with curcumin in formulation (2.25 mg/ml) and irradiated at 450 nm in Light fluence rates. A mortality was a measure of the counting colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) surviving. Parameters of bacterial biofilm formation, uptake of photosensitizer (PS) and efficacy of antibiotics on survival of bacteria of each cycle were tested. The bacteria profile remains unchanged between 10 aPDT cycles was observed. The bacterial colony survival presented a reduction in capacity to form biofilm due adhesion of strains and PS uptake rate. The antibiotic remained efficient after aPDT cycles. Our in vitro results suggested a low-level of development of PDT resistance, however a decrease of photosensitizer uptake was observed. Furthermore, there is no cross effect on aPDT cycles and the first application of antibiotics.

Introduction: Information on host factors that contribute to false negative and indeterminate results in interferon‐γ release assays (IGRA) are critical to improve the usefulness of these tests in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) epidemics. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the sensitivity of an IGRA and the tuberculin skin test (TST), independently and as a combined approach, in patients with TB and to identify risk factors associated with false negative and indeterminate IGRA results. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all active TB notifications with an IGRA result (n = 1230), from 2008 to 2015. 68.0 % (n = 727) of these patients had a TST result interpreted using a 5 mm (TST-5 mm) and 10 mm (TST-10 mm) cutoff. Sensitivity was determined for both tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and clinical factors to the risk of false negative or indeterminate IGRA results. Results: IGRA, TST-5 mm and TST-10 mm were positive in 82.4 %, 84.5 % and 78.4 % of the patients that performed both tests. When used combined, IGRA/TST-5 mm sensitivity was 91.7 % and IGRA/TST-10 mm sensitivity was 90.6 %. Age≥65 years, alcohol abuse and pulmonary TB were predictive factors for indeterminate results. Inflammatory diseases and pulmonary TB were statistically associated with false negative IGRA results. Conclusion: Inflammatory diseases and pulmonary TB were identified as factors for false negative IGRA results. Our results indicate that the use of both tests in a combined approach, especially in specific risk groups of the population, could increase the sensitivity of the screening process and accelerate the achievement of the WHO End TB Strategy goals. publishersversion published

© 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/)., Introduction: Hospitalizations due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in mainland Portugal from 2000 to 2009 accounted for 3.7% of all hospital admissions in population with 18 or more years of age. There is no direct cost data regarding these admissions. Methods: In this observational descriptive study all adult hospitalizations associated with CAP diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed for the period between 2000 and 2009. Patients under 18 years old, those with pneumonia as secondary diagnosis, patients with tuberculous or obstructive pneumonia, and immunocompromised patients were excluded from the study. The direct cost of hospitalization was calculated according to the diagnosis-related groups (DRG), established for the respective year of hospitalization. Results: There were 294,026 hospital admissions with an average annual direct cost of 80 million Euros, which almost doubled between 2000 and 2009. The average direct hospitalization costs per admission, including wards and Intensive Care Units (ICU), amounted to €2,707, with an increasing trend. The average hospitalization cost was €2,515 for admissions resulting in live discharge, and €3,457 for the deceased. Conclusion: The average direct cost of adult hospitalizations associated with CAP amounted to €2,707 in mainland Portugal from 2000 to 2009, showing an increase of 37.5% in hospitalization cost of living and deceased patients. The economic impact of CAP-related hospital admissions justifies the need for better implementation of preventive measures.

Objective: To characterize variables associated with referral to the emergency department following Telemedicine consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional retrospective study conducted between March and May 2020, with a sample of 500 adult patients. The inclusion criterion was the manifestation of respiratory symptoms, regardless of type. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.7±10.5 years, and 59% were women. Most patients (62.6%) perceived their own health status as malaise and some (41.4%) self-diagnosed COVID-19. Cough (74.4%), rhinorrhea (65.6%), sore throat (38.6%) and sneezing (20.6%) were the most common infection-related symptoms. Overall, 29.4% and 16% of patients reported dyspnea and chest pain, respectively. The Roth score was calculated for a sizeable number of patients (67.6%) and was normal, moderately altered or severely altered in 83.5%, 10.7% and 5.6% of patients, respectively. The percentage of suspected COVID-19 cases was 67.6%. Of these, 75% were managed remotely and only one quarter referred for emergency assessment. Conclusion: Telemedicine assessment is associated with reclassification of patient's subjective impression, better inspection of coronavirus disease 2019 and identification of risk patients. Referral is therefore optimized to avoid inappropriate in-person assessment, and low-risk patients can be properly guided. Telemedicine should be implemented in the health care system as a cost-effective strategy for initial assessment of acute patients.

Background Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses were co-circulating in Europe between September 2019 and January 2020. Aim To provide interim 2019/20 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates from six European studies, covering 10 countries and both primary care and hospital settings. Methods All studies used the test-negative design, although there were some differences in other study characteristics, e.g. patient selection, data sources, case definitions and included age groups. Overall and influenza (sub)type-specific VE was estimated for each study using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results There were 31,537 patients recruited across the six studies, of which 5,300 (17%) were cases with 5,310 infections. Most of these (4,466; 84%) were influenza A. The VE point estimates for all ages were 29% to 61% against any influenza in the primary care setting and 35% to 60% in hospitalised older adults (aged 65 years and over). The VE point estimates against A(H1N1)pdm09 (all ages, both settings) was 48% to 75%, and against A(H3N2) ranged from −58% to 57% (primary care) and −16% to 60% (hospital). Against influenza B, VE for all ages was 62% to 83% (primary care only). Conclusions Influenza vaccination is of continued benefit during the ongoing 2019/20 influenza season. Robust end-of-season VE estimates and genetic virus characterisation results may help understand the variability in influenza (sub)type-specific results across studies.

A new era of flu surveillance has already started based on the genetic characterization and exploration of influenza virus evolution at whole-genome scale. Although this has been prioritized by national and international health authorities, the demanded technological transition to whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based flu surveillance has been particularly delayed by the lack of bioinformatics infrastructures and/or expertise to deal with primary next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Here, we launch INSaFLU (“INSide the FLU”), which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first influenza-specific bioinformatics free web-based suite that deals with primary data (reads) towards the automatic generation of the output data that are actually the core first-line “genetic requests” for effective and timely influenza laboratory surveillance (e.g., type and sub-type, gene and whole-genome consensus sequences, variants’ annotation, alignments and phylogenetic trees). By handling NGS data collected from any amplicon-based schema, the implemented pipeline enables any laboratory to perform advanced, multi-step software intensive analyses in a user-friendly manner without previous training in bioinformatics. INSaFLU gives access to user-restricted sample databases and projects’ management, being a transparent and highly flexible tool specifically designed to automatically update project outputs as more samples are uploaded. Data integration is thus completely cumulative and scalable, fitting the need for a continuous epidemiological surveillance during the flu epidemics. Multiple outputs are provided in nomenclature-stable and standardized formats that can be explored in situ or through multiple compatible downstream applications for fine-tune data analysis. This platform additionally flags samples as “putative mixed infections” if the population admixture enrolls influenza viruses with clearly distinct genetic backgrounds, and enriches the traditional “consensus-based” influenza genetic characterization with relevant data on influenza sub-population diversification through a depth analysis of intra-patient minor variants. This dual approach is expected to strengthen our ability not only to detect the emergence of antigenic and drug resistance variants, but also to decode alternative pathways of influenza evolution and to unveil intricate routes of transmission. In summary, INSaFLU supplies public health laboratories and influenza researchers with an open “one size fits all” framework, potentiating the operationalization of a harmonized multi-country WGS-based surveillance for influenza virus.INSaFLU can be accessed through https://insaflu.insa.pt (see homepage view in Figure 1).

This study examined the effect of a 4-week intensified training (IT) period, followed by a 2-week tapering period (TP), on salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA), salivary cortisol, and the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in 23 rhythmic gymnasts [12.1 (2.6) y; 143.9 (13.7) cm; 37.2 (9.4) kg]. Saliva sampling was conducted at pre- and post-IT, and post-TP (analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21) questionnaire was completed daily to analyze the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. The session rating of the perceived exertion was used to determine the internal training load and the acute:chronic workload ratio. A higher SIgA concentration [SIgAabs (μg/mL); F = 7.6; P = .001] for post-IT [234 (104)] versus pre-IT [173 (91)], and post-TP [182 (70)], and a higher SIgA secretion rate [SIgArate (μg/min); F = 3.4; P = .04] for post-IT [69 (28)] versus pre-IT [55 (27)], and post-TP [58 (22)] were observed. No significant change was observed for cortisol (F = 0.81; P = .45) or for the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (χ2 = 2.81; P = .24). Internal training load was higher during IT (vs TP; effect size = 2.37). The acute:chronic workload for the IT weeks varied from 1.2 (0.3) to 1.4 (0.3). These results suggest that a 4-week IT may temporarily augment the oral mucosal immunity, and an acute:chronic workload of 1.2–1.4 seems to be a safe approach to periodized training loads in youth rhythmic gymnasts.

Highlights • An etiological agent was found in 60% of the acute respiratory infections. • Human metapneumovirus showed an association with severe infection. • The importance of atypical bacteria in severe cases, in particular L. pneumophila. • The low effectiveness of the influenza vaccine., Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology and clinical consequences of viral respiratory infections in 18 elderly care centers (ECC) in Lisbon, which housed a total of 1022 residents. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected whenever an elderly had symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI). PCR and RT-PCR were performed for influenza A/B, human parainfluenza virus 1–4, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, enterovirus, human coronavirus and human Bocavirus (HBoV). Array cards for atypical bacteria were also used in severe cases. Results In total, 188 episodes of ARI were reported, being rhinovirus the most frequently detected (n = 53), followed by influenza A(H3) (n = 19) and HBoV (n = 14). Severe infections were reported in 19 patients, 11 of which were fatal, Legionela pneumophila, rhinovirus, HMPV and RSV associated with these fatalities. Nine influenza strains were analyzed, all antigenically dissimilar from vaccine strain 2013/14. “Age”, “HMPV” and “Respiratory disease” showed an association with severe infection. Conclusions In this study an etiologic agent could be found in 60% of the acute respiratory episodes. These data provides information about the circulating viruses in ECC and highlights the importance of searching both viruses and atypical bacteria in severe ARI.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has become a recognizable complication in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Alveolar damage in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) appears to be the culprit in facilitating fungal invasion in COVID-19 patients, leading to a COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) phenomenon. From November 2020 to 15 February 2021, 248 COVID-19 patients were admitted to our ICUs, of whom ten patients (4% incidence) were classified as either probable (six) or possible (four) CAPA cases. Seven patients had positive cultural results: Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto (five), A. terreus sensu stricto (one), and A. welwitschiae (one). Five patients had positive bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and galactomannan (GM), and two patients had both positive cultural and GM criteria. All but two patients received voriconazole. Mortality rate was 30%. Strict interpretation of classic IPA definition would have resulted in eight overlooked CAPA cases. Broader diagnostic criteria are essential in this context, even though differentiation between Aspergillus colonization and invasive disease might be more challenging. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of CAPA in view of its potential detrimental outcome, emphasizing the relevance of a low threshold for screening and early antifungal treatment in ARDS patients. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Adenoids play a key role in both respiratory and ear infection in children. It has also been shown that adenoidectomy improves these symptoms in this population. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate adenoid bacterial colonization and document a possible relation with infectious respiratory disease. A prospective observational study was designed to evaluate the proposed hypothesis in a paediatric population submitted to adenoidectomy by either infectious or non-infectious indications and compare these two cohorts. A total of 62 patients with ages ranging from 1 to 12 years old were enrolled in the study. Adenoid surface, adenoid core and middle meatus microbiota were compared. A close association between adenoid colonization and nasal infection was found, supporting that adenoids may function as bacterial reservoir for upper airway infection. The obtained results also contribute to explain the success of adenoidectomy in patients with infectious indications. Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (Grant 2015DDI1143) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background Morbidity, severity, and mortality associated with annual influenza epidemics are of public health concern. We analyzed surveillance data on hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza cases admitted to intensive care units to identify common determinants for fatal outcome and inform and target public health prevention strategies, including risk communication. Methods We performed a descriptive analysis and used Poisson regression models with robust variance to estimate the association of age, sex, virus (sub)type, and underlying medical condition with fatal outcome using European Union data from 2009 to 2017. Results Of 13 368 cases included in the basic dataset, 2806 (21%) were fatal. Age ≥40 years and infection with influenza A virus were associated with fatal outcome. Of 5886 cases with known underlying medical conditions and virus A subtype included in a more detailed analysis, 1349 (23%) were fatal. Influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09 or A(H3N2) infection, age ≥60 years, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus infection and/or other immune deficiency, and heart, kidney, and liver disease were associated with fatal outcome; the risk of death was lower for patients with chronic lung disease and for pregnant women. Conclusions This study re-emphasises the importance of preventing influenza in the elderly and tailoring strategies to risk groups with underlying medical conditions.

Objective: to evaluate the accuracy and to determine the prevalence of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis Impaired gas exchange in children with respiratory diseases. Methods: cross-sectional study carried out with 236 children who were in the initial 48 hours of hospital admission. A questionnaire was used with sociodemographic data and physical examination of the respiratory system to identify the defining characteristics of the studied diagnosis. For the analysis of the accuracy,the sensitivity and specificity measures were calculated. Results: the diagnosis Impaired gas exchange was present in 21.6% of the sample and the most prevalent defining characteristics were dyspnea and tachycardia. Regarding the accuracy measures, the characteristics that presented high sensitivity values were dyspnea and abnormal respiratory pattern, while cyanosis, hypoxemia, and restlessness obtained high values of specificity. Conclusion: the characteristics that stood out both for the accuracy measures and for the prevalence were dyspnea and abnormal respiratory pattern. Objetivo: avaliar a acurácia e determinar a prevalência das características definidoras do diagnóstico de enfermagem Troca de gases prejudicada em crianças com doenças respiratórias. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com 236 crianças que estavam nas 48 horas iniciais de internação hospitalar. Utilizou-se questionário com dados sociodemográficos e exame físico do sistema respiratório para identificação das características definidoras do diagnóstico estudado. Para análise da acurácia foram calculadas as medidas de sensibilidade e especificidade. Resultados: o diagnóstico Troca de gases prejudicada esteve presente em 21,6% da amostra e as características definidoras mais prevalentes foram Dispneia e Taquicardia. No que se refere às medidas de acurácia, as características que apresentaram altos valores de sensibilidade foram Dispneia e Padrão Respiratório anormal, enquanto Cianose, Hipoxemia e Inquietação obtiveram elevados valores de especificidade. Conclusão: as características que se destacaram tanto pelas medidas de acurácia quanto pela prevalência foram Dispneia e Padrão respiratório anormal.

Background The total incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Europe has been declining in recent years; however, a rising incidence due to serogroup W (MenW), predominantly sequence type 11 (ST-11), clonal complex 11 (cc11), was reported in some European countries. Aim The aim of this study was to compile the most recent laboratory surveillance data on MenW IMD from several European countries to assess recent trends in Europe. Methods In this observational, retrospective study, IMD surveillance data collected from 2013–17 by national reference laboratories and surveillance units from 13 European countries were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results The overall incidence of IMD has been stable during the study period. Incidence of MenW IMD per 100,000 population (2013: 0.03; 2014: 0.05; 2015: 0.08; 2016: 0.11; 2017: 0.11) and the proportion of this serogroup among all invasive cases (2013: 5% (116/2,216); 2014: 9% (161/1,761); 2015: 13% (271/2,074); 2016: 17% (388/2,222); 2017: 19% (393/2,112)) continuously increased. The most affected countries were England, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. MenW was more frequent in older age groups (≥ 45 years), while the proportion in children ( Conclusion During the years 2013–17, an increase in MenW IMD, mainly caused by MenW cc11, was observed in the majority of European countries. Given the unpredictable nature of meningococcal spread and the epidemiological potential of cc11, European countries may consider preventive strategies adapted to their contexts.

Objetivo: Caracterizar a natureza e frequência das infecções pulmonares em pacientes adultos pós-transplantados renais tardios. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de revisão bibliográfica nas seguintes bases de dados eletrônicas: PubMed, Scielo e Web of Science. Os critérios de elegibilidade do estudo foram: artigos publicados entre os anos de 2010 e 2015, nos idiomas inglês, português ou espanhol, do tipo: ensaios clínicos, randomizados ou não, estudos de caso-controle, estudos de coorte e estudos longitudinais em humanos. Foram excluídos os artigos cujos participantes da pesquisa fossem menores de 18 anos de idade, além dos artigos duplicados em mais de uma das bases de dados. As palavras-chave utilizadas e combinadas na pesquisa foram: pneumonia, infecção pulmonar, infecção, transplante renal, hospitalização. Resultados: Os agentes etiológicos mais incidentes são Pneumocystis jirovecii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis e Aspergillus fumigatus. As infecções pulmonares são devidas, em grande número, ao regime imunossupressor, tempo prolongado de hemodiálise, disfunção de enxerto e transmissão inter humana. Frequentemente, essas infecções evoluem com dispneia progressiva e insuficiência respiratória aguda, sendo necessária ventilação mecânica invasiva ou não invasiva. Conclusão: As evidências científicas apontam uma alta prevalência de infecções pulmonares nos pacientes transplantados renais.

Review Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and many fungal species (spp.) are commonly associated with opportunistic infections (OPIs) in immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, occurrence of concomitant infection by NTM (mainly spp. of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus complex) and fungal spp. (mainly, Aspergillus fumigatus, Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans) is very challenging and is associated with poor patient prognosis. The most frequent clinical symptoms for coinfection and infection by single agents (fungi or NTM) are similar. For this reason, the accurate identification of the aetiological agent(s) is crucial to select the best treatment approach. Despite the significance of this topic it has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. This review aims at summarizing case reports and studies on NTM and fungi coinfection during the last 20 years. In addition, it briefly characterizes OPIs and coinfection, describes key features of opportunistic pathogens (e.g., NTM and fungi) and human host predisposing conditions to OPIs onset and outcome. The review could interest a wide spectrum of audiences, including medical doctors and scientists, to improve awareness of these infections, leading to early identification in clinical settings and increasing research in the field. Improved diagnosis and availability of therapeutic options might contribute to improve the prognosis of patients’ survival. This research was funded by Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under contract SK-PT-18-0006 as a part of the Bilateral Cooperation Program (2019-2021), APVV-15-0347,and by the grant VEGA 1/0537/19 from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and the Sport of the Slovak Republic. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

INTRODUCTION: Adenoids are nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue with a relevant role in host defence against infection of upper respiratory tract. Nevertheless, adenoids are also a reservoir of microorganisms that can cause infections of upper respiratory tract and otitis particularly in children. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate and compare the association between biofilm assembly on adenoids and the incidence of recurrent infections in a paediatric population submitted to adenoidectomy by either infectious or non-infectious indication. METHODS: Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess biofilms on adenoid surface; biofilm assembly in vitro was monitored by crystal violet assay; antibiotic susceptibility was assessed following EUCAST guidelines; Hinfluenzae capsular typing was performed by PCR. RESULTS: Biofilms were present in 27.4% of adenoid samples and no statistical difference was found between infectious and non-infectious groups. In vitro, the most clinically relevant bacteria, H.influenzae, S.aureus, S.pyogenes, S.pneumoniae and M.catarrhalis, were mostly moderate biofilm assemblers (71.7%). 55.3% of these bacteria were intermediate/resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics. No association was found between the ability to assemble biofilms in vitro and the presence of biofilms on adenoids nor antibiotic resistance. All H.influenzae were characterized as non-typeable. CONCLUSION: The presence of biofilms on adenoid surface was independent from clinical sample background. Bacterial ability to assemble biofilms in vitro cannot be used to predict biofilm assembly in vivo. The lack of correlation between biofilm formation and infectious respiratory diseases found contributes to question the relevance of biofilms on the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. National Institutes of Health [grant numbers 2015DDI1143, 2015 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o perfil clínico e o tratamento realizado nas crianças da etnia Guarani menores de cinco anos hospitalizadas por infecção respiratória aguda baixa (IRAB), residentes em aldeias nos estados do Rio de Janeiro ao Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos: Das 234 crianças, 23 foram excluídas (dados incompletos), sendo analisadas 211. Os dados foram extraídos dos prontuários por meio de formulário. Com base no registro de sibilância e padrão radiológico, a IRAB foi classificada em: bacteriana, viral e viral-bacteriana. Foi utilizada regressão multinomial para análise bivariada. Resultados: A mediana de idade foi de 11 meses. Do total da amostra, os casos de IRAB foram assim distribuídos: viral (40,8%), bacteriana (35,1%) e viral-bacteriana (24,1%). Verificou-se que 53,1% das hospitalizações não possuíam evidências clínico-radiológico-laboratoriais que as justificassem. Na análise de regressão multinomial, ao comparar a IRAB bacteriana com a viral-bacteriana, a chance de ter tosse foi 3,1 vezes maior na primeira (intervalos de 95% de confiança - IC95% 1,11-8,70) e de ter tiragem 61,0% menor (Odds Ratio - OR 0,39, IC95% 0,16-0,92). Na comparação da IRAB viral com a viral-bacteriana, a chance de ser do sexo masculino foi 2,2 vezes maior na viral (IC95% 1,05-4,69) e de ter taquipneia, 58,0% menor (OR 0,42, IC95% 0,19-0,92) na mesma categoria. Conclusões: Identificou-se maior proporção de processos virais do que processos bacterianos, bem como a presença de infecção viral-bacteriana. A tosse foi um sintoma indicativo de infecção bacteriana, enquanto a tiragem e a taquipneia apontaram infecção viral-bacteriana. Parte da resolubilidade da IRAB não grave ocorreu em âmbito hospitalar; portanto, propõe-se que os serviços priorizem ações que visem à melhoria da assistência à saúde indígena na atenção primária. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical profile and treatment of Brazilian Guarani indigenous children aged less than five years hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), living in villages in the states from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: Of the 234 children, 23 were excluded (incomplete data). The analysis was conducted in 211 children. Data were extracted from charts by a form. Based on record of wheezing and x-ray findings, ALRI was classified as bacterial, viral and viral-bacterial. A bivariate analysis was conducted using multinomial regression. Results: Median age was 11 months. From the total sample, the ALRI cases were classified as viral (40.8%), bacterial (35.1%) and viral-bacterial (24.1%). It was verified that 53.1% of hospitalizations did not have clinical-radiological-laboratorial evidence to justify them. In the multinomial regression analysis, the comparison of bacterial and viral-bacterial showed the likelihood of having a cough was 3.1 times higher in the former (95%CI 1.11-8.70), whereas having chest retractions was 61.0% lower (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.16-0.92). Comparing viral with viral-bacterial, the likelihood of being male was 2.2 times higher in the viral (95%CI 1.05-4.69), and of having tachypnea 58.0% lower (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.19-0.92). Conclusions: Higher proportion of viral processes was identified, as well as viral-bacterial co-infections. Coughing was a symptom indicative of bacterial infection, whereas chest retractions and tachypnea showed viral-bacterial ALRI. Part of the resolution of non-severe ALRI still occurs at hospital level; therefore, we concluded that health services need to implement their programs in order to improve indigenous primary care.

Letters to editor This study aimed to provide early 2017/2018 seasonal IVE using data from the Portuguese influenza surveillance system. This analysis included patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) from primary care and emergency departments swabbed for the detection of influenza using RT-PCR between weeks 38/2017 to 5/2018. We used the test-negative case–control study design, where influenza laboratory confirmed incident ILI patients (Cases) were compared to laboratory influenza negative ILI patients (Controls). IVE analysis was restricted to ILI patients with symptoms compatible with the European Union ILI definition, i.e., with sudden onset of at least one systemic and one respiratory symptom. Chi-square test was used to compare baseline characteristics between Cases and Controls. Crude IVE, design adjusted for calendar time, was estimated using 1-odds ratio (OR) of being vaccinated in Cases vs. Controls and was further adjusted for confounding by age group and presence of chronic condition.A total of 732 ILI patients were reported to the NISS and approximately 74% adhered to the ILI definition. In a season with B/Yamagata dominance and with vaccine lineage mismatch, the 2017/2018 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine conferred moderate protection against medically attended influenza. The use of surveillance data constituted a useful tool to have early in the season IVE estimates. These results assist modifications to health interventions, such as using antiviral treatment in high-risk patients, reinforcement of social eviction and individual hygiene measures to reduce risk of influenza transmission, regardless of the vaccination status. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The formulation of accurate clinical case definitions is an integral part of an effective process of public health surveillance. Although such definitions should, ideally, be based on a standardized and fixed collection of defining criteria, they often require revision to reflect new knowledge of the condition involved and improvements in diagnostic testing. Optimal case definitions also need to have a balance of sensitivity and specificity that reflects their intended use. After the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a technical consultation on global influenza surveillance. This prompted improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of the case definition for influenza - i.e. a respiratory disease that lacks uniquely defining symptomology. The revision process not only modified the definition of influenza-like illness, to include a simplified list of the criteria shown to be most predictive of influenza infection, but also clarified the language used for the definition, to enhance interpretability. To capture severe cases of influenza that required hospitalization, a new case definition was also developed for severe acute respiratory infection in all age groups. The new definitions have been found to capture more cases without compromising specificity. Despite the challenge still posed in the clinical separation of influenza from other respiratory infections, the global use of the new WHO case definitions should help determine global trends in the characteristics and transmission of influenza viruses and the associated disease burden.La formulation de définitions précises de cas cliniques fait partie intégrante d'un processus efficace de surveillance de la santé publique. Alors que ces définitions devraient, dans l'idéal, s'appuyer sur un ensemble standardisé et fixe de critères de définition, elles nécessitent souvent une révision pour tenir compte des nouvelles connaissances relatives à la maladie concernée et des améliorations apportées aux tests diagnostiques. Pour être optimales, les définitions de cas doivent aussi établir un équilibre entre sensibilité et spécificité qui reflète leur utilisation aux fins prévues. À la suite de la pandémie de grippe H1N1 de 2009-2010, l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a lancé une consultation technique sur la surveillance mondiale de la grippe. Cela a conduit à des améliorations concernant la sensibilité et la spécificité de la définition de cas pour la grippe – c'est-à-dire une maladie respiratoire dont seule la symptomatologie reste à définir. Le processus de révision n'a pas seulement modifié la définition du syndrome de type grippal pour inclure une liste simplifiée des critères le mieux à même de prédire une infection grippale, il a également permis de clarifier le langage utilisé dans la définition pour en améliorer l'interprétation. Par ailleurs, afin de tenir compte des cas sévères de grippe qui nécessitaient une hospitalisation, une nouvelle définition de cas a été introduite concernant l'infection aigüe sévère des voies respiratoires dans tous les groupes d'âge. Il a été constaté que les nouvelles définitions reflétaient davantage de cas, sans pour autant compromettre la spécificité. S'il est vrai que la distinction clinique de la grippe des autres infections respiratoires continue de poser problème, l'utilisation mondiale des nouvelles définitions de cas de l'OMS devrait permettre de dégager des tendances mondiales concernant les caractéristiques et la transmission des virus grippaux ainsi que la charge de morbidité qui leur est associée.La elaboración de definiciones precisas de los casos clínicos es una parte fundamental de un proceso efectivo de la vigilancia de la salud pública. Aunque tales definiciones deberían, idealmente, estar basadas en una recopilación estandarizada y fija de criterios de definición, a menudo necesitan una revisión para reflejar el nuevo conocimiento de la enfermedad existente y las mejoras en las pruebas de diagnóstico. Las definiciones óptimas de los casos también deben tener un equilibrio entre sensibilidad y especificidad que refleje su uso previsto. Después de la pandemia de gripe H1N1 en 2009-2010, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) inició una consulta técnica para la vigilancia mundial de la gripe. Esto dio lugar a mejoras en la sensibilidad y la especificidad de las definiciones de los casos de gripe, es decir, una enfermedad respiratoria que carece de una sintomatología definitoria singular. El proceso de revisión no solo modificó la definición de las enfermedades similares a la gripe para incluir una lista simplificada de los criterios que demostraron ser más predictivos de la infección por gripe, sino que también aclaró el lenguaje utilizado para la definición, con el fin de mejorar su interpretación. Para englobar los casos graves de gripe que requirieron hospitalización, también se desarrolló una nueva definición de los casos de la infección respiratoria aguda grave en todos los grupos de edad. Se ha descubierto que las nuevas definiciones engloban más casos sin comprometer la especificidad. A pesar del desafío que todavía plantea la separación clínica de la gripe de otras infecciones respiratorias, el uso global de las nuevas definiciones de los casos de la OMS debería ayudar a determinar las tendencias mundiales en las características y transmisión de los virus de la gripe y la carga de la enfermedad asociada.إن صياغة تعريفات دقيقة للحالات من الناحية العلاجية جزء أساسي من الإجراءات الفعالة لمراقبة الصحة العامة. وبالرغم من أن مثل هذه التعريفات يجب، من الناحية النظرية، أن تقوم على مجموعة منتقاة من المعايير التعريفية الموحدة والثابتة، فغالبًا ما تحتاج تلك التعريفات إلى المراجعة لكي تعكس المعلومات التي تستجد بشأن الحالة المرتبطة بها والتطورات التي تشهدها الاختبارات التشخيصية. وتحتاج أيضًا التعريفات المثالية للحالات إلى الموازنة بين الحساسية والنوعية بما يتفق مع الاستخدام المزمع. وبعد تفشي فيروس الأنفلونزا准确制定临床病例定义是进行有效公共卫生监督进程中的一个组成部分。虽然理论上此类定义应该以标准化和固定收集的定义标准为基础，但是这些定义通常需要进行修订，以反映所涉及的新症状知识，以及诊断测试的进展。最佳病例定义还需要达到反映其预期用途敏感性与特异性的平衡。2009–2010 年 H1N1 流感大流行之后，世界卫生组织发起了一项有关全球流感监测的技术咨询。该咨询提出改进流感定义的敏感性与特异性，即呼吸道疾病缺乏独特定义的症状。修订过程不仅修改流感样疾病定义，以纳入显示最能预测流感病毒感染的简化标准列表，同时明确了定义使用的语言，以增强解释力。为了获取需要住院治疗的严重流感病例，同时为所有年龄段的严重急性呼吸道感染制定了新的病例定义。目前已经发现新定义能够囊括更多案例，并且不会影响特异性。尽管在临床上将流感与其他呼吸道感染区分开来仍然面临挑战，但是统一使用世界卫生组织的新病例定义有助于确定全球流感病毒的特征和传播趋势以及相关的疾病负担。.Формулировка точных определений клинических случаев является неотъемлемой частью эффективного эпиднадзора. Хотя в идеале такие определения должны основываться на стандартизованном и фиксированном наборе определяющих критериев, они часто требуют пересмотра с учетом новых знаний об этих состояниях и улучшениях в диагностическом тестировании. Оптимальные определения случаев также должны иметь баланс чувствительности и специфичности, который отражает их целевое назначение. После пандемии гриппа H1N1 в 2009–2010 годах Всемирная организация здравоохранения (ВОЗ) инициировала техническую консультацию по глобальному эпиднадзору за гриппом. Это привело к улучшению чувствительности и специфичности определения для гриппа, то есть респираторного заболевания, которое не имеет однозначной определяющей симптоматики. Пересмотр привел не только к изменению определения гриппоподобного заболевания, включив в него упрощенный список критериев, показавших, что гриппозная инфекция является наиболее прогностической, но и для улучшения интерпретируемости был сделан более понятным язык, используемый для этого определения. Для выявления тяжелых случаев гриппа, требующих госпитализации, было разработано новое определение для тяжелой острой респираторной инфекции во всех возрастных группах. Было обнаружено, что новые определения охватывают больше случаев без ущерба для специфичности. Несмотря на сложности, которые все еще возникают при дифференциации гриппа от других респираторных инфекций, глобальное использование новых определений ВОЗ должно помочь выявить всеобщие тенденции в характеристиках и передаче вируса гриппа, а также в связанном с ними бремени болезней.

Free PMC Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6086844/ I‐MOVE primary care multicentre case‐control team - Portugal: Baltazar Nunes, Ausenda Machado, Ana Paula Rodrigues, Verónica Gomez (Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge); Raquel Guiomar, Pedro Pechirra, Paula Cristóvão, Patrícia Conde, Inês Costa (Departamento de Doenças Infeciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge) BACKGROUND: Results of previous influenza vaccination effects on current season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To explore previous influenza vaccination effects on current season VE among population targeted for vaccination. METHODS: We used 2011/2012 to 2016/2017 I-MOVE primary care multicentre test-negative data. For each season, we compared current season adjusted VE (aVE) between individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated in previous season. Using unvaccinated in both seasons as a reference, we then compared aVE between vaccinated in both seasons, current only, and previous only. RESULTS: We included 941, 2645 and 959 influenza-like illness patients positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B, respectively, and 5532 controls. In 2011/2012, 2014/2015 and 2016/2017, A(H3N2) aVE point estimates among those vaccinated in previous season were -68%, -21% and -19%, respectively; among unvaccinated in previous season, these were 33%, 48% and 46%, respectively (aVE not computable for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B). Compared to current season vaccination only, VE for both seasons' vaccination was (i) similar in two of four seasons for A(H3N2) (absolute difference [ad] 6% and 8%); (ii) lower in three of four seasons for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (ad 18%, 26% and 29%), in two seasons for influenza A(H3N2) (ad 27% and 39%) and in two of three seasons for influenza B (ad 26% and 37%); (iii) higher in one season for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (ad 20%) and influenza B (ad 24%). CONCLUSIONS: We did not identify any pattern of previous influenza vaccination effect. Prospective cohort studies documenting influenza infections, vaccinations and vaccine types are needed to understand previous influenza vaccinations' effects. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Grant Number: ECDC/2014/026 European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Grant Number: 634446 WHO‐EURO info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion