scholarly journals Leprosy in a prison population: A new active search strategy and a prospective clinical analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008917
Author(s):  
Fred Bernardes Filho ◽  
Jaci Maria Santana ◽  
Regina Coeli Palma de Almeida ◽  
Glauber Voltan ◽  
Natália Aparecida de Paula ◽  
...  

Background This study evaluates an active search strategy for leprosy diagnosis based on responses to a Leprosy Suspicion Questionnaire (LSQ), and analyzing the clinical, immunoepidemiological and follow-up aspects for individuals living in a prison population. Methods A cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire posing 14 questions about leprosy symptoms and signs that was distributed to 1,400 prisoners. This was followed by dermatoneurological examination, anti-PGL-I serology and RLEP-PCR. Those without leprosy were placed in the Non-leprosy Group (NLG, n = 1,216) and those diagnosed with clinical symptoms of leprosy were placed in the Leprosy Group (LG, n = 34). Findings In total, 896 LSQ were returned (64%), and 187 (20.9%) of the responses were deemed as positive for signs/symptoms, answering 2.7 questions on average. Clinically, 1,250 (89.3%) of the prisoners were evaluated resulting in the diagnosis of 34 new cases (LG), based on well-accepted clinical signs and symptoms, a new case detection rate of 2.7% within this population, while the NLG were comprised of 1,216 individuals. The confinement time medians were 39 months in the LG while it was 36 months in the NLG (p>0.05). The 31 leprosy cases who responded to the questionnaire (LSQ+) had an average of 1.5 responses. The symptoms “anesthetized skin area” and “pain in nerves” were most commonly mentioned in the LG while “tingling, numbness in the hands/feet”, “sensation of pricks and needles”, “pain in nerves” and “spots on the skin” responses were found in more than 30% of questionnaires in the NLG. Clinically, 88.2% had dysesthetic macular skin lesions and 97.1% presented some peripheral nerve impairment, 71.9% with some degree of disability. All cases were multibacillary, confirming a late diagnosis. Anti-PGL-I results in the LG were higher than in the NLG (p<0.0001), while the RLEP-PCR was positive in 11.8% of the patients. Interpretation Our findings within the penitentiary demonstrated a hidden prevalence of leprosy, although the individuals diagnosed were likely infected while living in their former communities and not as a result of exposure in the prison. The LSQ proved to be an important screening tool to help identify leprosy cases in prisons.

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 389
Author(s):  
Emanuel Castro Cassoco Catumbela ◽  
Cristina Santos ◽  
Alberto Freitas ◽  
Carlos Costa ◽  
António Sarmento ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> After conducting a systematic review of quality indicators for assessing HIV/AIDS clinical care, we aimed to assess the clinical relevance and practice utility of those indicators from the point of view of HIV/AIDS physician experts.<br /><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> This is an observational, cross-sectional study, in which we selected, by convenience, physicians who work in an Infectious Disease Department of a central hospital to complete two questionnaires with a core set of indicators to establish the most relevant and useful indicators for assessment of the clinical HIV/AIDS care. A Likert scale was used to rank the indicators.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Eleven of thirteen physicians filled two questionnaires. From the initial list of 53 quality indicators, 21 were identified as the most relevant and useful in HIV/AIDS clinical care. The internal consistency for clinical relevance in each indicators domain was for clinical signs and symptoms (<em>p</em> = 0.971), for therapy (<em>p</em> = 0.900), for prognosis (<em>p</em> = 0.820) and diagnosis (<em>p</em> = 0.733) and for practice utility were diagnosis (<em>p</em> = 0.934), clinical signs (<em>p</em> = 0.964), laboratory examinations (<em>p</em> = 0.947), therapy (<em>p</em> = 0.583) and prognosis (<em>p</em> = 0.368).<br /><strong>Discussion:</strong> In the process of assessing the clinical relevance and practice utility of HIV/AIDS quality care indicators, it was found that the majority of physicians agreed that diagnosis and clinical symptoms and signs indicators domains are the most important for assessing the quality of care for HIV/AIDS patients.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This instrument should be considered as a diagnostic tool, allowing hospital administrators to identify if HIV/AIDS care is properly delivered or needs improvement.</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (10) ◽  
pp. 3841-3849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Honegger ◽  
Sven Schlaffer ◽  
Christa Menzel ◽  
Michael Droste ◽  
Sandy Werner ◽  
...  

Context: Representative data on diagnostic findings in primary hypophysitis (PrHy) are scarce. Objective: The objective of the study was to collate consistent data on clinical features in a large series of patients with PrHy. Another objective was to gain information on current practice in a diagnostic work-up. Design: The Pituitary Working Group of the German Society of Endocrinology conducted a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional cohort study in Germany. Patients: Seventy-six patients with PrHy were identified. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical and endocrinological features were assessed. Results: Headache (50%) and increase in body mass (18%) were the most frequent nonendocrine symptoms. Hypophysitis was associated with pregnancy in only 11% of the female patients. Diabetes insipidus was found in 54% of the patients at presentation. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was the most frequent endocrine failure (62%), whereas GH deficiency was the least frequent (37%). With 86%, thickening of the pituitary stalk was the prevailing neuroradiological sign. Compared with surgical cases, the cases without histological confirmation presented more often with suprasellar lesions and had less severe nonendocrine symptoms. Granulomatous hypophysitis was associated with more severe clinical symptoms than lymphocytic hypophysitis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid was predominantly performed in participating neurosurgical centers, whereas thyroid antibodies were almost exclusively assessed in endocrinological centers. Conclusion: In contrast to the literature, hypogonadism was found to be the most frequent endocrine failure in PrHy. Weight gain was identified as a clinical sign of PrHy. In the majority of patients, PrHy can be reliably identified by characteristic clinical signs and symptoms, obviating histological confirmation. The diagnostic approach should be standardized in PrHy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo A M Lima ◽  
Erico A G Arruda ◽  
Roberto J Pires-Neto ◽  
Melissa S Medeiros ◽  
J Quirino-Filho ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of tenofovir (TDF) and TDF combined with emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infections. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with clinical suspicion of mild to moderate respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 who were treated at an outpatient clinic. Patients were randomly recruited to take 10 days of TDF (300 mg/day), TDF (300 mg/day) combined with FTC (200 mg/day) or placebo Vitamin C (500 mg/day). The primary parameter was the score of symptoms and predictive signs of COVID-19, assessed on the seventh day of patient follow-up. From a total of 309 patients with clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2, 227 met the inclusion criteria and were randomly distributed into the following groups: (a) 75 (one did not initiate treatment) in the TDF group; (b) 74 in the TDF combined with FTC group; and (c) 77 in the Vitamin C group (placebo). Of the 226 patients, 139 (62%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Fever (37.8oC), ageusia or dysgeusia, anosmia or dysosmia, and two or more clinical symptoms or signs were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was no significant change in clinical score based on clinical symptoms and signs between treatment groups. Patients with mild to moderate infection by SARS-CoV-2 had higher concentrations of G-CSF, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α compared to patients without infection. Patients with mild to moderate respiratory infection, with fever (37.8oC), loss of smell, loss of taste and two or more symptoms, have a better prediction for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 showed higher and more persistent proinflammatory cytokines profile compared to patients not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacological intervention with TDF or TDF combined with FTC did not change the clinical signs and symptoms score in mild to moderate respiratory infection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 compared to the Vitamin C group (placebo).


Author(s):  
Fabiana Cristina Furquim ◽  
Cristina Eunice Okuyama ◽  
Sandro Rostelato-Ferreira ◽  
Carla Leticia Rivero-Wendt ◽  
Helder Oliveira ◽  
...  

Interações droga-droga (IDDs) são responsáveis por problemas terapêuticos e as principais causas de reações adversas a medicamentos que levam a hospitalização. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a incidência de IDDs em pacientes admitidos em hospital público no Brasil, em 2015. Em um estudo transversal, 351pacientes foram selecionados com IDDs utilizando-se o banco de dados da Micromedex®, e as interações foram classificadas de acordo com a severidade e documentação. Os potenciais IDDs foram avaliados durante o acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico diário por anamnese farmacêutica e a análise dos exames laboratoriais foi realizada. Um total de 2.937 potenciais IDDs foram identificados e 28,42% deles tinham sinais e sintomas clínicos confirmados em 87 pacientes (29%). Entre os pacientes que apresentaram interações, 62,07% tinham mais que 60 anos. Neste grupo de idade, 61,27% de todos os sinais e sintomas clínicos observados foram também identificados, demonstrando uma associação positiva entre interações clínicas e idade. Além disso, uma correlação positiva entre o número de drogas prescritas e a ocorrência de sinais clínicos também foram observados. Muitos IDDs observados foram de severidade moderada e estavam relacionados a alterações das pressões arteriais e níveis glicêmicos. Este estudo demonstrou que IDDs estão diretamente relacionados a idade e número de drogas prescritas. E a grande frequência de IDDs com documentação fraca alertam para a necessidade de se analisar esse tipo de interação. Sendo assim, este estudo mostrou que potenciais IDDs e sinais e sintomas clínicos significantes em pacientes só reforçam a necessidade de se apoiar a farmácia clínica.   Palavras-chave: Interação Droga-Droga (IDD). Pacientes Internados. Farmacoterapia, Poli Farmácia. Sinais e Sintomas.   Abstract Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are responsible for therapeutic problems and the main causes of adverse drug reactions that require hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of DDIs in patients admitted in a Public Hospital in Brazil, in 2015. In a cross-sectional study, DDIs were screened in 351 patients, using Micromedex® database, that classify interactions according to severity and documentary evidence. Potential DDIs were assessed at the daily pharmacotherapeutic follow-up through pharmaceutical anamnesis and analysis of laboratory tests were performed. A total of 2,937 potential DDIs were identified and 28.42% of these had confirmed signs and symptoms clinical in 87 patients (29%). Among the patients that presented interactions, 62.07% were older than 60 years. In this age group, 61.27% of all signs and symptoms clinical observed in the study were also identified, demonstrating a positive association between the occurrence of clinical interactions and age. In addition, a positive correlation between the number of drugs prescribed and the occurrence of signs clinicals was also observed. Most DDIs observed were of moderate severity and were related to imbalance of blood pressure and glycemic levels. This study demonstrated that DDIs are directly related to the age and number of drugs prescribed. And the greater frequency of DDIs with fair documentary evidence alerts to the need to consider all the possible interactions. Thereafter, this study showed that potential DDIs and sign and clinical symptoms  are significant in patients and reinforce the need to support Clinical Pharmacy.   Keywords: Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI). Inpatients. Pharmacotherapy. Poly Pharmacy. Sign and Symptom.    


2021 ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Pooja Poswal ◽  
Manisha Rohilla ◽  
Sunil Arora ◽  
Irbinder Kour Bali

Introduction: Neonatal Sepsis is difcult to differentiate from other conditions due to non- specic clinical signs and symptoms. Inammation in neonates shows variations in hematological parameters. Our study is to evaluate the hematological parameters and C-reactive protein estimation in neonatal sepsis for early diagnosis. Material And Methods: It was a cross-sectional study including 80 neonates admitted in the neonatal care unit, 40 (proven sepsis) and 40 probable cases); blood culture being the gold standard. Hematological parameters, immature to total neutrophil ratio (I/T ratio), Absolute neutrophil count (ANC), CRP and Blood culture were done as per standard protocols. Results: ANC had highest sensitivity of 90% followed by I/T ratio (87.5%) and CRP (77.5%). The sensitivity and specicity for the combination of ANC and I/T ratio was 78.3% and 83.6% respectively. Conclusion: ANC, I/T Ratio and CRP are quick, simple and cost-effective routine laboratory tests which help in neonatal sepsis prediction and to start proper and timely antibiotic therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 1750014
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Asadi ◽  
Sharareh Roshanzamir

Background: Previous studies do not agree with each other on the association between electrodiagnostic findings and clinical symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In most of these studies, many variables such as age, sex, obesity and hypothyroidism have not been taken into account. Material & methods: About 62 patients with hypothyroidism and 62 patients without hypothyroidism with sign and symptoms of CTS were included in this study. Electrodiagnostic tests were done for all patients. And relationship of the severity of CTS signs and symptoms with electrodiagnostic parameters was examined statistically in each group. Results: This study showed that distal motor latency in control group (without hypothyroidism) is significantly more prolonged than hypothyroid patients. Also there was significant correlation between clinical symptoms and electrodiagnostic findings in control group, but there was not such correlation in hypothyroid patients. In 62% of hypothyroid patients with clinical signs and symptoms of CTS, electrodiagnostic findings were normal and only in 38% of cases, electrodiagnostic findings were suggestive of CTS. Conclusion: Relationship of the severity of CTS signs and symptoms with electrodiagnostic parameters is very weak in hypothyroid patients. Many hypothyroid patients with clinical signs and symptoms of CTS have normal electrodiagnostic findings; so we need more studies for revising the para-clinic criteria of labeling patients having CTS in hypothyroid patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Mazzeranghi ◽  
C. Zanotti ◽  
A. Di Cerbo ◽  
J.P. Verstegen ◽  
R. Cocco ◽  
...  

Abstract Food allergies and food intolerances are clinically difficult to discriminate. Most often, along with cutaneous adverse food reactions or CAFR, they are classified as adverse food reactions, whose causes are numerous, including toxic compounds. Eighteen indoor-housed domestic cats with evident clinical symptoms related to CAFR (drooling, back and neck intense itching, neck eczema, chronic conjunctivitis and stomatitis) involving skin lesions were studied. Cytological evaluations of ear, skin and gingival swabs revealed an increased turnover of keratinocytes while the oxytetracycline ELISA determination showed an unexpected high amount of oxytetracycline in all cats at the first visit. All cats were then randomly assigned to receive a standard (SD group) or a nutraceutical diet (ND group) for 60 days. In the ND group a significant reduction of the mean serum concentration of oxytetracycline, pruritus intensity and skin lesion severity (**p<0.01, ***p<0.001, and ***p<0.001, respectively) was observed after 60 days, and associated with a significant improvement in the clinical picture. Although a direct correlation between oxytetracycline presence within cat sera and CAFR-related symptoms has never been described, this study highlights the benefit of a specific nutraceutical diet supplementation in improving clinical symptoms and skin lesions in cats with CARF.


Author(s):  
Abdolali MOSHFE ◽  
Arash ARIA ◽  
Najme ERFANI ◽  
Ali JAMSHIDI ◽  
Bahador SARKARI ◽  
...  

Background: In the current study, we described the epidemiological features, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with suspicion of fascioliasis in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in southwest of Iran.    Methods: Overall, 56 patients with suspicion of fascioliasis, based on their clinical signs and symptoms that referred to Clinic of Internal Medicine in Yasuj city, from 2014 to 2016 were enrolled. Demographic data, history of eating aquatic local plants, the chief complains, and laboratory findings were recorded for each patient. Stool samples were obtained from each case for detection of Fasciola eggs. Moreover, blood samples were taken from each patient and evaluated for detection of anti-Fasciola antibodies by an indirect ELISA. Patients who defined as having fascioliasis were treated with triclabendazole and were followed for at least three months for clinical improvement. Results: Serological test was positive in 5 patients. Of these 5 cases, three cases had a history of ingesting raw aquatic vegetables. The main clinical signs and symptoms in positive cases were; abdominal pain (60%), epigastric pain (40%), anemia (60%), and dermal pruritus (20%). Hypereosinophilia was seen in all of 5 positive cases. No Fasciola egg was found in stool specimens of any of the patients. The fascioliasis cases were treated by triclabendazole and clinical symptoms disappeared in all of 5 cases. Conclusion: Our observation further confirmed Yasuj district as a human endemic area for fascioliasis in Iran. The study also highlighted the importance of clinical features together with eosinophilia, as key parameters, in the diagnosis of human fascioliasis. Clinicians need to be aware of this disease and should keep in mind fascioliasis when hypereosinophilia present in patients in such endemic areas.


Author(s):  
Hosein Yaghoubian ◽  
Hossein Niktale ◽  
Arash Peivandi Yazdi ◽  
Vahideh Ghorani ◽  
Masoud Mahdavi Rashed ◽  
...  

The antiviral effectiveness of allicin (L-cysteine) has been shown by numerous studies in both levels of clinical and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of allicin (L-cysteine) on clinical presentation and prognosis. In the current study, 66 patients with COVID-19 based on clinical, radiological presentations and RT-PCR results, were enrolled in two groups of placebo and allicin. In the both allicin (L-cysteine) and placebo groups (n=33 in each group), the capsules were prescribed two times a day for two weeks. Clinical signs and symptoms, blood parameters and chest CT scan were evaluated before and two weeks after treatment. The results showed that allicin (L-cysteine) could significantly impact on improvement of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 after two weeks of treatment in comparison to placebo. Allicin (L-cysteine) not only improve the clinical signs, but also ameliorate the lab and radiological data, which suggest a therapeutic effect for this agent in COVID-19. Our data suggest the therapeutic effect of allicin (L-cysteine) on COVID-19 through improvement of clinical symptoms and acceleration of the healing process.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Du ◽  
Jinhong Yu ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Xiaoguo Zhang ◽  
Shouwei Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims & Background: The COVID-19 outbreak spread in China and is a threat to the world. We reported on the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of children cases to help health workers better understand and provide timely diagnosis and treatment.Methods: Retrospectively, two research centers’ case series of 67 consecutive hospitalized cases including 14 children cases with COVID-19 between 23 Jan 2020 to 15 Feb 2020 from Jinan and Rizhao were enrolled in this study. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of children and adults were analyzed and compared.Results: Most cases in children were mild(21.4%) and conventional cases(78.6%), with mild clinical signs and symptoms, and all cases were of family clusters. Fever (35.7%) and dry cough(21.4%) were described as clinical manifestations in children cases. Dry cough and phlegm were not the most common symptoms in children compared with adults(p=0.03). In the early stages of the disease, lymphocyte counts did not significantly decline but neutrophils counts did in children compared with adults(p=0.00).There was an elevated level of LDH(p=0.01) and a lower level of CRP(p=0.00)and IL-6(p=0.01) in children compared with adults. There were 8 (57.1%)asymptomatic cases and 6 (42.9%)symptomatic cases among the 14 children cases. The age of asymptomatic patients was younger than that of symptomatic patients(p=0.03). Even among asymptomatic patients, 5(62.5%)cases had pneumonia including 3 (60%) cases with bilateral pneumonia, which was not different compared with that of asymptomatic cases(p=0.58, p=0.74).Conclusions: The clinical symptoms of children are mild, and the positive indicators of laboratory tests are rare, which may easily cause clinical misdiagnoses.


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