FioSchisto's expert perspective on implementing WHO guidelines for schistosomiasis control and transmission elimination in Brazil.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes schistosomiasis as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases targeted for global elimination in the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. In Brazil, schistosomiasis mansoni is considered a public health problem, particularly prevalent among vulnerable populations living in areas with poor environmental and sanitary conditions. In 2022, the WHO published a Guideline encompassing recommendations to assist national programs in endemic countries in achieving morbidity control, eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem, and advancing towards interrupting transmission.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic liver disease.

Introduction: The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is little known in Brazil. Studies have suggested that HEV may harmfully influence the course of CLD, with a higher risk of progression to cirrhosis.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of the anti-HEV antibody (IgG) in patients with CLD and to describe demographic data and risk factors, as well as clinical-laboratory and ultrasound parameters.

Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (-G308A) Polymorphism with risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Schistosomiasis in Pernambuco.

Background: We evaluated the association between polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (-G308A) gene and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in schistosomiasis.

Methods: This was a transverse study involving 294 Brazilian patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Results: The homozygous A/A genotype in TNF-α (-G308A) showed a risk association (prevalence ratio = 1.

High schistosomiasis-related mortality in Northeast Brazil: trends and spatial patterns.

Background: We analyzed the trends and spatial patterns of schistosomiasis-related mortality in Northeast Brazil in 2000-2019.

Methods: A mixed population-based ecological study was conducted, using information on the underlying or associated causes of death. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to calculate the trends.

Assessment of periportal fibrosis in patients by proton nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabonomics models.

Background: The evaluation of periportal fibrosis (PPF) is essential for a prognostic assessment of patients with . The WHO Niamey Protocol defines patterns of fibrosis from abdominal ultrasonography, H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics has been employed to assess liver fibrosis in some diseases.

Aim: To build H-NMR-based metabonomics models (MM) to discriminate mild from significant periportal PPF and identify differences in the metabolite profiles.

Noninvasive diagnosis of periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis mansoni: A comprehensive review.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is a neglected disease and key public health problem, mainly due to its high prevalence, the scarcity of public policies, and the severity of some clinical forms. Periportal fibrosis (PPF) is the commonest complication of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni and its diagnosis requires different techniques. Even though wedge biopsy of the liver is considered the gold standard, it is not justified in non-surgical patients, and percutaneous liver biopsy may be informative but does not have sufficient sensitivity.

Urban schistosomiasis: An ecological study describing a new challenge to the control of this neglected tropical disease.

Background: Social and environmental vulnerabilities contribute to the persistence and increase of Schistosomiasis, which has been a public health problem in Brazil and worldwide. In this study, we aimed to monitor the entry, installation, and maintenance of schistosomiasis transmission in an urban area on the Brazilian coast over two decades ().

Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Porto de Galinhas, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, to investigate the dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission in the urban area.

Persistence of Schistosomiasis-Related Morbidity in Northeast Brazil: An Integrated Spatio-Temporal Analysis.

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend and spatial patterns of schistosomiasis-related morbidity in Northeast Brazil, 2001-2017.

Methods: Ecological study, of time series and spatial analysis, based on case notifications and hospital admission data, as provided by the Ministry of Health.

Results: Of a total of 15,574,392 parasitological stool examinations, 941,961 (6.

The Coutinho index as a simple tool for screening patients with advanced forms of Schistosomiasis mansoni: a validation study.

Background: Periportal fibrosis (PPF) is the major pathological consequence of Schistosoma mansoni infection. The Coutinho index-the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to platelet ratio ([ALP/upper limit of normality {ULN}]/platelet count [106/L] x 100)-was validated. Validation consisted of modest laboratory tests to predict advanced PPF.

Evaluation of Schistosomiasis Mansoni Morbidity by Hepatic and Splenic Elastography.

In patients with Mansoni schistosomiasis, it is fundamental to evaluate the disease morbidity, which is reflected by the severity of periportal fibrosis (PPF) and parameters of portal hypertension, as analyzed by ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity of schistosomiasis by hepatic and splenic point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and relate this to US parameters. The PPF pattern, the diameter of the portal and splenic veins and the size of the spleen were evaluated by US.

Association of the polymorphism Exon 1 (A/O) region of the mannose-binding lectin gene and periportal fibrosis regression in schistosomiasis after specific treatment.

Introduction: We evaluated the association between genetic polymorphisms in exon 1 (A/O alleles) and promoter regions at positions -550 (H/L variant, rs11003125) and -221 (X/Y variant, rs7096206) MBL2 and periportal fibrosis regression.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 114 Brazilians infected with Schistosoma mansoni, who were subjected to follow-up for three years after specific treatment for schistosomiasis to estimate the probability of periportal fibrosis regression.

Results: A risk association was observed between polymorphism at the exon 1 MBL2 and periportal fibrosis regression.

Spinal neuroschistosomiasis caused by Schistoma mansoni: cases reported in two brothers.

Background: Spinal neuroschistosomiasis (SN) is one of the most severe clinical presentations of schistosomiasis infection and an ectopic form of the disease caused by any species of Schistosoma. In Brazil, all cases of this clinical manifestation are related to Schistosoma mansoni, the only species present in the country. Although many cases have been reported in various endemic areas in Brazil, this is the first time in the literature that SN is described in two brothers.

The cost of a disease targeted for elimination in Brazil: the case of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Background: Schistosomiasis mansoni is a poverty-related parasitic infection that has a variety of clinical manifestations. We consider the disability and deaths caused by schistosomiasis unacceptable for a tool-ready disease. Its condition in Brazil warrants an analysis that will enable better understanding of the local health losses and contribute to the complex decision-making process.

Quality of life and quality-adjusted life years of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients in Brazil in 2015.

Background: Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been used to express the impact of neglected diseases and to generate indicators for health economic assessments. Schistosomiasis mansoni is a neglected disease with various clinical manifestations, including severe repercussions, caused by parasitic worms. Here we describe the quality of life of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients and estimate the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil in 2015.

The first reported case of factor V Leiden mutation with agenesis of superior vena cava: A case report.

Rationale: Total absence of superior vena cava (ASVC) is a very rare anomaly, and the patient usually suffers from superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) or conduction disturbances.

Patient Concerns: We report a 36-year-old white male, born and living in Brazil, without comorbidities presented to hematologist thrombotic episodes even under anticoagulant therapy. On his first hematologic appointment, he had no active complaints except by the fullness after meals, and his physical examination presented remarkable collateral circulation in the chest.

Influence of a TNF-α Polymorphism on the Severity of Schistosomiasis Periportal Fibrosis in the Northeast of Brazil.

Aims: The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an essential component in the host immune response to infection, and it has been reported to be an important mediator in severe periportal fibrosis (PPF). We hypothesized that the (-G308A) polymorphism of the TNF-α gene is associated with the severity of PPF and that these polymorphisms influence TNF-α expression.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we genotyped these polymorphisms within the TNF-α gene in 256 Brazilian subjects infected with Schistosoma mansoni, with different patterns of PPF.

Association Between Polymorphisms of the Mannose-Binding Lectin and Severity of Periportal Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis, in the Northeast of Brazil.

Aims: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein synthesized by the liver and its immune response is associated with the development of liver fibrosis. We hypothesized that the polymorphisms in the Exon 1 region (52, 54, 57) and promoter regions (-550 H/L, -221 X/Y) of the MBL2 gene were associated with the severity of periportal fibrosis (PPF), and that these polymorphisms affect the MBL serum levels.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study we genotyped these polymorphisms within the MBL2 gene in 229 Brazilian subjects infected with Schistosoma mansoni, with different patterns of PPF.

Diagnosis of coinfection by schistosomiasis and viral hepatitis B or C using 1H NMR-based metabonomics.

Background: Diagnosis of liver involvement due to schistosomiasis in asymptomatic patients from endemic areas previously diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) and periportal fibrosis is challenging. H-1 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics strategy is a powerful tool for providing a profile of endogenous metabolites of low molecular weight in biofluids in a non-invasive way. The aim of this study was to diagnose periportal fibrosis due to schistosomiasis mansoni in patients with chronic HBV or HCV infection through NMR-based metabonomics models.

Schistosomiasis and hepatopulmonary syndrome: the role of concomitant liver cirrhosis.

Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as an oxygenation defect induced by intrapulmonary vasodilation in patients with liver disease or portal hypertension. It is investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis and less frequently in those with portal hypertension without liver cirrhosis, as may occur in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS).

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of HPS in patients with HSS, and to determine whether the occurrence of HPS is influenced by concomitant cirrhosis.

Studies of selective adsorption, desorption and reuse of chemically altered biomass produced from aquatic macrophytes for treatment of metal-containing wastewater.

The aquatic macrophytes Salvinia sp. and Pistia stratiotes have a natural capacity to adsorb various elements, including heavy metals. This capacity was enhanced with a chemical treatment using NaOH alkaline solution for Salvinia sp.

Pulmonary shunts in severe hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: Diagnosis by contrast echocardiography and their relationship with abdominal ultrasound findings.

Background: Schistosomiasis is endemic to several parts of the world. Among the species that affect humans, Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most common causes of illness. In regions where schistosomiasis mansoni is endemic, reinfection is responsible for the emergence of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) with portal hypertension in about 10% of infected individuals.

Ovarian Manson's Schistosomiasis: Rare Diagnosis or Underestimated Prevalence?

The occurrence of Manson's schistosomiasis in organs of the female reproductive tract is an uncommon event, given that the etiological agent for this disease is a blood parasite that inhabits the mesenteric veins. In this case report, a 45-year-old female patient reported that her first symptoms had been strong pain in the left iliac region around two years earlier. An endovaginal pelvic ultrasonography showed that the left ovary was enlarged, and the report suggested that this finding might be correlated with clinical data and tumor markers.

New index for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in Schistosomiasis mansoni.

Background: - Periportal fibrosis is the major pathological consequence of the Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Objective: - To evaluate the accuracy of serum markers and to construct an index to assess fibrosis.

Methods: - Patients (n=116) with schistosomiasis were evaluated by ultrasound scan and measurements of serum levels of aminotransferases, γ-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronic acid, cytokines and platelets.