High detection rate of parasitic load by qPCR targeting 18S rDNA in blood of patients with active leishmaniasis lesions.

This study aimed to standardize qPCR techniques using these molecular markers kDNA and 18S rDNA across three sample types: peripheral blood, guanidine-treated blood, and tissue. The secondary objective is to evaluate the performance of 18S rDNA target in samples from 46 patients with confirmed tegumentary leishmaniasis. After obtaining the standard curve from reference strains with Leishmania, qPCR curves were standardizations and the Cts results of the patient samples were described using abstract measures.

Nanoarchitectonics for Advancing Bone Graft Technology: Integration of Silver Nanoparticles Against Bacteria and Fungi.

Silver nanoparticles have garnered significant attention for their antimicrobial applications. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a silver nanoparticle-enhanced bone graft and assess its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. Bone granules from bovine cancellous femur were impregnated with silver nanoparticles (50 nm).

Burden of leptospirosis in Brazil in the last decade.

To correlate the incidence of leptospirosis with sociodemographic data in the Brazilian Unified Health System from 2011 to 2022. This ecological study used national health and economic secondary data sources. Secondary analyses summarized the scenario of disease-related hospitalizations among federative units.

Combined therapeutic option for NDM-producing Serratia Marcescens - an in vitro study from clinical samples.

Background: Treating NDM-producing bacteria poses a significant challenge, especially for those bacteria inherently resistant to polymyxin, such as Serratia marcescens, necessitating combined therapies.

Objective: To assess in vitro the synergistic effect of different antimicrobial combinations against NDM-producing S. marcescens.

eHealth and mHealth in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs.

Background: The global need for rapid diagnostic methods for pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is underscored by the increasing bacterial resistance and limited therapeutic options, especially critical in sepsis management.

Summary: This review examines the aspects of the eHealth and mHealth in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) to improve the treatment of infections and rational use of antimicrobials.

Key Messages: The evolution from traditional phenotype-based methods to rapid molecular and mass spectrometry techniques has significantly decreased result turnaround times, improving patient outcomes.

Market concentration of the Brazilian hospital medical supplementary health system.

Background: The Brazilian supplementary health market has undergone transformations in recent years due to constant mergers and acquisitions of by large corporations, contributing to the increase in market concentration, especially in the poorest and least developed regions of the country. Thus, given the care it provides and its economic relevance, understanding the fundamentals of these movements, the likely consequences and trends for the health market are relevant, important, and strategic.

Objective: To understand the general and specific context of Brazilian supplementary health, its scenarios, and trends, with emphasis on the analysis of market concentration and recent mergers and acquisitions.

Recurrent acquired ocular toxoplasmosis associated with Kyrieleis plaques and documented allergy to sulfonamide-A treatment proposal for two rare conditions.

The aim of this study was to describe a case of a patient with ocular toxoplasmosis, which has resulted in Kyrieleis plaques formation (segmental periarteritis associated with severe inflammation) and later follow-up and alternative treatment due to documented allergy to sulfonamide. A 33-year-old Brazilian woman diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis, initially treated with sulfonamide, developed a critical cutaneous rash. Cotrimoxazole was changed to clindamycin and pyrimethamine, and prednisone was started.

Sepsis death risk factor score based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome, quick sequential organ failure assessment, and comorbidities.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the death risk factors of patients included in the sepsis protocol bundle, using clinical data from qSOFA, SIRS, and comorbidities, as well as development of a mortality risk score.

Design: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2016 and 2021.

Setting: Two university hospitals in Brazil.

Efficacy and safety of therapeutic strategies for human brucellosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Human brucellosis is a neglected, re-emerging, and endemic zoonosis in many countries. The debilitating and disabling potential of the disease is a warning about its morbidity, generating socioeconomic impact. This review aims to update the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of therapeutic options for human brucellosis using the network meta-analysis (NMA).

In vitro susceptibility to fosfomycin in clinical and environmental extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing and/or ciprofloxacin-non-susceptible Escherichia coli isolates.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing and ciprofloxacin-non-susceptible Escherichia coli are clinical and environmental issues. We evaluated the susceptibility profile of fosfomycin in non-susceptible E. coli isolated from urine and the environment.

Prevalence of radiographic findings in chronic osteomyelitis.

Background: Simple radiography in conjunction with pertinent medical history and a comprehensive physical examination is typically adequate for diagnosing chronic osteomyelitis (CO). However, radiographic manifestations of CO lack specificity; therefore, the concordance among specialists in this regard has not been systematically assessed. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the proficiency of orthopedic surgeons and radiologists in identifying radiographic indicators present in simple radiographs for diagnosing CO.

Laboratory diagnosis of measles infection using molecular and serology during 2019-2020 outbreak in Brazil.

Introduction: Laboratory diagnosis of measles can be challenging, and the reintroduction of the measles virus in Brazil has brought about new issues. The aim of this study was to analyze the qPCR results of swab and urine samples and compare them with those of immunological methods for the diagnosis of measles.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on a retrospective analysis of 3,451 suspected cases using laboratory test surveillance databases for qPCR (respiratory swabs and urine) and serologic tests for IgM and paired IgG.

Oral doxycycline to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection as a polymyxin-sparing strategy: results from a retrospective cohort.

Acinetobacter baumannii infection presents a high mortality rate and few therapeutic options. This study aimed to evaluate clinical-microbiological characteristics and prognosis factors of patients diagnosed with A. baumanni.

COVID-19 in real world: Survival and medical costs of hospitalized patients in Brazil´s first wave.

Objective: To evaluate survival and direct medical costs of patients admitted in private hospitals with COVID-19 during the first wave.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study analyzing survival and the economic data retrieved on hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Data from March 2020 to December 2020.

Sonication as a tool for disrupting biofilms and recovering microorganisms in bladder catheters.

Introduction: Urinary catheter-related infection is commonly associated with bacterial biofilm. The impact of anaerobes is unknown, but their detection in the biofilm on this device has not been previously reported. This study aimed to evaluate the capability to recovery strict, facultative, and aerobic microorganisms in patients using bladder catheters from ICUs using conventional culture, sonication, urinary analysis, and mass spectrometry.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa in tracheal aspirate: Colonization, infection, and recurrence.

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infections are challenging, and the risk of recurrence is a frequent problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with the presence of P. aeruginosa, and the risk factors related to the recurrence and death of lower airway infections in inpatients in a Brazilian hospital.