Left ventricular function by strain in uncomplicated malaria: a prospective study from the Brazilian Amazon.

We hypothesized that adults with uncomplicated malaria have lower left ventricular contractile function compared to the general population and that this improves after antimalarial treatment. We examined uncomplicated malaria and the general population from the Western part of the Brazilian Amazon Basin. All persons underwent an echocardiographic examination and peripheral blood smears.

Potential role of transthoracic echocardiography for screening LV systolic dysfunction in patients with a history of dengue infection. A cross-sectional and cohort study and review of the literature.

Background: Dengue virus can affect the cardiovascular system and men may be at higher risk of severe complications than women. We hypothesized that clinical dengue virus (DENV) infection could induce myocardial alterations of the left ventricle (LV) and that these changes could be detected by transthoracic echocardiography.

Methodology/principal Findings: We examined individuals from Acre in the Amazon Basin of Brazil in 2020 as part of the Malaria Heart Study.

Is self-rated health associated with cardiovascular risk factors and disease in a low-income setting? A cross-sectional study from the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

Objective: Prior studies have suggested that self-rated health may be a useful indicator of cardiovascular disease. Consequently, we aimed to assess the relationship between self-rated health, cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical cardiac disease in the Amazon Basin.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Prevalence and Dynamic Changes in Lung Ultrasound Findings among Adults with Uncomplicated Malaria and Controls in the Amazon Basin, Brazil.

Malaria patients are at risk of cardiopulmonary complications but diagnosis and management can be difficult in resource-limited settings. B-lines on lung ultrasound (LUS) mark changes in lung density; however, little is known about their role in malaria. We aimed to examine the prevalence of B-lines in adults with malaria at baseline and follow-up compared with controls in the Amazon Basin.

Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in adults from the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a burden in low- and middle-income countries and prevalence estimates are lacking from South America. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RHD in the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

Methods: We examined a random sample of adults (≥18 years) from the general population, who underwent echocardiographic image acquisition by a medical doctor.

Frequency of Electrocardiographic Alterations and Pericardial Effusion in Patients With Uncomplicated Malaria.

Studies have proposed that malaria may lead to electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and pericardial inflammation. We aimed to investigate the frequency of ECG alterations, determined by ECG and Holter monitoring, and pericardial effusion in patients with malaria infection. We performed a prospective observational study of adult patients with uncomplicated malaria in Amazonas, Brazil.

Reference values for left ventricular dimensions, systolic and diastolic function: a study from the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

Country- and ethnicity-specific reference values for echocardiographic parameters are necessary for decision making. No prior studies have examined reference values in adults from the Amazon Basin of Brazil. We performed echocardiographic examinations in 290 healthy adults (mean age 37 ± 14 years, 40% male) from the Brazilian Amazon.

Tropical diseases and risk of hypertension in the Amazon Basin: a cross-sectional study.

Although infectious diseases have been associated with cardiovascular conditions, little is known about tropical disease burden and hypertension. We hypothesized that a history of tropical infections was associated with hypertension. We examined participants from outpatient clinics in the Amazon Basin who were interviewed about prior exposure to tropical diseases, including dengue, malaria hospitalization, and leishmaniasis.

Cardiopulmonary alterations by ultrasound in a patient with uncomplicated mixed malaria infection: a case report from the Amazon Basin.

Background: Information on cardiopulmonary complications in clinical malaria is sparse and diagnosis may be difficult in resource-limited areas due to lack of proper diagnostic tools and access to medical care. A case of pericardial effusion and pulmonary alterations assessed by ultrasound in a patient with uncomplicated mixed malaria infection is described.

Case Presentation: A previously healthy 23-year-old male from the Amazon Basin was diagnosed with mixed infection of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum by peripheral blood smear.

Levels of hepatitis B antibody titers are affected by age and doses gap time in children from a high endemic area of the western Amazon.

Background: Despite completion of the vaccine schedule for hepatitis B virus (HBV), children may display levels of HBV surface antibodies (anti-HBs) that are considered inadequate for sufficient protection (<10 IU/L).

Aims: Our aim was to investigate if age and gap time between HBV vaccine doses may negatively affect the levels of anti-HBs in children, and if these relationships are modified by sex.

Methods: In a high-endemic HBV region of the western Brazilian Amazon we enrolled children who had completed the HBV vaccine schedule.