Candidíase oral como marcador de prognóstico em pacientes portadores do HIV

Braz J, Quintans Junior LJ, Serafini MR. The Patenting and Technological Trends in Candidiasis Treatment: A Systematic Review (2014-2018)

Background:

In the last few decades, mycoses caused by opportunistic fungi namely Candida species has gained significant attention. Such infections are very common and present high mortality rates, especially in immunocompromised patients. Currently, a limited number of antifungal drugs are available for the treatment of these infections and are also often related to severe adverse side effects. Therefore, new drugs and innovative technologies for the treatment of this infection are necessary.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of new drugs, formulations, as well as patents for the treatment of infections caused by Candida spp.

Methods:

The present patent review was carried out through a specialized search database Espacenet. The patent selection was based on the following inclusion criteria: Recent patents published in English or Spanish containing candidiasis as the keyword in the title, abstract or full text. This survey was conducted in October and November 2018.

Results:

As a result of that, 22 patents were selected to the final selection, the most common routes of application were oral (n = 6), vaginal (n = 6), topical (n = 5) and others (n = 5). This fact is related to the clinical manifestations of candidiasis.

Conclusion:

Through this review, it was possible to identify significant improvements and advances in the area of antifungal therapeutic innovation research. In addition, we demonstrated the growing interest of academic and industrial groups in pharmaceutical development and novel formulations for the treatment of candidiasis. New therapeutic options can contribute to improve the quality of patient’s life, prevent infections and promote the search for an innovative and effective treatment of Candida infections.

Compulsory notification at skilled nursing facilities

Introduction:

Notifiable diseases (NDs) encompass conditions of high clinical severity and/or contagious. Being closed communities, long-term care facilities (LTCF) are places that deserve attention on their own, but one might be left wondering: what is the reality of NDs at Brazilian LTCFs?

Objective:

To determine the prevalence and type of NDs at large LTCF.

Method:

Active search for NDs conducted by the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) in 459 beds. Due to the low turnover of patients, the monthly list kept by the HICC on NDs was analyzed. Data were grouped into males and females, and into elderly (age ≥ 60 years) and non-elderly (age ≤ 59 years).

Results:

31 diseases in 29 patients (6.9% of all inpatients - 19 males and 10 females): 23 cases of hepatitis C, five of hepatitis B, two of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and one case of renal tuberculosis. One patient with hepatitis B and another HIV-positive also had hepatitis C. There was no statistical significance in the comparison of the two groups with the total number of other institutionalized patients - by age and gender - for total number of NDs and cases of hepatitis C (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Chronic NDs and those requiring chronic treatment observed in this study suggest that Brazil needs more studies to define the dynamics of these diseases at LTCFs.

Oral and systemic manifestations in HIV-1 patients

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the most frequent oral and systemic manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-positive patients.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 300 HIV-1 patients attending the Reference Unit Specialized in Special Infectious Parasitic Diseases in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

RESULTS

The most prevalent oral conditions were caries (32.6%), candidiasis (32%), and periodontal disease (17%). Among the systemic manifestations, hepatitis (29.2%), gastritis (16%), arterial hypertension (14.7%), and tuberculosis (12%) were the most commonly observed.

CONCLUSIONS

We here reported on the most prevalent oral and systemic conditions in HIV-1-positive patients. The healthcare professional's knowledge of the various manifestations among these patients is fundamental to ensure prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment, and for improving the quality of life of these patients.

Aspectos demográficos e manifestações clínicas bucais de pacientes soropositivos para o HIV/Aids

INTRODUÇÃO: As lesões bucais e peribucais são comuns nos pacientes infectados pelo vírus HIV e podem representar os primeiros sinais da doença, antes mesmo das manifestações sistêmicas. OBJETIVO: Este estudo objetivou estimar a prevalência de manifestações bucais em indivíduos soropositivos para o HIV, considerando aspectos sociodemográficos, imunológicos e terapêuticos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo de natureza clínico-epidemiológica transversal, entre outubro de 2007 e abril de 2008, com amostra composta por 40 pacientes. Utilizou-se a técnica de observação direta intensiva por meio de exame clínico apropriado. Os dados foram registrados em fichas pré-elaboradas e analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial. RESULTADO: Verificou-se a prevalência do gênero feminino (52,5%), na faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos (45%). O tratamento com antirretrovirais foi constatado em 85,0% dos casos, sendo todos com terapia de alta potência (HAART). Observou-se que 52,5% dos pacientes apresentaram a contagem de linfócitos TCD4+ acima de 500cél/mm³ e 50,0% apresentaram carga viral indetectável. A prevalência das manifestações bucais foi 42,5%, sendo a mais expressiva a candidose pseudomembranosa (19,23%), seguida da periodontite úlcero-necrosante (15,38%), da leucoplasia pilosa (11,54%) e da queilite angular (11,54%). Não foi verificada associação entre manifestações bucais e carga viral (p=0,1268), nem com o número de células T CD4 (p=0,3458). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de algumas manifestações bucais associadas à infecção pelo HIV ainda é alta, sendo a candidose pseudomembranosa a infecção mais prevalente, principalmente entre pessoas com baixo nível de escolaridade e maior tempo de infecção pelo vírus HIV, independentemente da terapia utilizada e do estado imunológico do paciente.

Evaluation of laboratory markers of progression of HIV disease to death

INTRODUCTION: One of the important current problems in HIV/AIDS infection is the establishment of epidemiological and laboratorial prognostic parameters during patient follow-up. This study aimed at analyzing the evolution of laboratory tests: CD4 lymphocyte count, viral load, hemoglobin (Hb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the epidemiological variables sex and age as prognostic factors for survival in progression to death among AIDS patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using analysis of medical records, and prospective 24-month follow-up of patients with HIV/ AIDS attended at the President Vargas Hospital Outpatient Clinic, a reference center in HIV/ AIDS attendance in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The study analyzed patients aged 10 to 60 years old, who manifested AIDS and who were not using antiretroviral therapy or had used it for less than 5 years. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample included 100 patients - 57 were current outpatients, and 43 had died. The variables viral load (p=0.726), ALT (p=0.314), sex (p=0.687), and age (p=0.742) were analyzed, and no evidence of association between them and worst prognosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relation was verified between low Hb levels (p=0.000) and CD4 (p=0.000) and shorter survival.

Differences in exoenzyme production and adherence ability of Candida spp. isolates from catheter, blood and oral cavity

Phospholipase and proteinase production and the ability of adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) of 112 Candida isolates originated from oral cavity of HIV infected patients and from blood and catheter of intensive care unit patients were investigated. The proteinase production was detected by inoculation into bovine serum albumin (BSA) agar and the phospholipase activity was performed using egg yolk emulsion. A yeast suspension of each test strain was incubated with buccal epithelial cells and the number of adherence yeast to epithelial cells was counted. A percentage of 88.1% and 55.9% of Candida albicans and 69.8% and 37.7% of non-albicans Candida isolates produced proteinase and phospholipase, respectively. Non-albicans Candida isolated from catheter were more proteolytic than C. albicans isolates. Blood isolates were more proteolytic than catheter and oral cavity isolates while oral cavity isolates produced more phospholipase than those from blood and catheter. C. albicans isolates from oral cavity and from catheter were more adherent to BEC than non-albicans Candida isolates, but the adhesion was not different among the three sources analyzed. The results indicated differences in the production of phospholipase and proteinase and in the ability of adhesion to BEC among Candida spp. isolates from different sources. This study suggests that the pathogenicity of Candida can be correlated with the infected site.

Prevalência e fatores associados às manifestações bucais em pacientes HIV positivos atendidos em cidade sul-brasileira

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de lesões bucais entre pacientes HIV positivos e identificar fatores associados a tais lesões. Foi realizado estudo transversal que coletou dados mediante entrevista, exame clínico e consulta aos prontuários médicos de pacientes adultos atendidos no Serviço de HIV-AIDS do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, sendo considerados fatores sócio-demográficos, imunológicos e terapêuticos. Foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson num modelo hierárquico de análise. Entre abril de 2006 a janeiro de 2007 foram observados 300 pacientes, sendo 51% do sexo masculino e média de idade de 40 anos; 39% apresentaram lesões bucais, sendo a candidíase a mais freqüente (59,1%), seguida de leucoplasia pilosa (19,5%). As mulheres apresentaram um risco menor, com observância de uma associação inversa com o CD4. Houve um risco maior entre aqueles pacientes com menor escolaridade, menor renda, tabagistas, dependentes do álcool, com maior tempo de infecção pelo HIV e carga viral mais elevada. Os dados confirmaram a elevada prevalência das manifestações bucais oportunistas e evidenciaram a sua relação com a situação social, assim como sua relação com determinados hábitos e costumes passíveis de modificação.