Characteristics, clinical outcomes, and risk factors of SARS-COV-2 infection in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients: experience of the PETHEMA group

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection produces higher morbidity and mortality in hematological malignancies, but evidence in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is scarce. A multicenter observational study was conducted to determine the clinical outcomes and assess the impact of therapeutic approaches in adult AML patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first wave (March-May 2020). Overall, 108 patients were included: 51.9% with active leukemia and 70.4% under therapeutic schedules for AML. Signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 were present in 96.3% of patients and 82.4% received specific treatment for SARS-CoV-2. The mortality rate was 43.5% and was correlated with age, gender, active leukemia, dyspnea, severe SARS-CoV-2, intensive care measures, neutrophil count, and D-dimer levels. A protective effect was found with azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and normal liver enzyme levels. During the SARS-CoV-2 first wave, our findings suggested an increased mortality in AML in a short period. SARS-CoV-2 management could be guided by risk factors in AML patients.

[Prevalence of dental caries in 12-year-old children in localities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1990-1995]

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease of the oral cavity, leading to serious economic and social consequences. Studies on the prevalence of dental caries should be undertaken periodically for the adequate planning of oral health services and action. This research project sought to discover the prevalence of dental caries in the counties of S. Paulo State, Brazil, measured by means of the DMF-T rate on the 12 year-old bracket from 1990-1995.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Data originally produced by Municipal Health Departments, collected by means of an instrument devised for this purpose, sent to 625 counties in the state, were used. The counties concerned were grouped according to their size and geographical region.

RESULTS

The total of 625 counties of S. Paulo State, 237 (37.9%) provided the information required, and 125 (20.0%) had data on DMF-T corresponding to about 5,000 12 year-old children available examined. The study revealed that the prevalence of dental caries is low in only 4.0% of the counties, and is high or very high in approximately 80% of them. The DMF-T index values varied from 1.3 to 13.6, and the estimated average for all the counties was 4.8. Further, it was discovered that "large" counties recorded 54.6% of their population classified in the categories of low or moderate prevalence of caries; while in "small" counties 87.8% of the population corresponded to the high or very high caries prevalence range.

CONCLUSIONS

This research project has shown that the country services for oral health in S. Paulo State have made little use of the basic resources that epidemiology can provide. This indicates the need for an appropriate professional background for oral health in epidemiology, especially for those who fulfil duties in the coordination of the services.

Treatment of cefazolin in 45 cases of urinary tract infections

We have treated 45 cases of urinary tract infection with cefazolin (i.m.) and cure was achieved in 35 (77.77%). 26 of the 28 patients (92.85%) with acute cystitis who received 250 mg every 12 h for 6-10 days were cured. 17 patients with pyelonephritis received 500 mg every 12 h during 10-14 days and therapeutical success was achieved in 9 of them (52.94%). Laboratory control was carried out at the initiation of therapy, at the end, and 1 month after therapy. Tolerance to injections of cefazolin was considered good and only in one case appeared a mild eosinophia.