INTRODUCTION: The present study shows a descriptive analysis of triatomine occurrence and its natural Trypanosoma infection rates in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2006 and 2007. METHODS: Entomological data for the species, such as specimens captured in both intra and peridomiciles and natural infection index, were obtained via domiciliary capture in 147 municipalities from 11 Regional Managements of Health. The database was obtained from a sample of insects (100% infected and 20% non-infected) sent to the Central Laboratory of Pernambuco. RESULTS: A total of 18,029 triatomines were analyzed from 138 municipalities of the state. Triatoma pseudomaculata (35%), Triatoma brasiliensis (34%), and Panstrongylus lutzi (25%) were the most captured species. These species also showed a widespread geographical distribution in the state. Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma petrocchiae, Triatoma melanocephala, Triatoma sordida, Rhodnius nasutus, Rhodnius neglectus, and Triatoma infestans showed more limited geographical distribution and lower relative abundance. The parasitological research showed that 8.8% of the triatomines were naturally infected with flagellates morphologically similar to Trypanosoma cruzi and 91.3% of them were captured inside houses in 113 municipalities. P. lutzi showed the highest rates of natural infection. CONCLUSIONS: After the control of T. infestans, synanthropic species, such as T. brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata, and P. lutzi, maintain the risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans in the state of Pernambuco. These species are widely distributed, and infected specimens have been found inside houses. Thus, an enhanced surveillance and vector control of Chagas disease is recommended in Pernambuco.

ResumoObjetivo: analisar a tendência da positividade da esquistossomose em exames coproscópicos na população de área endê-mica do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, de 2005 a 2010. Métodos: estudo ecológico de serie temporal, com dados secundários do Sistema de Informação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose, analisados por Regional de Saúde; foram avaliadas as tendências por regressão linear, considerando-se p<0,05 significativo. Resultados: Pernambuco apresentou média de 9,2% de positividade; a Regional de Saúde III (Palmares) apresentou maior média de positividade (13,8%), seguida das regionais II (Limoeiro: 9,9%) e I (Recife: 7,8%); a Regional V (Garanhuns) apresentou melhor média de tratamento (95,6%), seguida da III (86,6%); Pernambuco apresentou tendência decrescente na positividade para esquistossomose (p=0,005). Conclusão: em geral, há uma tendência decrescente da positividade de esquistossomose em Pernambuco, apesar da queda no número de exames; é importante manter e intensificar as intervenções de controle, com prioridades estratégicas focalizadas em localidades com elevadas prevalências.

-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.

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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. Methods A total of 378 individuals from an endemic area of Brazil with a previous history of the disease and/or a positive parasitological examination were evaluated. We used ultrasound examination as the gold standard for classification of the PPF pattern and measured the biological markers of the index. Results Forty-one individuals (10.8%) without PPF, 291 (77%) with moderate PPF and 46 (12.2%) with advanced PPF, were identified. ALP and platelet count were used for the index. The cut-off point ≥0.228 predicted the presence of fibrosis with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.56, sensitivity of 68.6% and specificity of 46.3%. There was an absence of PPF in 46.3% of individuals without fibrosis and the presence of PPF in 68.5% of cases with moderate and advanced ultrasound fibrosis. The identification of advanced fibrosis with a cut-off point ≥0.316 revealed an AUROC curve of 0.70, sensitivity of 67.4% and specificity of 68.3%, thus confirming the advanced phase in 65.2% of cases compared with ultrasound. Conclusion The Coutinho index was able to predict advanced PPF in most individuals. It is valid as a new tool, uses routine laboratory tests and therefore is more accessible for screening patients with a severe form of the disease in endemic areas.

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In the first issue of 2017we published the paper entitled "New index for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in Schistosomiasis mansoni" (1) , which describes a new score to predict the pattern of periportal fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. Recently, reassessing our dataset used in this published paper drive application in clinical practice, we detected that results presented in TABLE 2 (page 53), referring to the cutoff points separating the fibrosis groups, were incorrect. Letter to Editor about "New index for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in Schistosomiasis mansoni" Carta ao Editor sobre "Novo índice biológico para o diagnóstico da fibrose hepática na Esquistossomose mansoni"