Background Histoplasmosis is highly endemic in the American continent. This condition is associated with a high mortality, particularly in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Diagnosis of histoplasmosis is usually late in South America, as Histoplasma antigen detection is rarely available. Here we determined the prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of histoplasmosis in PLWHA in Brazilian hospitals. Methods This was a prospective cohort study (2016–2018) involving 14 tertiary medical centers in Brazil. We included hospitalized PLWHA presenting with fever and additional clinical findings. Patients were investigated at each participant center with classical mycology methods. Also, Histoplasma antigen detection was performed in urine samples (IMMY). Probable/proven histoplasmosis was defined according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group criteria. Results From 616 eligible patients, 570 were included. Histoplasmosis was identified in 21.6% (123/570) of patients. Urine antigen testing increased the diagnostic yield in 53.8%, in comparison with standard mycology methods. Variables independently associated with histoplasmosis were CD4+ count <50 cells/mm 3 , use of an antiretroviral (protective effect), and sample collection in the Northeast region of Brazil. Dyspnea at presentation was independently associated with death. Histoplasmosis was more frequent than tuberculosis in patients with low CD4+ counts. Overall 30-day mortality was 22.1%, decreasing to 14.3% in patients with antigen-based diagnosis. Conclusions Histoplasmosis is a very frequent condition affecting PLWHA in Brazil, particularly when CD4+ counts are lower than 50 cells/mm 3 . Antigen detection may detect earlier disease, with a probable impact on outcomes. Access to this diagnostic tool is needed to improve clinical management of PLWHA in endemic countries.

Resumo Fundamento A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) é uma doença rara e complexa com prognóstico ruim, que exige tratamento pela vida toda. Objetivo Descrever dados de 3 anos de acompanhamento da vida real sobre o tratamento com estimuladores de guanilato ciclase solúvel (Riociguate) de pacientes com HP, medindo parâmetros atuais de avaliação de risco. Métodos Coletamos dados clínicos e epidemiológicos retrospectivamente de pacientes com HP do grupo 1 (hipertensão arterial pulmonar) e do grupo 4 (HP tromboembólica crônica). Parâmetros não invasivos e invasivos correspondentes à avaliação de risco foram analisados na linha de base e no acompanhamento. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas usando o software SPSS 18.0, e os p-valores <0,050 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados No total, 41 pacientes tratados com riociguate foram incluídos no estudo. Entre eles, 31 já concluíram 3 anos de tratamento e foram selecionados para a seguinte análise. Na linha de base, 70,7% dos pacientes estavam nas classes funcionais III ou IV da OMS. Depois de 3 anos de tratamento, a classe funcional da OMS melhorou significativamente em todos os pacientes. Além disso, a mediana do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6M) aumentou significativamente de 394 ± 91 m na linha de base para 458 ± 100 m após 3 anos de acompanhamento (p= 0,014). O índice de sobrevida após três anos foi de 96,7%. Conclusão Em nossa coorte de vida real, a maioria dos pacientes com HP tratados com riociguate demonstraram parâmetros de risco estáveis ou melhores, especialmente no TC6M, aos 3 anos de acompanhamento.

Background Limited data is available regarding the frequency of COVID-19 in populations that are highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. In this cross-section study we evaluated COVID-19 seroprevalence in military police forces of 10 major cities in Rio Grande do Sul, South of Brazil. Methods Sampling was randomly performed in clusters, in respect to the number of professionals at service per city and military unit. Research subjects were evaluated on July 23, 2020 (first wave peak in Brazil). Clinical information was obtained, and venous blood was taken for ELISA testing (IgA, and IgG antibodies). Sample size consisted of 1,592 military workers (33.6% of study population). They were mostly man (81.2%) and young (median 34 years-old). Most had been asymptomatic (75.3%) during pandemic, and 27.5% reported close contact with COVID-19 cases (after a median time of 21 days). Antibodies were detected in 3.3% of the participants, mostly IgA (2.7%), and IgG (1.7%). After 3 weeks, 66.7% of IgA and IgG results turned negative, in addition to 78.3% and 100% of borderline IgA and IgG results, respectively. Conclusion The seroprevalence of COVID-19 amongst military police was at least 3.4 higher than the findings of other studies performed in the general population, in the same cities and dates. Most detectable antibodies were of IgA class, which implies recent exposure. Asymptomatic people were more prone to have negative antibody titters in the second run.

Close vigilance is required in order to guarantee the quality of Brazilian retail meat in the long term.