Background Thrombocytopenia (TP) is the major event associated with linezolid (LZD) therapy. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for thrombocytopenia in hospitalized adults who received LZD (1200 mg/day) between 2015 and 2017. HIV-positive, death during follow-up and those with a baseline platelet count ≤100 × 10 3 /mm 3 were excluded. Method TP was defined as a decrease in platelet count of ≥20% from the baseline level at the initiation of linezolid therapy and a final count of <100 × 10 3 /mm 3 . The odds ratios (OR) for thrombocytopenia were obtained using multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Main results A total of 66 patients were included (mean age [SD] 62 [18], male gender [%], 37 [56]). LZD-associated TP was identified in 12 patients (18.2%). For TP, the adjusted OR [95% CI] of the platelet count ≤200 × 10 3 /mm 3 , serum creatinine and renal impairment at baseline were 5.66 [1.15–27.9], 4.57 [1.26–16.5] and 9.41 [1.09–80.54], respectively. Male gender and dosage per weight per day (DPWD) >20 mg/kg/day were not risk factors. Conclusion The results showed that the incidence of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was lower in patients with normal renal function and higher in those with platelet counts ≤200 × 10 3 /mm 3 or serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL at the start of the treatment.

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated that pathogens react to the harsh conditions in human tissues by inducing mechanisms that promote survival. Methods: Persistence and biofilm-forming ability were evaluated during stress conditions that mimic those in the host. Results: Carbon-source availability had a positive effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A adhesion during hypoxia, accompanied by a decrease in pH. In contrast, iron limitation led to decreased surface-adherent biomass, accompanied by an increase medium acidification and lactate levels. Interestingly, iron starvation and hypoxia induced persister cells in planktonic culture. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of host stress in the virulence of S. epidermidis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by Paracoccidioides spp.; during infection, some host mechanisms limit the availability of iron, thereby reducing its reproduction. However, Paracoccidioides spp. can evade the immune defense and, even under limited iron conditions, use this mineral for growth and dissemination. This study evaluated the iron metabolism of 39 patients who were diagnosed with chronic PCM between 2013 and 2021. The forms of iron before treatment and at the time of clinical cure were evaluated based on the following: serum ferritin levels (storage iron); total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (TSAT) level (transport iron); red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels; and sTfR/log ferritin ratio (functional iron). The mean age of the patients was 54.5 years (±6.7 years). Most patients were men (97.4%), rural workers (92.1%), and smokers (84.6%); most had moderate disease severity (66.7%). Before treatment, the median values of all evaluated parameters were within or just slightly outside the normal range of values. However, it is possible to infer that PCM interferes with functional and storage iron because improvements in these parameters after treatment as well as associations with disease severity were observed. Furthermore, moderate correlations were observed between C-reactive protein and the Hb (r=-0.500; p=0.002), RBC (r=-0.461; p=0.005), HCT (r=-0.514; p=0.001), and iron levels (r=-0.491; p=0.002). PCM interferes with iron metabolism by transforming functional iron to storage iron, as revealed by anemia, low iron levels with normal TSAT levels, normal TIBC, normal sTfR levels, normal sTfR/log ferritin ratios, and normal or slightly increased ferritin levels. PCM can lead to anemia of inflammation, which can be differentiated from iron deficiency anemia by a careful investigation of the iron form parameters.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by Paracoccidioides spp.; during infection, some host mechanisms limit the availability of iron, thereby reducing its reproduction. However, Paracoccidioides spp. can evade the immune defense and, even under limited iron conditions, use this mineral for growth and dissemination. This study evaluated the iron metabolism of 39 patients who were diagnosed with chronic PCM from 2013 to 2021. The forms of iron before treatment and at the time of clinical cure were evaluated based on the following: serum ferritin levels (storage iron); total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (TSAT) level (transport iron); red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels; and sTfR/log ferritin ratio (functional iron). The mean age of the patients was 54.5 years (±6.7 years). Most patients were men (97.4%), rural workers (92.1%), and smokers (84.6%); furthermore, most had moderate disease severity (66.7%). After achieving clinical cure, we observed that serum ferritin levels decreased, and parameters of functional iron increased. The extent of alteration in these parameters were more pronounced in severe cases than in to mild or moderate cases. Furthermore, moderate correlations were observed between C-reactive protein and the Hb (r = -0.500; p = 0.002), RBC (r = -0.461; p = 0.005), HCT (r = -0.514; p = 0.001), and iron levels (r = -0.491; p = 0.002). However, it is possible to infer that PCM interferes with functional and storage iron because improvements in these parameters after treatment as well as associations with disease severity were observed. PCM can lead to anemia of inflammation, which can be differentiated from iron deficiency anemia by a careful investigation of the iron form parameters.

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The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its incidence has increased globally, causing this condition to be currently a global public health problem. It was estimated that 20 to 35% of the world’s population has MetS. However, the global prevalence ratios vary enormously, due mainly to social and economic discrepancies. Despite the importance of MetS in the context of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, studies that described the prevalence of MetS and its determinants among rural and vulnerable populations worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine the MetS prevalence and associated risk factors in a riverside population living in Pantanal biome from Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, that has difficulties in accessing health services. This investigation is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from March 2010 to July 2016 in adult individuals (aged 18 years or older)) from riverside community of Passo do Lontra. MetS was defined according to NCEP/ATP III, 2001criteria. A total of 81 adult individuals, being 36 (44.4%) females and 45 (55.6%) males were enrolled. The overall MetS prevalence was 40.7% (33/81) with no gender difference. About the risk factors analysis, higher levels of BMI, uric acid, non-HDL, VLDL cholesterol and obesity among adults led to higher chances of developing the syndrome. These findings provide important evidence on the MetS prevalence as a public health problem, particularly for obese, dyslipidemic and hyperuricemic individuals. Our results reinforce an alarming public health trend.