BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is a member of the Papillomaviridae family. The prevalence of HPV genotypes may vary according to the region and the population studied. Quilombo communities are ethnic and racial groups with difficult access to health services compared to the general population in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify specific HPV types correlating with sociodemographic/behavioral characteristics and cervical smear cytological abnormalities in Quilombola women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 395 Quilombola women users of the Unified Health System of the Municipalities of Maranhão for the screening of cervical cancer. The samples were analyzed for the presence of cytological abnormalities by conventional methods and tested for 37 HPV genotypes using polymerase chain reaction with primers PGMY09/11 followed by reverse line blot hybridization performed with the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test kit by Roche Molecular System®. The association between HPV types and cytological diagnosis was investigated according to the different age groups.ResultsHPV infection was detected in 12.6% (50/395) of the women. Infections by high-risk HPV types were more frequent. Genotypes 68 (26.0%); 58 and 52 (20.0%); 31 (10.0%) and 62 (8.0%) were the most prevalent. The highest prevalence (42.0%) of HPV infection occurred in women diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. There was a statistically significant association between HPV infection and the detection of cytological abnormalities in all age groups except in women over 60 years. There was a statistically significant association between the municipality of origin and the number of partners with HPV infection.ConclusionsIt is important to incorporate new cervical cancer screening techniques incorporating the cervical-vaginal cytology. For further studies, it is necessary to determine the level of knowledge of Quilombola population on health-related issues including HPV infection and cervical cancer. This will contribute to the continuous improvement of healthcare coverage among the population and enhance the implementation of cancer care in the state of Maranhão.

Artigo originAlRESUMO | Contexto: A síndrome de esgotamento profissional ou burnout é uma reação de estresse excessivo relacionada ao trabalho, a qual se apresenta em três dimensões: exaustão emocional, despersonalização e reduzida realização profissional. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar e comparar essas três dimensões presentes nos pediatras do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) -Unidade Materno Infantil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e descritivo envolvendo 78 profissionais. Utilizou-se como instrumento de pesquisa o Maslach Burnout Inventory e o questionário sociodemográfico. Resultados: A análise dos dados apontou que a prevalência de burnout foi de 2,6%. Níveis elevados de exaustão emocional, despersonalização e reduzida realização profissional foram encontrados em 42,3, 38,5 e 6,4% dos entrevistados, respectivamente. A prevalência de nível elevado em duas dimensões foi de 23,1%. Conclusões: Os pediatras apresentaram altos valores de exaustão emocional e baixos valores de despersonalização e reduzida realização profissional. Ressalta-se a necessidade de estruturação de programas de enfrentamento de burnout a fim de evitar o adoecimento de profissionais envolvidos com a promoção da saúde de crianças e adolescentes. Palavras-chave | esgotamento profissional; saúde do trabalhador; pediatria. ABSTRACT | Background:Burnout is an excessive work-related stress response that involves three main dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced professional achievement. Aims: The present study aimed to identify and compare these three dimensions among pediatricians at the Mother-Child Unit of University Hospital, Federal University of Maranhão (Universidade Federal do Maranhão -UFMA). Methods: The present quantitative and descriptive study included 78 professionals. The Maslach Burnout Inventory and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used for data collection. Results: Data analysis showed that the prevalence of burnout was 2.6%. High levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced professional achievement were found in 42.3%, 38.5% and 6.4% of the participants, respectively. The prevalence of high levels in two of these dimensions simultaneously was 23.1%. Conclusions: The analyzed pediatricians exhibited high levels of emotional exhaustion and low values of depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. The need to develop programs against burnout is emphasized to avoid the occurrence of illness among professionals involved in the promotion of child and adolescent health.

The patients followed the socioeconomic and demographic profile of Maranhão. Most had menarche and menopause in appropriate periods, showed no positive family history of osteoporosis, did not usually drink alcohol, were sedentary and the caffeine intake was high.

introduction:This study aimed to identify airborne fungi in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, to determine the prevalent genera and to correlate these genera with the area and season. Methods: In total, 1,510 colony-forming units (CFUs) of airborne fungi were isolated from the north, south, east and west sides and from the center of the city from January to December 2007. The samples were collected on Petri dishes that were exposed to the fungi by the gravitational method. Results: Twenty genera of fungi were isolated; the most common were Aspergillus (33.5%), Penicillium (18.8%), Cladosporium (14.2%), Curvularia (10.6%) and Fusarium (7.6%). The CFUs of the fungi were statistically signifi cant (p < 0.0001). Fungal biological diversity was present all year, without any large seasonal variations but with slight increases in May, August and September. Conclusions: The fungal genera identifi ed in this study were correlated with natural systems and could be useful when evaluating the impact of environmental changes on the region.

The patients followed the socioeconomic and demographic profile of Maranhão. Most had menarche and menopause in appropriate periods, showed no positive family history of osteoporosis, did not usually drink alcohol, were sedentary and the caffeine intake was high.

BackgroundInfection with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 or 2 (HTLV-1/2) is a major health problem. There is a public health policy defining measures for state hematology and hemotherapy centers in Brazil, in order to avoid virus transmission through blood donors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 in blood donors in the State of Maranhão, Brazil, during routine blood unit screening.MethodsScreening tests of blood donors using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect seropositivity for HTLV-1/2 performed at the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of the State of Maranhão (HEMOMAR) between July of 2003 and December of 2009 were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsOf the 365,564 blood donors, 561 (0.15%) were HTLV-1/2-positive, of whom 72 (12.8%) performed the confirmatory test (Western blot). In donors who had a confirmatory test, 53 (73.6%) were positive. The ages of the infected individuals ranged from 18 to 65 years; 305 (54%) were aged over 40 years. Among the infected individuals, 309 (55%) were male, 399 (71%) were mixed-race, and 259 (46%) were single. Co-infections were frequently found, especially with hepatitis B (in 68.6% of the cases).ConclusionThe results obtained will contribute to the planning and implementation of control measures by the epidemiological surveillance agency of Maranhão, and will also contribute to reducing morbidity. The high seropositivity in a small sample in donors who had confirmatory tests indicates the need for confirmatory tests for all donors who initially test as seropositive.© 2014 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Candida parapsilosis is one of the main species that is able to adhere to forming biofilms on inert materials. Adhesion is the first step towards the colonization and invasion of host cells during the infectious process. Among the infections, vulvovaginal candidiasis is increasingly common. The objective was to evaluate the profile of adherence and biofilm formation of eight isolates of C. parapsilosis on the metal used in intrauterine devices (IUDs).Methods:Eight strains of C. parapsilosis presenting strong adhesion and biofilm formation properties were isolated from vaginal secretions in a previous study. To assay the adhesion and biofilm formation, copper fragments were made and cultivated in tubes containing 3 mL of phosphate-buffered saline and incubated for 6 and 24 h at 37 °C to evaluate biofilm formation. After incubation, the intensity of adherence and of biofilm formation on copper fragments were determined by performing a colony count.Results:All isolates were able to form biofilms and the isolate Cp62 showed many cells joined in a planktonic mode forming biofilms. The use of an IUD is one of the main factors that favors vulvovaginal candidiasis, and the presence of copper in this device increases the chance of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVVR) due to the ease with which species of the genus Candida can adhere to inert surfaces.Conclusion:This research showed that the clinical isolates studied adhered to IUD copper fragments and formed biofilms, further increasing their virulence.

This study evaluated the effect of green propolis extract on the adhesion and biofilm formation of Candida species in dentistry materials. Phytochemical analysis of green propolis extract was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Adhesion was quantified by counting the number of yeast cells adherent to dental material fragments in a Neubauer chamber. Biofilm formation was determined by counting colony-forming units recovered from dental material fragments. The intensity of biofilm adhesion was classified as negative, weak, moderate, strong, or very strong. Fifteen compounds, mainly flavonoids, were identified in green propolis extract. All strains adhered to and formed biofilms on the surfaces of the orthodontic materials studied. On steel and resin, yeast cell adhesion intensities were weak at all incubation times, except for those of Candida parapsilosis and C. tropicalis, which were moderate at 12 h. At 24 and 48 h, C. albicans formed biofilms on steel with moderate adhesion affinities; at 24 and 48 h, C. parapsilosis formed biofilms with very strong affinities. C. tropicalis formed biofilms with strong and very strong affinities at 24 and 48 h, respectively. On resin, all species displayed strong affinity for biofilm formation at 24 and 48 h, except for C. tropicalis, which displayed very strong affinity at only 48 h. Green propolis extract displayed antifungal activity and inhibited both adhesion and biofilm formation at 2.5 μg/mL. This study reinforces the idea that green propolis has antifungal activity and interferes with the virulence of Candida species.