RESUMO ABSTRACTIntroduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic infectious disease of broad geographical distribution, characterized by high potential for lethality. With the purpose of contributing towards reducing mortality and helping healthcare professionals in clinical management of patients with this disease, this paper aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of cases with a fatal outcome in hospitals in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, between 2003 and 2008. Methods: Fifty-five medical files on patients who died due to visceral leishmaniasis were analyzed. Results: Among the 55 patients studied, 37 were from the municipality of Campo Grande; 41 (74.5%) were males; and age over 40 years predominated. The patients presented with fever in 89.1% of the cases. The duration of the illness from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization was 78.2 days on average. Leukopenia was seen in 85.5% of the patients. Comorbidities were present in 39 (70.9%) patients; malnutrition and alcoholism were the most frequent of these. Confirmation of the diagnosis occurred on average 6.7 days after admission. Pentavalent antimoniate was the drug most used, and 87.5% of the patients presented some type of adverse reaction. Bacterial infections occurred in 36 patients and were one of the causes of death in 27 (49%). Conclusions: The data showed that early identification of these clinical and laboratory characteristics, at the time when patients are first attended, is extremely important for reducing mortality through instituting efficient therapeutic and prophylactic measures.

RESUMO ABSTRACTThis study, realized from October 2000 to January 2003 describes the clinical epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. A total of 149 cases were confirmed, with a predominance of the male gender (71.1%). The principal age group was aged 0 to 4 years old (42%). The clinical picture included fever (97.3%), esplenomegaly (85.9%) and anemia (75.8%). Associated infections were seen in 32 patients (21.5%), pneumonia being most common. Changes registered in the laboratory included a median hemoglobin level of 8mg/dl and 3,100 leucocytes/mm 3 . Bone marrow smears were positive in 90.6% of patients. Of the 97.9% patients treated, 78.2% used pentavalent antimony. Mortalities occurred in 8% of cases, half of these with associated infection. Taken together, these data suggest changes in the physiographical occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis in this locality, with expansion and urbanization of the disease, requiring greater attention for early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: to compare the results of urinary tract infection incidence, by means of the rate of indwelling urethral catheter use, and to identify microorganisms in urine cultures and surveillance cultures before and after the implementation of a clinical protocol for intensive care unit patients . Method: urinary tract infection is defined as a positive urine culture > 105 CFU/mL, notified by the hospital infection control service, six months before and after the implementation of the protocol. The sample consisted of 47 patients, 28 reported before and 19 after implementation. The protocol established in the institution is based on the Ministry of Health manual to prevent healthcare-related infections; the goal is patient safety and improving the quality of health services. Results: a negative linear correlation was observed between the later months of implementation and the reduction of reported cases of urinary tract infection, using the Spearman rank order coefficient (p = 0.045), and a reduction in the number of urine culture microorganisms (p = 0.026) using the Fisher exact test. Conclusion: educational interventions with implementation protocols in health institutions favor the standardization of maintenance of the invasive devices, which may reduce colonization and subsequent infections.

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to describe the profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the City of Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, from 2002 to 2009. METHODS: Human data were collected from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Canine cases and entomological data were obtained from the Information Service for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis Control/Campo Grande, MS. RESULTS: A total of 951 records from 2002 to 2009 were investigated. The number of reported cases of VL in males was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that in females. The higher frequency observed among males was associated with age (p < 0.0001), which increased in individuals aged 40 years and older. The overall fatality rate was 7.4%. Entomological surveys conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2009 showed the insect vector Lutzomyia longipalpis to be present in all urban regions of the county. CONCLUSIONS: VL cases in humans and dogs, as well as in vectors, occurs in all urban regions of Campo Grande. Despite not observing tendencies of increase or reduction in the incidence of the disease due to aging, the major incidence in men is higher in those aged 40 years or above.