Browsing by Author "Gama, Jorge"
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- Allergic sensitisation and relationship with asthma and other allergic diseases in children in the province of Bengo, AngolaPublication . Arrais, Margarete; Lulua, Ofélia; Quifica, Francisca; Gama, Jorge; Taborda-Barata, Luis; Brito, MiguelBackground: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergies has increased, especially in children. In Africa, few studies have evaluated allergic sensitization and in Angola, none. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of allergic sensitization in children with asthma and other allergic diseases. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, using the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergic Diseases in Children (ISAAC), conducted from September to November 2017 in 5 to 14-year-old children in the Bengo Province, Angola. Out of a total of 33 public schools, 5 (15%) were randomly selected, 3 in urban and 2 in rural areas. Allergic sensitization was defined by positive skin prick tests (SPT) and/or positive inhalant Phadiatop. Data were analyzed with SPSS Statistics v25.0. Results: The sample consisted of 1023 children, 48% girls, 58% 10-14-year-old, 61% living in urban areas. Of these children, 8% had positive SPT with the most frequent sensitization being to mites (B.tropicalis, D.farinae, D.pteronyssinus) and cockroach mix, without statistically significant differences between sexes, age, and urban or rural area residents. About 56% of children were monosensitized, 44% were polysensitized, and most sensitized children (55%) were asymptomatic. No significant differences in allergen sensitization patterns were observed among atopic children who were asymptomatic, had asthma, rhinitis, or eczema. Conclusion: Allergic sensitization to dust mites, cockroach mix, and fungi is the most frequent pattern observed in 5-14-year-old Angolan children in Bengo but this was not different between sensitized children with and without allergic diseases.
- Clinical characteristics and variables associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Luanda, Angola, in the first year of the pandemicPublication . Arrais, Margarete; Dias, Welwitschia; Silva, Maura; Neto, Luquenia; Pedro, Naiol; Jungo, Sónia; Miguel, Avelina; Fortes-Gabriel, Elsa; Sebastião, Cruz; Gama, Jorge; Brito, MiguelBackground: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa is still unclear. In comparison to Europe and North America, morbidity and death rates are lower. Several factors have been proposed, including geographical variation in virus impact, environmental factors, differences in age distribution, and the impact of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Objectives: We investigated the clinical characteristics and putative determinants linked with COVID-19 in Angolan patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study undertaken at Military Hospital, Luanda, from March 2020 to March 2021. The survey collected sociodemographic and clinical information. Results: The sample included 1,683 patients aged ≥18 years, 64% men, with a mean age of 46.3 years. SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 39% of the cases with RT-PCR. Patients ≥46 years with a level of education of ≥12 years had a considerably higher likelihood of testing positive. About 58% of positive patients had at least one comorbidity, of which hypertension and Diabetes were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. HIV and pulmonary TB were putative protective factors. About 14% of positive patients died. Most deaths occurred in patients ≥46 years old, with less education and unemployment. Working as a healthcare practitioner was linked to a protective effect. Malignant diseases were the most common comorbidities associated with death. Conclusions: We identified putative factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. HIV and TB were protective and not associated with mortality. Further study with a broader scope should be conducted to explain the main features related to COVID-19 mortality in Angola.
- Lack of association between asthma, atopy and helminthic infection in school-age children in the province of Bengo, AngolaPublication . Arrais, Margarete; Sachicola, Ofélia; Quifica, Francisca; Gama, Jorge; Taborda-Barata, Luis; Brito, MiguelBackground: Epidemiological studies conducted in several countries worldwide and in some African countries have shown that there is controversy in the relationship between asthma, atopy, and helminthic infection. The aim of this study was to fully evaluate such a relationship in children living in areas of high and moderate helminthic prevalence. Method: Cross-sectional study using the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), conducted from September to November 2017, in the Province of Bengo, Angola. From a total of 33 schools, five (15%), three in urban and two in rural areas were randomly selected. Atopy was defined by positive skin prick tests and/or specific IgE to aeroallergens (Phadiatop), and helminthic infection was defined by the presence of helminths in feces. Data were obtained regarding the helminthic load, types of helminths, previous infections, and anti-helminthic treatments, and were analyzed with SPSS Statistics v25.0. Results: The sample consisted of 1023 children, 48% female, 58% 10 to 14 years old, and 61% living in urban areas. About 9% had asthma, 22% had rhinitis, 16% had eczema, 8% were atopic and 36% were infected by helminths. The most frequently detected helminths were Ascaris lumbricoides (23% of children), Hymenolepsis nana (6%), and Trichuris trichiuria (4%). No relationship was detected between the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, or atopy and parameters of helminthic infection. Conclusion: No relationship was apparent between the prevalence of asthma, atopy, and helminth infection. Further studies are warranted, namely, cohort studies with long follow-up monitoring since birth.
- Sensitisation to aeroallergens in relation to asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan children: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Arrais, Margarete; Lulua, Ofélia; Quifica, Francisca; Rosado-Pinto, José; Gama, Jorge; Brito, Miguel; Taborda-Barata, LuisIntroduction and Objectives: In Africa, few studies of sensitization profiles have been performed in children or adolescents and, in Angola, there are none. The objectives of the present study were to assess the sensitization profile of Angolan schoolchildren and to determine the relationship between that pattern, sociodemographic factors, asthma, and other allergic diseases. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study in 5-14-year-old children, performed between September and November 2017, in the Province of Bengo, Angola. Five schools (15%) were randomly selected in the geographical area of the study: three from an urban area, and two from a rural area. Data were collected using the Portuguese versions of the ISAAC questionnaires for children and adolescents, regarding asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed with a battery of 12 aeroallergens. Stools were assessed for the presence of helminths. Descriptive statistics were used, as well as a univariate calculation of odds ratios. Results: Sensitisation to aeroallergens was low (8%) and most sensitized children were asymptomatic. Most frequent sensitizations involved house dust mites, cockroaches, or fungi, and a high proportion of children (78.1%) were monosensitized. No relationship was detected between sensitizations and asthma, rhinitis or eczema. Place of residence, gender, age or helminthic infection did not affect the probability of having positive SPTs. Conclusions: The most frequent sensitizations in children from Bengo Province in Angola involve house dust mites, followed by cockroaches and fungi. No relationship was found between atopic sensitization and asthma or other allergic diseases.