Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

289-295

Authors: Sing Chet Lee, Wee Kee Wo, Hee Sheong Yeoh, Sim Mei Choo, Azuana Ramli

Objective: To compare the reporting pattern of hearing loss and tinnitus across different vaccines brands used in Malaysia (BNT162b2, CoronaVac, ChAdOx1, Ad5.CoV2-S and BBIBP-CorV). Methods: This retrospective study included all reports of hearing loss and tinnitus occurring after COVID-19 vaccination that were received in the national pharmacovigilance database, QUEST, from February 24, 2021 through July 31, 2022. Reports given causality consistent or indeterminate were included. Results: There were 21 cases of hearing loss, with overall reporting rate of 0.29 cases per million doses. The rate was similar across BNT162b2, CoronaVac and ChAdOx1. For tinnitus, 35 cases were reported, with the overall reporting rate of 0.49 cases per million doses, and the highest rate was reported for ChAdOx1. For both events, most cases aged 30 to 49 years. No gender disparity was observed. Both events were mainly reported to have occurred after the primary doses, with a median time-to-onset of two days. There were no statistically significant differences in the reporting patterns for both events across BNT162b2, CoronaVac and ChAdOx1 by age group, gender, race, and dose number. Conclusions: Despite the low reporting rates and insufficient evidence to confirm its relationship, hearing loss and tinnitus following vaccinations should not be ignored due to its disabling potential and impact on one’s quality of life. Continual reporting is encouraged for better signal characterization in the future.

305-312

Authors: Nicolás Rozo Montoya, Juliana Quintero Pulgarín, Liliana López Carvajal

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic response and safety of different treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis, received by patients in the Program for the Study and Control of Tropical Diseases- PECET-Medellín-Colombia. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients attended at PECET Research Center during 2016-2021. Relevant information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, history of leishmaniasis, characterization of current infection, treatment received, follow-up of therapeutic response and safety was collected from the medical records. Data were analyzed with Pearson's Chi-square association tests and Mann-Whitney U test using statistical software. Results: A total of 486 clinical records of patients were analyzed, and 356 received treatment. Eight different therapeutic alternatives (systemic, local and in combination) were analyzed. The therapeutic response of the different alternatives used (except thermotherapy) was higher than 50%. Most frequent adverse events were myalgias, arthralgias and headache, and vesicles for systemic and local treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Safety profile and performance of local therapeutic alternatives and combined schemes for the treatment of uncomplicated cutaneous leishmaniasis are an interesting option for the management of the disease.

321-328

Authors: Glaucia Morgana de Melo Guedes, Crister José Ocadaque, Alyne Soares Freitas, Rodrigo Machado Pinheiro, Giovanna Barbosa Riello, Silviane Praciano Bandeira, Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro, Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha, José Júlio Costa Sidrim, Débora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco

Objective: To characterize biofilm production by clinical (n=21) and environmental (n=11) isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei and evaluate the production of proteases, hemolysins and siderophores. Methods: Initially, the 32 strains were evaluated for biofilm production in Müller-Hinton broth-1% glucose (MH-1% glucose) and BHI broth-1% glucose, using the crystal violet staining technique. Subsequently, growing (48 h) and mature (72 h) biofilms were evaluated by confocal microscopy. Finally, the production of proteases, hemolysins and siderophores by planktonic aggregates, growing biofilms and mature biofilms was evaluated. Results: All isolates produced biofilms, but clinical isolates had significantly higher biomass in both MH-1% glucose (P<0.001) and BHI-glucose 1% (P=0.005). The structural analyses by confocal microscopy showed thick biofilms, composed of multiple layers of cells, homogeneously arranged, with mature biofilms of clinical isolates presenting higher biomass (P=0.019) and thickness of the entire area (P=0.029), and lower roughness coefficient (P=0.007) than those of environmental isolates. Protease production by growing biofilms was significantly greater than that of planktonic (P<0.001) and mature biofilms (P<0.001). Hemolysin release by planktonic aggregates was higher than that of biofilms (P<0.001). Regarding siderophores, mature biofilms presented higher production than growing biofilms (P<0.001) and planktonic aggregates (P<0.001). Conclusions: Clinical isolates have higher production of biofilms than their environmental counterparts; protease and siderophores seem important for growth and maintenance of Burkholderia pseu¬domallei biofilms.

332-334

Authors: Senthilkumar Ramasamy, Sanjana Agrawal, Hafseera Paradan

None.