theresa.j.ochoa@uth.tmc.edu / Article / BACKGROUND: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains are pediatric pathogens commonly isolated from both healthy and sick children with diarrhea in areas of endemicity. The aim of this study was to compare the bacterial load of EPEC isolated from stool samples from children with and without diarrhea to determine whether bacterial load might be a useful tool for further study of this phenomenon. METHODS: EPEC was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of colonies isolated on MacConkey plates from 53 diarrheal and 90 healthy children aged <2 years. DNA was isolated from stool samples by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide extraction. To standardize quantification by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the correlation between fluorescence threshold cycle and copy number of the intimin gene of EPEC E2348/69 was determined. RESULTS: The detection limit of qRT-PCR was 5 bacteria/mg stool. The geometric mean load in diarrhea was 299 bacteria/mg (95% confidence interval [CI], 77-1164 bacteria/mg), compared with 29 bacteria/mg (95% CI, 10-87 bacteria/mg) in control subjects (P = .016). Bacterial load was significantly higher in children with diarrhea than in control subjects among children <12 months of age (178 vs 5 bacteria/mg; P = .006) and among children with EPEC as the sole pathogen (463 vs 24 bacteria/mg; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: EPEC load measured by qRT-PCR is higher in diarrheal than in healthy children. qRT-PCR may be useful to study the relationship between disease and colonization in settings of endemicity.

Introdução: Doenças tireoidianas subclínicas incluem hipotireoidismo e hipertireoidismo subclínicos. A associação entre doença tireoidiana subclínica e morbimortalidade cardiovascular é controversa e os dados sobre a relação entre essas condições clínicas e aterosclerose subclínica são escassos. Objetivos: Este estudo objetiva avaliar a associação entre doença tireoidiana subclínica, calcificação arterial coronariana (CAC), doença arterial coronariana (DAC), índice de espessura de médio-íntima carotídea média (IMT) e velocidade de onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral (cf-VOP) no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos: Incluímos sujeitos eutireóideos, definidos como tendo TSH entre 0,4 e 4,0 mUI/L e T4L entre 0,8 e 1,9ng/dL, indivíduos com hipotireoidismo subclínico, definido como TSH > 4,0 mUI/L e T4L normal, e hipertireoidismo subclínico, definido como TSH < 0,4 mUI/L e T4L normal. Excluímos os indivíduos com as demais disfunções tireoidianas, em uso de medicação que altera a função tireoidiana, e com doença cardiovascular prévia. Na análise de angiotomografia, excluímos também os sujeitos com hipertireoidismo subclínico pelo pequeno número que impedia a análise e, na análise de cf-VOP, doença renal crônica, indivíduos em uso de diuréticos e de anti-hipertensivos. As associações entre quintis de TSH, CAC > 100 e DAC foram avaliadas por regressão logística e as associações entre IMT, VOP (como variáveis contínuas ou categorizadas com ponto de corte no percentil 75 amostral) e níveis de TSH ou doenças tireoidianas subclínicas foram avaliadas por regressões logísticas e lineares multivariadas. Todos os modelos foram ajustados por variáveis demográficas e fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Resultados: A análise de CAC incluiu 3.836 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 49 anos (IQR=44-56), 1.999 (52,1%) mulheres. CAC > 100 associou-se independentemente com o primeiro quintil (OR ajustado=1,57, IC 95%=1,05-2,35, P=0,027), usando o terceiro como referência. Na análise de angiotomografia, foram incluídos 796 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 55 anos (IQR=48-60 anos), 406 (51%) mulheres. O primeiro quintil associou-se independentemente com CAC (OR ajustado=1,76, IC 95%=1,09-2,82, P= 0,02), DAC (OR ajustado=1,73, IC 95%=1,08-2,79, P=0,023), mas não com extensão de doença. Na análise de IMT, foram incluídos 8.623 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=45-57 anos), 4.624 (53,6%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipotireoidismo subclínico, e 8.193, com mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-57 anos), 4.382 (53,5%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipertireoidismo subclínico. Hipotireoidismo subclínico, mas não hipertireoidismo subclínico, associou-se ao IMT como variável contínua (beta=0,010, IC 95%=0,0004-0,019, P=0,041) e categorizado no percentil 75 ajustado para sexo, idade e raça (OR ajustado=1,30, IC95%=1,07-1,61, P=0,010). Na análise de cf-VOP, foram incluídos 8.341 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-56 anos), 4.383 (52,5%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipotireoidismo subclínico, e 7.790, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-57 anos), 4.191 (53,8%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipertireoidismo subclínico. Cf-VOP não se associou com doença tireoidiana subclínica. Conclusões: Em análises diferentes, CAC e DAC associaram-se com primeiro quintil de TSH usando-se o terceiro como referência. O IMT associou-se com hipotireoidismo subclínico e a cf-VOP não se associou com disfunção tireoidiana subclínica / Introduction: Subclinical thyroid disease includes subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Association between subclinical thyroid disease and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is controversial and data about the relationship between those clinical conditions and subclinical atherosclerosis is scarce. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between subclinical thyroid disease, coronary artery calcification (CAC), coronary artery disease (CAD), mean common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods: We included euthyroid subjects, defined as TSH between 0.4 and 4.0 mIU/l and FT4 between 0.8 and 1.9 ng/dL, and individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as TSH > 4.0 mIU/l and normal FT4, and subclinical hyperthyroidism, defined as TSH < 0.4 mIU/L and normal FT4. We excluded individuals with other thyroid disorders, subjects who used medication that altered thyroid function, subjects with past of cardiovascular disease. In computed angiotomography analysis, we have excluded subjects with subclinical hyperthyroidism because of the small sample, and in cf-PWV analysis, we have excluded individuals with chronic kidney disease, use of anti-hypertensive and diuretics. The association between TSH quintiles was evaluated in logistic regression models for CAC and CAD, and the association between IMT, cf-PWV (as continuous variables or as factor, categorized at 75th sample\'s percentile) and TSH levels or subclinical thyroid diseases was evaluated by multivariate logistic and linear regression models. All models were adjusted for demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: CAC analysis included 3,836 subjects, median of age 49 years (IQR=44-56), 1,999 (52.1%) women. CAC > 100 was independently associated with first quintile of TSH, using the third quintile as the reference (adjusted OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.05-2.35, P=0.027). Computed angiotomography analysis included 796 subjects, median of age 55 years (IQR=48-60), 406 (51%) women. CAD and CAC > 0 was independently associated with first quintile in comparison with third quintile (adjusted OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.08-2.79, P=0.023 and adjusted OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.09-2.82, P= 0.02, respectively), but not with burden of disease. In IMT analysis, 8,623 subjects were included, median of age 50 years (IQR=45-57 years), 4,624 (53.6%) women in the subclinical hypothyroidism subanalysis, and 8,193, median age 50 years (IQR = 44-57 years), 4,382 (53.5%) women, in the subclinical hyperthyroidism subanalysis. Subclinical hypothyroidism, but not subclinical hyperthyroidism, was independently associated with IMT as continuous variable (beta=0.010, IC 95%=0.0004-0.019, P=0.041) or as factor categorized at 75th percentile adjusted for age, sex and race (adjusted OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.07-1.61, P=0.010). In cf-PWV analysis, 8,341 subjects were included, median of age 50 years (IQR=44-56 years), 4,383 (52.5%) women in the subclinical hypothyroidism subanalysis, and 7,790, median age 50 years (IQR = 44-57 years), 4,191 (53.8%) women in subclinical hyperthyroidism subanalysis. Cf- PWV was not associated with subclinical thyroid disease. Conclusion: In separated analysis, CAC and CAD was independently associated with first quintile of TSH using the third as the reference; IMT was independently associated with subclinical hypothyroidism, and cf-PWV was not associated with subclinical thyroid diseases

Introdução: Doenças tireoidianas subclínicas incluem hipotireoidismo e hipertireoidismo subclínicos. A associação entre doença tireoidiana subclínica e morbimortalidade cardiovascular é controversa e os dados sobre a relação entre essas condições clínicas e aterosclerose subclínica são escassos. Objetivos: Este estudo objetiva avaliar a associação entre doença tireoidiana subclínica, calcificação arterial coronariana (CAC), doença arterial coronariana (DAC), índice de espessura de médio-íntima carotídea média (IMT) e velocidade de onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral (cf-VOP) no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos: Incluímos sujeitos eutireóideos, definidos como tendo TSH entre 0,4 e 4,0 mUI/L e T4L entre 0,8 e 1,9ng/dL, indivíduos com hipotireoidismo subclínico, definido como TSH > 4,0 mUI/L e T4L normal, e hipertireoidismo subclínico, definido como TSH < 0,4 mUI/L e T4L normal. Excluímos os indivíduos com as demais disfunções tireoidianas, em uso de medicação que altera a função tireoidiana, e com doença cardiovascular prévia. Na análise de angiotomografia, excluímos também os sujeitos com hipertireoidismo subclínico pelo pequeno número que impedia a análise e, na análise de cf-VOP, doença renal crônica, indivíduos em uso de diuréticos e de anti-hipertensivos. As associações entre quintis de TSH, CAC > 100 e DAC foram avaliadas por regressão logística e as associações entre IMT, VOP (como variáveis contínuas ou categorizadas com ponto de corte no percentil 75 amostral) e níveis de TSH ou doenças tireoidianas subclínicas foram avaliadas por regressões logísticas e lineares multivariadas. Todos os modelos foram ajustados por variáveis demográficas e fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Resultados: A análise de CAC incluiu 3.836 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 49 anos (IQR=44-56), 1.999 (52,1%) mulheres. CAC > 100 associou-se independentemente com o primeiro quintil (OR ajustado=1,57, IC 95%=1,05-2,35, P=0,027), usando o terceiro como referência. Na análise de angiotomografia, foram incluídos 796 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 55 anos (IQR=48-60 anos), 406 (51%) mulheres. O primeiro quintil associou-se independentemente com CAC (OR ajustado=1,76, IC 95%=1,09-2,82, P= 0,02), DAC (OR ajustado=1,73, IC 95%=1,08-2,79, P=0,023), mas não com extensão de doença. Na análise de IMT, foram incluídos 8.623 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=45-57 anos), 4.624 (53,6%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipotireoidismo subclínico, e 8.193, com mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-57 anos), 4.382 (53,5%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipertireoidismo subclínico. Hipotireoidismo subclínico, mas não hipertireoidismo subclínico, associou-se ao IMT como variável contínua (beta=0,010, IC 95%=0,0004-0,019, P=0,041) e categorizado no percentil 75 ajustado para sexo, idade e raça (OR ajustado=1,30, IC95%=1,07-1,61, P=0,010). Na análise de cf-VOP, foram incluídos 8.341 sujeitos, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-56 anos), 4.383 (52,5%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipotireoidismo subclínico, e 7.790, mediana de idade de 50 anos (IQR=44-57 anos), 4.191 (53,8%) mulheres, na subanálise de hipertireoidismo subclínico. Cf-VOP não se associou com doença tireoidiana subclínica. Conclusões: Em análises diferentes, CAC e DAC associaram-se com primeiro quintil de TSH usando-se o terceiro como referência. O IMT associou-se com hipotireoidismo subclínico e a cf-VOP não se associou com disfunção tireoidiana subclínica / Introduction: Subclinical thyroid disease includes subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Association between subclinical thyroid disease and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is controversial and data about the relationship between those clinical conditions and subclinical atherosclerosis is scarce. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between subclinical thyroid disease, coronary artery calcification (CAC), coronary artery disease (CAD), mean common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods: We included euthyroid subjects, defined as TSH between 0.4 and 4.0 mIU/l and FT4 between 0.8 and 1.9 ng/dL, and individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as TSH > 4.0 mIU/l and normal FT4, and subclinical hyperthyroidism, defined as TSH < 0.4 mIU/L and normal FT4. We excluded individuals with other thyroid disorders, subjects who used medication that altered thyroid function, subjects with past of cardiovascular disease. In computed angiotomography analysis, we have excluded subjects with subclinical hyperthyroidism because of the small sample, and in cf-PWV analysis, we have excluded individuals with chronic kidney disease, use of anti-hypertensive and diuretics. The association between TSH quintiles was evaluated in logistic regression models for CAC and CAD, and the association between IMT, cf-PWV (as continuous variables or as factor, categorized at 75th sample\'s percentile) and TSH levels or subclinical thyroid diseases was evaluated by multivariate logistic and linear regression models. All models were adjusted for demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: CAC analysis included 3,836 subjects, median of age 49 years (IQR=44-56), 1,999 (52.1%) women. CAC > 100 was independently associated with first quintile of TSH, using the third quintile as the reference (adjusted OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.05-2.35, P=0.027). Computed angiotomography analysis included 796 subjects, median of age 55 years (IQR=48-60), 406 (51%) women. CAD and CAC > 0 was independently associated with first quintile in comparison with third quintile (adjusted OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.08-2.79, P=0.023 and adjusted OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.09-2.82, P= 0.02, respectively), but not with burden of disease. In IMT analysis, 8,623 subjects were included, median of age 50 years (IQR=45-57 years), 4,624 (53.6%) women in the subclinical hypothyroidism subanalysis, and 8,193, median age 50 years (IQR = 44-57 years), 4,382 (53.5%) women, in the subclinical hyperthyroidism subanalysis. Subclinical hypothyroidism, but not subclinical hyperthyroidism, was independently associated with IMT as continuous variable (beta=0.010, IC 95%=0.0004-0.019, P=0.041) or as factor categorized at 75th percentile adjusted for age, sex and race (adjusted OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.07-1.61, P=0.010). In cf-PWV analysis, 8,341 subjects were included, median of age 50 years (IQR=44-56 years), 4,383 (52.5%) women in the subclinical hypothyroidism subanalysis, and 7,790, median age 50 years (IQR = 44-57 years), 4,191 (53.8%) women in subclinical hyperthyroidism subanalysis. Cf- PWV was not associated with subclinical thyroid disease. Conclusion: In separated analysis, CAC and CAD was independently associated with first quintile of TSH using the third as the reference; IMT was independently associated with subclinical hypothyroidism, and cf-PWV was not associated with subclinical thyroid diseases