Introduction. Malnutrition is underdiagnosed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of COPD patients and the link between dyspnea and nutritional status. Methods. This longitudinal observational study included patients hospitalized with exacerbated COPD. Nutritional status was assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, anthropometric, and biochemical assessments, in the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Results. Thirty patients were evaluated. According to the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, half of the patients were at increased risk of malnutrition. 36.7% were classified as malnourished if we only considered the body mass index. From the evaluation of the tricipital skin fold, 69.0% were classified as malnourished, with 48.3% having severe malnutrition. According to the serum albumin level, 29.6% had malnutrition criteria. A significant association between dyspnea and increasing age ( ) was found. There was a strong association between the fold classification and the degrees of severity of dyspnea (Fisher exact test: 13.60, , V Cramer = 0.826). Most patients were malnourished and had higher grades of dyspnea. Tricipital skinfold reflects subcutaneous adipose tissue; this anthropometric measurement seems to be a good method to classify the nutritional status of COPD patients. It classified the biggest portion of patients as malnourished. Conclusion. The number of patients classified as malnourished changed with the method under analysis. The tricipital skin fold parameter was strongly associated with the dyspnea score. Most patients had adipose tissue and muscular mass depletion.

Pleuropulmonary Samonella infections are very rare and are associated with high mortality.

From the Heart to the Lung: A Case of Drug Toxicity - Article abstract #929906

Melanoma is an aggressive skin tumor, but it may be present in other locations. Primary lung melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma are rare entities.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection due to occupational exposure. Prevention of TB disease by treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is a critical component of public health. Aims and objectives: Assess LTBI among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in a low-risk area (827HCWs). Methods: Prospective, descriptive ongoing study (September - December 2022). HCWs underwent a clinical questionnaire, chest x-ray, and interferon-γ-release assay (IGRA). Results: Volunteered 61 HCWs (7.4%). We excluded one due to a previous history of TB, four dropped out, and seven were waiting for IGRA results. Forty-nine patients completed screening, most were women (n=47;95.9%), with a mean age of 49.1years (SD±1.66), and 55.1% (n=27) were non-smokers. About 57.1% (n=28) had chronic health condition. The majority of the participants were operational staff (n=22;44.9%) and nurses (n=13;26.5%). Approximately 49% (n=24) of the HCWs had previously worked in a TB sanatorium. Most had BCG vaccination (n=47;95.9%). In 30.6% (n=15) of HCWs, it was the first screening for TB. We identified four cases of LTBI, all among operational staff, aged between 55 and 63 years. One patient refused treatment. Operational staff are at increased risk of LTBI (OR 5.345;p=0.035). Patients with LTBI were older (57.3 vs. 48.4years;p=0.024). There was no difference between gender (p=0.158) and years of work (p=0.277). Conclusion: The operational staff group is at higher risk of LTBI. Are operational staff at higher risk because of a lack of knowledge of infection prevention? The low participation rate of HCWs points to the need to promote adherence to screening and treatment in healthcare facilities.