Impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en el índice de masa corporal de niños asistidos en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires / Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the body mass index of children seen in the City of Buenos Aires

Introducción. El sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil constituyen un problema de salud pública. El inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 pudo haber favorecido esta patología. El puntaje Z del índice de masa corporal (Z-IMC) es un indicador aceptado para su diagnóstico y seguimiento. Objetivo. Evaluar si la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, y el Z-IMC en niños de 2 a 5 años aumentó durante la pandemia. Población y métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron pacientes asistidos en efectores públicos de salud del Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (GCABA), de 2 a 5 años de edad, con registro de peso y talla en dos consultas, antes y después de haber comenzado el aislamiento social preventivo y obligatorio (ASPO). Se registró estado nutricional (Z-IMC) y variación del Z-IMC entre ambas consultas. Resultados. Se evaluaron 3866 sujetos, edad promedio 3,4 ± 0,8 años; el 48,1 % fueron mujeres. El intervalo promedio entre consultas fue 14,3 ± 2,5 meses. La prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad aumentó del 12,6 % (IC95% 11,6-13,6) al 20,9 % (IC95% 19,6-22-2); p <0,001, al igual que el Z-IMC (0,4 ± 1,1 vs. 0,8 ± 1,3; p <0,001). Conclusión. La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, y el Z-IMC en niños de 2 a 5 años aumentó significativamente durante la pandemia.

Introduction. Childhood overweight and obesity are a public health problem. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this condition. The body mass index (BMI) Z-score has been accepted as an indicator for overweight and obesity diagnosis and follow-up. Objective. To assess whether the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the BMI Z-score in children aged 2 to 5 years increased during the pandemic. Population and methods. Retrospective, cohort study. Patients included were those seen at public health care facilities in the City of Buenos Aires (CABA), who were aged 2 to 5 years, had weight and height values recorded at 2 different visits, before and after the establishment of the preventive and mandatory social isolation policy. Patients' nutritional status (BMI Z-score) and the variation in this indicator between both visits were recorded. Results. A total of 3866 subjects were assessed; their average age was 3.4 ± 0.8 years; 48.1% were girls. The average interval between both visits was 14.3 ± 2.5 months. The prevalence of overweight/ obesity increased from 12.6% (95% CI: 11.6­13.6) to 20.9% (95% CI: 19.6­22.2), p < 0.001, and so did the BMI Z-score (0.4 ± 1.1 versus 0.8 ± 1.3, p < 0.001). Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity and the BMI Z-score in children aged 2 to 5 years increased significantly during the pandemic.

Religiosidade/espiritualidade entre a população brasileira diante da pandemia Covid-19 e a correlação com a qualidade de vida / Religiosity/spirituality among the brazilian population in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and the correlation with quality of life / Religiosidad/espiritualidad en la población brasileña frente a la pandemia de Covid-19 y la correlación con la calidad de vida

A pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) trouxe inúmeros impactos na vida cotidiana, tanto nos aspectos econômicos, como nos emocionais, psicológicos e sociais. Em situações difíceis, as pessoas, muitas vezes, recorrem à espiritualidade ou à religiosidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença da religiosidade/espiritualidade entre a população brasileira diante da pandemia da COVID- 19, correlacionado com a qualidade de vida. É um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, realizado nos últimos meses de 2020. Os dados foram coletados por meio de respostas aos instrumentos WHOQOL-Bref e o WHOQOL-SRPB, de forma online, por meio do Google Forms®. Utilizou-se o método de amostragem não probabilístico do tipo snowball sampling, totalizando 948 respostas. Os dados foram tabulados por meio do software Microsoft Excel (2019) e analisados estatisticamente, considerando significativo p<0,05. Os dados apresentados mostram de forma enfática como os participantes que pertencem a alguma religião, apresentaram melhor relação nos domínios saúde psicológica, independência, meio ambiente e espiritualidade/religião/crenças pessoais em comparação àqueles que declaram não pertencer a uma religião. No entanto, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa para os domínios saúde física e relações sociais. Conclui-se que o pertencimento a uma religião pode contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida e auxiliar o enfrentamento das situações desfavoráveis durante a pandemia COVID-19. Diante disso, destaca-se a importância do desenvolvimento de novos estudos sobre o tema, para compreender com mais veemência e detalhamento, a relação dessas variáveis em contextos de crise que possam alterar a rotina de vida das pessoas.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has brought numerous impacts on daily life, both in economic, emotional, psychological, and social aspects. In difficult situations, people often turn to spirituality or religiosity. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of religiosity/spirituality among the Brazilian population facing the pandemic of COVID-19, correlated with quality of life. Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in the last months of 2020. Data were collected by means of responses to the WHOQOL-Bref and the WHOQOL-SRPB instruments, online, through Google Forms®. The non-probabilistic snowball sampling method was used, totaling 948 answers. Data were tabulated using Microsoft Excel software (2019) and statistically analyzed, considering p<0.05 significant. The data presented emphatically show how the participants, who belong to some religion, presented a better relationship in the domains psychological health, independence, and environment and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs compared to those who do not have a religion. However, there was no statistically significant difference for the physical health and social relationships domains. It is concluded that belonging to a religion can contribute to improved quality of life and assist in coping with unfavorable situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the importance of developing new studies on the subject is highlighted, in order to understand more vehemently the relationship of these variables in crisis contexts that can change the routine of people's lives.

La pandemia causada por el SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha traído numerosos impactos en la vida cotidiana, tanto en los aspectos económicos, emocionales, psicológicos y sociales. En situaciones difíciles, las personas suelen recurrir a la espiritualidad o la religiosidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la presencia de religiosidad/espiritualidad en la población brasileña que enfrenta la pandemia de COVID- 19, correlacionada con la calidad de vida. Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal, realizado en los últimos meses de 2020. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de respuestas a los instrumentos WHOQOL-Bref y WHOQOL-SRPB, en línea, a través de Google Forms®. Se utilizó el método de muestreo no probabilístico de bola de nieve, totalizando 948 respuestas. Los datos fueron tabulados utilizando el software Microsoft Excel (2019) y analizados estadísticamente, considerando p<0,05 significativa. Los datos presentados muestran enfáticamente cómo los participantes, que pertenecen a alguna religión, presentaron una mejor relación en los dominios salud psicológica, independencia y entorno y espiritualidad/religión/creencias personales en comparación con aquellos que no tienen religión. Sin embargo, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas para los dominios salud física y relaciones sociales. Se concluye que la pertenencia a una religión puede contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida y ayudar a afrontar situaciones desfavorables durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Por lo tanto, se destaca la importancia de desarrollar nuevos estudios sobre el tema, para comprender con más vehemencia la relación de estas variables en contextos de crisis que pueden cambiar la rutina de vida de las personas.

COVID-19: Asociación entre la clasificación de riesgo y el Modified Early Warning Score y los resultados hospitalarios / COVID-19: Association of risk classification with the Modified Early Warning Score and hospital outcomes / COVID-19: Associação da classificação de risco com o Modified Early Warning Score e os desfechos hospitalares

Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre las categorías de clasificación de riesgo y el Modified Early Warning Score y los resultados de los pacientes con COVID-19 en el servicio de emergencia Método: estudio transversal, realizado con 372 pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de COVID-19 atendidos en la Recepción con Clasificación de Riesgo en Urgencias. En este estudio, el Modified Early Warning Score de los pacientes se clasificó como sin y con deterioro clínico, de 0 a 4 y de 5 a 9, respectivamente. Se consideró que había deterioro clínico cuando presentaban insuficiencia respiratoria aguda, shock y paro cardiorrespiratorio. Resultados: el Modified Early Warning Score promedio fue de 3,34. En cuanto al deterioro clínico de los pacientes, se observó que en el 43% de los casos el tiempo de deterioro fue menor a 24 horas y que el 65,9% ocurrió en urgencias. El deterioro más frecuente fue la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda (69,9%) y el resultado fue alta hospitalaria (70,3%). Conclusión: los pacientes con COVID-19 que presentaban Modified Early Warning Score 4 se asociaron a las categorías de clasificación de riesgo urgente, muy urgente y emergente y tuvieron más deterioro clínico, como insuficiencia respiratoria y shock, y murieron, lo que demuestra que el Protocolo de Clasificación de Riesgo priorizó correctamente a los pacientes con riesgo vital.

Objective: to evaluate the association of the risk classification categories with the Modified Early Warning Score and the outcomes of COVID-19 patients in the emergency service Method: a crosssectional study carried out with 372 patients hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis and treated at the Risk Classification Welcoming area from the Emergency Room. In this study, the patients' Modified Early Warning Score was categorized into without and with clinical deterioration, from 0 to 4 and from 5 to 9, respectively. Clinical deterioration was considered to be acute respiratory failure, shock and cardiopulmonary arrest Results: the mean Modified Early Warning Score was 3.34. In relation to the patients' clinical deterioration, it was observed that, in 43%, the time for deterioration was less than 24 hours and that 65.9% occurred in the Emergency Room. The most frequent deterioration was acute respiratory failure (69.9%) and the outcome was hospital discharge (70.3%). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients who had a Modified Early Warning Scores > 4 were associated with the urgent, very urgent and emergency risk classification categories, had more clinical deterioration, such as respiratory failure and shock, and evolved more to death, which shows that the Risk Classification Protocol correctly prioritized patients at risk of life.

Objetivo: avaliar a associação das categorias de classificação de risco com o Modified Early Warning Score e os desfechos dos pacientes com COVID-19 no serviço de emergência Método: estudo transversal, realizado com 372 pacientes internados com diagnóstico de COVID-19 atendidos no Acolhimento com Classificação de Risco no Pronto-Atendimento. Neste estudo, o Modified Early Warning Score dos pacientes foi categorizado em sem e com deterioração clínica, de 0 a 4 e de 5 a 9, respectivamente. Foram consideradas deteriorações clínicas a insuficiência respiratória aguda, choque e parada cardiorrespiratória. Resultados: o Modified Early Warning Score médio foi de 3,34. Em relação à deterioração clínica dos pacientes, observou-se que em 43% o tempo para deterioração foi menor de 24 horas e que 65,9% delas ocorreu no pronto-socorro. A deterioração mais frequente foi a insuficiência respiratória aguda (69,9%) e o desfecho foi o de alta hospitalar (70,3%). Conclusão: pacientes com COVID-19 que tiveram Modified Early Warning Score 4 foram associados às categorias da classificação de risco urgente, muito urgente e emergente e tiveram mais deterioração clínica, como a insuficiência respiratória e o choque, e evoluíram mais a óbito, o que demonstra que o Protocolo de Classificação de Risco priorizou corretamente os pacientes com risco de vida.

Estudio comparativo entre un test de antígeno y la prueba de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RT-PCR) para el diagnóstico de infección por COVID-19 en pediatría / Comparative study between an antigen test and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in pediatrics

Introducción. La pandemia por COVID-19 ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de pruebas diagnósticas rápidas. La prueba de referencia es la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RT-PCR). Requiere un equipo y personal capacitado, y su resultado puede llevar un tiempo de espera prolongado. El sistema BD Veritor® es el método rápido cromatográfico utilizado para la detección del antígeno del coronavirus de tipo 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave, en individuos sintomáticos. El objetivo primario del siguiente trabajo es evaluar sensibilidad y especificidad del test de antígeno (TA) comparadas con la RT-PCR en población pediátrica. Población y métodos. Estudio prospectivo, de prueba diagnóstica. Se incluyó a todo menor de 17 años en los primeros 5 días de inicio de síntomas, que consultó desde julio de 2021 hasta febrero de 2022. Se calculó un mínimo de 300 muestras para lograr una precisión de ± 8,76 % y de ± 3,68 % para sensibilidad y especificidad respectivamente. Se analizaron en paralelo las muestras por ambas metodologías. Resultados. De 316 muestras pareadas, 33 fueron positivas por ambos métodos; 6 fueron positivas solo por RT-PCR. La especificidad del TA fue del 100 %; la sensibilidad, del 84,6 %, con un valor predictivo positivo y negativo del 100 % y del 98 % respectivamente. Conclusiones. El TA demostró ser útil en el diagnóstico de pacientes pediátricos con COVID-19 en los primeros 5 días de inicio de síntomas, aunque aquellos con TA negativo y alta sospecha clínica deberían confirmar su resultado con la RT-PCR.

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the need for rapid diagnostic tests. The gold standard test is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR requires equipment and trained personnel, and results may take a long waiting time. The BD Veritor® System is a rapid chromatographic method used for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen in symptomatic individuals. The primary objective of this study is to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the antigen test (AT) compared to the RT-PCR in the pediatric population. Population and methods. Prospective study with a diagnostic test. All children younger than 17 years in the first 5 days of symptom onset, who consulted between July 2021 and February 2022, were included. A minimum of 300 specimens was estimated to achieve an accuracy of ±8.76% and ±3.68% for sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Specimens were analyzed in parallel using both methodologies. Results. Of 316 paired samples, 33 were positive by both methods; 6 were positive only by RT-PCR. The specificity of the AT was 100%; sensitivity was 84.6%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 100% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions. The AT proved to be useful in the diagnosis of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the first 5 days of symptom onset, although those with a negative AT and high clinical suspicion should confirm their result with a RT-PCR.

Entidades simuladoras en el abordaje diagnóstico del paciente con COVID-19: No todo es COVID-19 / Simulator Entities in the Diagnostic Approach of the COVID-19 Patient: Not Everything is COVID-19

La coyuntura sanitaria a nivel global, provocada por SARS-CoV-2, ha generado gran avance en la literatura de las enfermedades infecciosas, dicha infección ocasionada por SARS-CoV-2 supone estados de enfermedad que van desde síntomas leves, inespecíficos como: fiebre, perdida del olfato, disnea progresiva, tos, astenia, adinamia, entre otros.1 La interacción del SARS-CoV-2 en el organismo se encuentra ampliamente descrita mediante su interacción con la enzima convertidora de angiotensina - 2 (ECA-2), dicho efecto del virus consiste en la supresión de la ECA-2, que genera en el organismo un desbalance de angiotensina, esta última supone un fuerte agente vasoconstrictor que induce estados de inflamación y fibrosis, como también induce fuertes respuestas de vasoconstricción a nivel sistémico. El parénquima pulmonar es blanco de ingreso del virus, dada su alta expresión de ECA-2 en la superficie de los alveolos pulmonares.2 Sin embargo, en la situación actual generada por el SARS-CoV-2, es necesario sospechar de cualquier sintomatología de origen respiratorio, como primer agente etiológico - causal al virus en cuestión. Los avances en vacunación son realmente satisfactorios a nivel global, en la región de las Américas, se han generado tasas de inmunización (dosis por cada 100 habitantes) por encima del 60 %, es decir, que ante la severidad del cuadro respiratorio, el clínico que afronta este tipo de pacientes en el Servicio de Urgencias, en la hospitalización o en la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI) debe sospechar otras entidades análogas o simuladoras que comparten características semiológicas y/o sintomáticas similares a las manifestadas en un cuadro de infección por SARS-CoV-2.3 En las etapas iniciales de la infección por SARS-CoV-2, puede reflejar un estado inespecífico de viremia asociado a síntomas clásicos de cualquier infección de cualquier etiología, la importancia radica en sospechar o realizar diagnósticos diferenciales en la medida de la progresión del cuadro clínico. El seguimiento usualmente es guiado por imágenes. En el caso del edema pulmonar comparte aspectos como opacidades en vidrio esmerilado o patrón de virio esmerilado, pero su caracterización está dada en predominio perihiliar y en regiones basales de los lóbulos pulmonares, usualmente se asocia a derrame pleural de forma bilateral.4 Los hallazgos clínicos asociados a hemorragia o hemoptisis pueden ser sugestivos de hemorragia alveolar difusa con presencia de sangre en el espacio alveolar asociado a patrón de vidrio esmerilado, la evolución de esta entidad puede cambiar de vidrio esmerilado a patrón reticular y en el mejor de los casos, resolver en un lapso no mayor de 2 imágenes en el control de imagenología. Las neumonías intersticiales y las neumonitis por hipersensibilidad se caracterizan por compartir un patrón de vidrio esmerilado o deslustrado tanto como el SARS-CoV-2, la diferencia radica en la panalización del parénquima pulmonar y en la formación de bronquiectasia, con afectación de los campos medios e inferiores. En el caso de la neumonitis por hipersensibilidad, se hace necesario una anamnesis más extensa para la exploración e interrogación de exposición de alergenos de forma crónica, usualmente retirando el alergeno que induce este tipo.5 Las neumonías atípicas inducen alteraciones de tipo bilateral asociadas a patrón de vidrio esmerilado; sin embargo, son frecuentes en estados de inmunosupresión del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA) asociados a un rápido deterioro de la función pulmonar con fiebre persistente a pesar del manejo médico. El patrón imagenología se asocia a mayor compromiso en lóbulos superiores asociado en ocasiones a neumotórax espontáneo, generando diferenciales mediante la aplicación de pruebas moleculares.6 En el caso de las metástasis pulmonares, se describen como nódulos de tamaño variable y aumentado, asociados a engrosamiento del intersticio, con patrón imagenología de vidrio esmerilado al rededor en su mayoría de la masa en cuestión. La linfangitis carcinomatosa es necesaria considerarla, ya que su patrón imagenológico confunde con la infección por SARS-CoV-2 por su mal aspecto imagenológico, dicho patrón obedece a diseminación tumoral de vasos linfáticos, que genera patrones radiográficos de aspecto engrosado en intersticio asociado a adenomegalias mediastínicas, su compromiso puede ser unilateral o bilateral. Otros estados crónicos de infecciosos (tuberculosis), entidades hematooncológicas (hemangioendoteliomas), condiciones crónicas y ocupacionales (silicosis) metabólicas (hipercalcemia) pueden inducir la formación de nódulos pulmonares calcificados que inducen confusión en el diagnóstico de estadios avanzados de la infección por SARS-CoV-2.7 Lo anterior obedece a las condiciones con afección pulmonar, condiciones necesarias a considerar en el abordaje del paciente con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda, espectro en el cual la infección por SARS-CoV-2 ingresa de forma progresiva ante no obtener abordajes claros y precisos. Es relevante abordar en cada una de ellas para desglosar aspectos más profundos y propios de dichas enfermedades para tratar de forma oportuna ante el descarte de la infección por SARS-CoV-2(AU)

Diferencias epidemiológicas y clínicas en pacientes VIH positivas antes y durante la pandemia covid-19 / Epidemiological and clinical differences in HIV positive patients before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Con la llegada de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el año 2020, múltiples diagnósticos y tratamientos de diversas enfermedades quedaron relegados por el impacto del síndrome respiratorio agudo causado por el nuevo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) en los sistemas de salud. Teniendo en cuenta la coexistencia de la pandemia por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y la provocada por el virus SARS-Cov-2, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue recolectar información de un Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y analizar cómo repercutió la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en el diagnóstico de las enfermedades que afectan a la población VIH positiva y, a su vez, comparar el estado clínico al ingreso y egreso de las pacientes en el período pre pandemia y durante la misma. Para esto se analizaron 100 epicrisis correspondientes a la sala 16 de internación de mujeres con complicaciones de la enfermedad VIH/SIDA que fueron asistidas en el período entre Enero del 2020 y Julio del 2021, y 74 epicrisis de pacientes internadas en ese mismo sitio en los siete meses previos. Se tuvieron en cuenta múltiples variables como el motivo de ingreso, conocimiento o no del diagnóstico de VIH, indicación de tratamiento antirretroviral y cumplimiento del mismo, antecedentes patológicos de las pacientes, presencia de enfermedades marcadoras de SIDA e infecciones de transmisión sexual, entre otras. Al comparar los datos entre pre-pandemia y pandemia se evidencia que esta última afectó a la población VIH positiva, en aspectos que van desde el retraso en el diagnóstico de la infección por el retrovirus, el inicio o reinicio de los tratamientos antirretrovirales y diferencias en los múltiples diagnósticos de egreso, incrementándose las consultas por trastornos respiratorios y neurológicos. A todo esto se añadieron las dificultades del personal médico para brindar una buena atención dado por el colapso del sistema sanitario que se hizo presente en dicho contexto. Por otra parte, destacar la importancia de la confección correcta y completa de las historias clínicas para lograr una mejor calidad de atención médica

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many diagnoses and treatments of various diseases were relegated due to the impact of the acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in health systems. Taking into account the coexistence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and that caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the objective of this study was to collect information from an Infectious Disease Hospital in the City of Buenos Aires and analyze the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the diagnosis of diseases that affect the HIV-positive population. Also, was compared the clinical status at admission and discharge of patients in the pre-pandemic period and during the same. For this, 100 epicrisis (clinical summaries) corresponding to 16 women who were hospitalized in the period between January 2020 and July 2021 were analyzed, and 74 epicrisis from patients hospitalized during the seven previous months. Multiple variables were considered, such as the reason for admission, whether or not there was knowledge of the HIV diagnosis, the presence of antiretroviral treatment and compliance with it, the patient's clinical history, the presence of marker AIDS diseases and sexually transmitted infections. When comparing the data between both periods, it can be clearly observed that the pandemic generated by SARS-CoV-2 affected the population with HIV, in aspects ranging from the delay in the diagnosis of the retroviral infection, the start or restart of antiretroviral treatments and differences in the multiple discharge diagnoses, especially those involvement the respiratory and the central nervous systems, that added new difficulties to the medical staff due to the saturation of the health system. The importance of the correct and complete preparation of medical records is highlighted in order to achieve better clinical care

Prevalência de comorbidades em indivíduos infectados por Covid-19 em um município de porte médio / Prevalence of commodities in individuals infected by covid-19 in a medium-size city / Prevalencia de productos básicos en individuos infectados por covid-19 en una ciudad de tamaño medio

Os primeiros relatos de infecção pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 ocorreram no final do ano de 2019. A infecção e o desenvolvimento da doença COVID-19 estão diretamente relacionados com as características particulares do indivíduo, como sexo, idade e comorbidades. Ademais, indivíduos que possuíam algum tipo de doença crônica, expressaram uma maior taxa de complicações decorrente da infecção. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência de comorbidades em indivíduos infectados por COVID- 19 no município de Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina no período de março de 2020 a dezembro de 2021. A pesquisa apresentou um delineamento transversal, descritivo, analítico e de abordagem quantitativa, realizada por meio de dados secundários utilizando o sistema de informação Olostech da Secretaria de Saúde do Município. Os resultados mostraram que 40.010 sujeitos foram infectados no período do estudo, destes 39.574 (98,9%) foram recuperados e 436 foram a óbito (1,1%). Observou-se no grupo recuperados a predominância do sexo feminino (52,3%) e no de óbitos o sexo masculino (59,2%). A faixa etária predominante no grupo de recuperados foi a de 20-59 anos (n=31.636; 79,9%) e no grupo de óbitos foi maior ou igual a 60 anos (n=269; 61,7%). No ano de 2021 ocorreram mais casos de recuperados (n=26.040; 65,1%) e óbitos (n=342; 78,4%) quando comparados ao ano de 2020. A média de idade no grupo de recuperados foi 37,5 ± 15,8 anos e no grupo de óbitos foi 63,2 ± 15,7 anos. Os dados mostraram o perfil dos inidvíduos infectados e a prevalência das principais doenças crônicas: hipertensão, diabetes e obesidade. Sugerem-se ações e estratégias voltadas a minimizar estas comorbidades, objetivando a melhor qualidade de vida dos indivíduos deste município.

The first reports of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection occurred in late 2019. Infection and the development of COVID-19 disease are directly related to the particular characteristics of the individual, such as gender, age, and comorbidities. Moreover, indi- viduals who had some type of chronic disease expressed a higher rate of complications arising from the infection. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of comorbidities in individuals infected by COVID-19 in the city of Jaraguá do Sul/SC from March 2020 to December 2021. The research presented a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical design with a quantitative approach, carried out through secondary data using the Olostech in- formation system of the Health Department of the municipality. The results showed that 40,010 subjects were infected during the study period, of which 39,574 (98.9%) were recovered and 436 died (1.1%). It was observed a predominance of females in the recov- ered group (52.3%) and males in the deceased group (59.2%). The predominant age group in the group of recovered patients was 20-59 years (n=31,636; 79.9%) and in the group of deaths it was 60 years or older (n=269; 61.7%). In the year 2021 there were more cases of recovered (n=26,040; 65.1%) and deaths (n=342; 78.4%) when compared to the year 2020. The mean age in the recovered group was 37.5 ± 15.8 years and in the death group was 63.2 ± 15.7 years. The data showed the profile of infected individuals and the prev- alence of the main chronic diseases: hypertension, diabetes and obesity. We suggest ac- tions and strategies aimed at minimizing these comorbidities, aiming at a better quality of life for individuals in this city.

Los primeros informes de infección por el virus SARS-CoV-2 se produje- ron a finales de 2019. La infección y el desarrollo de la enfermedad por COVID-19 están directamente relacionados con las características particulares del individuo, como el sexo, la edad y las comorbilidades. Además, los individuos que presentaban algún tipo de enfer- medad crónica expresaron una mayor tasa de complicaciones derivadas de la infección. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar la prevalencia de comorbilidades en individuos infectados por COVID-19 en la ciudad de Jaraguá do Sul/SC de marzo de 2020 a diciem- bre de 2021. La investigación presentó un diseño transversal, descriptivo, analítico, con abordaje cuantitativo, realizado a través de datos secundarios utilizando el sistema de in- formación Olostech de la Secretaría de Salud del municipio. Los resultados mostraron que 40.010 sujetos fueron infectados durante el período de estudio, de los cuales 39.574 (98,9%) fueron recuperados y 436 fallecieron (1,1%). Se observó un predominio de mu- jeres en el grupo recuperado (52,3%) y de hombres en el grupo fallecido (59,2%). El grupo de edad predominante en el grupo de pacientes recuperados fue de 20-59 años (n=31.636; 79,9%) y en el grupo de fallecidos fue de 60 años o más (n=269; 61,7%). En el año 2021 hubo más casos de recuperados (n=26.040; 65,1%) y fallecidos (n=342; 78,4%) en comparación con el año 2020. La edad media en el grupo de recuperados fue de 37,5 ± 15,8 años y en el grupo de fallecidos fue de 63,2 ± 15,7 años. Los datos mostra- ron el perfil de los individuos infectados y la prevalencia de las principales enfermedades crónicas: hipertensión, diabetes y obesidad. Sugerimos acciones y estrategias dirigidas a minimizar estas comorbilidades, visando una mejor calidad de vida de los individuos de esta ciudad.

Nutritional parameters and clinical outcomes of patients admited with COVID-19 in a university hospital / Parâmetros nutricionais e desfechos clínicos de pacientes admitidos com COVID-19 em um hospital universitário

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the relationship between nutritional parameters and clinical factors and the outcome of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods This is a prospective longitudinal study involving patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to a University Hospital in Pernambuco. The sample consisted of individuals aged ≥20 years who tested positive for COVID-19 infection. Nutritional risk was assessed using the recommended screening procedure for this group and the nutritional status using the Body Mass Index. Demographic and clinical variables were transcribed from the medical records. Result There was a predominance of adult inpatients between 20 and 59 years of age (95% CI: 64.6-76.0); nutritional risk was observed in 91.6% of patients and overweight in 58.9% of patients. Age ≥60 years (p=0.03), presence of malignancies and inadequate nutrition (p<0.001) were independent risk factors for in-hospital death. It was also observed that only arterial hypertension (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.32-4.13, p=0.003) and overweight (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.05-3.21, p=0.032) were considered independent risk factors for admission of the patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Conclusion Although overweight is a risk factor for admission in the Intensive Care Unit, it was not possible to observe it as a factor for mortality, requiring further studies to determine the mechanisms that interfere in the association between obesity and mortality in those patients.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a relação dos parâmetros nutricionais e fatores clínicos com o desfecho dos pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal prospectivo envolvendo pacientes com infecção por COVID-19 internados em um Hospital Universitário de Pernambuco. A amostra foi constituída por indivíduos com idade ≥20 anos que tiveram resultado positivo para infecção por COVID-19. O risco nutricional foi avaliado por meio de triagem recomendada para este grupo e o estado nutricional por meio do Índice de Massa Corpórea. As variáveis demográficas e clínicas foram transcritas dos prontuários. Resultados Houve predomínio de pacientes adultos entre 20 e 59 anos (95% IC: 64,6-76,0) internados, o risco nutricional foi observado em 91,6% e o excesso de peso em 58,9% dos pacientes. A idade >60 anos (p=0,03), a presença de câncer e aporte nutricional inadequado (p<0,001) foram fatores de risco independente para morte hospitalar. Observou-se também que apenas a hipertensão arterial (OR 2,34, 95% IC 1,32-4,13, p=0,003) e o excesso de peso (OR 1,84, 95% IC 1,05-3,21, p=0,032) foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para a internação do paciente na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Conclusão Embora o excesso de peso seja um fator de risco para admissão na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, não foi possível observá-la como um fator para mortalidade, se fazendo necessários estudos para determinar os mecanismos que interferem na associação entre a obesidade e letalidade desses pacientes.

Creating Peru's patient zero: pandemic narratives through traditional and social media / Creando el paciente cero de Perú: narrativas sobre la pandemia a través de los medios de comunicación tradicionales y sociales

Abstract During the covid-19 pandemic, authorities, journalists, and the public used the term patient zero to refer to the first diagnosed patient. However, experts describe the term as imprecise because it equates the first infected patient with the first identified one. Although the term's inaccuracy, patients zero became relevant actors and sources of information during the pandemic. This was the case with the Peruvian patient zero, who had public media participation and opened his Instagram to establish a communication channel with the public. Despite knowing the term's inaccuracy, he felt responsible for the audience and sought to give his testimony. The Peruvian case shows how patients zero respond to the public interest and establish their agency through traditional and social media.

Resumen El coronavirus hizo que autoridades, periodistas y público designaran "paciente cero" al primer diagnosticado, aunque los especialistas calificaran al término como impreciso por equiparar el primer paciente infectado con el primero identificado. A pesar de esa inexactitud, pacientes cero se tornaron actores y fuentes de información relevante durante la pandemia. Fue el caso del paciente cero peruano, que participó en los medios de comunicación y abrió su Instagram para establecer un canal con el público. Conociendo la inexactitud del término, asimismo trató de dar su testimonio para aclarar la audiencia. El caso peruano muestra cómo pacientes cero responden al interés público y establecen sus acciones mediante los medios tradicionales y sociales.

Características de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en niños y adolescentes asistidos durante el primer año de la pandemia en un prestador privado de salud de Montevideo / Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first year of the pandemic in children and adolescents assisted at a private health provider in Montevideo / Características da infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em crianças e adolescentes durante o primeiro ano da pandemia atendidas por uma assistência de saúde privada em Montevidéu

Introducción: las infecciones respiratorias agudas virales suelen ser más frecuentes en niños que en adultos. Sin embargo, en el caso de la COVID-19 la mayoría de los casos pediátricos son leves o asintomáticos. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los niños con COVID-19 asistidos en un prestador de salud de Montevideo durante el primer año de la pandemia. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Inclusión: pacientes menores de 15 años con reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RT-PCR) positiva para SARS-CoV-2 entre el 13/3/2020 y el 31/03/2021. Principales variables: sintomatología, comorbilidades, nexo epidemiológico y generación de casos secundarios. Resultados: se realizaron 6.642 RT-PCR para SARS-CoV-2, 486 fueron positivas (7%). El 94% se diagnosticaron entre 12/2020 y 3/2021. Los síntomas respiratorios fueron los más frecuentes en el 98% de los casos sintomáticos. Un 60% presentaron fiebre. El 94% habían tenido contacto con un caso confirmado de COVID-19, 57% intradomiciliario, 31% en centro educativo, y 10% en actividades sociales. El 86% de los contactos eran adultos. Doscientos quince niños fueron el caso índice en el hogar y 73 (34%) generaron casos secundarios intradomiciliarios. Conclusiones: los resultados describen la situación clínica y epidemiológica de una población pediátrica de Montevideo durante el primer año de la pandemia. Dado los cambios constantes en la dinámica de transmisión y de casos es necesario continuar con la vigilancia y realización de este tipo de estudios para ajustar las definiciones de caso sospechoso y racionalizar la indicación de testeo.

Introduction: viral acute respiratory infections are usually more frequent and severe in children than in adults. However, in the case of COVID-19, most pediatric cases are mild or asymptomatic. Objective: describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with COVID-19 assisted by a health provider in Montevideo, during the first year of the pandemic. Materials and methods: retrospective descriptive study. Sample: patients under 15 years of age with positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 between 3/13/2020-03/31/2021. Main variables: symptomatology, comorbidities, epidemiological link and generation of secondary cases. Results: 6,642 RT-PCR tests were performed for SARS-CoV-2, 486 positive (7%). 94% were diagnosed between 12/2020 and 3/2021. Respiratory symptoms were the most frequent in 98% of symptomatic cases. 60% had fever. 94% had had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, 57% intra-domiciliary, 31% at educational centers, and 10% got infected during social activities. 86% of the contacts were adults. Two hundred and fifteen children were the initial case at the household and 73 (34%) generated secondary intra-domiciliary cases. Conclusions: the results describe the clinical and epidemiological situation of a pediatric population in Montevideo during the first year of the pandemic. Given the constant changes in the transmission dynamics and cases, it is necessary to continue to monitor and perform this type of study to adjust the definitions of suspected cases and rationalize testing prescriptions.

Introdução: as infecções respiratórias virais agudas são, geralmente, mais frequentes e graves em crianças do que em adultos. No entanto, no caso da COVID-19, a maioria dos casos pediátricos é leve ou assintomática. Objetivo: descrever as características clínicas e epidemiológicas de crianças com COVID-19 atendidas por uma Assistência de Saúde em Montevidéu, durante o primeiro ano da pandemia. Materiais e métodos: estudo descritivo retrospectivo. Amostra: pacientes menores de 15 anos de idade com RT-PCR positivo para SARS- CoV-2 entre 13/03/2020-31/03/2021. Variáveis principais: sintomatologia, comorbidades, vínculo epidemiológico e geração de casos secundários. Resultados: 6.642 RT-PCR foram realizados para SARS- CoV-2, 486 positivos (7%). 94% foram diagnosticados entre 12/2020 e 3/2021. Os sintomas respiratórios foram os mais frequentes em 98% dos casos sintomáticos. 60% tiveram febre. 94% tiveram contato com caso confirmado de COVID-19, 57% intradomiciliar, 31% em centros educacionais e 10% durante atividades sociais. 86% dos contatos foram adultos. Duzentas e quinze crianças foram o caso inicial do lar e 73 (34%) geraram casos secundários intradomiciliares. Conclusões: os resultados descrevem a situação clínica e epidemiológica de uma população pediátrica em Montevidéu durante o primeiro ano da pandemia. Dadas as constantes mudanças na dinâmica de transmissão e de casos, é necessário continuar monitorando e realizando esse tipo de estudo para ajustar as definições de casos suspeitos e racionalizar a indicação de testagem.

Highly Sensitive Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide Microgel-based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of SARS-COV-2 Spike Protein / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Late 2019 witnessed the outbreak and widespread transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new, highly contagious disease caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Consequently, considerable attention has been paid to the development of new diagnostic tools for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2.@*METHODS@#In this study, a new poly-N-isopropylacrylamide microgel-based electrochemical sensor was explored to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) in human saliva. The microgel was composed of a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid, and gold nanoparticles were encapsulated within the microgel through facile and economical fabrication. The electrochemical performance of the sensor was evaluated through differential pulse voltammetry.@*RESULTS@#Under optimal experimental conditions, the linear range of the sensor was 10 -13-10 -9 mg/mL, whereas the detection limit was 9.55 fg/mL. Furthermore, the S protein was instilled in artificial saliva as the infected human saliva model, and the sensing platform showed satisfactory detection capability.@*CONCLUSION@#The sensing platform exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity in detecting spike protein, indicating its potential application for the time-saving and inexpensive detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Establishment and preliminary application of quantitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic nucleocapsid RNA / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To establish a rapid and specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic nucleocapsid RNA (SgN) in patients with COVID-19 or environmental samples. Methods: The qPCR assay was established by designing specific primers and TaqMan probe based on the SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence in Global Initiative of Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. The reaction conditions were optimized by using different annealing temperature, different primers and probe concentrations and the standard curve was established. Further, the specificity, sensitivity and repeatability were also assessed. The established SgN and genomic RNA (gRNA) qPCR assays were both applied to detect 21 environmental samples and 351 clinical samples containing 48 recovered patients. In the specimens with both positive gRNA and positive SgN, 25 specimens were inoculated on cells. Results: The primers and probes of SgN had good specificity for SARS-CoV-2. The minimum detection limit of the preliminarily established qPCR detection method for SgN was 1.5×102 copies/ml, with a coefficient of variation less than 1%. The positive rate of gRNA in 372 samples was 97.04% (361/372). The positive rates of SgN in positive environmental samples and positive clinical samples were 36.84% (7/19) and 49.42% (169/342), respectively. The positive rate and copy number of SgN in Wild strain were lower than those of SARS-CoV-2 Delta strain. Among the 25 SgN positive samples, 12 samples within 5 days of sampling time were all isolated with virus; 13 samples sampled for more than 12 days had no cytopathic effect. Conclusion: A qPCR method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 SgN has been successfully established. The sensitivity, specificity and repeatability of this method are good.

Diagnosis and treatment of adult tumor patients with COVID-19 / 中华肿瘤杂志

After the first outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the end of 2019, it has caused multiple rounds of transmission in many countries around the world. Cancer patients are mainly elderly people, and the immunosuppression state caused by the tumor itself and anti-tumor treatment, more accompanying underlying diseases, and more hospital environmental exposure leading to a higher incidence of COVID-19 infection. The proportion of severe cases after infection is high, and the mortality is high. Therefore, based on the domestic and foreign research and clinical practice, the Expert Committee of Geriatric Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology launched a discussion based on the characteristics of cancer patients, including the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, definition and risk factors of severe cases, diagnosis and treatment recommendations, recovery of anti-tumor treatment and vaccination recommendations. To provide the corresponding suggestions for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such patients.

Evolution of the newest diagnostic methods for COVID-19: a Chinese perspective / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to spread globally since late 2019, representing a formidable challenge to the world's healthcare systems, wreaking havoc, and spreading rapidly through human contact. With fever, fatigue, and a persistent dry cough being the hallmark symptoms, this disease threatened to destabilize the delicate balance of our global community. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is a prerequisite for understanding the number of confirmed cases in the world or a region, and an important factor in epidemic assessment and the development of control measures. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate medical treatment, leading to optimal patient care. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology is currently the most mature method for detecting viral nucleic acids, but it has many drawbacks. Meanwhile, a variety of COVID-19 detection methods, including molecular biological diagnostic, immunodiagnostic, imaging, and artificial intelligence methods have been developed and applied in clinical practice to meet diverse scenarios and needs. These methods can help clinicians diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients. This review describes the variety of such methods used in China, providing an important reference in the field of the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

A cross-sectional study of enterovirus nucleic acid test with throat swabs for term late neonates during coronavirus disease 2019 / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the positive rate of enterovirus (EV) nucleic acid in throat swabs of term late neonates hospitalized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and the clinical characteristics of the neonates.@*METHODS@#A single-center cross-sectional study was performed on 611 term late infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal center from October 2020 to September 2021. Throat swabs were collected on admission for coxsackie A16 virus/EV71/EV universal nucleic acid testing. According to the results of EV nucleic acid test, the infants were divided into a positive EV nucleic acid group (8 infants) and a negative EV nucleic acid group (603 infants). Clinical features were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Among the 611 neonates, 8 tested positive for EV nucleic acid, with a positive rate of 13.1‰, among whom 7 were admitted from May to October. There was a significant difference in the proportion of infants contacting family members with respiratory infection symptoms before disease onset between the positive and negative EV nucleic acid groups (75.0% vs 10.9%, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, clinical symptoms, and laboratory test results (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There is a certain proportion of term late infants testing positive for EV nucleic acid in throat swabs during the COVID-19 epidemic, but the proportion is low. The clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of these infants are non-specific. Transmission among family members might be an important cause of neonatal EV infection.

Hematological and coagulation parameters as predictors of death by Coronavirus disease in hospitalized patients: a Brazilian follow-up study

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and coagulation parameters according to the clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We analyzed the hematological and coagulation parameters of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at admission, and two and three weeks during hospitalization. To assess the performance of these parameters in predicting poor outcomes, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created. We studied 128 patients with COVID-19 (59.2±17.7 years, 56% male). Non-survivors (n=54, 42%) presented significant alterations in hematological and coagulation parameters at admission, such as increased in white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, and band cell counts, as well as elevated prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, and D-dimer levels. During follow-up, the same group presented a gradual increase in D-dimer and PT levels, accompanied by a reduction in PT activity, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count (RBC). ROC curves showed that WBC, neutrophil, and band cell counts presented the best area under the curve (AUC) values with sensitivity and specificity of >70%; however, a logistic regression model combining all the parameters, except for RBC, presented an AUC of 0.89, sensitivity of 84.84%, and specificity of 77.41%. Our study shows that significant alterations in hematological and coagulation tests at admission could be useful predictors of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19.