ABSTRACT
Thus, several tools have been used in the last two years to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) provides valuable data by including symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and anticipating clinical cases. For 37 weeks, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load was monitored in sanitary sewage samples from Goiânia-Brazil. Through pre-concentration, extraction, and purification of viral RNA, followed by RT-qPCR, it was detected in 83.78% (31/37) of the weeks the presence of fragments of the genetic material SARS-CoV-2 with viral loads ranging from 105 to 108 genome copies L-1. The viral load in the wastewater samples was related to the clinical data of the municipality, demonstrating its ability to promote an Early Warning System (EWS). In early 2022, it was possible to predict the increase in clinical cases 3 weeks in advance and issue an alert note to the health authorities. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0.003 to 0.5% and showed good agreement with observed values. Thus, monitoring effluents become another essential tool that can help combat the pandemic's advance, especially in countries with scarce resources. © 2022 Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
SARS-COV-2 VIRAL LOAD IN GOIaNIA WASTEWATER: WASTEWATER-BASED EPIDEMIOLOGY FOR A COVID-19 EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. COVID-19 is currently the most critical disease in the world. Thus, several tools have been used in the last two years to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) provides valuable data by including symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and anticipating clinical cases. For 37 weeks, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load was monitored in sanitary sewage samples from Goiania-Brazil. Through pre-concentration, extraction, and purification of viral RNA, followed by RT-qPCR, it was detected in 83.78% (31/37) of the weeks the presence of fragments of the genetic material SARS-CoV-2 with viral loads ranging from 105 to 108 genome copies L-1. The viral load in the wastewater samples was related to the clinical data of the municipality, demonstrating its ability to promote an Early Warning System (EWS). In early 2022, it was possible to predict the increase in clinical cases 3 weeks in advance and issue an alert note to the health authorities. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0.003 to 0.5% and showed good agreement with observed values. Thus, monitoring effluents become another essential tool that can help combat the pandemic's advance, especially in countries with scarce resources.
ABSTRACT
The successful development of multifunctional cotton fabrics with antimicrobial and antiviral activities is essential to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and transmission of coronavirus virions today, especially with the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we developed antimicrobial cotton fabrics with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized via sonochemistry. Here, we show that more than 50% of infectious SARS-CoV-2 remain active after prolonged direct contact self-disinfecting materials capable of inhibiting the proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The findings bring several epidemiologic worries about using silver and TiO2 as self-disinfecting nanostructured agents to prevent coronavirus transmission.
ABSTRACT
Sewage quality surveillance can represent a complementary tool for monitoring infectious diseases and preventing epidemic outbreaks, especially when the capacity for clinical testing is limited. Thus, the present study describes the technical details of a low-cost method for concentrating and extracting nucleic acids from sewage samples, as a preliminary step for the detection of viruses and other pathogens. To validate the proposed methodology, after the concentration and extraction steps, the presence of the SARS coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) in the samples was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The virus' ribonucleic acid was detected in 80% of the sewage samples analyzed, proving the success of the methodological procedure adopted. The early detection of a pathogen associated with the work of multidisciplinary teams allows the practice of epidemiological surveillance, which assists in making decisions about One Health - an inseparable union between animal, human, and environmental health.
ABSTRACT
Background: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARSCoV- 2) infection is primarily a respiratory disease, other organs are also affected. Several pathological studies confirm that SARS-CoV-2 invades kidney tissue causing endothelial damage, glomerular and vascular changes, extensive acute tubular injury and podocyte viral infection. AKI in COVID-19 appears to be frequent, with an AKI incidence of up to 46%, and a 20% requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Patients with AKI show a trend towards worse outcomes and increased mortality. Information on Latin- American population is scarce. Methods: We created a cohort to describe the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Mexico City, excluding patients with a known chronic kidney disease. AKI was defined and classified according to KDIGO guidelines. Results: We included 127 patients. 11 patients (8.66%) met the criteria for severe COVID-19, and were more likely to have AKI (81.82% vs. 54.31%, p=0.078). Of the 72 (56.69%) patients that had AKI, 48% were diagnosed at the time of admission. Patients with AKI were more likely to be men (61.7% vs. 42.42%, p=0.043) and older (55.68 years vs. 48.89 years, 0.018). With regards disease severity, 72% of them had a grade 1 AKI. 7 patients (9.72%) had grade 3 AKI, 4 of which needed renal replacement therapy. Overall length of stay was longer in patients with AKI (12 days vs. 7 days, p=0.003). A nonsignificant trend towards stay in critical care units was observed. 3 out of 127 patients died, all 3 had AKI. Conclusions: Amongst our studied population, AKI was associated with a longer length of stay and with a trend towards a more use of critical care services. The lack of association of AKI with mortality could be due to the low overall in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients (2.40%).