ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic analysis has demonstrated that the etiologic agent of the 2020 pandemic outbreak is a betacoronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. For public health interventions, a diagnostic test with high sensitivity and specificity is required. The gold standard protocol for diagnosis by the Word Health Organization (WHO) is RT-PCR. To detect low viral loads and perform large-scale screening, a low-cost diagnostic test is necessary. Here, we developed a cost-effective test capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2. We validated an auxiliary protocol for molecular diagnosis with the SYBR Green RT-PCR methodology to successfully screen negative cases of SARS-CoV-2. Our results revealed a set of primers with high specificity and no homology with other viruses from the Coronovideae family or human respiratory tract pathogenic viruses, presenting with complementarity only for rhinoviruses/enteroviruses and Legionella spp. Optimization of the annealing temperature and polymerization time led to a high specificity in the PCR products. We have developed a more affordable and swift methodology for negative SARS-CoV-2 screening. This methodology can be applied on a large scale to soften panic and economic burden through guidance for isolation strategies.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing/methods , COVID-19/diagnosis , Organic Chemicals , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , SARS-CoV-2 , Benzothiazoles , DNA, Single-Stranded , Diamines , Enterovirus , Genome, Viral , Humans , Phylogeny , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Quinolines , Rhinovirus , Sensitivity and Specificity , Temperature , Viral LoadABSTRACT
Background: Pregnant women are susceptible to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the consequences on the fetus are still uncertain. Here, we present a case of a pregnant woman with subclinical hypothyroidism and PAI-1 4G/5G mutation who was infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: nested PCR were performed to detect the virus, followed by ssDNA sequencing. Results: transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can cause placental inflammation, ischemia and neonatal viremia, with complications such as preterm labor and damage to the placental barrier in patients with PAI-1 4G/5G mutation. Conclusion: we show the possibility of transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the last weeks of pregnancy.
Subject(s)
Viremia , Ischemia , Hypothyroidism , Obstetric Labor, Premature , Inflammation , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Objective: to present updates for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. Method: comprehensive literature review with narrative synthesis of the evidence of guidelines and recommendations from World Health Organization, Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, American Heart Association, Resuscitation Council UK, American College of Surgions Committee on Trauma and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Results: the main updates bring information about the specifics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers;preparation of the environment and human and material resources, recognition of cardiorespiratory arrest and initial actions;ventilation and invasive airway access strategies;mechanical ventilator adjustments and cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers in patients in the prone position. Final considerations: health professionals involved in the care of cardiorespiratory arrest of suspected and/or confirmed patients with COVID-19 can face numerous challenges, so they must strictly follow the protocol established to maximize the effectiveness of resuscitation maneuvers and minimize the risk of contagion by the virus and its spread. © 2020, Centro de Estudos da Faculdade de Enfermagem da UERJ. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Estimate the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among nursing professionals in Brazil. METHOD: Ecological study using data from the Nursing Observatory. The weight attributed to diseases was based on the Global Disease Burden Study 2017, considering the lower respiratory infection as moderate. RESULTS: 7,201 records were analyzed;and, 190 deaths were recorded. The total number of years of life adjusted for disability was 5,825.35 years, with an average of 2,912.76 (95% CI 2,876.49-2,948.86). The adjusted rate per thousand professionals was 1,475.94 years for men and 674.23 years for women. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil follows an upward trend in nursing and has a major impact among women, nursing technicians and younger professionals.