ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPLETENESS OF RECORDS OF AMERICAN TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS IN ENDEMIC AREA OF MARANHÃO FROM 2017 TO 2020 / AVALIAÇÃO DA COMPLETUDE DOS REGISTROS DE LEISHMANIOSE TEGUMENTAR AMERICANA EM ÁREA ENDÊMICA DO MARANHÃO DE 2017 A 2020

This study aims to evaluate the completeness of the compulsory notification forms of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) data in an endemic area in Maranhão during the period of 2017 to 2020. Descriptive and quantitative study based on data from the notification forms of patients diagnosed with CL registered at Regional de Saúde de Pinheiro - MA in the mentioned period. The fields for filling out the forms were categorized into key fields, mandatory filling and essential filling fields. Data completeness was evaluated in good, regular, low and very low completeness. The data was coded and inserted into the program Excel for Windows® 2016, version 1807, according to the variables of interest in the study. The statistical analysis was performed on Excel program and in the SPSS software, version 24.0, including the incidence calculation of each year and the absolute and relative frequencies, presented as tables. Good completeness predominated in general and for the mandatory variables, but the essential variables presented expressive scores of regular, low and very low completeness. By training the form fillers and updating the filling instructions, it is expected to improve the quality of information related to CL in the state.

Este trabalho objetiva avaliar a completude dos dados das fichas de notificação compulsória de Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) em área endêmica do Maranhão no período de 2017 a 2020. Estudo descritivo e quantitativo realizado a partir de dados das fichas de notificação de diagnosticados com LTA registradas na Regional de Saúde de Pinheiro ­ MA no período referido. Os campos de preenchimento das fichas foram categorizados em campos-chave, de preenchimento obrigatório e de preenchimento essencial. A completude dos dados foi avaliada em completude boa, regular, baixa e muito baixa. Os dados foram codificados e inseridos no programa Excel for Windows® 2016, versão 1807, segundo as variáveis de interesse no estudo. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa Excel e no software SPSS, versão 24.0, incluindo o cálculo de incidência de cada ano e o de frequências absolutas e relativas, apresentadas na forma de tabelas. Predominou a completude boa geral das fichas e das variáveis obrigatórias, porém as variáveis essenciais apresentaram escores expressivos de completude regular, baixa e muito baixa. Com a capacitação dos preenchedores e atualização no instrucional de preenchimento, espera-se melhorar a qualidade das informações referentes à LTA no Estado.

Population-based seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and the herd immunity threshold in Maranhão.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

Population-based seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and the herd immunity threshold in Maranhão

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

Curcumin reverses neurochemical, histological and immuno-histochemical alterations in the model of global brain ischemia.

Curcumin, a curcuminoid from Curcuma longa, presents antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and, among pathological changes of cerebral ischemic injury, inflammation is an important one. The objectives were to study the neuroprotective action of curcumin, in a model of global ischemia. Male Wistar rats (sham-operated, ischemic untreated and ischemic treated with curcumin, 25 or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) were anesthesized and their carotid arteries occluded, for 30 min. The SO group had the same procedure, except for carotid occlusion. In the 1st protocol, animals were treated 1 h before ischemia and 24 h later; and in the 2nd protocol, treatments began 1 h before ischemia, continuing for 7 days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, animals were euthanized and measurements for striatal monoamines were performed, at the 1st and 7th days after ischemia, as well as histological and immunohistochemical assays in hippocampi. We showed in both protocols, depletions of DA and its metabolites (DOPAC and HVA), in the ischemic group, but these effects were reversed by curcumin. Additionally, a decrease seen in 5-HT contents, 1 day after ischemia, was also reversed by curcumin. This reversion was not seen 7 days later. On the other hand, a decrease observed in NE levels, at the 7th day, was totally reversed by curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin treatments increased neuronal viability and attenuated the immunoreactivity for COX-2 and TNF-alpha, in the hippocampus in both protocols. We showed that curcumin exerts neuroprotective actions, in a model of brain ischemia that are probably related to its anti-inflammatory activity.