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Objectives: This study aims to examine the serological and infectious characteristics of the Xokós indigenous community in Brazil, both prior to and following COVID-19 immunization; Methods: Immunofluorescence assays were employed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen, while IgM and IgG antibody tests for COVID-19 were utilized to assess the participants’ infectious and serological profiles in July 2020, before the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and in March 2022, during the booster dose vaccination campaign; Results: The majority of participants (n = 22) were female, with an average age of 42.20 years. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (60%; n = 9), followed by hypertension associated with diabetes (20%; n = 3). No statistically significant correlation was found between the timing of vaccination and the levels of antigens or IgM. However, the prevalence of reactive antigens and IgM was 13.3% (n = 4) in the pre-vaccination group and 3.3% (n = 1) in the post-vaccination group. A statistically significant difference in IgG production was observed before and after vaccination (χ2(1) = 39.095, p < 0.01), as well as differences in IgG antibody detection before and after vaccination and in the vaccines used. Participants showed a higher probability of reactive IgG antibodies following vaccination; Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the beneficial effects of vaccination on the indigenous community, highlighting that continued immunization is a crucial step in protecting indigenous health and preventing severe outbreaks and deaths associated with the disease.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil led to the suspension of face-to-face classes. However, the importance of continuing this activity made it necessary to return to these activities. This study assessed COVID-19 cases at a university in Brazil before and after the return to face-to-face classes. Methods: This study evaluated the positivity rate of COVID-19 cases through antigen testing over two years (April 2021–23) in a group of students and university staff in northeastern Brazil. Results: We found that of the 2,635 tests performed, 711 (27.0 %) had a detectable result throughout the period. We found no differences between the viral presence and age group, presence of symptoms, or position at universities (students or staff). Males had a greater tendency to present a detectable result compared to women. January, February, and July, 2022 show an increase in detected cases compared to other months. This result follows the national increase in cases caused by the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and its subvariants (BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3) circulating in Brazil in these months. Conclusions: Our study makes it possible to monitor active cases of COVID-19 at a time when new variants are emerging and classes are resuming, contributing to the safety of the academic community and minimizing the viral impact on the return to classes in the institution.

Background and Aim: Although reverse zoonotic transmission events from humans to domestic cats have been described, there is currently little evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) circulation in stray cats. Due to the evidence of natural and experimental infections in cats and the capacity to disseminate the virus among them, this study aimed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in stray cats from the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty six stray cats from the university were screened for SARS-CoV-2 antigens by random sampling. Throat swab samples were tested for the virus using rapid antigen detection tests. Results: Of the 126 animals tested, 30 (23.60%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antigens. To our knowledge, for the first time, this study detected the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in stray cats and confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Brazil’s stray cat population. Conclusion: The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in stray cats poses a risk for infected and healthy animals and possibly for humans who attend the university daily. As a limitation of the study, the small sample size necessitates caution when interpreting the results. This underscores the need for further research in this area to help control diseases in stray animals during potential pandemics. This highlights the need for monitoring and controlling the spread of the virus in stray animal populations.

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has been an important step in the fight against the pandemic. However, it is still necessary to understand the influence of factors that can alter the immune response. In general, doses need to be updated frequently, and care must be taken to control the virus that is still circulating worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in northeast Brazil. The study was divided into three phases (T1, T2, and T3) and included 297 participants. The three phases occurred in three different years of the pandemic (2021, 2022 and 2023). We obtained higher mean NAbs in T2 and T3 when most of the participants had already completed their vaccination program. No significant difference in the distribution of NAbs and sex was observed (p > 0.05). It was shown that there is a difference in the expression of NAbs in the different amounts of doses, with individuals with no dose obtaining a significantly lower average than those who took the vaccine. Regarding age, the average NAbs were higher with increasing age. In this study, we assess the prevalence of NAbs in three pandemic phases, making it possible to understand the importance of vaccine updating in maintaining immunity.

Immunization is a challenge for the elderly population and can leave this group more vulnerable to opportunistic pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Due to this situation, while vaccines were in the development phase, hypotheses were raised about the role of vitamins and minerals in immunization. In Brazil, there was a controversy regarding the well-known COVID-19 Kit, a standardized prescription for positive cases that contained zinc, and vitamin D, and anti-parasitic drugs. There was great controversy in scientific circles, since COVID-19 brought a major challenge for health professionals and public authorities: misleading information. In this study, we evaluated the role of vitamin D and zinc in the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in a group of elderly residents in a nursing home in northeastern Brazil. Serum levels of COVID-19 NAbs were assessed, along with vitamin D and zinc, in two phases. The first (T1) was in August 2022 with 26 elderly people, and the second (T2) was in March 2023 with 21, due to the death of five participants. Overall, we observed satisfactory levels for vitamin D, with no participants showing a deficiency in either test, and zinc, with only two participants having a negative result at T1 and three at T2. However, a drop in the average number of NAbs was observed, especially in women (T1 = 89 ± 19 vs. T2 = 57 ± 44), highlighting the importance of monitoring this immunological parameter in the population studied. Based on the results, we suggest that there is no synergism between the micronutrients studied and NAbs (p > 0.05). Further studies are needed to consolidate the findings of an absence of synergism between vitamin D and zinc in the maintenance of NAbs.

Introdução: A diabetes mellitus (DM) é uma doença complexa que afeta a regulação da glicose no organismo. Neste estudo realizado em Sergipe, o menor estado do Brasil, buscou-se rastrear a presença de DM na população e investigar o conhecimento dos pacientes sobre a nefropatia diabética, uma das complicações mais graves associadas à doença. A nefropatia diabética afeta os rins devido à presença persistente de glicose na urina, levando à disfunção renal, insuficiência renal crônica e necessidade de hemodiálise. Detectar precocemente essa comorbidade é crucial para preservar a função renal e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivos: Identificar o risco de desenvolvimento de diabetes mellitus na população de Sergipe e pesquisar a realização dos principais exames que avaliam a função renal em pacientes com DM. Material e Método: A pesquisa foi conduzida em um único dia na cidade de Aracaju, capital de Sergipe, em uma praça pública. Os participantes foram convidados a participar e assinar um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE). Foram aplicados questionários, abordando questões sobre cuidados com o diabetes e os rins, para o grupo de pacientes com diabetes (grupo 1) e um questionário padronizado chamado FINDRISC para o grupo de pacientes sem diagnóstico de DM (grupo 2). Parâmetros clínicos, como glicemia capilar, pressão arterial e medidas antropométricas, foram coletados em ambos os grupos. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada utilizando o software Bioestat 5.0, com análise descritiva, teste de normalidade e teste de Friedman. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética (CAAE: 69513223.6.0000.5546). Resultados: Dos 68 participantes do estudo, 34 tinham diagnóstico de DM e 34 não tinham diagnóstico, com igual número de homens e mulheres. Em relação à realização dos exames, a média de respostas positivas foi de 21% no grupo com DM e 41% no grupo sem DM. Os resultados indicaram uma distribuição assimétrica dos dados e diferenças significativas entre os grupos em relação à glicemia capilar e pressão arterial, com valores mais elevados no grupo com DM. Discussão e Conclusões: Concluiu-se que a população avaliada não possui o hábito de realizar exames que avaliam a função renal, tanto no grupo com DM quanto no grupo sem diagnóstico. Essa falta de acompanhamento compromete a detecção precoce da insuficiência renal, uma das complicações mais graves do diabetes. Além disso, observou-se um controle inadequado da doença, com índices glicêmicos e pressóricos superiores no grupo com DM em comparação ao grupo controle. Diante desses resultados, é crucial investir em estratégias de educação em saúde e implementar medidas de rastreamento eficazes para identificar precocemente o diabetes e suas complicações, como a nefropatia diabética. Dessa forma, será possível promover uma melhor qualidade de vida para os pacientes e reduzir o impacto da doença na sociedade.

Introdução: O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) oferta dispositivos de aplicação de insulina para pacientes que convivem com Diabetes Mellitus (DM), através do Centro de Atenção à Saúde (CASE). Contudo, há a carência de educação em diabetes, resultando na utilização errônea do medicamento. Além do gasto para aquisição dos medicamentos, existe também o gasto para descarte do material. Proveniente desta situação, surge o projeto “Insulinadiamor” que visa a reutilização do plástico das canetas de insulina para transformar em caneta esferográfica. Objetivos: Reutilizar as canetas de insulina e avaliar a sua farmacoeconomia, evidenciando a importância da educação em diabetes. Material e Método: O projeto “Insulinadiamor” foi uma pesquisa de campo, realizada de janeiro a dezembro de 2022, com intuito de recolher as canetas de insulina vazias entregues aos pacientes mensalmente no CASE, através do protocolo de devolução. Sendo uma parceria desse órgão, com o Laboratório de Bioquímica Clínica (LABIC), Universidade Federal de Sergipe e a Secretaria de Estado da Justiça. Após a coleta, no LABIC, elas seguem as etapas de triagem: separação por tipo e integridade da caneta, contabilização da quantidade que retorna cheia e vazia (Estudo de farmacoeconomia) e higienização: onde ficam submersas em álcool 70° para desinfecção. Logo após, são levadas ao sistema prisional para as detentas desmontarem a caneta de insulina e montarem a caneta esferográfica. Resultados: O projeto recolheu 24.165 canetas, Glargina (n=13.090), com média mensal de (1.090,8±90.33); Degludeca (n=4.397) com média mensal de (366,4±35,67); Detemir (n=2.808) com média mensal de (1.090,8±27,21); Asparte (n=3.870) com uma média mensal de (322,5±33,86). Contribuindo, então, para uma redução de R$4.887,93 do valor gasto pelo estado com o descarte. Em detrimento da triagem, foi perceptível que 3.541 canetas estavam cheias, correspondendo a 14,65% do total arrecadado. Sendo a insulina Glargina (n=1.900) com média mensal (158,33±14,32); Degludeca (n=1.002), com média mensal de (83,5±5,99); Detemir (n=153), com média mensal de (12,75±4,27); Asparte (n=486), com média mensal de (40,5±6,01). O projeto corrobora ao estado uma redução de R$48.879,20 em virtude da reutilização das canetas. Por meio da farmacovigilância, foi observado um gasto de R$183.488,94 referente ao medicamento que é descartado ainda cheio, devido o seu uso inadequado. Discussão e Conclusões: Os resíduos produzidos no tratamento da DM favorecem gastos públicos desnecessários e sérios danos ambientais quando mal administrados. Assim, é necessário promover mudanças comportamentais e sustentáveis nas relações de consumo e geração de resíduos entre gestores e os usuários do SUS. É essencial implementar consultórios farmacêuticos para que o paciente tenha educação em DM, instigando o uso correto e racional dos medicamentos. Por outro lado, projetos como o “insulinadiamor” são extremamente indispensáveis, pois possuem vertente social, ambiental e possibilitam a ressocialização.

Introdução: Atualmente, o Brasil tem cerca de 16,8 milhões de pessoas com diabetes mellitus (DM), estando na quinta posição de incidência no ranking mundial. A DM é uma doença crônica caracterizada por níveis elevados de glicose sérica. Existem dois principais tipos de diabetes: DM tipo 1 e DM tipo 2. O diagnóstico de DM tipo 1 ocorre quando o sistema imunológico ataca e destrói as células beta pancreáticas, resultando em produção insuficiente de insulina no corpo, o que requer a administração diária de insulina. A DM não controlada pode levar a complicações graves em longo prazo, e por isso a monitorização é uma parte fundamental do cuidado, contribuindo para o controle da glicemia, ajuste da terapia e prevenção de complicações. Hoje, existem várias tecnologias disponíveis para facilitar a monitorização em diabetes, como medidores de glicose no sangue e biossensores contínuos de glicose, que exigem treinamento básico aos pacientes pelo profissional de saúde. Objetivos: Observar o uso da monitorização contínua de glicose em pacientes com DM sem suporte multidisciplinar prévio. Material e Método: O estudo foi realizado no ambulatório de endocrinologia do Centro Médico de Aracaju/SE e contou com um endocrinologista, um enfermeiro, dois farmacêuticos e seis estudantes (cinco de Farmácia e um de Biologia). O estudo foi realizado em três meses, aonde os pacientes iam ao ambulatório de 14 em 14 dias para troca do sensor (totalizando o uso de seis sensores). Tivemos n = 17 participantes que assinaram o Termo de Consentimento e que foram inseridos conforme critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Através de um questionário com 13 perguntas, analisamos a motivação para o tratamento e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Assim, os dados clínicos a serem analisados foram: HbA1c, glicemia média, tempo médio na meta glicêmica, abaixo e acima desta, casos de hipoglicemia e duração da mesma. (CAAE: 14555719.7.0000.5546). Resultados: A análise estatística foi realizada usando o software Bioestat 5.3, onde foram obtidos resultados de estatística descritiva e Teste de Fisher. Houve uma diferença significativa (p< 0,05), demonstrando piora no controle glicêmico, nas avaliações antes e depois de três meses em relação ao tempo na meta e acima desta. No entanto, não houve mudanças significativas nos outros dados clínicos analisados após o uso do sistema de monitoramento contínuo de glicose. Apesar disso, os dados obtidos no questionário, a grande maioria dos pacientes se sentia motivada para o tratamento e afirmam ter uma boa qualidade de vida. Discussão e Conclusões: A tecnologia do sistema de monitoramento contínuo é um avanço no tratamento da DM. Porém, os achados sugerem que o mesmo, se utilizado por alguém sem instrução prévia do profissional de saúde, não necessariamente vai trazer benefícios. O estudo reforça a importância da equipe multidisciplinar, com a presença do farmacêutico para auxiliar no tratamento do paciente que convive com diabetes.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an important chronic disease that occurs worldwide. Aims: This study aims to investigate how the use of the FreeStyle® Libre system in Unified Health System (SUS) patients impacts diabetes parameters in patients who receive education on proper insulin administration and the use of the continuous monitoring device, as well as how this affects patients without any concomitant multidisciplinary support in Sergipe, Brazil. Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized study in a diabetes clinic in Sergipe, Brazil, using the flash method FreeStyle® Libre (Abbott). The participants were divided into two groups: one receiving diabetes education on CGM (continuous glucose monitoring), while the other did not. Before the intervention, the patient’s treatment motivation and quality of life were assessed using a questionnaire, and baseline levels of glycated hemoglobin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the point of care AlereTM Afinion with boronate fixation. We compared first- and second-phase data with respect to glycated hemoglobin, mean interstitial blood glucose, time on and above target for hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events, and mean hypoglycemic duration. Results: In group A, which received the diabetes education intervention, there was a significant reduction in average HbA1c levels from 8.6% to 7.9% after 3 months (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in average glycemic values. Time above target decreased significantly from 50.62% to 29.43% (p = 0.0001), while time below target decreased from 22.90% to 20.21% (p = 0.002). There was no significant change in the number of hypoglycemic events, but the duration of hypoglycemia decreased significantly from 130.35 min to 121.18 min after 3 months (p = 0.0001). In Group B, there was no significant difference in mean HbA1c levels before (7.07%) and after (7.28%) sensor installation. This group maintained lower HbA1c levels compared to the other group. Average blood glucose levels also remained similar before (148.37 mg/dL) and after (154.65 mg/dL) the intervention. Although the time above the target glucose level increased significantly from 35.94% to 48.17%, the time at target decreased from 50.40% to 37.97%. No significant changes were observed in the time below target, the number of hypoglycemic events, or the duration of hypoglycemia. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that utilizing continuous glucose monitoring technology can enhance glycemic control, particularly in motivated, educated, low-income patients dependent on the SUS. To achieve positive results with FreeStyle Libre, it is imperative to allocate resources for multidisciplinary support.

The historical and social vulnerability of quilombola communities in Brazil can make them especially fragile in the face of COVID-19, considering that several individuals have precarious health systems and inadequate access to water. This work aimed to characterize the frequency of SARS-COV-2 infections and the presence of IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in quilombola populations and their relationship with the presence of risk factors or preexisting chronic diseases in the quilombola communities. We analyzed the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, serological status, comorbidities, and symptoms of 1,994 individuals (478 males and 1,536 females) from 18 Brazilian municipalities in the State of Sergipe of quilombola communities, which were evaluated at different epidemiological weeks, starting at the 32nd (August 6th) and ending at the 40th (October 3rd) epidemiological week. More than 70% of studied families live in rural areas and they have an extreme poverty social status. Although we found a higher number of SARS-COV-2 infections in quilombola communities than in the local population, their SARS-CoV-2 reactivity and IgM and IgG positivity varied across the communities investigated. Arterial hypertension was the most risk factor, being found in 27.8% of the individuals (9.5% in stage 1, 10.8% in stage 2, and 7.5% in stage 3). The most common COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities were headache, runny nose, flu, and dyslipidemia. However, most individuals were asymptomatic (79.9%). Our data indicate that mass testing must be incorporated into public policy to improve the health care system available to quilombola populations during a future pandemic or epidemic.

Background: Given the impact of the pandemic in Brazil, vaccination is essential to prevent illness and death. Thus, this study sought to compare, after vaccination, the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the response to vaccination in the least and most vaccinated municipalities of a Brazilian state during the height of the pandemic when the Omicron variant was dominant. Methods: We tested for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen and confirmed infection using an RT-qPCR and measured IgM and IgG antibodies in fully vaccinated participants from municipalities with higher and lower vaccination rates. Results: We showed that participants from the least vaccinated municipalities were more likely to have detectable IgM antibodies and a positive antigen/RT-qPCR result for SARS-CoV-2 than participants from the most vaccinated municipalities. There were no differences between the vaccines used (BNT162b2, Ad26.COV2.S, AZD1222, and CoronaVac) and antibody production. Conclusions: Our study evaluated municipal vaccination coverage and its effects on mortality, infections, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during a critical phase of the pandemic. The results suggest that higher vaccination coverage reduces acute cases and confers higher memory antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2. Even with a full vaccination schedule, individuals living in places with low vaccination rates are more susceptible to infection.

Even with the current advances that have been made in regard to COVID-19, such as a better understanding of the disease and the steady growth in the number of vaccinated individuals, it remains a challenge for humanity. Dealing with the disease in prison settings has been particularly difficult. This study sought to discover whether in-person visiting affected the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the penitentiaries in the state of Sergipe (Brazil). We conducted a two-phase study (when visiting was suspended and after it recommenced) in seven penitentiaries in Sergipe using immunochromatography and nasopharyngeal swab testing to evaluate whether visiting affects the number of COVID-19 cases. In the first phase (n = 778), 57.6% of inmates reported risk factors and 32.5% were positive for COVID-19 (18.9% IgM, 24.2% IgG, 1% antigen). In the second phase, 19.6% tested positive (13.9% IgM, 7.9% IgG, 0.2% antigen). The occurrence of positive cases of COVID-19 and positive results (IgM and IgG) were significantly higher in the first phase. In the second phase, 56.7% of inmates had received visits and 18.7% were positive for COVID-19 (14% IgM, 7% IgG). Among those who had not received visits, 20.9% tested positive (13.8% IgM, 9.2% IgG, 0.5% antigen). There was no significant difference in positive cases/results between inmates that had and had not received visits. These findings suggest that, under the conditions assessed, visiting does not seem to affect the number of COVID-19 cases in prisons and reinforces the importance of sanitary measures to control dissemination.