Persistent pollution of genetic materials in a typical laboratory environment.

From the onset of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there are concerns regarding the disease spread and environmental pollution of biohazard since studies on genetic engineering flourish and numerous genetic materials were used such as the nucleic acid test of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). In this work, we studied genetic material pollution in an institute during a development cycle of plasmid, one of typical genetic materials, with typical laboratory settings. The pollution source, transmission routes, and pollution levels in laboratory environment were examined. The Real-Time quantitative- Polymerase Chain Reaction results of all environmental mediums (surface, aerosol, and liquid) showed that a targeted DNA segment occurred along with routine experimental operations. Among the 79 surface and air samples collected in the genetic material operation, half of the environment samples (38 of 79) are positive for nucleic acid pollution. Persistent nucleic acid contaminations were observed in all tested laboratories and spread in the public area (hallway). The highest concentration for liquid and surface samples were 1.92 × 108 copies/uL and 5.22 × 107 copies/cm2, respectively. Significant amounts of the targeted gene (with a mean value of 74 copies/L) were detected in the indoor air of laboratories utilizing centrifuge devices, shaking tables, and cell homogenizers. Spills and improper disposal of plasmid products were primary sources of pollution. The importance of establishing designated experimental zones, employing advanced biosafety cabinets, and implementing highly efficient cleaning systems in laboratories with lower biosafety levels is underscored. SYNOPSIS: STATEMENT. Persistent environmental pollutions of genetic materials are introduced by typical experiments in laboratories with low biosafety level.

A quanta-independent approach for the assessment of strategies to reduce the risk of airborne infection.

The Wells-Riley model is extensively used for retrospective and prospective modelling of the risk of airborne transmission of infection in indoor spaces. It is also used when examining the efficacy of various removal and deactivation methods for airborne infectious aerosols in the indoor environment, which is crucial when selecting the most effective infection control technologies. The problem is that the large variation in viral load between individuals makes the Wells-Riley model output very sensitive to the input parameters and may yield a flawed prediction of risk. The absolute infection risk estimated with this model can range from nearly 0 % to 100 % depending on the viral load, even when all other factors, such as removal mechanisms and room geometry, remain unchanged. We therefore propose a novel method that removes this sensitivity to viral load. We define a quanta-independent maximum absolute before-after difference in infection risk that is independent of quanta factors like viral load, physical activity, or the dose-response relationships. The input data needed for a non-steady-state calculation are just the removal rates, room volume, and occupancy duration. Under steady-state conditions the approach provides an elegant solution that is only dependent on removal mechanisms before and after applying infection control measures. We applied this method to compare the impact of relative humidity, ventilation rate and its effectiveness, filtering efficiency, and the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on the infection risk. The results demonstrate that the method provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of infection control strategies on the risk of airborne infection, enabling rational decisions to be made regarding the most effective strategies in a specific context. The proposed method thus provides a practical tool for mitigation of airborne infection risk.

The effect of nonpharmaceutical interventions on influenza virus transmission.

Background: The use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during severe acute respiratory syndrome 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks may influence the spread of influenza viruses. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of NPIs against SARS-CoV-2 on the epidemiological features of the influenza season in China. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing influenza monitoring data obtained from the China National Influenza Center between 2011 and 2023. We compared the changes in influenza-positive patients in the pre-COVID-19 epidemic, during the COVID-19 epidemic, and post-COVID-19 epidemic phases to evaluate the effect of NPIs on influenza virus transmission. Results: NPIs targeting COVID-19 significantly suppressed influenza activity in China from 2019 to 2022. In the seventh week after the implementation of the NPIs, the number of influenza-positive patients decreased by 97.46% in southern regions of China and 90.31% in northern regions of China. However, the lifting of these policies in December 2022 led to an unprecedented surge in influenza-positive cases in autumn and winter from 2022 to 2023. The percentage of positive influenza cases increased by 206.41% (p < 0.001), with high positivity rates reported in both the northern and southern regions of China. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that NPIs against SARS-CoV-2 are effective at controlling influenza epidemics but may compromise individuals' immunity to the virus.

A tale of lockdown policies on the transmission of COVID-19 within and between Chinese cities: A study based on heterogeneous treatment effect.

During the early outbreak phase of COVID-19 in China, lockdowns prevailed as the only available policy tools to mitigate the spread of infection. To evaluate the impact of lockdown policies in the context of the first phase of COVID-19 pandemic, we leverage data on daily confirmed cases per million people and related characteristics of a large set of cities. The study analyzed 369 Chinese cities, among which 188 implemented lockdowns of varying severity levels from January 23 to March 31, 2020. We use nationwide Baidu Mobility data to estimate the impact of lockdown policies on mitigating COVID-19 cases through reducing human mobility. We adopt a heterogeneous treatment effect model to quantify the effect of lockdown policies on containing confirmed case counts. Our results suggest that lockdowns substantially reduced human mobility, and larger reduction in mobility occurred within-city compared to between-city. The COVID-19 daily confirmed cases per million people decreased by 9% - 9.2% for every ten-percentage point fall in within-city travel intensity in t+7 timeframe. We also find that one city's lockdowns can effectively reduce the spillover cases of the traveler's destination cities. We find no evidence that stricter lockdowns are more effective at mitigating COVID-19 risks. Our findings provide practical insights about the effectiveness of NPI during the early outbreak phase of the unprecedented pandemic.

SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 display limited neuronal infection and lack the ability to transmit within synaptically connected axons in stem cell-derived human neurons.

Sarbecoviruses such as SARS and SARS-CoV-2 have been responsible for two major outbreaks in humans, the latter resulting in a global pandemic. While sarbecoviruses primarily cause an acute respiratory infection, they have been shown to infect the nervous system. However, mechanisms of sarbecovirus neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we examined the infectivity and trans-synaptic transmission potential of the sarbecoviruses SARS and SARS-CoV-2 in human stem cell-derived neural model systems. We demonstrated limited ability of sarbecoviruses to infect and replicate in human stem cell-derived neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated an inability of sarbecoviruses to transmit between synaptically connected human stem cell-derived neurons. Finally, we determined an absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in olfactory neurons in experimentally infected ferrets. Collectively, this study indicates that sarbecoviruses exhibit low potential to infect human stem cell-derived neurons, lack an ability to infect ferret olfactory neurons, and lack an inbuilt molecular mechanism to utilise retrograde axonal trafficking and trans-synaptic transmission to spread within the human nervous system.

Digital measurement of SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from 7 million contacts.

How likely is it to become infected by SARS-CoV-2 after being exposed? Almost everyone wondered about this question during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact-tracing apps1,2 recorded measurements of proximity3 and duration between nearby smartphones. Contacts-individuals exposed to confirmed cases-were notified according to public health policies such as the 2 m, 15 min guideline4,5, despite limited evidence supporting this threshold. Here we analysed 7 million contacts notified by the National Health Service COVID-19 app6,7 in England and Wales to infer how app measurements translated to actual transmissions. Empirical metrics and statistical modelling showed a strong relation between app-computed risk scores and actual transmission probability. Longer exposures at greater distances had risk similar to that of shorter exposures at closer distances. The probability of transmission confirmed by a reported positive test increased initially linearly with duration of exposure (1.1% per hour) and continued increasing over several days. Whereas most exposures were short (median 0.7 h, interquartile range 0.4-1.6), transmissions typically resulted from exposures lasting between 1 h and several days (median 6 h, interquartile range 1.4-28). Households accounted for about 6% of contacts but 40% of transmissions. With sufficient preparation, privacy-preserving yet precise analyses of risk that would inform public health measures, based on digital contact tracing, could be performed within weeks of the emergence of a new pathogen.

Knowledge of Brazilian Dentists about Dentoalveolar Trauma Care and their Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess dentists' knowledge from Minas Gerais, Brazil, about dentoalveolar trauma (DT) and their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire with 34 questions was applied to collect personal data, professional training, self-assessment of experience/knowledge about DT, experience in care provided during the social distancing, and knowledge/conduct. The specific responses were evaluated based on the guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT). Descriptive analysis and Pearson's chi-square test were performed. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Most professionals (97.7%) had received information on DT, and only 4.6% of the participants considered their knowledge poor or very poor. However, 92.7% felt the need for more information on the subject. Regarding experiences during the pandemic, 55.7% provided trauma care during that period. Forty percent of the consultations were performed in person, and 33.3% of the professionals noted an increase in cases during the pandemic; 56.6% reported that the frequency did not change. The overall mean number of correct answers about DT was 5.29±2.11, indicating an acceptable level of knowledge. The mean percentage of hits for the specific questions was 44.1%. Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge of the dentists evaluated was acceptable, some aspects were deficient, with the need for more information about the IADT guidelines.

Changes in Oral Health-Related Behaviors and Oral Health of Children in Early Childhood during Social Isolation Caused by COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess changes in oral health-related behavior and oral health status in Brazilian children in early childhood perceived by their parents/caregivers during social isolation caused by COVID-19. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with parents/caregivers of children in southeastern Brazil aged 0-5 years who responded to an online questionnaire about sociodemographic data, dietary changes, oral hygiene, and oral health status of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Of the 119 parents/caregivers, 54.60% did not observe any changes in eating habits, and 81.50% maintained their children's oral hygiene. Associations were observed between the impact of the pandemic on the family income and changes in eating habits (p=0.02) and between lower family income and dental caries perceived by parents/caregivers (p=0.05). Z tests with Bonferroni correction showed that families with drastic income reduction were more likely to consume lower-cost foods (62.50%) than families with no impact or slight reduction on family income. Parents/caregivers did not identify dental caries (89.10%), toothache (92.40%), and dental trauma (92.40%) in their children. Conclusion: Parents/caregivers of children in southeastern Brazil aged 0-5 years observed behavioral changes in the dietary habits of families whose income was impacted by the pandemic, and their perception of dental caries was significantly associated with family income.

Telemonitoramento dos idosos de natal-rn na atenção primária durante a pandemia da covid-19: estudo longitudinal descritivo / Telemonitoring of elderly people from Natal-RN in Primary Care during the COVID-19 pandemic: descriptive longitudinal study / Telemonitoreo de ancianos de Natal-RN en Atención Primaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19: estudio longitudinal descriptivo

Introdução:Atelessaúdese popularizou como uma importante ferramenta na avaliação remota e de prestação de cuidados em saúde.Uma de suas vertentes consiste no monitoramento remoto, também chamado de telemonitoramento ou televigilância,que se difundiu, sobretudo para grupos populacionais vulneráveis, como a população idosa, em especial durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Objetivo:Conhecer o perfil sociodemográfico, o estado de saúde e os comportamentos relacionados à saúde dos idosos monitorados durante a pandemia da COVID-19 no município de Natal-Rio Grande do Norte.Metodologia:Estudo longitudinal descritivo, com três momentos de observação. A amostra foi composta por idosos adscritos a 22 unidades de saúde de Natal, acompanhados por meio de ligações telefônicas, de agostode 2020 a julho de 2021. A análise dos dados foi realizada através do software Epi Info™, versão 7.2.4, a partir de frequências absolutas e relativas, medidas de tendência central e dispersão (média e desvio padrão).Resultados:Participaram do estudo 1.348 idosos. Amaioria era do sexo feminino (63,7%), com média de 70 anos, morava acompanhada(81,8%), esteve assintomática (77,0%), possuía comorbidades (81,5%) e dependia de medicações de uso contínuo (81,9%). Os sintomáticos diminuíram ao longo dos três momentos avaliados e menos de 1% evoluiu ao óbito.Conclusões:O telemonitoramentocontribuiu com a longitudinalidade do cuidado, proporcionando a busca ativa contínua de idosos sintomáticos e fortalecendo as atividades das Unidades de Saúde (AU).

Introduction:Telehealth has become popular as an important tool in the remote assessment and provision of health care. One ofits aspects is remote monitoring, also called telemonitoring or telesurveillance, which has become widespread, especially for vulnerable population groups, such as the elderly population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective:To know the sociodemographic profile, health status and health-related behaviors of the elderly monitored during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Natal-Rio Grande do Norte. city.Methodology:Descriptive longitudinal study, with three moments of observation. The sample consisted of elderly people enrolled at 22 health units in Natal, followed up through telephone calls, from August 2020 to July 2021. Data analysis was performed using the Epi Info™ software, version 7.2.4, based on absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion (mean and standard deviation).Results:1,348 elderly people participated in the study. Most were female (63.7%), aged 70 years on average, lived with someone (81.8%), were asymptomatic (77.0%), had comorbidities(81.5%) and depended on continuous use (81.9%). Symptomatic cases decreased over the three evaluated moments and less than 1% evolved to death.Conclusions:Telemonitoring contributed to the longitudinality of care, providing continuous active search for symptomatic elderly and strengthening the activities of Health Units (AU).

Introducción: La telesalud se ha vuelto popular como una herramienta importante en la evaluacióny provisión remota de atención médica. Una de sus vertientes es el monitoreo remoto, también llamado telemonitoreo o televigilancia, que se ha generalizado, especialmente para grupos de población vulnerable, como la población de la tercera edad, especialmente durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Objetivo: Conocer el perfil sociodemográfico, el estado de salud y los comportamientos relacionados con la salud de los ancianos acompañados durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en la ciudad de Natal-Rio Grande do Norte.. Metodología: Estudio longitudinal descriptivo, con tres momentos de observación. La muestra estuvo compuesta por ancianos matriculados en 22 unidades de salud de Natal, seguidos a través de llamadas telefónicas, de agosto de 2020 a julio de 2021. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante el software Epi Info™, versión 7.2.4, con base en valores absolutos y relativos. frecuencias, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión (media y desviación estándar). Resultados: Participaron del estudio 1.348 ancianos. La mayoría eran del sexo femenino (63,7%), con edad media de 70 años, vivían con alguien (81,8%), estaban asintomáticos (77,0%), tenían comorbilidades (81,5%) y dependían del uso continuo (81,9%). Los casos sintomáticos disminuyeron en los tres momentos evaluados y menos del 1% evolucionó a muerte.Conclusiones: La televigilancia contribuyó para la longitudinalidad de la atención, proporcionando búsqueda activa continua de ancianos sintomáticos y fortaleciendo las actividades de las Unidades de Salud (AU).

Genomic surveillance reveals dynamic shifts in the connectivity of COVID-19 epidemics.

The maturation of genomic surveillance in the past decade has enabled tracking of the emergence and spread of epidemics at an unprecedented level. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, genomic data revealed that local epidemics varied considerably in the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineage importation and persistence, likely due to a combination of COVID-19 restrictions and changing connectivity. Here, we show that local COVID-19 epidemics are driven by regional transmission, including across international boundaries, but can become increasingly connected to distant locations following the relaxation of public health interventions. By integrating genomic, mobility, and epidemiological data, we find abundant transmission occurring between both adjacent and distant locations, supported by dynamic mobility patterns. We find that changing connectivity significantly influences local COVID-19 incidence. Our findings demonstrate a complex meaning of "local" when investigating connected epidemics and emphasize the importance of collaborative interventions for pandemic prevention and mitigation.

The burden and dynamics of hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 in England.

Hospital-based transmission had a dominant role in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemics1,2, but large-scale studies of its role in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are lacking. Such transmission risks spreading the virus to the most vulnerable individuals and can have wider-scale impacts through hospital-community interactions. Using data from acute hospitals in England, we quantify within-hospital transmission, evaluate likely pathways of spread and factors associated with heightened transmission risk, and explore the wider dynamical consequences. We estimate that between June 2020 and March 2021 between 95,000 and 167,000 inpatients acquired SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals (1% to 2% of all hospital admissions in this period). Analysis of time series data provided evidence that patients who themselves acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital were the main sources of transmission to other patients. Increased transmission to inpatients was associated with hospitals having fewer single rooms and lower heated volume per bed. Moreover, we show that reducing hospital transmission could substantially enhance the efficiency of punctuated lockdown measures in suppressing community transmission. These findings reveal the previously unrecognized scale of hospital transmission, have direct implications for targeting of hospital control measures and highlight the need to design hospitals better equipped to limit the transmission of future high-consequence pathogens.

Detecting Disease Transmission: Comparing SARS-CoV-2 Cases in a County Jail and the Surrounding Community.

Early detection of infectious disease transmission is an important public health tool. We sought to evaluate how positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases, identified within 14 days of admission to a jail setting, are linked to local county incidence. Data were extracted from the electronic health record and publicly accessible websites. We compared positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 identified in the Santa Clara County (SCC) jail within 14 days of admission (250 cases) with positive cases reported in SCC (141,841 cases) between March 15, 2020, and October 2, 2021. There was a strong, positive correlation between cases of SARS-CoV-2 identified within 14 days of jail admission and SCC cases the following week (r = .785). Our findings show that admission SARS-CoV-2 testing data from jails may be useful for detecting disease transmission in the surrounding community.

Human ACE2 protein is a molecular switch controlling the mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

BACKGROUND: Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is the receptor mediating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. hACE2 expression is low in the lungs and is upregulated after SARS-CoV-2 infection. How such a hACE2-limited pulmonary environment supports efficient virus transmission and how dynamic hACE2 expression affects SARS-CoV-2 infection are unclear. METHODS: We generated stable cell lines with different expression levels of hACE2 to evaluate how the hACE2 expression level can affect SARS-CoV-2 transmission. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the hACE2 expression level controls the mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The hACE2-limited cells have an advantage for SARS-CoV-2 shedding, which leads to cell-free transmission. By contrast, enhanced hACE2 expression facilitates the SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell transmission. Furthermore, this cell-to-cell transmission is likely facilitated by hACE2-containing vesicles, which accommodate numerous SARS-CoV-2 virions and transport them to neighboring cells through intercellular extensions. CONCLUSIONS: This hACE2-mediated switch between cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission routes provides SARS-CoV-2 with advantages for either viral spread or evasion of humoral immunity, thereby contributing to the COVID-19 pandemic and pathogenesis.

A weapon to fight against pervasive Omicron: systematic actions transiting to pre-COVID normal.

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is not just a health crisis but also a social crisis. Confronted with the resurgence of variants with massive infections, the triggered activities from personal needs may promote the spread, which should be considered in risk management. Meanwhile, it is important to ensure that the policy responses on citizen life to a lower level. In the face of Omicron mutations, we need to sum up the control experience accumulated, adapting strategies in the dynamic coevolution process while balancing life resumption and pandemic control, to meet challenges of future crises. We collected 46 cases occurring between 2021 and 2022, mainly from China, but also including five relevant cases from other countries around the world. Based on case studies, we combine micro-view individual needs/behaviors with macro-view management measures linking Maslow's hierarchy of needs with the transmission chain of Omicron clusters. The proposed loophole chain could help identify both individual and management loopholes in the spread of the virus. The systematic actions that were taken have effectively combated these ubiquitous vulnerabilities at lower costs and lesser time. In the dynamic coevolution process, the Chinese government has made effective and more socially acceptable prevention policies while meeting the divergent needs of the entire society at the minimum costs. Systematic actions do help maintain the balance between individuals' satisfaction and pandemic containment. This implies that risk management policies should reasonably consider individual needs and improve the cooperation of various stakeholders with targeted flexible measures, securing both public health and life resumption.

A molnupiravir-associated mutational signature in global SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

Molnupiravir, an antiviral medication widely used against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), acts by inducing mutations in the virus genome during replication. Most random mutations are likely to be deleterious to the virus and many will be lethal; thus, molnupiravir-induced elevated mutation rates reduce viral load1,2. However, if some patients treated with molnupiravir do not fully clear the SARS-CoV-2 infections, there could be the potential for onward transmission of molnupiravir-mutated viruses. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 sequencing databases contain extensive evidence of molnupiravir mutagenesis. Using a systematic approach, we find that a specific class of long phylogenetic branches, distinguished by a high proportion of G-to-A and C-to-T mutations, are found almost exclusively in sequences from 2022, after the introduction of molnupiravir treatment, and in countries and age groups with widespread use of the drug. We identify a mutational spectrum, with preferred nucleotide contexts, from viruses in patients known to have been treated with molnupiravir and show that its signature matches that seen in these long branches, in some cases with onward transmission of molnupiravir-derived lineages. Finally, we analyse treatment records to confirm a direct association between these high G-to-A branches and the use of molnupiravir.

Efeitos dasMedidas restritivas de combate à covid-19 no cumprimento das rotinas de tratamento do hiv no centro de saúde de moamba / Effects of restrictive measures to combat covid-19 on compliance with hiv treatment routines at the moamba health center

Em países economicamente fragilizados, com alta prevalência de infecções por vírus de imunodeficiência humana, as medidas de saúde pública e administrativas adoptadas para prevenir, controlar e conter a propagação da pandemia da COVID-19 representaram ameaça às actividades de controlo e manejo do HIV. Objectivo: analisar os efeitos das medidas de prevenção, controlo e contenção da propagação da COVID-19 na adesão às rotinas de tratamento anti-retroviral entre pacientes atendidos no Centro de Saúde de Moamba. Métodos: Foi adoptada uma metodologia mista, de orientação quantitativa, para uma abordagem retrospectiva dos efeitos das medidas de controlo e contenção do coronavírus, entre 1 de Outubro de 2019 e 31 de Março de 2021. Para o efeito, foram escrutinados 20 processos clínicos (Fichas Resumo) de pacientes seguidos nos cuidados de HIV entre Outubro e Dezembro de 2018. Os titulares destas Fichas Resumo foram submetidos a entrevistas semiestruturadas (auto-relato) para identificar os factores que durante o período de vigência das Medidas restritivas de combate à COVID-19 afectaram o cumprimento das rotinas de tratamento anti-retroviral (comparecimento às consultas e adesão às datas de colecta de medicamentos). Os dados obtidos dos processos clínicos foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva. O teste paramétrico do qui-quadrado (X2 ) foi utilizado para investigar associações e correlações entre as variáveis socioeconómica e biomédica. A informação obtida, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas (auto-relato), foi submetida à análise temática de Braun e Clark Resultados: Os achados do estudo mostram uma tendência de variação para o período anterior (aos 6meses) e posterior (12 e 18 meses) a introdução das medidas vigilância activa da COVID 19. Em relação à taxa de adesão estimada, a média achada para os 18meses estudados, foi de 96,22% (±3,38) e a mediana de adesão foi de 97,55% (IQR: 93.73% ­ 99,35%). Porém, aos 6meses de avaliação, foi de 97% (±2,04, intervalo de 92% a 100%), aos 12 meses atingiu 94,39% (±3,43%, intervalo 86%-98.9%) e estabilizou-se nos 96,6% (±2,72), aos 18 meses de avaliação. Quanto à média de dias de atraso no levantamento de medicamentos, a média achada para o período estudado foi de 3,3 dias (±1,72, IQR 2 ­ 4,75). Aos 6 meses de avaliação, a média de dia de atrasos foi de 0,5 dias (±0,61 IQR 0-1), aos 12 meses regrediu para 1,6 dias (±1,1 IQR: 1-3) e atingiu 1,2 dias (±0,89 IQR: 1-3) aos 18 meses de avaliação. A média de células CD4 achada nos pacientes foi de 455,12 células/mm³ (± 135,78, IQR: 345,3 células/mm³ ­ 585,03 células/mm³) para o período em estudo. Neste período, 40% (8/20) dos pacientes apresentaram CD4 inferior a 350 células/mm³; 60% (12/20) tinham CD4 superior a 350 células/mm³. A média de células CD4 por 1 mm³ de sangue foi de 72,8 células/mm³ (±156,27 células/mm³, IQR 342 células/mm³ e 594 células/mm³) aos 6 meses de estudo; 496,18 células/mm³ (± 133,48 células/mm³, IQR 367 células/mm³ e 596,5 células/mm³) aos 12 meses e 463,16 células/mm³ (±160,04 IQR 352 células/mm³) aos 18 meses de avaliação, respectivamente. Foi observada uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre os resultados da contagem de células CD4 (valor-p=0,009); tempo do paciente em tratamento anti-retroviral (valor-p=0,045); nível de adesão ao tratamento do MRC-19 e Cumprimento das Rotinas de Tratamento do HIV no Centro de Saúde de Moamba xii HIV (valor-p=0,01) e partilha ou sobras de medicamentos (valor-p=0.05) e o número de dias de atraso no levantamento de medicamentos. O medo de ser infectado pelo coronavírus (valor p=0,095) não influenciou os dias de atraso no levantamento de medicamentos. Outrossim, não foi encontrada nenhuma correlação entre atrasos no pagamento de medicamentos rendimento médio mensal (valor-p=0,85), apesar dos auto-relatos sobre a falta de dinheiro como condição para cumprir as rotinas de tratamento anti-retroviral. Conclusão: Os factores socioeconómicos e comportamentais foram mais importantes nas medidas tomadas para combater a COVID-19. No entanto, após a implementação das medidas de combate à COVID-19, o Centro de Saúde de Moamba melhorou a capacidades de tratamento de HIV com essas variações. Assim, o estudo recomenda a realização de estudos para explorar factores que promovam a cumprimento das rotinas de tratamento.

The Economically dependent countries with high HIV prevalence have been threatened by public health and administrative measures to control and contain the CVID/19 pandemic. Objective: The study investigates the impact of COVID-19-fighting restrictions on compliance with antiretroviral treatment routines among HIV-positive patients at Moamba Health Centre. Methods and Procedures: This is a quantitative and qualitative study with a retrospective descriptive component carried out through the analysis of clinical records of 20 participants in HIV care. It adopted semi-structured interviews to gather information (self-report) on factors affecting participants' compliance with ART routines (presence at consultations, compliance with the medication collection schedule) after the introduction of restrictive measures to fight COVID 19 in 20 patients followed on ART from October 2019 to March 2021.Statistical inference, in the form of parametric chi-square tests (X2), was used to assess associations and correlations between socioeconomic and biomedical variables extracted from clinical records (Summary Sheet). A reflective analysis of Braun and Clark was conducted using the information obtained from semi structured questionnaires (self-report). Results: Means of estimated adherence to HIV care ranged from 97% (±2.04, range of 92% and 100%) before the introduction of restrictive measures to fight COVID-19 to 94.39% (±3, 43% ranging between 86% and 98.9%) at the 12-month evaluation from April to September 2020. From October 2019 to March 2021, the average adherence rate was 96.6% (±2.72). The estimated average adherence during the study period was 96.22% (±3.38) and a median of 97.55% (IQR: 93.73% - 99.35%). During the study period, the average number of days late in collecting ARVs was 3.3 days (±1.72, IQR 2 ­ 4.75). It occurred between 6 months before and 12 months after COVID-19 combat measures (6 months before and 12 months after COVID-19 combat measures). From April to September 2020, the average of delays in collecting ARVs reached 1.6 days (±1.1 ± 1.1 IQR: 1-3) and decreased to 1.2 days (±0.89 IQR 1-3) during the third semester of evaluation from October 2020 to March 2021 showing that the measures to fight COVID-19 had a negative influence on the fulfilment of ART routines among the participants. The mean CD4 count during the study was 455.12 cells/mm3 (± 135.78, IQR: 345.3 cells/mm3 ­ 585.03 cells/mm3); 40% (8/20) of patients had CD4 ≤ 350 ≤ 350 cells/mm3 and 60% (12/20) had CD4 > 350 cells/mm3. CD4 averages varied from 72.8 cells/mm3 (± cells/mm3, IQR 342 cells/mm3 and 594 cells/mm3) after 6 months of study; 496.18 cells/mm3 (± 133.48 IQR 367 cells/mm3 ­ 596.5 cells/mm3) at 12 months of study and 463.16 cells/mm3 (±160.04 IQR 352 cells/mm3 ­ 555 cells/ mm3) at 18 months of the study, revealing that some of the measures to fight the COVID-19 strengthened the capacity for HIV/care provision at the Moamba Health Centre. Delays in fetching ARVs at the pharmacy influence CD4 results (p-value=0.009); time on ART (p-value=0.045); level of adherence to HIV care (p-value = 0.01) and sharing of ARV leftovers (p-value = 0.05). Fear of infection by Coronavirus (p-value=0.095) did not influence ARV retrieval delays. Self-reported about lack of money, as a condition for complying with ART routines, but not delays in collecting ARVs and mean monthly income (p-value=0.848). MRC-19 e Cumprimento das Rotinas de Tratamento do HIV no Centro de Saúde de Moamba xiv Conclusion: The results suggest that delays in fetching ARVs are not necessarily caused by financial constraints. It may be attributed to factors such as fear of infection by Coronavirus (although this did not influence significantly). However, fear of Coronavirus did affect people's willingness to access ARV services, even if it was not statistically significant. CD4 results, time on ART, the adherence level on HIV care, and sharing of ARV leftovers influenced the delays on ARVs collection. The study concludes that measures to fight COVID-19 increased the weight of socioeconomic and behavioural factors that affect adherence to HIV care and treatment routines, increasing delays in ARV collection. The effects of measures to fight COVID-19 highlighted the need to improve indicators, instruments, and procedures for recording, measuring, and evaluating factors affecting compliance with antiretroviral treatment routines, regarded as indicators of HIV care.

Metapopulation dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a small-scale Amazonian society.

The severity of infectious disease outbreaks is governed by patterns of human contact, which vary by geography, social organization, mobility, access to technology and healthcare, economic development, and culture. Whereas globalized societies and urban centers exhibit characteristics that can heighten vulnerability to pandemics, small-scale subsistence societies occupying remote, rural areas may be buffered. Accordingly, voluntary collective isolation has been proposed as one strategy to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and other pandemics on small-scale Indigenous populations with minimal access to healthcare infrastructure. To assess the vulnerability of such populations and the viability of interventions such as voluntary collective isolation, we simulate and analyze the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Amazonian forager-horticulturalists in Bolivia using a stochastic network metapopulation model parameterized with high-resolution empirical data on population structure, mobility, and contact networks. Our model suggests that relative isolation offers little protection at the population level (expected approximately 80% cumulative incidence), and more remote communities are not conferred protection via greater distance from outside sources of infection, due to common features of small-scale societies that promote rapid disease transmission such as high rates of travel and dense social networks. Neighborhood density, central household location in villages, and household size greatly increase the individual risk of infection. Simulated interventions further demonstrate that without implausibly high levels of centralized control, collective isolation is unlikely to be effective, especially if it is difficult to restrict visitation between communities as well as travel to outside areas. Finally, comparison of model results to empirical COVID-19 outcomes measured via seroassay suggest that our theoretical model is successful at predicting outbreak severity at both the population and community levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that the social organization and relative isolation from urban centers of many rural Indigenous communities offer little protection from pandemics and that standard control measures, including vaccination, are required to counteract effects of tight-knit social structures characteristic of small-scale populations.

Why not to pick your nose: Association between nose picking and SARS-CoV-2 incidence, a cohort study in hospital health care workers.

BACKGROUND: Hospital health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. We investigated whether certain behavioral and physical features, e.g. nose picking and wearing glasses, are associated with infection risk. AIM: To assess the association between nose picking and related behavioral or physical features (nail biting, wearing glasses, and having a beard) and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2-infection. METHODS: In a cohort study among 404 HCW in two university medical centers in the Netherlands, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were prospectively measured during the first phase of the pandemic. For this study HCW received an additional retrospective survey regarding behavioral (e.g. nose picking) and physical features. RESULTS: In total 219 HCW completed the survey (response rate 52%), and 34/219 (15.5%) became SARS-CoV-2 seropositive during follow-up from March 2020 till October 2020. The majority of HCW (185/219, 84.5%) reported picking their nose at least incidentally, with frequency varying between monthly, weekly and daily. SARS-CoV-2 incidence was higher in nose picking HCW compared to participants who refrained from nose picking (32/185: 17.3% vs. 2/34: 5.9%, OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.05 to 24.52), adjusted for exposure to COVID-19. No association was observed between nail biting, wearing glasses, or having a beard, and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: Nose picking among HCW is associated with an increased risk of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection. We therefore recommend health care facilities to create more awareness, e.g. by educational sessions or implementing recommendations against nose picking in infection prevention guidelines.

Assessing individual risk and the latent transmission of COVID-19 in a population with an interaction-driven temporal model.

Interaction-driven modeling of diseases over real-world contact data has been shown to promote the understanding of the spread of diseases in communities. This temporal modeling follows the path-preserving order and timing of the contacts, which are essential for accurate modeling. Yet, other important aspects were overlooked. Various airborne pathogens differ in the duration of exposure needed for infection. Also, from the individual perspective, Covid-19 progression differs between individuals, and its severity is statistically correlated with age. Here, we enrich an interaction-driven model of Covid-19 and similar airborne viral diseases with (a) meetings duration and (b) personal disease progression. The enriched model enables predicting outcomes at both the population and the individual levels. It further allows predicting individual risk of engaging in social interactions as a function of the virus characteristics and its prevalence in the population. We further showed that the enigmatic nature of asymptomatic transmission stems from the latent effect of the network density on this transmission and that asymptomatic transmission has a substantial impact only in sparse communities.