Association between exposure to air pollutants and hospitalization for SARS-Cov-2: an ecological time-series study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Exposure to air pollutants and illness by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection can cause serious pulmonary impairment. OBJECTIVE: To identify a possible association between exposure to air pollutants and hospitalizations due to SARS-Cov-2. DESIGN AND SETTING: Ecological time-series study carried out in Taubaté, Tremembé, and Pindamonhangaba in 2020 and 2021. METHODS: Study with Sars-Cov-2 hospitalizations with information on hospitalization date, sex and age of the subjects, duration of hospitalization, type of discharge, and costs of these hospitalizations. Statistical analysis was performed through a negative binomial regression, with data on pollutant concentrations, temperature, air relative humidity, and hospitalization date. Coefficients obtained by the analysis were transformed into relative risk for hospitalization, which estimated hospitalizations excess according to an increase in pollutant concentrations. RESULTS: There were 1,300 hospitalizations and 368 deaths, with a predominance of men (61.7%). These data represent an incidence rate of 250.4 per 100,000 inhabitants and 28.4% hospital lethality. Significant exposure (P value < 0.05) occurred seven days before hospital admission (lag 7) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (relative risk, RR = 1.0124) and two days before hospital admission for PM2.5 (RR = 1.0216). A 10 μg/m3 in NO2 concentration would decrease by 320 hospitalizations and ¼ US $ 240,000 in costs; a 5 μg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration would decrease by 278 hospitalizations and ¼ US $ 190,000 in costs. CONCLUSION: An association between exposure to air pollutants and hospital admission due to Sars-Cov-2 was observed with excess hospitalization and costs for the Brazilian public health system.

Association between exposure to air pollutants and hospitalization for SARS-Cov-2: an ecological time-series study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to air pollutants and illness by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection can cause serious pulmonary impairment. OBJECTIVE: To identify a possible association between exposure to air pollutants and hospitalizations due to SARS-Cov-2. DESIGN AND SETTING: Ecological time-series study carried out in Taubaté, Tremembé, and Pindamonhangaba in 2020 and 2021. METHODS: Study with Sars-Cov-2 hospitalizations with information on hospitalization date, sex and age of the subjects, duration of hospitalization, type of discharge, and costs of these hospitalizations. Statistical analysis was performed through a negative binomial regression, with data on pollutant concentrations, temperature, air relative humidity, and hospitalization date. Coefficients obtained by the analysis were transformed into relative risk for hospitalization, which estimated hospitalizations excess according to an increase in pollutant concentrations. RESULTS: There were 1,300 hospitalizations and 368 deaths, with a predominance of men (61.7%). These data represent an incidence rate of 250.4 per 100,000 inhabitants and 28.4% hospital lethality. Significant exposure (P value < 0.05) occurred seven days before hospital admission (lag 7) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (relative risk, RR = 1.0124) and two days before hospital admission for PM2.5 (RR = 1.0216). A 10 µg/m3 in NO2 concentration would decrease by 320 hospitalizations and ¼ US $ 240,000 in costs; a 5 µg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration would decrease by 278 hospitalizations and ¼ US $ 190,000 in costs. CONCLUSION: An association between exposure to air pollutants and hospital admission due to Sars-Cov-2 was observed with excess hospitalization and costs for the Brazilian public health system.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents: a Brazilian experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and epidemiological aspects of children and adolescents infected with the SARS-CoV-2 in the Municipality of Taubaté, SP, from March to November 2020. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with secondary data obtained from the Epidemiological Surveillance System about confirmed cases in city residents and from medical records of patients who were treated in hospitals in Taubaté, aged between 0 and 19 years. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS: 677 cases in the studied age range were reported during the study period, corresponding to 10.1% of cases reported in the municipality. The rapid antibody test was the most used to confirm infection, followed by RT-PCR and serology. Symptoms were described in 57.7% of the cases, mainly fever and cough. Diarrhea was associated with age below 4 years, while fever, cough, headache, odynophagia, ageusia, anosmia, myalgia, and dyspnea were associated with an age ranging from 10 to 19 years. In the study period, there were no deaths from COVID-19 of residents of the municipality in the age group from 0 to 19 years. CONCLUSIONS: The study was able to identify the proportion of involvement of COVID-19 in children and adolescents in the city, and the disease had a mild evolution. The main symptoms were fever and cough, but mainly diarrhea in younger children, and headache, odynophagia, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia in adolescents.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents: a Brazilian experience / Infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 em crianças e adolescentes: uma experiência brasileira

Abstract Objective: To describe clinical and epidemiological aspects of children and adolescents infected with the SARS-CoV-2 in the Municipality of Taubaté, SP, from March to November 2020. Methods: Cross-sectional study with secondary data obtained from the Epidemiological Surveillance System about confirmed cases in city residents and from medical records of patients who were treated in hospitals in Taubaté, aged between 0 and 19 years. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used for comparisons. Results: 677 cases in the studied age range were reported during the study period, corresponding to 10.1% of cases reported in the municipality. The rapid antibody test was the most used to confirm infection, followed by RT-PCR and serology. Symptoms were described in 57.7% of the cases, mainly fever and cough. Diarrhea was associated with age below 4 years, while fever, cough, headache, odynophagia, ageusia, anosmia, myalgia, and dyspnea were associated with an age ranging from 10 to 19 years. In the study period, there were no deaths from COVID-19 of residents of the municipality in the age group from 0 to 19 years. Conclusions: The study was able to identify the proportion of involvement of COVID-19 in children and adolescents in the city, and the disease had a mild evolution. The main symptoms were fever and cough, but mainly diarrhea in younger children, and headache, odynophagia, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia in adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos de crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 no município de Taubaté (SP) de março a novembro de 2020. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados secundários obtidos no Setor de Vigilância Epidemiológica de casos confirmados em residentes do município e consulta de prontuários de pacientes que foram atendidos em hospitais de Taubaté, com idade entre 0 e 19 anos. Realizaram-se os testes de qui-quadrado, comparação de proporções e t de Student, sendo considerados nível de significância alfa <5%. Resultados: Notificaram-se 677 casos no período estudado, correspondendo a 10,1% do total de casos notificados no município. O teste rápido de anticorpos foi o teste mais utilizado, seguido de RT-PCR e sorologia. Sintomas foram descritos em 57,7% dos casos, sendo febre e tosse os mais frequentes. Diarreia apresentou associação com faixa etária < 4 anos, e febre, tosse, cefaleia, odinofagia, ageusia, anosmia, mialgia e dispneia tiveram associação com faixa etária de 10 a 19 anos. No período estudado, não ocorreu nenhum óbito por COVID-19 na faixa etária de 0 a 19 anos de residentes do município. Conclusões: O estudo conseguiu identificar a proporção de acometimento da COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes no município, e a doença teve comportamento leve e boa evolução. Os principais sintomas foram febre e tosse, destacando-se diarreia nas crianças mais jovens e cefaleia, odinofagia, anosmia, ageusia e mialgia nos adolescentes.

[Hospital costs related to streptococcal meningitis among children in São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil]. / Custos hospitalares da meningite causada por Streptococcus pneumoniae na cidade de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil.

Knowledge of hospital costs is highly important for public health decision-making. This study aimed to estimate direct hospital costs related to pneumococcal meningitis in children 13 years or younger in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil, from January 1999 to December 2008. Data were obtained from medical records. Hospital costs were calculated according to the mixed method for measurement of quantities of items with identified costs and value attribution to items consumed (micro-costing and gross-costing). All costs were calculated according to monetary values for November 2009 and in Brazilian currency (Real). Epi Info 3.5.1 was used for frequencies and means analysis. Forty-one cases were reported. Direct hospital costs varied from R$ 1,277.90 to R$ 19,887.56 (mean = R$ 5,666.43), or 10 to 20 times the mean cost of hospitalization for other diseases. Hospital staff labor was the highest cost, followed by medication, procedures, supplies, and lab tests.

Custos hospitalares da meningite causada por Streptococcus pneumoniae na cidade de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil / Hospital costs related to streptococcal meningitis among children in São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil

O conhecimento dos custos hospitalares é de grande importância para os processos de tomada de decisão em saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar os custos hospitalares diretos relacionados à meningite pneumocócica em crianças com até 13 anos (inclusive), na cidade de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil, de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2008. Foram obtidos dados de prontuários médicos. O cálculo foi realizado pelo método misto de mensuração das quantidades dos itens de custos e atribuição de valor aos itens consumidos (micro-costing e gross-costing). Os valores monetários referem-se a novembro de 2009, sendo expressos em reais. A análise das frequências e médias foi realizada pelo programa Epi Info versão 3.5.1. Foram notificados 41 casos. Os custos hospitalares diretos variaram de R$ 1.277,90 a R$ 19.887,56 (média = R$ 5.666,43), ou seja, 10 a 20 vezes maiores que o custo médio de internações pago pelo SUS. Os custos dos honorários profissionais foram os mais relevantes, seguidos pelos custos dos medicamentos, procedimentos, materiais e exames laboratoriais.

Knowledge of hospital costs is highly important for public health decision-making. This study aimed to estimate direct hospital costs related to pneumococcal meningitis in children 13 years or younger in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil, from January 1999 to December 2008. Data were obtained from medical records. Hospital costs were calculated according to the mixed method for measurement of quantities of items with identified costs and value attribution to items consumed (micro-costing and gross-costing). All costs were calculated according to monetary values for November 2009 and in Brazilian currency (Real). Epi Info 3.5.1 was used for frequencies and means analysis. Forty-one cases were reported. Direct hospital costs varied from R$ 1,277.90 to R$ 19,887.56 (mean = R$ 5,666.43), or 10 to 20 times the mean cost of hospitalization for other diseases. Hospital staff labor was the highest cost, followed by medication, procedures, supplies, and lab tests.

Custos hospitalares da meningite causada por Streptococcus pneumoniae na cidade de São José dos Campos, SP / Hospital costs of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in the city of São José dos Campos, SP

O conhecimento dos custos das doenças imuno preveníveis, em especial os custos hospitalares da meningite pneumocócica, objeto de estudo desta tese, são de grande importância para os processos de tomada de decisão no que se refere a intervenções ou estratégias de saúde pública. O objetivo desta tese foi estimar os custos hospitalares relacionados à meningite pelo Streptococcus pneumoniae em crianças com idade até 13 anos (inclusive), na cidade de São José dos Campos, nos últimos dez anos. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de custo-de-doença, a partir dos casos notificados de meningite pneumocócica ocorridos de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2008. O cálculo da estimativa de custos hospitalares foi realizado de acordo com o método misto para a mensuração das quantidades dos itens de custos identificados e também para atribuição de valor aos itens consumidos, fazendo uso do micro-costing quando este era possível, e do gross-costing, como alternativa de viabilidade. Todos os custos foram calculados com os valores monetários referentes a novembro de 2009, e expressos em reais. Para análise das frequências e médias, foi usado o programa Epi-Info versão 3.5.1. Resultados: De 1999 a 2008, foram notificados ao núcleo municipal de vigilância epidemiológica 41 casos de meningite pneumocócica em menores com até 13 anos de idade (média = 4,8 anos), a maior parte meninos (65,6%; n=27). A prevalência variou entre 0,48 e 5,96%, ao longo do período de estudo, e o número de casos variou de 1 a 9 por ano. O tempo de internação variou entre 8 e 47 dias (média = 23,1 dias). Dez casos evoluíram para o óbito (24,4%; 95%IC = 12,4% - 40,3%)...

The knowledge of the costs of immuno-preventable diseases, mainly the hospital costs of pneumococcal meningitis, object of study of this thesis, are of great importance to the processes of decision making regarding public health interventions or strategies. The aim of this thesis was to estimate the direct hospital costs related to pneumococcal meningitis in children until 13 years of age, in the city of São José dos Campos, from January 1999 to December 2008. A retrospective cost-of-illness study was performed, from the notified cases of pneumococcal meningitis which happened in the period of study. The estimate calculation of the hospital costs was carried out according to the mixed method for the measurement of the quantities of the items of identified costs, and also to value attribution to the items consumed, making use of micro-costing when this was possible, and of the gross-costing, as a viability alternative. All costs were calculated according to the monetary values of November 2009, and in the Brazilian currency (Real). As for the analysis of frequencies and averages, the Epi-Info program, version 3.5.1, was used. Results: From 1999 to 2008, 41 cases of pneumococcal meningitis in minors until 13 years of age (average = 4.8 years of age), mostly boys (65.6%; n=27) were notified to the municipal nucleus of epidemiological vigilance. The prevalence varied between 0.48 and 5.96%, during the period of study, and the number of cases varied from 1 to 9 per year. The period of permanence in hospital varied between 8 and 47 days (average = 23.1 days). Ten cases resulted in death (24.4%; 95%IC = 12.4% - 40.3%)...

Atenção à toxoplasmose durante a gestação em população carente do interior do Estado de São Paulo / Toxoplasmosis care to deprived people during pregnancy in an inner city from São Paulo State

Objetivo: avaliar a atenção para a profilaxia e tratamento da toxoplasmose durante a gestação de mulheres de reduzido nível socioeconômico do interior do Estado de São Paulo...

Objective: to assess the attention given to the prophylaxis and treatment of toxoplasmosis during the puerperium of women of low socioeconomic class from a countryside of the State of São Paulo...

Oropharyngeal colonization by Haemophilus influenzae in healthy children from Taubaté (São Paulo), prior to the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination program in Brazil.

UNLABELLED: Haemophilus influenzae is one of the most important bacterial agents of otitis and sinusitis. H. influenzae type b (Hib) is one of the main causes of meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia in nonvaccinated children under 6 years of age. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of H. influenzae and Hib oropharyngeal colonization prior to the onset of the Hib vaccination program in Brazil in previously healthy children and to assess the susceptibility profile of this microorganism to a selected group of antimicrobials that are used to treat acute respiratory infections. METHOD: Cultures of Haemophilus influenzae were made from oropharynx swabs from 987 children under 6 years of age who were enrolled in 29 day-care centers in Taubaté (a city of São Paulo state, Brazil) between July and December 1998. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. influenzae carriers was 17.4%, and only 5.5% of the strains were beta-lactamase producers. The prevalence of Hib carriers was high, 7.3% on average (range, 0.0 - 33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The low prevalence of colonization by penicillin-resistant strains indicates that it is not necessary to substitute ampicilin or amoxicilin to effectively treat otitis and sinusitis caused by H. influenzae in Taubaté.

Oropharyngeal colonization by Haemophilus influenzae in healthy children from Taubaté (São Paulo), prior to the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination program in Brazil

Haemophilus influenzae é um dos mais importantes agentes bacterianos de otites e sinusites. Em crianças menores de seis anos de idade não vacinadas contra o H. influenzae do tipo b (Hib), essa bactéria é uma das principais causadoras de meningite, pneumonia e sepse. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência da colonização da orofaringe de crianças previamente saudáveis por H. influenzae e Hib e avaliar o perfil de suscetibilidade desses microorganismos a um grupo seleto de antimicrobianos, que habitualmente são utilizados para tratar as infecções respiratórias agudas. MÉTODO: Foram colhidos swabs da orofaringe de 987 crianças menores de seis anos de idade que freqüentavam 29 creches da cidade de Taubaté (São Paulo, Brasil), entre julho e dezembro de 1998, para realização de culturas de H. influenzae e antibiograma. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de portadores do H. influenzae foi de 17,4% e somente 5,5% das cepas isoladas eram produtoras de beta-lactamase. A prevalência de portadores do Hib foi alta, com média de 7,3% (variando entre 0.0 e 33,3%). CONCLUSÕES: A baixa prevalência da colonização por cepas resistentes às penicilinas indica que não é necessário substituir esses antibióticos para tratar empiricamente as otites e sinusites causadas por H. influenzae em Taubaté.

Colonização da orofaringe de crianças das creches municipais de Taubaté por Streptococcus pneumoniae / Colonization of the oropharynx of children in daycare Taubaté by Streptococcus pneumoniae

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral estudar a prevalência de colonização da orofaringe pelo S.pneumoniae em crianças que freqüentavam creches no município de Taubaté-SP. Os objetivos específicos foram estudar possíveis fatores de risco para colonização, determinar o perfil de sensibilidade das cepas de S.pneumoniae isoladas aos diversos antimicrobianos, verificar a freqüência de sorotipos de S.pneumoniae nas cepas isoladas, e relacionar os sorotipos de S.pneumoniae mais freqüentes com a resistência antimicrobiana observada. Para isso, foram coletados, de 29 de junho a 15 de dezembro de 1998, 987 swabs de orofaringe de crianças de 8 a 71 meses de idade, matriculadas nas creches municipais de Taubaté, SP. Foi adotado o sistema de nomenclatura dinamarquês. O S.pneumoniae foi isolada da orofaringe de 209 das 987 crianças, representando uma taxa de colonização de 21,1%. Foram observados dois fatores de risco para colonização orofaríngea pelo S.pneumoniae : crianças do sexo masculino e a freqüência a determinada creche per se . A resistência intermediária à penicilina ocorreu em 2,96% das cepas estudadas. Nenhuma das cepas apresentou resistência plena à penicilina. Todas as cepas foram sensíveis à cefotaxima, imipenem, rifampicina, vancomicina, cefepima e cefpiroma. Foi observada resistência à eritromicina em 4,4% das cepas, ao cloranfenicol 1,5% e ao sulfametoxazoltrimetoprim em 52,6%