Hemostasia e COVID-19: fisiopatologia, exames laboratoriais e terapia anticoagulante / Hemostasis and COVID-19: pathophysiology, laboratory tests and anticoagulant therapy

A pandemia COVID-19 é uma emergência na sociedade atual, afetando países e suas populações em diversos níveis, bem como é uma ameaça a sistemas de saúde de todo o mundo. Compreender a relação entre os mecanismos fisiopatológicos da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 e o sistema de coagulação se tornou um importante instrumento para pesquisadores e trabalhadores das áreas da saúde no mundo inteiro, de modo que estratégias eficazes possam ser traçadas e seguidas para a recuperação de pacientes acometidos pela doença. O presente artigo caracteriza-se como uma revisão da literatura sobre a homeostasia na COVID-19 por meio da pesquisa e análise em bases de dados eletrônicas. Observou-se que a ocorrência de eventos trombóticos e alterações nos parâmetros da coagulação em pacientes com a COVID-19 é descrita em diversos estudos, e o uso de medicamentos anticoagulantes já é uma alternativa para a diminuição da letalidade do vírus em determinados casos. Além disso, o Dímero-D surge como um marcador do prognóstico da doença, sugerindo a ligação entre o estado hiper­coagulável da doença, decorrente da inflamação aguda, e sua taxa de letalidade.

COVID-19 pandemic is an emergency in current society, affecting the countries and their populations at different levels, as well as a threat to health systems around the world. Understanding the relationship between the pathophysiological mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the coagulation system has become an important tool for researchers and healthcare workers worldwide so that effective strategies can be designed and followed for the recovery of patients affected by the disease. This article is characterized as a review on homeostasis in COVID-19 through research and analysis in electronic databases. It was observed that the occurrence of thrombotic events and changes in coagulation parameters in patients with COVID-19 has been described in several studies, and the use of anticoagulant drugs is already an alternative to reduce the lethality of the virus in certain cases. Also, D-Dimer appears as a marker of disease prognosis, suggesting the link between the hypercoagulable state of the disease, resulting from acute inflammation, and its lethality rate.

Blood chimerism in twins.

CONCLUSIONS: Chimerism is a phenomenon in which an individual has cells with different genetic content from different zygotes. In dizygotic twins (DTs), chimerism is believed to occur through placental anastomoses that enable the bidirectional exchange of hematopoietic stem cells. Little is still known about chimerism frequency in twins, but several studies have shown a relation between chimerism and some conditions such as autism, Alzheimer's disease, and a group of autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. In addition to chimerism of ABO blood groups being possibly mistaken for ABO subgroups, these autoimmune diseases may affect other serologic immunohematologic tests. This study aimed to determine the frequency of chimerism in DTs through ABO and D testing using the tube method, column agglutination, and short tandem repeat (STR) assays. Among the 103 subjects assessed for this study, 24 subjects (12 pairs) were excluded because STR assays showed they were monozygotic; of the remaining, 70 subjects (35 pairs) were DTs and 9 subjects came from gestations of trizygotic triplets. No ABO or D chimerism was detected in any subject through serologic assays, and STR assays did not detect any blood chimerism. Although there was no evidence of chimerism found in this study, we emphasize the importance of observing the family background of individuals with suspected ABO subgroup in complex immunohematologic studies because ABO antigen-antibody reactions are similar in both circumstances, and chimerism can be overlooked. Moreover, the use of the STR analysis method in chimerism studies can be important to help differentiate chimerism and ABO subgroups.

Diretrizes gerais para uma política nacional de inclusão das ações de diagnóstico no processo de atenção à saúde: a atenção em análises clínicas e toxicológicas como um dos eixos estruturantes / General guidelines for a national policy for the inclusion of diagnosis actions in the process of health care: attention in clinical and toxicological analysis as one of the structuring axes

As políticas públicas voltadas para atenção à saúde dependem da participação e envolvimento político, exigem o aprimoramento científico e técnico, além de ferramentas adequadas para a gestão, incorporação de tecnologias e a aplicação de estratégias para a superação das fragmentações dos serviços, na perspectiva concreta das efetivas universalidade e integralidade das ações de saúde, com equidade. O objetivo deste documento foi propor diretrizes de uma política voltada às análises clínicas e toxicológicas alinhada com as atuais iniciativas do Ministério da Saúde. Foi utilizada como metodologia a análise das discussões e demandas extraídas dos fóruns das Comissões de Análises Clínicas dos Conselhos de Farmácia do Sul do Brasil, tendo como pressupostos as questões conceituais e estratégicas elencadas no presente documento. O resultado deste documento gerou de um conjunto de diretrizes gerais e seis eixos estratégicos, quais sejam, os conceitos fundamentais, o acesso e segurança do paciente, o financiamento e estruturação da rede, a incorporação de tecnologias, o reconhecimento do trabalho na atenção em análises clínicas e a regulação dos serviços. Espera-se que estes eixos possam colaborar com as iniciativas em andamento no Ministério da Saúde, especialmente no tocante à estruturação da rede de diagnóstico e suas interfaces com todas as ações de atenção e cuidado em saúde, incluindo aqueles de caráter complementar às ações desenvolvidas no contexto dos serviços públicos de atenção.

Public policies for health care depend on the participation and political involvement, requiring scientific and technical improvement, as well as appropriate tools for management, incorporating technologies and implementation strategies to overcome the fragmentation of services with a concrete view of the actual universality and comprehensiveness of health actions with equity. The purpose of this study is to propose guidelines for a policy aimed at clinical and toxicological analysis in line with the current Ministry of Health initiatives. It used the analysis of discussions and demands extracted from the forums of Clinical Analysis Committees of South Pharmacy Councils Brazil as its methodology, taking the conceptual and strategic issues listed in this document as assumptions. The result of this document has generated a set of general guidelines and six strategic axes, namely, the fundamental concepts, patient access and safety, network financing and structuring, technology incorporation, work recognition in clinical analysis care, and service regulation. It is expected that these axes can collaborate with ongoing initiatives at the Ministry of Health, especially regarding the structure of the diagnostic network and its interfaces with all care and health care actions, including those of complementary character to the actions developed in the context of public health care services.

Markers of acute-phase response in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis / Marcadores de resposta de fase aguda no tratamento da tuberculose pulmonar

Introduction: Tuberculosis promotes an acute phase response with an increase of blood reactants, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), among others, which are associated with increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Objective: Evaluate the ESR and the CRP as markers for diagnosis and monitoring cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Method: Research on patients with clinical, laboratory, and imaging diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, from Itajaí-SC; in which CRP and ESR were analyzed in three different times: at diagnosis, before starting treatment (T0), after three months of treatment (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2). Results: 51 patients were studied at T0 (100%), 43 (84.31%) at T1, and 32 (62.74%) at T2. ESR and CRP values presented significant differences in the three different times (p < 0.0001***). When analyzing the relationship between negative/positive sputum and altered/normal ESR and CRP at T0, ESR (p = 0.0691), CRP (p = 0.0166*). For chest imaging and sputum smear variables it was observed the following: CRP versus smear (p = 0.0002***), ESR versus smear (p = 0.3810), CRP versus chest imaging (p = 0.0097**), and ESR versus chest imaging (p = 0.0766). The correlation between ESR and CRP was: T0 (p = 0.0033**), T1 (p < 0.0001***) and T2 (p = 0.0015**). Conclusion: ESR and CRP proved to be good markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of tuberculosis cases, however, CRP achieve more significant results than ESR. .

Introdução: A tuberculose causa uma resposta de fase aguda com aumento de proteínas sanguíneas, como a proteína C reativa (PCR), entre outras, que estão envolvidas com o aumento da velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS). Objetivo: Avaliar a VHS e a PCR como marcadores no auxílio diagnóstico e no acompanhamento dos casos de tuberculose pulmonar. Método: Pesquisa realizada com portadores de tuberculose pulmonar com diagnóstico clínico, laboratorial e imaginológico do município de Itajaí-SC, nos quais foram analisadas PCR e VHS em três tempos distintos: no momento do diagnóstico, antes do início do tratamento (T0), aos três meses de tratamento (T1) e ao término do tratamento (T2). Resultados: Foram estudados 51 pacientes em T0 (100%), 43 (84,31%) em T1 e 32 (62,74%) em T2. Os valores de VHS e PCR tiveram diferenças significativas nos três tempos (p < 0,0001***). Quando analisada as relações entre escarro positivo/negativo e VHS e PCR alterado/normal em T0, VHS (p = 0,0691), PCR (p = 0,0166*). Para as variáveis imagem de tórax e baciloscopia, obteve-se: PCR versus baciloscopia (p = 0,0002***); VHS versus baciloscopia (p = 0,3810); PCR versus imagem de tórax (p = 0,0097**); e VHS versus imagem de tórax (p = 0,0766). Correlação entre VHS e PCR: T0 (p = 0,0033**), T1 (p < 0,0001***) e T2 (p = 0,0015**). Conclusão: A VHS e a PCR mostraram-se bons marcadores no auxílio diagnóstico e no acompanhamento dos casos de tuberculose, entretanto, a PCR mostrou resultados mais significativos que a VHS. .

Hepatitis B marker seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in adolescents in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2008.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Brazil, however, the current epidemiological situation is not clear. Considering the importance of establishing this prevalence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV markers in voluntary adolescents, junior high (secondary school) students, in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: A seroepidemiological, transverse study was conducted with 353 randomly chosen adolescents from elementary school in 2008. Blood samples were analyzed for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs. All analyses were conducted by automated microparticle enzyme immunosorbent assay (Abbott®, AxSYM system, Deerfield, IL, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.6% (CI 95% 0.1 - 2.0), that of anti-HBc was 1.1% (CI 95% 0.3 - 2.9) and that of detectable anti-HBs was 83.6% (CI 95% 79.3 - 87.3). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 97.5% (CI 95% 95.2 - 98.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the success of the vaccination program against hepatitis B in the region studied and indicate that prevention strategies must be maintained and, if possible, expanded to contribute to the establishment of positive prevalence rates in all age groups.

Hepatitis B marker seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in adolescents in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2008 / Soroprevalência de marcadores da hepatite B e cobertura de vacinação em adolescentes no município de Itajaí, Estado de Santa Catarina Sul do Brasil, em 2008

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Brazil, however, the current epidemiological situation is not clear. Considering the importance of establishing this prevalence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV markers in voluntary adolescents, junior high (secondary school) students, in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: A seroepidemiological, transverse study was conducted with 353 randomly chosen adolescents from elementary school in 2008. Blood samples were analyzed for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs. All analyses were conducted by automated microparticle enzyme immunosorbent assay (Abbott®, AxSYM system, Deerfield, IL, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.6% (CI 95% 0.1 - 2.0), that of anti-HBc was 1.1% (CI 95% 0.3 - 2.9) and that of detectable anti-HBs was 83.6% (CI 95% 79.3 - 87.3). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 97.5% (CI 95% 95.2 - 98.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the success of the vaccination program against hepatitis B in the region studied and indicate that prevention strategies must be maintained and, if possible, expanded to contribute to the establishment of positive prevalence rates in all age groups.

INTRODUÇÃO: A hepatite B constitui uma causa relevante de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo. No Brasil, entretanto, a situação epidemiológica atual não é claramente conhecida. Considerando-se a importância do estabelecimento de tal prevalência, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência dos marcadores de HBV em adolescentes voluntários, estudantes do ensino fundamental na Cidade de Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo soroepidemiológico, transversal, conduzido com 353 adolescentes do ensino fundamental, randomicamente selecionados, em 2008. As amostras de sangue foram analisadas quanto à presença dos marcadores HBsAg, anti-HBc e anti-HBs. Todas as análises foram conduzidas em ensaio imunoenzimático de micropartículas automatizado (Abbott®, AxSYM system, Deerfield, IL, EUA), de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. RESULTADOS: A prevalência do HBsAg foi de 0,6% (CI 95% 0,1 - 2,0), do anti-HBc foi de 1,1% (CI 95% 0,3 - 2,9) e de títulos detectáveis de anti-HBs foi de 83,6% (CI 95% 79,3 - 87,3). A cobertura vacinal nos adolescentes estudados foi de 97,5% (CI 95% 95,2 - 98,8). CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados demonstram o sucesso do programa de vacinação contra a hepatite B na região estudada e indicam que as estratégias de prevenção devem ser mantidas e, se possível, expandidas para que contribuam no estabelecimento de taxas de prevalência positivas em todas as faixas etárias.

Acute and subacute toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract from Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) (Asteraceae) in mice.

PURPOSE: The present study was carried out to evaluated acute and subacute toxicity of a hydroalcoholic extract from aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa (Asteraceae). METHODS: Toxicity of W. paludosa was evaluated in Swiss mice after ingestions of the extract during one day (acute model) and during 15 days (subacute model). RESULTS: The results showed that the LD50 of the extract is higher than 4000 mg/kg and the subacute treatment did not shows any change in corporal weight and hematological parameters. However, a change in liver weight but not in hepatic enzymes was observed. This suggests that the liver function is not altered by Wedelia paludosa in this study. Some changes in the creatinine content were observed, but could not be related with the extract dose. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the plant seems to be destituted of toxic effects in mice.