An Echocardiographic Insight Into Post-COVID-19 Symptoms.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has frequent acute cardiovascular manifestations, but long-term sequelae are yet to be described. Our main objective is to describe the echocardiographic findings of patients with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: A single-center prospective study was conducted. Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were selected and submitted to a transthoracic echocardiogram six months after infection. A complete echocardiographic assessment was performed, including tissue Doppler, E/E' ratio, and ventricular longitudinal strain. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to their need for admission to the ICU. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were enrolled. The mean values and respective standard deviations of the echocardiographic parameters were as follows: left ventricular ejection fraction 60.8 ± 5.9%; left ventricular longitudinal strain 17.9 ± 3.6%; tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 22.1 ± 3.6 mm; a longitudinal strain of the free wall of the right ventricle 19.0 ± 6.0%. We found no statistically significant differences between subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: At the six-month follow-up, we found no significant impact of past SARS-CoV-2 infection on the heart using echocardiography parameters.

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 is characterized by diminished peripheral CD8+ß7 integrin+ T cells and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA response.

Several millions of individuals are estimated to develop post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 condition (PASC) that persists for months after infection. Here we evaluate the immune response in convalescent individuals with PASC compared to convalescent asymptomatic and uninfected participants, six months following their COVID-19 diagnosis. Both convalescent asymptomatic and PASC cases are characterised by higher CD8+ T cell percentages, however, the proportion of blood CD8+ T cells expressing the mucosal homing receptor ß7 is low in PASC patients. CD8 T cells show increased expression of PD-1, perforin and granzyme B in PASC, and the plasma levels of type I and type III (mucosal) interferons are elevated. The humoral response is characterized by higher levels of IgA against the N and S viral proteins, particularly in those individuals who had severe acute disease. Our results also show that consistently elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8 and IP-10/CXCL10 during acute disease increase the risk to develop PASC. In summary, our study indicates that PASC is defined by persisting immunological dysfunction as late as six months following SARS-CoV-2 infection, including alterations in mucosal immune parameters, redistribution of mucosal CD8+ß7Integrin+ T cells and IgA, indicative of potential viral persistence and mucosal involvement in the etiopathology of PASC.

Sampling Methods and Risk Stratification Regarding Environmental Contamination by SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: Transmission of COVID-19 through close contact and droplets is well established, but the influence of aerosol and surface contamination remains to be determined. Literature is scarce and inconsistent about the viable virus particles free-distance from infected patients, as well as about different swabbing methods for surface contamination evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most sensitive method for the assessment of surface contamination, classify the likelihood of environmental contamination in risk zones and compare the environmental contamination between oxygenation and ventilatory support. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Swabs from potentially contaminated surfaces in a COVID-19 ward, with patients treated with different types of oxygen and ventilatory support, were collected. Three types of swabs were compared in order to evaluate the most sensitive collection method. For risk zone categorization, areas were divided according to the distance from the patient. RESULTS: Of the 63 swabs collected, 17 (27%) tested positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The highest positivity rate was observed with the sterile premoistened swab with saline (n = 8; 38%), but without statistically significant differences. The highest number of positive samples were collected from the high-risk zones, specifically those located one meter from the patient (n = 13; 48%), with statistically significant differences. Only the rooms of patients supported with non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula had evidence of bedroom contamination, with 45% and 27% of swab positivity, with statistically significant differences. DISCUSSION: Our findings favour the premoistened swab without transport medium for surface contamination assessment, even though without statistical differences. A statistically significant trend supporting the division in risk zones, according to the distance from the patient, was also identified. The higher positivity rate from the non-invasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula bedrooms suggests a significant association between ventilatory strategies and surface contamination, probably due to higher particle dispersion. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of the sterile premoistened swab without preservation medium, the classification of risk areas considering the distance from the patient, and the variability of RNA dispersion between oxygenation and ventilatory support.

Introdução: A transmissão da COVID-19 através do contacto e gotículas está bem estabelecida, mas a importância da sua transmissão através do aerossol e da contaminação das superfícies permanece por determinar. A literatura é escassa e inconsistente em relação à distância mínima livre de partículas víricas, desde um paciente, e também acerca dos mais adequados métodos de colheita de zaragatoas para avaliação da contaminação das superfícies. Os objectivos deste estudo foram avaliar qual o método mais sensível para avaliação da contaminação de superfícies, classificar a contaminação ambiental de acordo com zonas de risco e comparar a contaminação ambiental sob diferentes dispositivos para oxigenoterapia e suporte ventilatório. Material e Métodos: Realizamos colheitas de zaragatoas em superfícies potencialmente contaminadas numa ala COVID-19, onde se encontravam doentes sob diferentes dispositivos para oxigenoterapia e suporte ventilatório. Para avaliar o método de recolha mais sensível para verificação da contaminação das superfícies, comparámos três tipos de zaragatoas. Para a classificação das zonas de risco, dividimos as áreas de acordo com a distância ao doente. Resultados: Das 63 zaragatoas, 17 (27%) testaram positivo para SARS-CoV-2 (27%). A maior positividade foi observada na zaragatoa estéril pré-humedecida com soro fisiológico (n = 8; 38%), mas sem significância estatística. O maior número de amostras positivas obteve-se nas zonas de alto risco, especialmente aquelas a um metro do paciente (n = 13; 48%), com diferenças significativas. Apenas os quartos dos doentes sob ventilação não invasiva e cânula nasal de alto fluxo tiveram evidência de contaminação com 45% e 27% de positividade das zaragatoas, e significância estatística. Discussão: Os nossos resultados favorecem a zaragatoa estéril pré-humedecida sem meio de preservação para avaliação da contaminação das superfícies, embora sem significância estatística. Os resultados suportam também com significância estatística a divisão em zonas de risco de acordo com a distância ao doente. A maior positividade obtida nos quartos dos pacientes que se encontravam a utilizar ventilação não invasiva e cânula nasal de alto fluxo sugere uma associação, com significância, entre as estratégias ventilatória e a contaminação ambiental, provavelmente relacionada com uma maior dispersão das partículas. Conclusão: Os nossos resultados apoiam o uso da zaragatoa estéril pré-humedecida sem meio de preservação, a classificação das áreas de risco considerando a distância ao doente, e a variabilidade da dispersão do RNA entre diferentes dispositivos para oxigenoterapia e ventilação.

Artery of Percheron infarct: a diagnostic challenge.

The artery of Percheron is a rare anatomical variation that supplies thalamus and the midbrain. A stroke in this area is a rare event. The presentation varies widely, with some bizarre disturbances, like transient episodic loss of consciousness similar to coma, somnolence, cognition and memory impairment and psychosis. We report a case of a patient who presented at the emergency department with a sudden change of consciousness. During the observation, she oscillated reactive state of consciousness with obnubilation similar to coma. The first exams were normal, which include a cranial CT of the brain, and so the patient was kept under observation. The final diagnosis was only possible 24 hours later with cranial CT where an ischaemic lesion on the Percheron territory was identified. This case highlights an unusual clinic and a difficult neuroimaging stroke diagnosis of a rare condition, that is unknown to most of the physicians.

Titinopathy, an atypical respiratory failure.

Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure is a neuromuscular disease with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Clinical presentation is characterised by proximal and distal muscle weakness, exertional dyspnoea and generalised fatigue. There is no disease-modifying therapy and the prognosis is unknown. Herein we present a case of a 40-year-old woman with long-standing asthenia and apathy and, more recently, daytime sleepiness, dyspnoea and difficulty in walking. A hypercapnic respiratory failure with severe acidemia was identified. The muscle biopsy showed the presence of cytoplasmatic bodies and rimmed vacuoles, suggestive of a hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure disease. The genetic study confirmed this diagnosis identifying a heterozygous mutation on c.95134T>C (p.Cys31712Arg) in exon 343 in the titin gene. The patient was discharged home under supportive treatment with non-invasive ventilation.

Fatores associados ao tipo de serviço odontológico utilizado por adultos / Associated factors associated with type of dental service used by adults

Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados ao tipo de serviço odontológico utilizado por adultos. Métodos: O estudo transversal analítico utilizou-se de dados secundários do Levantamento Epidemiológico representativo da população adulta (35-44 anos) no município de Embu das Artes-SP, Brasil, em 2008. A coleta de dados por amostragem probabilística foi realizada nos domicílios. O desfecho foi ser usuário do serviço público odontológico para tratamento regular ou atendimento de urgência. As variáveis independentes foram: agravos bucais (Índice de dentes Permanentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados, Índice Periodontal Comunitário, Perda de Inserção Periodontal e necessidade de prótese); condições socioeconômicas (renda familiar, aglomeração domiciliar, número de filhos, escolaridade); condições demográficas (sexo, estado civil, cor da pele); hábitos (fumo); utilização dos serviços (tempo da última consulta odontológica, informações sobre como evitar problemas bucais); percepção dos problemas bucais (dor de dente nos últimos seis meses, necessidade de tratamento e condição bucal afeta relacionamentos com outras pessoas). Houve realização de análise descritiva e bivariada, além das razões de prevalência (RP). Resultados: Houve a participação de 345 adultos, sendo 53% usuários do serviço público para tratamento regular ou urgência odontológica. O uso regular ou de urgência odontológico público foi associado ao sexo feminino (RP = 1,32; IC95%: 1,14-1,54), ter maior número de filhos (RP = 1,15; IC95%: 1,01-1,31), aglomeração domiciliar (RP = 1,88; IC95%: 1,42-2,50), menor renda familiar (RP = 2,23; IC95%: 1,33-3,66), relato de dor nos últimos 6 meses (RP = 1,43; IC95%: 1,06-1,42), considerar que a condição bucal afeta os relacionamentos com outras pessoas (RP = 1,30; IC95%: 1,05-1,62), e ser fumante ou ex fumante (RP = 1,67; IC95%: 1,15-2,24). O uso do serviço público apenas para o tratamento de urgência foi maior entre mulheres (RP = 1,48; IC95%: 1,16-1,86), maior número de filhos (RP = 1,22; IC95%: 1,08-1,37), aglomeração domiciliar (RP: 1,54; IC95%: 1,20-1,97), menor renda familiar (RP = 1,68; IC95%: 1,07-2,62) e apresentar relato de dor nos últimos seis meses (RP = 1,37; IC95%: 1,03-1,83). Conclusão: O uso do serviço odontológico público esteve associado a fatores socioeconômicos, e isso demonstra que, mesmo há 10 anos, o município praticava o princípio da equidade na atenção à saúde bucal.Descritores: Acesso aos serviços de saúde. Odontologia em saúde pública. Serviços de saúde bucal. (AU)

Aim: To analyze the factors associated with the type of dental service used by adults. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study used secondary data from an Epidemiological Survey representative of the adult population (35-44 years) in the city of Embu das Artes-SP, Brazil, conducted in 2008. Data collection by probabilistic sampling was performed in the households. The outcome was to be a public dental service user for regular treatment or urgent care. The independent variables were: oral complaints (Index Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth, Community Periodontal Index, Periodontal Attachment Loss, and need for prosthesis]; socioeconomic conditions (family income, household agglomeration, number of children, schooling); demographic conditions (gender, marital status, skin color); habits (smoking); use of services (time of the last dental visit, information on avoiding oral problems); perception of oral problems (toothache in the last six months; need for treatment and oral condition affects relationships with other people). A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, besides the prevalence ratios (PR). Results: This study analyzed 345 adults, 53% of whom were users of the public service for regular or urgent treatment. Regular use or public dental emergency was associated with the female sex (PR = 1.32 95%CI: 1.14-1.54); had a higher number of children (PR = 1.15; 95%CI: 1.01-1.31), house agglomeration (PR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.42-2.50), lower family income (PR = 2.23; 95%CI: 1.33-3.66); reported pain in the last 6 months (PR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.06-1.42); considered that the oral condition affects relationships with other people (PR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.05-1.62); and was smoker or former smoker (RP = 1.67; 95%CI: 1.15-2.24). The use of public service only for emergency treatment showed a higher prevalence among women (PR = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.16-1.86), a higher number of children (PR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.08-1.37), house agglomeration (RP = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.20-1.97), lower family income (PR = 1.68; 95%CI: 1.07-2.62), and household agglomeration pain in the last six months (PR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.03-1.83). Conclusion: The use of the public dental service was associated with socioeconomic factors, and this proves that, even 10 years ago in this municipality, the principle of equity in oral health care was already in practice. (AU)

Comparaçäo do Sistema Incremental com o Sistema de Açöes de Natureza Coletiva no Programa de Saúde Bucal do município de Embu / Comparison between Incremental System and the Collective Actions System in Dental Health Program of Embu municipality

Estuda a amplitude de cobertura oferecida pelo Sistema de Açöes de Natureza Coletiva, comparando-a com o Sistema Incremental em escolares de 7 a 14 anos, de escolas do Embu - SP com características semelhantes do ponto de vista epidemiológico e sócio-econômico