Infusion of convalescent plasma is associated with clinical improvement in critically ill patients with Covid-19: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Background: The ideal treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has yet to be defined, but convalescent plasma (CoPla) has been successfully employed. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the safety and outcomes of the administration of CoPla to individuals with severe COVID-19 in an academic medical center. Methods: Ten patients were prospectively treated with plasma from COVID-19 convalescent donors. Results: Over 8 days, the sequential organ failure assessment score dropped significantly in all patients, from 3 to 1.5 (p = 0.014); the Kirby index (PaO2/FiO2) score increased from 124 to 255, (p < 0.0001), body temperature decreased significantly from 38.1 to 36.9°C (p = 0.0058), and ferritin levels also dropped significantly from 1736.6 to 1061.8 ng/ml (p = 0.0001). Chest X-rays improved in 7/10 cases and in 6/10, computerized tomography scans also revealed improvement of the lung injury. Decreases in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were also observed. Three of five patients on mechanical ventilation support could be extubated, nine were transferred to conventional hospital floors, and six were sent home; two patients died. The administration of CoPla had no side effects and the 24-day overall survival was 77%. Conclusions: Although other treatments were also administered to the patients and as a result data are difficult to interpret, it seems that the addition of CoPla improved pulmonary function.

Infección por coronavirus en pacientes con diabetes / Coronavirus infection in patients with diabetes

Resumen La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica, compleja, multifactorial, que se caracteriza por alteración en el metabolismo de la glucosa, las grasas y las proteínas. Los pacientes que la padecen con frecuencia cursan con hiperglucemia y la enfermedad arterial coronaria es la principal causa de muerte. Las comorbilidades que se asocian a la diabetes son: sobrepeso y obesidad, hipertensión arterial sistémica, dislipidemia aterogénica y en algunos pacientes enfermedad vascular periférica, daño renal, neuropatía y retinopatía. El descontrol crónico de la enfermedad se asocia a mayor susceptibilidad a infecciones, las cuales generalmente cursan con pocos síntomas, pero generalmente se magnifica la hiperglucemia, lo cual empeora el curso de las infecciones. Desde diciembre de 2019, cuando se identificó la enfermedad producida por uno de los coronavirus (coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave, SARS-CoV-2) y que ha sido llamada enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), ha habido algunos reportes que asocian la presencia de diabetes con un mayor riesgo de mortalidad. En este artículo de revisión nos hemos enfocado en cuatro puntos específicos: 1) epidemiología de la prevalencia y de la mortalidad de COVID 19 en la población general y en la población con diabetes mellitus tipo 2; 2) fisiopatología relacionada con la unión del SARS-CoV-2 a los receptores en sujetos con diabetes; 3) la respuesta inmunológica inducida por el SARS-CoV-2, y 4) el tratamiento ambulatorio y hospitalario que se recomienda en los pacientes con diabetes que se infectan con SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a complex, multifactorial, chronic disease characterized by impaired metabolism of glucose, fats and proteins. Patients who suffer from it frequently have hyperglycemia and coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death. The comorbidities associated with diabetes are overweight and obesity, systemic arterial hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia and in some patients peripheral vascular disease, kidney damage, neuropathy and retinopathy. Chronic lack of control of the disease is associated with increased susceptibility to infections, which generally have few symptoms, but hyperglycemia is generally magnified, which worsens the course of infections. Since December 2019, when the disease caused by one of the coronaviruses (coronavirus 2 of severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2) was identified and has been called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there have been some reports that associate the presence of diabetes with an increased risk of mortality. In this review article we have focused on four specific points: 1) epidemiology of the prevalence and mortality of COVID 19 in the general population and in the population with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 2) pathophysiology related to the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to receptors in subjects with diabetes; 3) the immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2, and 4) the outpatient and hospital treatment recommended in patients with diabetes who become infected with SARS-CoV-2.

EPICOVID19 protocol: repeated serological surveys on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Brazil / Protocolo EPICOVID19: pesquisas sorológicas repetidas de anticorpos SARS-CoV-2 no Brasil

Abstract The first case of COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019, and, as the virus has spread worldwide, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Estimates on the number of COVID-19 cases do not reflect it real magnitude as testing is limited. Population based data on the proportion of the population with antibodies is relevant for planning public health policies. We aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, presence of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and adherence to isolation measures. A random sample comprising 133 sentinel cities from all states of the country will be selected. Three serological surveys, three weeks apart, will be conducted. The most populous municipality in each intermediate region of the country, defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, was chosen as sentinel city. In each city, 25 census tracts will be selected, and 10 households will be systematically sampled in each tract, totaling 33,250 participants. In each household, one inhabitant will be randomly selected to be interviewed and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, using WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test. By evaluating a representative sample of Brazilian sentinel sites, this study will provide essential information for the design of health policies.

Resumo O COVID-19 é causado pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, sendo o primeiro caso relatado na China em dezembro de 2019. O vírus se espalhou pelo mundo, levando a Organização Mundial da Saúde a declarar uma pandemia. As estimativas do número de casos de COVID-19 não refletem sua magnitude real, pois os testes são limitados em muitos países. Dados populacionais sobre a proporção da população com anticorpos são relevantes para o planejamento de políticas públicas de saúde. Nosso objetivo é avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos SARS-CoV-2, a presença de sinais e de sintomas de COVID-19 e a adesão a medidas de isolamento. Uma amostra aleatória composta por 133 cidades sentinelas de todos os estados do país será selecionada. Serão realizados três levantamentos sorológicos, com três semanas de intervalo. Em cada cidade, serão selecionados 25 setores censitários e 10 famílias serão amostradas aleatoriamente em cada setor. Em cada domicílio, um habitante será selecionado aleatoriamente para ser entrevistado e testado para anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2, usando o Teste de Anticorpo WONDFO SARS-CoV-2, que foi validado antes do trabalho de campo. Ao avaliar uma amostra representativa dos locais sentinela ao longo do tempo, este estudo fornecerá informações essenciais para o desenho de políticas de saúde.

As Interfaces e as Balas de Prata: Tecnologias e Políticas / Interfaces and Silver Bullets: Technologies and Policies

Resumo O texto discute modos de compreensão de ocorrências sanitárias complexas, como a pandemia envolvendo o SARS-CoV-2. Entende que a simplificação do problema ao ponto de valorizar exclusivamente os desfechos dessas ocorrências à existência de um patógeno e um humano suscetível diminui em muito a efetividade das estratégias de mitigação. Sustenta a necessidade de enfatizar as interfaces que estão presentes na construção da complexidade pandêmica e as compreende como elementos centrais no seu enfrentamento. Compreende essas interfaces como elementos estruturais do processo e relativiza as estratégias simplificadoras expressas em "balas de prata", mormente produtos industriais. Finalmente, circunscreve esse ponto de vista ao exame da interface entre as tecnologias industriais de saúde e as variáveis políticas que modulam o acesso da população àqueles produtos.

Abstract This paper discusses the understanding of complex health events, such as the pandemics involving SARS-CoV-2. It supports that simplifying the issue to the point of considering it just a consequence of contact between a pathogen and a susceptible human being overly weakens the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies. It sustains the need to emphasize the interfaces underpinning the construction of the pandemic complexity and considers them as central elements in its coping. It understands these interfaces as structuring elements of the process and relativizes the simplification strategies expressed in "silver bullets" - usually an industrial health product. Finally, it circumscribes this viewpoint by examining the interface between industrial health technologies and political variables that modulate people's access to them.

COVID-19 nas instituições de longa permanência para idosos: estratégias de rastreamento laboratorial e prevenção da propagação da doença / COVID-19 in long-term care facilities for the elderly: laboratory screening and disease dissemination prevention strategies

Resumo A pandemia da "novel coronavirus disease" 2019 (COVID-19), infecção causada pelo coronavírus 2 da síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SARS-CoV-2), tem descortinado uma realidade até então oculta: a vulnerabilidade da população residente em instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPI). Diversas publicações científicas têm revelado a concentração de até 60% dos óbitos atribuídos à COVID-19 em tais instituições. A maioria dos residentes em ILPI reúnem os principais fatores de risco para morbimortalidade pela COVID-19, o que torna imprescindível a definição de ações voltadas à prevenção da transmissibilidade do SARS-CoV-2 neste ambiente, além das medidas usuais de distanciamento social e isolamento dos portadores da doença. Propõem-se, no presente artigo, estratégias de rastreamento da infecção em residentes e trabalhadores de ILPI por meio de testes laboratoriais disponíveis no Brasil. A identificação precoce de indivíduos portadores do SARS-CoV-2 com possibilidades de transmissão ativa e continuada do vírus permite a adoção de medidas que interrompam o ciclo de transmissão local da infecção.

Abstract An infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has unveiled a hitherto hidden reality: the vulnerability of the population living in long-term care facilities for the elderly (LTCF). To date, several scientific publications have revealed a concentration of up to 60% of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in such institutions. Most LTFC residents share the primary risk factors currently associated with increased morbimortality due to the COVID-19 infection. It is crucial to define actions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread in this environment, besides the usual measures of social distancing and isolation of the carriers of this disease. This paper proposes strategies for the investigation of this infection in LTCF residents and workers using laboratory tests available in Brazil. The early identification of individuals with SARS-CoV-2, who may actively and continuously spread the virus, allows adopting measures aimed at interrupting the local transmission cycle of this infection.