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Objectives: This study aims to examine the serological and infectious characteristics of the Xokós indigenous community in Brazil, both prior to and following COVID-19 immunization; Methods: Immunofluorescence assays were employed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen, while IgM and IgG antibody tests for COVID-19 were utilized to assess the participants’ infectious and serological profiles in July 2020, before the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and in March 2022, during the booster dose vaccination campaign; Results: The majority of participants (n = 22) were female, with an average age of 42.20 years. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (60%; n = 9), followed by hypertension associated with diabetes (20%; n = 3). No statistically significant correlation was found between the timing of vaccination and the levels of antigens or IgM. However, the prevalence of reactive antigens and IgM was 13.3% (n = 4) in the pre-vaccination group and 3.3% (n = 1) in the post-vaccination group. A statistically significant difference in IgG production was observed before and after vaccination (χ2(1) = 39.095, p < 0.01), as well as differences in IgG antibody detection before and after vaccination and in the vaccines used. Participants showed a higher probability of reactive IgG antibodies following vaccination; Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the beneficial effects of vaccination on the indigenous community, highlighting that continued immunization is a crucial step in protecting indigenous health and preventing severe outbreaks and deaths associated with the disease.

Background and Aim: Although reverse zoonotic transmission events from humans to domestic cats have been described, there is currently little evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) circulation in stray cats. Due to the evidence of natural and experimental infections in cats and the capacity to disseminate the virus among them, this study aimed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in stray cats from the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty six stray cats from the university were screened for SARS-CoV-2 antigens by random sampling. Throat swab samples were tested for the virus using rapid antigen detection tests. Results: Of the 126 animals tested, 30 (23.60%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antigens. To our knowledge, for the first time, this study detected the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in stray cats and confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Brazil’s stray cat population. Conclusion: The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in stray cats poses a risk for infected and healthy animals and possibly for humans who attend the university daily. As a limitation of the study, the small sample size necessitates caution when interpreting the results. This underscores the need for further research in this area to help control diseases in stray animals during potential pandemics. This highlights the need for monitoring and controlling the spread of the virus in stray animal populations.

Introdução: O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) oferta dispositivos de aplicação de insulina para pacientes que convivem com Diabetes Mellitus (DM), através do Centro de Atenção à Saúde (CASE). Contudo, há a carência de educação em diabetes, resultando na utilização errônea do medicamento. Além do gasto para aquisição dos medicamentos, existe também o gasto para descarte do material. Proveniente desta situação, surge o projeto “Insulinadiamor” que visa a reutilização do plástico das canetas de insulina para transformar em caneta esferográfica. Objetivos: Reutilizar as canetas de insulina e avaliar a sua farmacoeconomia, evidenciando a importância da educação em diabetes. Material e Método: O projeto “Insulinadiamor” foi uma pesquisa de campo, realizada de janeiro a dezembro de 2022, com intuito de recolher as canetas de insulina vazias entregues aos pacientes mensalmente no CASE, através do protocolo de devolução. Sendo uma parceria desse órgão, com o Laboratório de Bioquímica Clínica (LABIC), Universidade Federal de Sergipe e a Secretaria de Estado da Justiça. Após a coleta, no LABIC, elas seguem as etapas de triagem: separação por tipo e integridade da caneta, contabilização da quantidade que retorna cheia e vazia (Estudo de farmacoeconomia) e higienização: onde ficam submersas em álcool 70° para desinfecção. Logo após, são levadas ao sistema prisional para as detentas desmontarem a caneta de insulina e montarem a caneta esferográfica. Resultados: O projeto recolheu 24.165 canetas, Glargina (n=13.090), com média mensal de (1.090,8±90.33); Degludeca (n=4.397) com média mensal de (366,4±35,67); Detemir (n=2.808) com média mensal de (1.090,8±27,21); Asparte (n=3.870) com uma média mensal de (322,5±33,86). Contribuindo, então, para uma redução de R$4.887,93 do valor gasto pelo estado com o descarte. Em detrimento da triagem, foi perceptível que 3.541 canetas estavam cheias, correspondendo a 14,65% do total arrecadado. Sendo a insulina Glargina (n=1.900) com média mensal (158,33±14,32); Degludeca (n=1.002), com média mensal de (83,5±5,99); Detemir (n=153), com média mensal de (12,75±4,27); Asparte (n=486), com média mensal de (40,5±6,01). O projeto corrobora ao estado uma redução de R$48.879,20 em virtude da reutilização das canetas. Por meio da farmacovigilância, foi observado um gasto de R$183.488,94 referente ao medicamento que é descartado ainda cheio, devido o seu uso inadequado. Discussão e Conclusões: Os resíduos produzidos no tratamento da DM favorecem gastos públicos desnecessários e sérios danos ambientais quando mal administrados. Assim, é necessário promover mudanças comportamentais e sustentáveis nas relações de consumo e geração de resíduos entre gestores e os usuários do SUS. É essencial implementar consultórios farmacêuticos para que o paciente tenha educação em DM, instigando o uso correto e racional dos medicamentos. Por outro lado, projetos como o “insulinadiamor” são extremamente indispensáveis, pois possuem vertente social, ambiental e possibilitam a ressocialização.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an important chronic disease that occurs worldwide. Aims: This study aims to investigate how the use of the FreeStyle® Libre system in Unified Health System (SUS) patients impacts diabetes parameters in patients who receive education on proper insulin administration and the use of the continuous monitoring device, as well as how this affects patients without any concomitant multidisciplinary support in Sergipe, Brazil. Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized study in a diabetes clinic in Sergipe, Brazil, using the flash method FreeStyle® Libre (Abbott). The participants were divided into two groups: one receiving diabetes education on CGM (continuous glucose monitoring), while the other did not. Before the intervention, the patient’s treatment motivation and quality of life were assessed using a questionnaire, and baseline levels of glycated hemoglobin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the point of care AlereTM Afinion with boronate fixation. We compared first- and second-phase data with respect to glycated hemoglobin, mean interstitial blood glucose, time on and above target for hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events, and mean hypoglycemic duration. Results: In group A, which received the diabetes education intervention, there was a significant reduction in average HbA1c levels from 8.6% to 7.9% after 3 months (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in average glycemic values. Time above target decreased significantly from 50.62% to 29.43% (p = 0.0001), while time below target decreased from 22.90% to 20.21% (p = 0.002). There was no significant change in the number of hypoglycemic events, but the duration of hypoglycemia decreased significantly from 130.35 min to 121.18 min after 3 months (p = 0.0001). In Group B, there was no significant difference in mean HbA1c levels before (7.07%) and after (7.28%) sensor installation. This group maintained lower HbA1c levels compared to the other group. Average blood glucose levels also remained similar before (148.37 mg/dL) and after (154.65 mg/dL) the intervention. Although the time above the target glucose level increased significantly from 35.94% to 48.17%, the time at target decreased from 50.40% to 37.97%. No significant changes were observed in the time below target, the number of hypoglycemic events, or the duration of hypoglycemia. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that utilizing continuous glucose monitoring technology can enhance glycemic control, particularly in motivated, educated, low-income patients dependent on the SUS. To achieve positive results with FreeStyle Libre, it is imperative to allocate resources for multidisciplinary support.

Background: Given the impact of the pandemic in Brazil, vaccination is essential to prevent illness and death. Thus, this study sought to compare, after vaccination, the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the response to vaccination in the least and most vaccinated municipalities of a Brazilian state during the height of the pandemic when the Omicron variant was dominant. Methods: We tested for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen and confirmed infection using an RT-qPCR and measured IgM and IgG antibodies in fully vaccinated participants from municipalities with higher and lower vaccination rates. Results: We showed that participants from the least vaccinated municipalities were more likely to have detectable IgM antibodies and a positive antigen/RT-qPCR result for SARS-CoV-2 than participants from the most vaccinated municipalities. There were no differences between the vaccines used (BNT162b2, Ad26.COV2.S, AZD1222, and CoronaVac) and antibody production. Conclusions: Our study evaluated municipal vaccination coverage and its effects on mortality, infections, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during a critical phase of the pandemic. The results suggest that higher vaccination coverage reduces acute cases and confers higher memory antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2. Even with a full vaccination schedule, individuals living in places with low vaccination rates are more susceptible to infection.

Background: COVID-19 led to the suspension academic activities worldwide, affecting millions of students and staff. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the presence of IgM and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in an academic population during the return to classes after a one-year suspension. The study took place over five months at a Brazilian university and included 942 participants. Results: We found that most participants had reactive IgG and non-reactive IgM. All received at least one dose, and 940 received two or more doses, of different COVID-19 vaccines. We obtained a higher average of memory antibodies (IgG) in participants who received the CoronaVac/ChAdOx1 combination. IgG was consistently distributed for each vaccine group, but individuals who completed the vaccination schedule had higher levels. There were no differences between antibodies and gender, presence of symptoms, and previous COVID-19 infection, but older participants (>53 years) and contacts of infected individuals had higher IgM levels. Conclusion: This study makes significant contributions to the assessment of antibodies in the academic environment, allowing us to infer that most participants had memory immunity and low indications of recent infection when returning to face-to-face classes, as well as demonstrating the need to monitor immunity and update vaccinations.