Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To summarize the data on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys conducted in Brazil before the introduction of vaccines Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil. The present review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The authors searched Medline, Embase, and LILACS databases for serologic surveys conducted in the Brazilian population, in the period from 01/10/2019 to 07/11/2021, without language restrictions. The authors included studies that presented data concerning SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroprevalence in Brazil and had a sample size ≥50 individuals. Considering the expected heterogeneity between studies, all analyses were performed using the random effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic Results: Of 586 publications identified in the initial searches, 54 were included in the review and meta-analysis, which contained the results of 135 surveys, with 336,620 participants. The estimated seroprevalence was 11.0%, ranging from 1.0% to 83.0%, with a substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.55%). In subgroup analyses, the authors observed that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 13.0% in blood donors, 9.0% in the population-based surveys, 13% in schoolchildren, and 11.0% in healthcare workers. Conclusions: Seroprevalence increases over time. Large differences were observed among the regions of the country. It was higher in the Northern region, decreasing towards the South. The present results may contribute to the analysis of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Brazilian population before vaccination, one of the factors that may be influencing the clinical presentation of COVID-19 cases related to the new variants, as well as the effectiveness of the vaccination program

Mortality trend due to Hepatitis B and C in the city of São Paulo, 2002–2016

OBJETIVO: Descrever a mortalidade por hepatites B e C como causa básica no município de São Paulo, verificando a tendência dessas taxas, e avaliar a associação dessas doenças a outras no período de 2002 a 2016. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de série temporal sobre mortalidade por hepatites B e C segundo sexo, com dados do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. A regressão de Prais Winsten foi usada na análise de tendência das taxas. RESULTADOS: Os achados do presente estudo mostraram tendência de declínio da mortalidade por hepatites B e C nos últimos anos, particularmente entre pessoas do sexo masculino. Essas infecções foram causas associadas importantes ao carcinoma de células hepáticas e ao HIV. Destaca-se a proporção de óbitos com menos de 70 anos de idade. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo fornece uma linha de base para pesquisas de tendência de mortalidade e de impacto de intervenções, visto o histórico de ampliação da detecção e oferta de tratamentos, incluindo os mais recentes antivirais no Brasil, desde 2015.OBJECTIVE: To describe mortality due to hepatitis B and C as underlying cause in the municipality of São Paulo, verifying the trend of these rates, and to assess the association of these diseases with others, from 2002 to 2016. METHODS: This is a time series study on mortality due to hepatitis B and C according to sex, with data from the Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM – Mortality Information Sistem). Prais Winsten regression was used in rate trend analysis. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed a trend of decline of mortality from hepatitis B and C in recent years, particularly among males. These infections were important associated causes of liver cell carcinoma and HIV. The proportion of deaths under 70 years of age stands out. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides a baseline for research on mortality trend and the impact of interventions, given the history of expanded detection and supply of treatments, including the most recent antivirals in Brazil, since 2015

Prevalence of hepatitis A in the capitals of the States of North, Southeast and South regions of Brazil: decrease in prevalence and some consequences

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been considered one of the leading causes of acute hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of HAV among children and adolescents in a population-based study in the capitals of the States of the North, Southeast and South of Brazil and identify predictive factors for the infection. A multi-stage sampling was used to select subjects aged between 5-9 and 10-19 years. Individual and household levels aside from the level of variables in the areas were collected. The outcome was the total IgG antibodies to HAV levels detected using a commercial Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). The associations between HAV and the independent variables were assessed using the odds ratio. A multilevel analysis was performed by GLLAMM using the Stata software. The prevalence of HAV infection in the 5-9 and 10-19 age groups was 28.7% and 67.5%, respectively for the North, 20.6% and 37.7%, for the Southeast and 18.9% and 34.5% for the South Region. The prevalence of HAV increased according to age in all sites. Variables related to education at the individual level (North and South), family and area level (South and Southeast) and family income level (Southeast and South) were independently associated with HAV infection. This emphasizes the need for individualized strategies to prevent the infection

Brazilian Public Health Policy for Cruise Ships - A Review of Morbidity and Mortality Rates - 2009/2015

Introduction: For 10 years, Brazil has presented a significant flow in cruise ships with 597 011 travelers in 2015. Cruise ships represent a major mass gathering capacity, generating more risk of outbreaks and epidemics. Moreover, visiting several places presents travelers with the possibility of contact with some tropical diseases, which demands the development of specific policies for public health surveillance. Methods: In this study, case reports on transmissible diseases, accidents and deaths on board of cruise ships in the Brazilian coast during 2009 to 2015 were reviewed and correlated with the development of public health surveillance policies implemented by ANVISA, which established the mandatory communication of infectious diseases in 2009 and of deaths onboard in 2011. Results: Norovirus was the major etiologic agent of outbreaks, though the rate of outbreak has been declining in recent years. The lethality rate last season was 0.67:100 000, mostly because of preexisting conditions (75%); the remaining cases were caused by accidents. The mandatory reporting of outbreaks and deaths is an important tool in the planning of preventive actions for the safety and health of travelers in Brazil. The continuous evolution of hygiene surveillance may reduce outbreaks; the adoption of transparency policies and fast communication of deaths has contributed to the significant reduction in accidents. Conclusion: The effectiveness of specific public policies for the safety and security of travelers established for cruise ships in Brazil is indicated by the quantitative reduction in outbreaks and deaths. New destinations such as Cuba and China may adopt the same strategy of surveillance and protection against potential outbreaks of infectious diseases provided by cruise ships

Metodologia de um estudo de inquérito nacional da prevalência e de padrõesa epidemiológicos das hepatites A, B e C no Brasil

Um inquérito de base populacional foi conduzido na população urbana de todas as capitais e do Distrito Federal no Brasil para fornecer informações sobre a prevalência de hepatites virais e fatores de risco, entre 2005 e 2009. Este artigo descreve o delineamento e a metodologia do estudo que envolveu a população com idade entre 5 e 19 anos para hepatite A e 10 a 69 anos para hepatite B e C. As entrevistas e amostras de sangue foram obtidas através de visitas domiciliares e a amostra selecionada a partir de uma amostragem estratificada em múltiplos estágios (por conglomerado) com igual probabilidade para cada domínio de estudo (região e faixa etária). Nacionalmente, 19.280 residências e ~31.000 indivíduos foram selecionados. O tamanho da amostra foi suficiente para detectar uma prevalência em torno de 0,1% e para avaliar os fatores de risco por região. A metodologia apresentou-se viável para distinguir entre diferentes padrões epidemiológicos da hepatite A, B e C. Estes dados serão de valia para a avaliação das políticas de vacinação e para o desenho de estratégias de controle.A population-based survey to provide information on the prevalence of hepatitis viral infection and the pattern of risk factors was carried out in the urban population of all Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District, between 2005 and 2009. This paper describes the design and methodology of the study which involved a population aged 5 to 19 for hepatitis A and 10 to 69 for hepatitis B and C. Interviews and blood samples were obtained through household visits. The sample was selected using stratified multi-stage cluster sampling and was drawn with equal probability from each domain of study (region and age-group). Nationwide, 19,280 households and ~31,000 residents were selected. The study is large enough to detect prevalence of viral infection around 0.1% and risk factor assessments within each region. The methodology seems to be a viable way of differentiating between distinct epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C. These data will be of value for the evaluation of vaccination policies and for the design of control program strategies

Morbidade referida e utilização de serviços de saúde em localidades urbanas brasileiras: metodologia Referred morbidity and the utilization of health services in urban areas of south-eastern Brazil: methodology

A reformulação do sistema de saúde, que vem ocorrendo em nível nacional e particularmente no Estado de São Paulo, tem motivado revisões do processo de planejamento, criando novas necessidades na área de informações. A criação do Sistema Único de Saúde e o processo de municipalização retomaram as propostas de integração das atividades curativas e preventivas, bem como a estruturação de sistemas de saúde regionalizados e hierarquizados. Nesse contexto, surgem como áreas de conhecimento, de particular interesse, o perfil de morbidade populacional e o padrão de utilização de serviços de saúde. As respostas a essas necessidades podem ser dadas por inquéritos domiciliares de saúde. Descreve-se a metodologia utilizada em um inquérito domiciliar realizado em municípios da região sudoeste da Área Metropolitana de São Paulo, SP, Brasil, no período de julho de 1989 a junho de 1990. Esse inquérito apresenta algumas características metodológicas específicas, entre elas o processo amostral utilizado, que definiu domínios para a amostra que permitiram análise de grupos pouco representados na população, como os menores de um ano de idade e a população idosa, bem como o ajuste da amostra a partir dos dados censitários de 1991.The reorganization of the Brazilian health system in the last few years has been based on the decentralization of the services and the integration of preventive and curative medicine, then creating new needs in term of the health information needed for health planning. The planning and administration of a regionalized and integrated health system calls for information about the population's morbidity profile, and the description of the pattern of the utilization of the health services, which can be obtained by means of household health surveys. The methodology utilized in a household health survey carried out in the Metropolitan Area of S. Paulo, Brazil, from July 1989 to June 1990, is described. This survey has some distinct methodological characteristics, such as the sampling process that defined the domains by age and sex, allowing an analysis of populational groups less well represented in the general population, as that of less than one year of age and that of aged people, as well as the use of the results of the lastest Brazilian Census in 1991 for adjusting the sample