SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary comparative epidemiological analysis between Brazil and the World

Introduction: The world is facing a public health emergency due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and on March 20th, 2020, COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus, was considered to be community transmission throughout Brazil. As the incidence, mortality and lethality of COVID-19 are not homogeneous for all countries or regions within the same country, it is essential to monitor the profile of epidemiological indicators in Brazil in relation to the world. Objective: This research aims to know the epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing data from Brazil with the total world data from countries with registered cases. Methods: The data used to calculate the incidence, mortality, lethality, percentage of recovered and active cases were obtained from Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center, between March 23rd and April 21st of 2020, totaling 30 days. Statistical tests of correlation and comparison of means were used to evaluate the relationship between incidence and mortality rates, the evolution of the epidemiological indicators over time and to make a comparison between Brazil and the world. Results: The curves of incidence, mortality, lethality and percentage of cases recovered in Brazil and in the world were relatively parallel at first, with lower values for Brazil compared to the world (p < 0.05). Unlike the other indicators, the percentage of the active cases was higher in Brazil than in the world (p < 0.05). There was also a trend of approximation of the curves throughout the evaluated period and a directly proportional positive correlation between incidence and mortality rates in the world and in Brazil (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The data analysis showed an expansion of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil, revealing the importance of establishing preventive measures aiming to control the infection rate by flattening the epidemiological curves and, finally, avoiding the collapse of local and regional health services

Desvendando a resposta autoimune contra o fígado: Hepatite Autoimune

Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized as a condition in which the human immune system attacks liver cells, generating major inflammation. Treatment may involve immunosuppressive medications in an attempt to control the immune response. Symptoms may vary from person to person and diagnosis involves, in most cases, blood tests, imaging tests and liver biopsy. Objective: To understand the autoimmune response of the body of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Results: In addition to drug therapy, treatment includes some lifestyle adjustments, such as dietary adjustment, monitoring and stress control. In autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), analysis of prognostic factors provides crucial information about disease progression and treatment efficacy. Age at diagnosis emerges as a relevant indicator, suggesting that the onset of AIH at older ages may be associated with a possible faster progression.Introdução: A hepatite autoimune caracteriza-se como uma condição na qual o sistema imunológico humano ataca as células do fígado, gerando uma grande inflamação. O tratamento pode envolver medicamentos imunossupressores na tentativa de controle da resposta imune. Os sintomas podem variar de cada pessoa e o diagnóstico envolve na maioria dos casos testes sanguíneos, exames de imagem e biópsia hepática. Objetivo: Compreender a resposta autoimune do organismo de pacientes com a hepatite autoimune (HAI). Resultados: Além de terapia medicamentosa, o tratamento inclui alguns ajustes no estilo de vida, como adequação na dieta, monitoramento  e controle do estresse. Na hepatite autoimune (HAI), a análise de fatores prognósticos fornece informações cruciais sobre a progressão da doença e a eficácia do tratamento. A idade ao diagnóstico emerge como um indicador relevante, sugerindo que o início da HAI em idades mais avançadas pode estar associado a uma possível progressão mais rápida