ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVOS: Tem sido sugerido que o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) é uma manifestação da resposta inflamatória. As principais drogas utilizadas no tratamento do DM2 são as sulfonilureias e as biguanidas. O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar os efeitos moduladores na proliferação de linfócitos causada pelos hipoglicemiantes orais (clorpropamida e metformina), in vitro e ex vivo. MÉTODOS: Células mononucleares de sangue periférico foram isoladas de seres humanos por gradiente de centrifugação. Os linfócitos T foram estimulados com fito-hemaglutinina (PHA) e hipoglicemiantes. RESULTADOS: Nos experimentos in vitro e ex vivo, mostramos a redução da proliferação celular quando do tratamento com drogas hipoglicemiantes orais. Quando as drogas foram utilizadas em combinação, foi observado alto grau de citotoxicidade, tornando inviável a análise do efeito imunomodulador. DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÃO: Mostramos que o diabetes, por si, pode reduzir significativamente a proliferação celular quando estimulada por PHA, o que pode indicar que o paciente diabético tem dificuldade em promover a eficiente resposta inflamatória e que o uso de hipoglicemiantes pode piorar esta situação.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that type 2 diabetes is an inflammatory response manifestation. The main drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes are sulphonylureas and biguanides. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the modulatory effects of oral hypoglycemic drugs (chlorpropamide and metformin) on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and ex vivo. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from human blood by gradient centrifugation. T-lymphocytes were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and oral hypoglycemic drugs. RESULTS: In both in vitro and ex vivo experiments, there was a reduction in cell proliferation after treatment with oral hypoglycemic drugs. When both drugs were used in combination, a high level of cytotoxicity was observed, which made analysis of immunomodulatory effects unfeasible. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that diabetes itself may reduce cell proliferation significantly when stimulated by PHA, which may indicate that diabetic patients have difficulties in promoting an efficient inflammatory response. Moreover, the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs may aggravate this situation.

INTRODUÇÃO/OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência do comprometimento da habilidade verbal e possíveis fatores associados em pacientes portadores de Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico Juvenil (LESJ). PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 36 crianças e adolescentes com LESJ, de um grupo de 57 pacientes, do Ambulatório de Reumatologia do Departamento de Pediatria e Clínica Médica da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. Por ocasião do diagnóstico e do estudo, foram analisados aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, socioeconômicos e de escolaridade. Os pacientes foram submetidos a testes cognitivos e exames laboratoriais, e foram avaliadas medidas de atividade da doença (SLEDAI) e do dano cumulativo (SLICC-DI) e o tratamento com corticoesteroide. Os pacientes foram submetidos a testes cognitivos (escalas Weschler de inteligência: WISC III e WAISS III), e os resultados foram avaliados de acordo com os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, laboratoriais e terapêuticos. RESULTADOS: A média de idade ao diagnóstico foi de 11,2 ± 2 anos, a idade na época do estudo de 15,4 ± 4,7 anos, com 89% do sexo feminino. Houve predomínio de pacientes da classe socioeconômica C (61,1%). O comprometimento cognitivo detectado nesses pacientes foi frequente (58,3%), sendo o comprometimento da habilidade verbal um dos domínios cognitivos mais constantes. Encontrou-se associação do comprometimento da habilidade verbal com baixa condição socioeconômica e dano cumulativo (P < 0,05), mas não com atividade da doença, presença de autoanticorpos e dose de corticoesteroide (P > 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Alteração da habilidade verbal é frequente no LESJ e está associada à condição socioeconômica e ao dano cumulativo, devendo ser suspeitada e investigada, principalmente por se tratar de pacientes pediátricos, para que não haja comprometimento da qualidade de vida na fase adulta. Como não está relacionado à atividade da doença ou à presença de autoanticorpos, deve ser sempre avaliado na presença ou não desses fatores. Da mesma forma, deve-se avaliar independentemente das doses de corticoesteroide por não haver associação.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the frequency of verbal ability impairment and associated factors in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross sectional study of 36 children and adolescents with JSLE of a group of 57 patients at the Clinic of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics and Medical Clinic of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. At the time of diagnosis and study, we analyzed the following epidemiological features: clinical, socioeconomic, and educational level. Patients underwent cognitive and laboratory tests and we assessed disease activity (SLEDAI), cumulative damage (SLICC-DI), and treatment with corticosteroids. The patients underwent cognitive tests (Wechsler Intelligence Scales: WISC III and Waiss III), and the results were evaluated according to epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and treatment features. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 11.2 ± 2 years and at the time of the study the mean age was 15.4 ± 4.7 years. There was predominance of women (89%) and of socioeconomic class C patients (61.1%). The cognitive impairment found in these patients was frequent (58.3%), affecting more often the verbal ability. We found association of verbal ability impairment with low socioeconomic status and cumulative damage (P < 0.05), but not with disease activity, presence of autoantibodies, and dose of corticosteroids (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Change in verbal ability is frequent in JSLE and is associated with socioeconomic status and cumulative damage, and should be suspected and investigated, particularly in pediatric patients to avoid quality of life impairment in adulthood. As it is not related with disease activity or presence of autoantibodies, it should always be assessed in the presence or absence of these factors. Likewise, the doses of corticosteroids should be independently evaluated.