Background: A population study is an important tool that can be used to understand the actual epidemiological scenario of the Covid-19 in different territories, identify its magnitude, understand its transmission dynamics, and its demographic, geographical, and social distribution. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population of two Brazilian cities during the pandemic first wave and subsequent socioeconomic and health effects. Materials & methods: This paper described the methodological procedures adopted and the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A household survey was conducted between October and December 2020, in two historic cities of Brazil's mining region. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was detected using the Wondfo® rapid test. The face-to-face interview consisted of administration of a questionnaire containing registration data, sociodemographic and economic variables, living habits, general health condition, mental health, sleep habits, and eating and nutrition. Results: We evaluated 1,762 residents, of which 764 (43.4%) were in Mariana and 998 (56.6%) in Ouro Preto. For both cities, 51.9% of the interviewees were female, with a predominance of the age range 35 to 59 years old (47.2%). The prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.5% in all cities, 6.2% in Ouro Preto, and 4.7% in Mariana. The prevalence was similar between cities (P>0.05). Conclusion: The study was effective in verifying the seroprevalence of infection by the virus and its findings will enable further analyses of the health conditions of the population related to social isolation and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Resumo As alterações vasculares ocorrem frequentemente em região de cabeça e pescoço, sendo o hemangioma a mais comum. Paciente do sexo feminino, 61 anos, queixou-se de dor intensa em palato duro. Notou-se lesão arroxeada, de 1,5 cm, sensível à palpação e com histórico de hemorragia. A paciente era edêntula total, e a prótese total superior comprimia o local da lesão. Foi realizada a vitropressão, confirmando a origem vascular. A hipótese diagnóstica foi de hemangioma. Na primeira sessão, aplicou-se o laser vermelho (660 nm) em quatro pontos ao redor da lesão, sendo 0,5 J em cada ponto afim de se obter analgesia e iniciar o processo de reparo, além do reembasamento da prótese total superior. Na segunda sessão, foi feita aplicação de 2 mL de oleato de monoetanolamina 5%. Após 14 dias, observou-se regressão total da lesão. Os cirurgiões-dentistas devem estar aptos a reconhecer, diagnosticar e tratar as lesões vasculares em cavidade oral.

Abstract Vascular changes frequently involve the head and neck region and hemagioma is the most common. A 61-year-old female patient complained of severe pain in the hard palate. A purple lesion was found, measuring 1.5 cm, sensitive to palpation, and with a history of hemorrhage. The patient was fully edentulous and her upper denture compressed the lesion site. Diascopy confirmed the lesion’s vascular origin. A diagnostic hypothesis of hemangioma was raised. In the first session, red laser light (660nm) was applied at 4 points around the lesion, with 0.5 J at each point, in order to obtain analgesia and trigger the repair process. The upper denture was also relined. In the second session, 2 mL of 5% monoethanolamine oleate was applied. After 14 days, total regression of the lesion was observed. Dental surgeons must be able to recognize, diagnose and treat vascular lesions in the oral cavity.

RESUMO Objetivo Estimar a frequência de exposição à fumaça secundária do cigarro entre pacientes com asma. Métodos Estudo transversal, que avaliou pacientes com asma e controles sem asma, por meio de questionários, para identificar a exposição secundária à fumaça do cigarro no ambiente domiciliar, escolar, no trabalho e em ambientes públicos. Resultados Estudamos 544 asmáticos graves, 452 com asma leve/moderada e 454 sem asma. Entre os asmáticos graves, a média de idade foi de 51,9 anos, 444 (81,6%) eram do sexo feminino, 74 (13,6%) tinham fumantes em sua residência, 383 (71,9%) relataram exposição em ambientes públicos e, dos 242 (44,5%) que trabalhavam e/ou estudavam, 46 (19,1%) admitiram exposição ocupacional. Entre asmáticos leves/moderados, a média de idade foi de 36,8 anos, 351 (77,7%) eram do sexo feminino, 50 (11,1%) afirmaram haver tabagistas em sua residência, 381(84,9%) relataram exposição em ambientes públicos e, dos 330 (73,0%) que trabalhavam e/ou estudavam, 58 (17,7%) referiram exposição ocupacional. Encontrou-se associação entre exposição à fumaça secundária do cigarro e controle da doença entre pacientes com asma leve/moderada. Entre os entrevistados, 71% dos pacientes asmáticos graves e 63% daqueles com asma leve/moderada relataram evitar frequentar certos ambientes pelo receio da exposição à fumaça secundária do cigarro − relato mais associado aos pacientes com asma grave. Conclusão A exposição secundária à fumaça do cigarro é uma situação frequente e relatada por uma proporção significativa de asmáticos. Indivíduos com asma encontram-se expostos a este agente, que pode dificultar o controle da doença, exacerbar sintomas e lhes impor limitação inaceitável ao direito de ir e vir em ambientes públicos.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the frequency of secondhand smoke exposure among patients with asthma. Methods A cross-sectional study of asthma patients and non-asthmatic controls using questionnaires to identify secondhand smoke exposure at home, school, work, and public places. Results We studied 544 severe asthma patients, 452 mild/moderate asthma patients, and 454 non-asthmatic patients. Among severe patients, the mean age was 51.9 years, 444 (81.6%) were female, 74 (13.6%) were living with a smoker, 383 (71.9%) reported exposure in public spaces and, of the 242 (44.5%) who worked/ studied, 46 (19.1%) reported occupational exposure. Among those with mild/moderate asthma, the mean age was 36.8 years, 351 (77.7%) were female, 50 (11.1%) reported living with a smoker, 381 (84.9%) reported exposure in public settings and, of the 330 (73.0%) who worked/ studied, 58 (17.7%) reported occupational exposure. An association between secondhand smoke exposure and disease control was found among patients with mild/moderate asthma. Among those interviewed, 71% of severe asthma patients and 63% of mild/moderate asthma patients avoided certain places due to fear of secondhand smoke exposure. Conclusion Secondhand smoke exposure is a situation frequently reported by a significant proportion of asthma patients. Individuals with asthma are exposed to this agent, which can hamper disease control, exacerbate symptoms and pose unacceptable limitations to their right to come and go in public settings.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a frequência de tabagismo ativo entre pacientes com asma e indivíduos sem asma, usando questionários padronizados e dosagem da cotinina urinária. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em Salvador (BA), com 1.341 indivíduos, sendo 498 com asma grave, 417 com asma leve/moderada e 426 sem asma. O tabagismo foi identificado por meio de autorrelato utilizando questionários e por mensuração da cotinina urinária. Para a comparação das variáveis estudadas, utilizaram-se os testes do qui-quadrado e de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Dos 55 participantes (4,1%) que se declararam tabagistas atuais, 5, 17 e 33 eram dos grupos asma grave, asma leve/moderada e sem asma, respectivamente. Desses 55, 32 (58,2%) eram tabagistas diários e 23 (41,8%) eram tabagistas ocasionais. Observaram-se níveis elevados de cotinina urinária entre não fumantes autodeclarados e tabagistas pregressos, especialmente no grupo asma grave, o que sugere omissão do hábito atual de fumar. A carga tabágica entre os fumantes e a proporção de ex-tabagistas foram maiores no grupo asma grave do que no grupo asma leve/moderada. Conclusões: O tabagismo pregresso esteve associado à asma grave. Tabagismo atual também foi observado em alguns pacientes com asma grave e detectou-se omissão em alguns casos. A investigação de tabagismo deve ser meticulosa em pacientes com asma grave e a entrevista desses deve ser complementada por uma avaliação objetiva.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of active smoking among patients with asthma and individuals without asthma by self-report and urinary cotinine measurement. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and involving 1,341 individuals: 498 patients with severe asthma, 417 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, and 426 individuals without asthma. Smoking status was determined by self-report (with the use of standardized questionnaires) and urinary cotinine measurement. The study variables were compared with the chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Of the sample as a whole, 55 (4.1%) reported being current smokers. Of those, 5 had severe asthma, 17 had mild-to-moderate asthma, and 33 had no asthma diagnosis. Of the 55 smokers, 32 (58.2%) were daily smokers and 23 (41.8%) were occasional smokers. Urinary cotinine levels were found to be high in self-reported nonsmokers and former smokers, especially among severe asthma patients, a finding that suggests patient nondisclosure of smoking status. Among smokers, a longer smoking history was found in patients with severe asthma when compared with those with mild-to-moderate asthma. In addition, the proportion of former smokers was higher among patients with severe asthma than among those with mild-to-moderate asthma. Conclusions: Former smoking is associated with severe asthma. Current smoking is observed in patients with severe asthma, and patient nondisclosure of smoking status occurs in some cases. Patients with severe asthma should be thoroughly screened for smoking, and findings should be complemented by objective testing.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Emergent and re-emergent waterborne protozoans have become a worldwide public health problem, especially among vulnerable groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 17 HIV-infected children and their families. RESULTS: A high (76.5%) percentage of parasite-infected children was observed, even among children with CD4+ T-cell counts of >200 cells/mm3. Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora spp. were observed in 41.2% of these children Low income, poor hygiene practices, and co-infection in domestic, peridomestic and scholastic environments were significant sources of these intestinal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and socio-educational interventions may improve the health conditions of this vulnerable population.