ABSTRACT Background: Large-scale epidemiological studies of seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 often rely on point-of-care tests that provide immediate results to participants. Yet, little is known on how long rapid tests remain positive after the COVID-19 episode, or how much variability exists across different brands and even among batches of the same test. Methods: In November 2020, we assessed the sensitivity of three tests applied to 133 individuals with a previous positive PCR result between April and October. All subjects provided finger prick blood samples for two batches (A and B) of the Wondfo lateral-flow IgG/IgM test, and dried blood spot samples for the S-UFRJ ELISA test. Results: Overall sensitivity levels were 92.5% (95% CI 86.6-96.3), 63.2% (95% CI 54.4-71.4) and 33.8% (95% CI 25.9-42.5) for the S-UFRJ test, Wondfo A and Wondfo B tests, respectively. There was no evidence of a decline in the positivity of S-UFRJ with time since the diagnosis, but the two Wondfo batches showed sharp reductions to as low as 41.9% and 19.4%, respectively, for subjects with a positive PCR in June or earlier. Positive results for batch B of the rapid test were 35% to 54% lower than for batch A at any given month of diagnosis. Interpretation: Whereas the ELISA test showed high sensitivity and stability of results over the five months of the study, both batches of the rapid test showed substantial declines, with one of the batches consistently showing lower sensitivity levels than the other. ELISA tests based on dried-blood spots are an inexpensive alternative to rapid lateral-flow tests in large-scale epidemiological studies.

Abstract: New records of Ipomoea chiquitensis J.R.I. Wood & R.W. Scotland were discovered for the states of Ceará, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Norte, in northeastern Brazil. The species was recently described from the Chaco region in Bolivia, and is reported herein to occur in “Caatinga” vegetation. We present a brief description, distribution map, potential distribution modeling, illustration, photographs, and a comparison with related species.

Resumen: Se descubrieron nuevos registros de Ipomoea chiquitensis J.R.I. Wood & R.W. Scotland para los estados del Ceará, Piauí y Rio Grande do Norte, en el noreste del Brasil. La especie fue descrita recientemente en la región del Chaco en Bolivia y ahora se encuentra aquí en la vegetación de la "Caatinga". Se presenta una breve descripción, mapa de distribución, modelado de distribución potencial, ilustración, fotografías y una comparación con especies afines.