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da Costa Miranda AL, da Paixão ART, Pedroso AO, do Espírito Santo Lima L, Parente AT, Botelho EP, Polaro SHI, de Oliveira E Silva AC, Reis RK, Ferreira GRON. Demographic, social, and clinical aspects associated with access to COVID-19 health care in Pará province, Brazilian Amazon. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8776. [PMID: 38627601 PMCID: PMC11021420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59461-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Internal social disparities in the Brazilian Amazon became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this work was to examine the demographic, social and clinical factors associated with access to COVID-19 health care in Pará Province in the Brazilian Amazon. This was an observational, cross-sectional, analytical study using a quantitative method through an online survey conducted from May to August 2023. People were eligible to participate if they were current residents of Pará, 18-years-old or older, with self-reported diagnoses of COVID-19 through rapid or laboratory tests. Participants completed an electronic survey was developed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software-The adapted questionnaire "COVID-19 Global Clinical Platform: Case Report Form for Post-COVID Condition". Questions focused on access to COVID-19 treatment, demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine and clinical characteristics. Respondent-driven sampling was applied to recruit participants. Multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the associated factors. Overall, a total of 638 participants were included. The average age was 31.1 years. Access to COVID-19 health care was 68.65% (438/638). The participants most likely to access health care were those with moderate or severe COVID-19 (p = 0.000; OR: 19.8) and females (p = 0.001; OR: 1.99). Moreover, participants who used homemade tea or herbal medicines were less likely to receive health care for COVID-19 in health services (p = 0.002; OR: 0.54). Ensuring access to healthcare is important in a pandemic scenario.
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Grants
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- 12/2021 support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program - Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- PAPQ/UFPA 2024 Pós- graduação of the Federal University of Para, Support Program for qualified production -2024 (PAPQ-2024, in Portuguese)
- support from Emergency selection IV No. 12/2021 of the Postgraduate Development Program – Impacts of the Pandemic belonging to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrey Oeiras Pedroso
- Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-092, Brasil
| | | | | | - Eliã Pinheiro Botelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Enfermagem, Universidade Federal Do Pará, Belém, 66075-110, Brasil
| | | | | | - Renata Karina Reis
- Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-092, Brasil
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Paiva BL, Lima IB, Nogueira LMV, Rodrigues ILA, Caldas SP, Andrade ML, Pedroza ADSC, Rodrigues AR. Use of an application on the measles vaccine for Warao indigenous refugees in Brazil. Rev Bras Enferm 2024; 77Suppl 3:e20230253. [PMID: 38477815 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the need to develop an application with information about the measles vaccine for Warao indigenous people. METHODS This was a quantitative study conducted at the Espaço de Acolhimento Tapanã refugee shelter in the city of Belém, Pará, Brazil. The study sample was selected for convenience. Data were analyzed descriptively using Bioestat 5.0 software. RESULTS Twenty-one Warao indigenous individuals were interviewed. It was identified that 91% (n=20) had lost their vaccination card; 91% (n=20) stated they had lost their vaccination card more than three times, and 91% expressed interest in an application to store their vaccination information. CONCLUSIONS The research provided important information for the development of a health application named WaraoMedI (Warao Measles Diversity Indigenous), as well as offered nursing professionals evidence about the challenges Warao indigenous refugees face in self-managing their vaccination information.
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Fernández Villalobos NV, Marsall P, Torres Páez JC, Strömpl J, Gruber J, Lotto Batista M, Pohl D, Concha G, Frickmann H, de la Hoz Restrepo FP, Schneiderhan-Marra N, Krause G, Dulovic A, Strengert M, Kann S. Humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses in urban and indigenous children in Colombia. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:151. [PMID: 37864073 PMCID: PMC10589283 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune responses and epidemiology have been extensively studied, data gaps remain for certain populations such as indigenous people or children especially in low- and middle-income countries. To address this gap, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and humoral immunity towards the parental B.1 strain, local SARS-CoV-2 variants, and endemic coronaviruses in children from Colombia from March to April 2021. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional seroprevalence study with 80 children from Bogotá and expanded our analysis by comparing results with an independent observational study of 82 children from the Wiwa community living in the north-eastern Colombian territories. Antibody IgG titers towards SARS-CoV-2 and the endemic coronaviruses as well as ACE2 binding inhibition as a proxy for neutralization towards several SARS-CoV-2 variants were analyzed using two multiplex-based immunoassays. RESULTS While we find seroprevalence estimates of 21.3% in children from Bogotá, seroprevalence is higher with 34.1% in Wiwa children. We observe a robust induction of antibodies towards the surface-exposed spike protein, its S1-, S2- and receptor-binding-subdomains in all SARS-CoV-2 seropositive children. Only nucleocapsid-specific IgG is significantly lower in the indigenous participants. ACE2 binding inhibition is low for all SARS-CoV-2 variants examined. We observe a dominance of NL63 S1 IgG levels in urban and indigenous children which suggests an early exposure to this respiratory virus independent of living conditions and geographic location. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity does not correlate with antibody levels towards any of the four endemic coronaviruses indicating the absence of cross-protective immunity. CONCLUSIONS Overall, antibody titers, but in particular ACE2 binding inhibition are low within Colombian samples, requiring further investigation to determine any potential clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Marsall
- Multiplex Immunoassays, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen (NMI), Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Johanna Carolina Torres Páez
- Department of Epidemiology, PhD Programme, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig-Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Strömpl
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jens Gruber
- Multiplex Immunoassays, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen (NMI), Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Martín Lotto Batista
- Department of Epidemiology, PhD Programme, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig-Hannover, Germany
- Global Health Resilience, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daria Pohl
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gustavo Concha
- Organization Wiwa Yugumaiun Bunkauanarrua Tayrona (OWYBT), Department Health Advocacy, Valledupar, Colombia
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Schneiderhan-Marra
- Multiplex Immunoassays, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen (NMI), Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Gérard Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig-Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture of the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alex Dulovic
- Multiplex Immunoassays, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen (NMI), Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Monika Strengert
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany.
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture of the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Simone Kann
- Medical Mission Institute, Würzburg, Germany
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Novaes TER, Lara DM, da Silva SG. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Indigenous Peoples of Brazil: Epidemiology and Risk Factors Associated with Death. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023:10.1007/s40615-023-01660-z. [PMID: 37314690 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) represents a serious public health problem for the indigenous peoples of Brazil, since acute respiratory infections are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in this population. OBJECTIVE To assess cases of SARS in Brazilian indigenous peoples in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as sociodemographic and health factors associated with deaths from SARS in this population. METHODS Ecological study carried out based on secondary data from the Brazilian Database for Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza referring to the Brazilian indigenous population with SARS in 2020. The variables included sociodemographic factors and health conditions. Statistical analyses were carried out considering absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies and logistic regression with odds ratios (OR), with death as the outcome of interest. RESULTS A total of 3062 cases were reported in the analyzed period. Of these, there was a predominance of men (54.6%), adults (41.4%), with comorbidities (52.3%), with low levels of schooling (67.4%) and residents of rural areas (55.8%). Cases and deaths were concentrated in the states of Amazonas and Mato Grosso do Sul, states in the North and Midwest of Brazil. A greater chance of death was observed in elderly indigenous people (OR = 6.29; 95%CI 4.71-8.39), with low levels of schooling (OR = 1.72; 95%CI 1.22-2.28), residents of rural areas (OR = 1.35; 95%CI 1.12-1.62), and with comorbidities (OR = 1.87; 95%CI 1.42-2.46), especially obesity (OR = 2.56; 95%CI 1.07-6.11). CONCLUSION The study was able to trace the clinical-epidemiological profile, as well as identify the groups of indigenous people most vulnerable to SARS as a result of COVID-19 and evolution to death in Brazil. The findings show the high impact on the morbidity and mortality of the Brazilian indigenous population exposed to SARS and are relevant for epidemiological health surveillance, since they can guide preventive public policy actions and quality of life measures for this ethnic group in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darlan Martins Lara
- Medical School of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Shana Ginar da Silva
- Post-Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
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Figueiredo GM, Tengan FM, Campos SR, Luna EJ. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2023; 78:100233. [PMID: 37348256 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerusa Maria Figueiredo
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Mitiko Tengan
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitarias da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Roberto Campos
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Expedito José Luna
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Ro C. Legacy of covid-19 for indigenous health in the Brazilian Amazon. BMJ 2023; 380:o3005. [PMID: 36604102 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o3005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Knust B, Wongjindanon N, Moe AA, Herath L, Kaloy W, Soe TT, Sataranon P, Oo HM, Myat KZ, Win Z, Htet M, Htike M, Sudhiprapha B, Pyone AA, Win TP, Win HZ, Sawatwong P, Watthanaworawit W, Ling C, Gunaratne S, Lynn SA, Bhandari L, Nosten F, Skaggs B. Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thailand-Myanmar Border, 2020-2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:S17-S25. [PMID: 36502383 PMCID: PMC9745244 DOI: 10.3201/eid2813.220324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed surveillance guidance for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Arrangements were made for testing of persons presenting with acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, or who met the Thailand national COVID-19 Person Under Investigation case definition. In addition, testing was performed for persons who had traveled outside of the camps in outbreak-affected areas or who departed Thailand as resettling refugees. During the first 18 months of surveillance, May 2020-October 2021, a total of 6,190 specimens were tested, and 15 outbreaks (i.e., >1 confirmed COVID-19 cases) were detected in 7 camps. Of those, 5 outbreaks were limited to a single case. Outbreaks during the Delta variant surge were particularly challenging to control. Adapting and implementing COVID-19 surveillance measures in the camp setting were successful in detecting COVID-19 outbreaks and preventing widespread disease during the initial phase of the pandemic in Thailand.
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Abreu IN, Lopes FT, Lima CNC, Barbosa ADN, de Oliveira LR, Fujishima MA, Freitas FB, dos Santos MB, de Lima VN, Cayres-Vallinoto IMV, Castelo-Branco S, da Silva HP, Vallinoto ACR. HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Infection Among Warao Indigenous Refugees in the Brazilian Amazon: Challenges for Public Health in Times of Increasing Migration. Front Public Health 2022; 10:833169. [PMID: 35223744 PMCID: PMC8873572 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.833169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection is endemic in indigenous populations of the Americas. We describe herein the prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection among Warao indigenous refugees from Venezuela living in Belém, Pará, Brazil. METHODS In total, 101 individuals of both sexes (43 men and 58 women) between 18 and 77 years of age were investigated. Blood samples were collected and separated into plasma and leukocytes. Serological screening was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Murex HTLV-I+II, DiaSorin, Dartford, UK), and seropositive samples were submitted to proviral DNA extraction followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A nested PCR of the env region (630 bp) followed by enzymatic digestion with XhoI was performed to identify the molecular subtype of HTLV-2, in addition to sequencing analysis of the 5'LTR-I and 5'-LTR-II regions. RESULTS Of the 101 individuals analyzed, 3 (3.0%) were seropositive. Molecular analysis of the pol and tax genes confirmed the HTLV-1 infection in a 55-year-old woman and HTLV-2 infection in a man (68 years old) and a woman (23 years old). HTLV-2 strains were defined by enzymatic digestion as belonging to the HTLV-2b subtype. The sequencing of the 5'LTR regions confirmed the presence of subtype 2b and identified HTLV-1 as belonging to subtype 1A (Cosmopolitan) and the Transcontinental subgroup. Among the infected patients, it was possible to conduct medical interviews with two individuals after delivery of the result. One patient with HTLV-2 reported symptoms such as joint pain, foot swelling, frequent headache, dizziness and lower back pain. The HTLV-1-positive woman was diagnosed with a tumor, dementia, urinary incontinence, felt body pain, and had spots on her body. The presence of the HTLV-2b subtype highlights the prevalence of this molecular variant among indigenous South Americans, as well as the presence of HTLV-1 Transcontinental, which has a worldwide distribution. CONCLUSION These results reveal a high prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among Warao immigrants, suggesting migratory flow as a virus spread mechanism among human populations and alert public authorities to the need to create epidemiological surveillance programs, public social and health policies aimed at welcoming immigrants in the Brazilian territory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Nogueira Abreu
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Felipe Teixeira Lopes
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Mayumi Aragão Fujishima
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Mike Barbosa dos Santos
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | | | - Socorro Castelo-Branco
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Hilton P. da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde, Ambiente e Sociedade na Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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Lima CNC, Abreu IN, Rodrigues EPS, Freitas VDO, Botelho BJS, Souza SL, Cayres-Vallinoto I, Guerreiro JF, Ishak R, Vallinoto ACR. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054271. [PMID: 35131827 PMCID: PMC8822535 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its pandemic spread generated serious concern about the impact of the infection on vulnerable indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon. Thus, this study aimed to perform a seroepidemiological survey of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in those populations. SETTING Six indigenous ethnic groups living in the State of Pará (Northern Brazil) were investigated. The villages of Xikrin do Bacajá, Assurini, Araweté, Parakanã, Munduruku and Kararaô were visited from October 2020 to January 2021. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of anti-spike (S1) IgG antibodies. Plasma was tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using two assays (a lateral flow rapid test and an ELISA). A total of 1185 individuals of both sexes were enrolled in the study. RESULTS The prevalences of IgM and IgG antibodies were 6.9% and 68.1%, respectively, ranging from 0% to 79.6%, with significant differences (p<0.001) between age groups in three communities (Araweté, Xikrin and Munduruku) and a virulence rate of 0.86%. The overall IgG prevalence obtained by rapid tests and ELISAs were similar, and the agreement of the results between the two tests was 80%, which was classified as good (kappa=0.4987; p<0.001; sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 71.6%). Herd immunity was probably attained, similar to that found in other communities of the Amazon. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly among the indigenous populations investigated, but it had a low mortality rate. It is necessary to expand serological investigations to other communities in the Amazon region of Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Lima Souza
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ricardo Ishak
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Brazil
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