Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William Msemburi, Ariel Karlinsky, Victoria Knutson, Serge Aleshin-Guendel, Somnath Chatterji, Jon Wakefield
Summary: The World Health Organization has been tracking the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020. Reported statistics on COVID-19 mortality vary across countries due to testing access, diagnostic capacity, and inconsistent cause of death certification. This study provides a comprehensive measurement of the pandemic's impact by estimating excess deaths globally, which are 2.74 times more than reported COVID-19 deaths. There are significant variations in excess death estimates across different regions, highlighting the need for better reporting.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Changwoo Han, Hoyeon Jang, Juhwan Oh
Summary: This study evaluated the excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea and found an 8.7% increase in mortality, exceeding the number of deaths from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, monitoring excess mortality is necessary to estimate the overall impact of the pandemic on a nation.
Article
Immunology
Takayuki Kawashima, Shuhei Nomura, Yuta Tanoue, Daisuke Yoneoka, Akifumi Eguchi, Chris Fook Sheng Ng, Kentaro Matsuura, Shoi Shi, Koji Makiyama, Shinya Uryu, Yumi Kawamura, Shinichi Takayanagi, Stuart Gilmour, Hiroaki Miyata, Tomimasa Sunagawa, Takuri Takahashi, Yuuki Tsuchihashi, Yusuke Kobayashi, Yuzo Arima, Kazuhiko Kanou, Motoi Suzuki, Masahiro Hashizume
Summary: By estimating excess all-cause deaths by region and age group in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study aimed to provide insight into the mortality burden. The findings showed a 0.03%-0.72% increase in observed deaths, with weak consistency between reported COVID-19 deaths and the estimates, highlighting the need to differentiate between direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 using cause-specific analyses.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saditt Rocio Robles Colonia, Lara Morena Cardeal, Rogerio Antonio de Oliveira, Luzia Aparecida Trinca
Summary: We estimated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality in Brazil for 2020 and 2021. The estimated all-cause excess deaths were 187,842 for weeks 10-53, 2020, and 441,048 for weeks 1-52, 2021. The pandemic impact had enormous regional heterogeneity and substantial differences according to socio-demographic factors, mainly during the first wave, showing that some population strata benefited from the social distancing measures when they could adhere to them.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Levitt, Francesco Zonta, John P. A. Ioannidis
Summary: Different modeling approaches were used to calculate excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, and large variations in the number of excess deaths were found across countries. After adjusting for age, it was found that 8 out of 33 high-income countries had no overall excess deaths, there was a deficit in child deaths, and 29.7% of the excess deaths occurred in individuals under 65 years old. Additionally, there were significant differences in excess death estimates between countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vivian K. Y. Leung, Jessica Y. Wong, Roseanne Barnes, Joel Kelso, George J. Milne, Christopher C. Blyth, Benjamin J. Cowling, Hannah C. Moore, Sheena G. Sullivan
Summary: This study assessed the burden of influenza in Australia in terms of influenza-associated mortality and hospitalizations across all age groups. The results showed that influenza causes a significant burden to all Australians, with older adults and young children being at the highest risk. Understanding the current burden is important for implementing mitigation strategies such as vaccination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bethan Davies, Brandon L. Parkes, James Bennett, Daniela Fecht, Marta Blangiardo, Majid Ezzati, Paul Elliott
Summary: This study identified characteristics at the community level associated with increased risk of excess mortality during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in England, including high density of care homes, high proportion of residents on income support, living in overcrowded homes, and non-white ethnicity. No association was found with population density or air pollution.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Min Woo Sun, David Troxell, Robert Tibshirani
Summary: This study uses a statistical modeling framework to analyze data from 80 countries and demonstrates that in addition to demographic factors, government policies and COVID-19 vaccination rates are also important in explaining the heterogeneity in excess deaths between countries.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jieun Oh, Jieun Min, Cinoo Kang, Ejin Kim, Jung Pyo Lee, Ho Kim, Whanhee Lee
Summary: This study investigates excess mortality by cause of death and socio-demographic context during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. The findings show that although deaths related to respiratory diseases decreased, deaths from metabolic diseases and ill-defined causes increased. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected those of lower socioeconomic status, exacerbating inequalities in mortality.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
John P. A. Ioannidis, Francesco Zonta, Michael Levitt
Summary: Several teams have published global estimates of excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the flaws and uncertainties in these calculations, including the need for adjusting population age structure and other high-risk indicators. Death registration is incomplete in many countries, and modelling choices greatly affect excess death estimates. The overall uncertainty and stratification of risks are important factors to consider. The study concludes that globally, deaths from SARS-CoV-2 may be a minority compared to calculated excess deaths.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yousef Khader, Mohannad Al Nsour
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan from April to December 2020, there was a 21% increase in standardized mortality compared to previous years. Men had a more significant increase in mortality rate and accounted for the majority of excess deaths, with COVID-19 being the main attributed cause. The majority of excess deaths occurred in individuals aged 60 years or older, emphasizing the importance of maintaining essential services for the elderly during pandemics.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Richa Sharma, Lindsey R. Kuohn, Daniel M. Weinberger, Joshua L. Warren, Lauren H. Sansing, Adam Jasne, Guido Falcone, Amar Dhand, Kevin N. Sheth
Summary: Excess cerebrovascular deaths occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with decreased stroke-related EMS calls and increased time spent at home being associated factors. Public health measures are necessary to address the decrease in seeking medical care for acute stroke during the pandemic.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Eric W. Lundstrom, Caroline P. Groth, James E. Harrison, Brian Hendricks, Gordon S. Smith
Summary: This cross-sectional study utilized time series forecasting to estimate the excess firearm mortality in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review
Immunology
Weijing Shang, Yaping Wang, Jie Yuan, Zirui Guo, Jue Liu, Min Liu
Summary: This study assessed the global excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the global excess mortality rate was 104.84 deaths per 100,000, and the reported all-cause deaths were higher than expected deaths. South America, developing and middle-income countries, male populations, and individuals aged >= 60 years had a heavier burden of excess mortality.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Evangelos Kontopantelis, Mamas A. Mamas, John Deanfield, Miqdad Asaria, Tim Doran
Summary: The study found that there were 47,243 excess deaths in England and Wales between March 7 and May 8, 2020, with 9,948 not associated with COVID-19. Overall excess mortality rates ranged from 49 per 100,000 in the South West to 102 per 100,000 in London. Non-COVID-19 associated excess mortality rates ranged from -1 per 100,000 in Wales to 26 per 100,000 in the West Midlands.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti, Luis Arthur Brasil Gadelha Farias, Francisca Kalline de Almeida Barreto, Andre Machado Siqueira, Guilherme Sousa Ribeiro, Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Scott C. Weaver, Uriel Kitron, Carlos Alexandre Antunes Brito
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Shirlene Telmos Silva de Lima, William Marciel de Souza, John Washington Cavalcante, Darlan da Silva Candido, Marcilio Jorge Fumagalli, Jean-Paul Carrera, Leda Maria Simoes Mello, Fernanda Montenegro de Carvalho Araujo, Izabel Leticia Cavalcante Ramalho, Francisca Kalline de Almeida Barreto, Deborah Nunes de Melo Braga, Adriana Rocha Simiao, Mayara Jane Miranda da Silva, Rhaquel de Morais Alves Barbosa Oliveira, Clayton Pereira Silva Lima, Camila de Sousa Lins, Rafael Ribeiro Barata, Marcelo Nunes Pereira Melo, Michel Platini Caldas de Souza, Luciano Monteiro Franco, Fabio Rocha Fernandes Tavora, Daniele Rocha Queiroz Lemos, Carlos Henrique Morais de Alencar, Ronaldo de Jesus, Vagner de Souza Fonseca, Leonardo Hermes Dutra, Andre Luiz de Abreu, Emerson Luiz Lima Araujo, Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Joao Lidio da Silva Goncalves Vianez Junior, Oliver G. Pybus, Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo, Nuno Rodrigues Faria, Marcio Roberto Teixeira Nunes, Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti, Fabio Miyajima
Summary: The investigation of fatal Chikungunya virus cases in Ceara state, Brazil, revealed co-infections with Dengue and Zika viruses, neurological symptoms as a major presentation in fatal cases, and no unique virus genomic mutation associated with fatal outcomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniele Fernandes de Aguiar, Eliana Nogueira C. de Barros, Guilherme Sousa Ribeiro, Patricia Brasil, Maria Paula Gomes Mourao, Kleber Luz, Francisco Hideo Aoki, Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Guilherme Amaral Calvet, Eduardo Oliveira, Bianca F. Branco, Ariane Abreu, Brigitte Cheuvart, Adrienne Guignard, Melanie de Boer, Ana Claudia Duarte, Maria Beatriz Borges, Tatiana Guimaraes de Noronha
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of dengue infection in different regions of Brazil, revealing a laboratory-confirmed symptomatic infection rate of 6.1 per 1000 person-years, while the incidence of inapparent primary dengue infection was substantially higher.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Joao Luiz Silva-Filho, Lilian G. de Oliveira, Leticia Monteiro, Pierina L. Parise, Nagela G. Zanluqui, Carolina M. Polonio, Carla L. de Freitas, Daniel A. Toledo-Teixeira, William M. de Souza, Najara Bittencourt, Mariene R. Amorim, Julia Forato, Stefanie P. Muraro, Gabriela F. de Souza, Matheus C. Martini, Karina Bispo-dos-Santos, Aline Vieira, Carla C. Judice, Glaucia M. Pastore, Eliana Amaral, Renato Passini Junior, Helaine M. B. P. Mayer-Milanez, Carolina C. Ribeiro-do-Valle, Roseli Calil, Joao Renato Bennini Junior, Giuliane J. Lajos, Albina Altemani, Marcos T. Nolasco da Silva, Ana Carolina Coan, Maria Francisca Colella-Santos, Andrea P. B. von Zuben, Marco Aurelio R. Vinolo, Clarice Weis Arns, Rodrigo Ramos Catharino, Maria Laura Costa, Rodrigo N. Angerami, Andre R. R. Freitas, Mariangela R. Resende, Marcia T. Garcia, Maria Luiza Moretti, Laurent Renia, Lisa F. P. Ng, Carla Rothlin, Fabio T. M. Costa, Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron, Jose Luiz Proenca-Modena
Summary: Zika virus is able to promote neurological complications and affect anti-viral responses through upregulation of its ligand Gas6, while Gas6 gamma-carboxylation is essential for ZIKV invasion and replication in monocytes. Additionally, Gas6 facilitates viral replication in adult immunocompetent mice, leading to severe adverse outcomes.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elisa Teixeira Mendes, Danilo Glauco Pereira Villagelin Neto, Giulia Magalhaes Ferreira, Ian Nunes Valenca, Maria Patelli Juliani Souza Lima, Maria Fernanda Marciano Barros de Freitas, Maria Rita Donalisio, Marcio Cristiano Melo, Carolina Lazari, Jacqueline Goes, Ingra Morales, Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim, Pamela Andrade dos Santos, Lucas Augusto Moyses Franco, Ester Cerdeiro Sabino, Silvia Figueiredo Costa
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of RT-PCR positivity in asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCW) and its impact on absenteeism. A significant decrease in absenteeism was detected 3-4 weeks after the intervention. The testing and leave policy for asymptomatic professionals contributed to the control strategy for COVID-19 transmission in the hospital environment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ana Paula Sayuri Sato, Alexandra Crispim Boing, Rosa Livia Freitas de Almeida, Mariana Otero Xavier, Rafael da Silveira Moreira, Edson Zangiacomi Martinez, Alicia Matijasevich, Maria Rita Donalisio
Summary: This study analyzed vaccine coverage, its homogeneity, and measles cases in Brazil from 2011 to 2021, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed a progressive decline in vaccine coverage and homogeneity after 2015, with a more significant impact after 2020, especially in the North and Northeast regions. Lower vaccine coverage clusters were associated with worse human development indicators, social inequality, and limited access to healthcare services. The pandemic exacerbated health inequalities, highlighting the importance of strengthening primary care, improving health communication, and ensuring vaccine access to reduce missed opportunities and vaccine hesitancy.
CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Rita Donalisio, Alexandra Crispim Boing, Ana Paula Sayuri Sato, Edson Zangiacomi Martinez, Mariana Otero Xavier, Rosa Livia Freitas de Almeida, Rafael da Silveira Moreira, Rejane Christine de Sousa Queiroz, Alicia Matijasevich
Summary: The drop in childhood vaccination coverage, including poliomyelitis, is a major health concern. This study analyzed the temporal trend of polio vaccine coverage in the first year of life from 2011 to 2021 and mapped vaccination coverage in Brazil, including the COVID-19 pandemic period. The findings revealed a reduction in vaccination coverage in all regions, especially in the North and Northeast regions and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drop in coverage was more pronounced in socially vulnerable states and health regions after 2019, indicating a risk of wild virus reintroduction.
CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ivan Lira dos Santos, Ivan Ricardo Zimmermann, Maria Rita Donalisio, Mariana Reis Santimaria, Mauro Niskier Sanchez, Jonas Lotufo Brant de Carvalho, Flavia Silva Arbex Borim
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of social vulnerability on survival and hospital lethality in hospitalized patients aged 50 years or older with COVID-19 in Brazil. The results showed that social vulnerability aggravated the effects of COVID-19, with a higher lethality rate observed in individuals with worse socioeconomic status.
CADERNOS DE SAUDE PUBLICA
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Andre R. R. Freitas, Laura Pezzi, Luciano P. G. Cavalcanti, Fabrice Simon
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Otto Albuquerque Beckedorff, Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti, Andre M. Siqueira, Daniel Barros de Castro, Cristiano Fernandes da Costa, Daniele Rocha Queiroz Lemos, Eliana N. C. Barros
Summary: The study observed changes in mortality patterns of COVID-19 across different age groups and genders following the emergence of the P.1 variant in the Amazonas state, indicating potential alterations in pathogenicity and virulence associated with this new strain.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Maria Rita Donalisio
REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marcio Cristiano de Melo, Valeria Correia de Almeida, Maria Rita Donalisio
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of HIV-AIDS infection incidence coefficients in individuals older than 13 year reported at SINAN between 1980 and 2016. The study found a growing incidence trend of AIDS criteria from 1986 to 1996, with a noticeable decrease in death criteria after 1995. The HIV+ criteria showed an increasing trend from 2000 onwards.
CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Livia Carla Vinhal Frutuoso, Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti, Elisabeth Carmen Duarte
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wladimir J. Alonso, James Tamerius, Andre R. R. Freitas
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Andre Ricardo Ribas Freitas, Nicole Montenegro de Medeiros, Livia Carla Vinhal Frutuoso, Otto Albuquerque Beckedorff, Lucas Mariscal Alves de Martin, Marcela Montenegro de Medeiros Coelho, Giovanna Gimenez Souza de Freitas, Daniele Rocha Queiroz Lemos, Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2020)