@ufrj.br
CCS/NUBEA
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Graduated in Law from Estácio de Sá University (2004), Graduated in Nursing from Gama Filho University (2011), specialist in Civil Law and Civil Procedure from Gama Filho University (2006), specialist in Neonatal and Pediatric Nursing from Celso Lisboa University (2013), specialist in Social Science, Data Science and Big Data Analytics from IMES College (2023), specialist in Philosophy and Human Rights from UNIBF College (2023), master (2016) and doctor (2020) in Bioethics, Applied Ethics and Public Health from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGBIOS-Program in association: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, State University of Rio de Janeiro and Fluminense Federal University). He completed a post-doctoral internship in the Department of Medicine and Nursing at the Federal University of Viçosa-DEM/UFV (2020-2022). Currently Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Ethics, Bioethics and Public Health
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta
Lepra
Luciene Muniz Braga, Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Andréia Patrícia Gomes, Pedro Costa Oliveira, Mathias Viana Vicari, and Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Dear editor, The actual pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), an etiological agent of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), has already infected more than 16 million people in the world, causing about 900,000 deaths in September 2020. The pathogen belongs to a group of microorganisms that infect the lower and upper airways and cause respiratory diseases, from milder forms resembling a common cold, to classic cases of influenza syndrome – with the symptoms of cough, fever, and coryza – to more serious situations, with pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)1. Initially, it was believed that the transmission of the virus occurred mainly through droplets and contact, considering the transmission by aerosols restricted to specific situations of medical practice such as nebulization, orotracheal intubation, cardiorespiratory resuscitation, and bronchoscopy, among others. More recent studies, however, have shown the importance of aerosol transmission outside the health environment, including reports of virus spread in concerts, elevators, and shopping centers2. To understand the dynamics of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 it is necessary to differentiate between droplets and aerosols, two vehicles for the respiratory dissemination of microorganisms that are produced especially by speaking, coughing, or sneezing. The droplets are larger than 5 micrometers. Infection may occur when droplets reach the oral, nasal, and/or ocular mucosa of the susceptible. It is also important to comment that when these droplets are deposited on surfaces, they make transmission by contact possible, from fomites or the surface of a body contaminated by the viral agent, taken later to the mucous membranes1,3. In objects made of steel and plastic, the virus has been stable for up to 72 hours, with high positivity for SARS-CoV-2 in devices such as garbage cans and bed grids4. Considering the size of the droplets and their range, distancing of more than 1.5 meters between people, and frequent sanitization of the hands (minimizing the propagation by contact), are important guidelines in terms of biosafety1,4. Aerosols, with a diameter of less than 5 micrometers, are transmitted by air. According to the physical-mathematical foundations of fluid dynamics, such particles are carried inside a cloud of turbulent gas and may remain suspended in the air for long periods. In this case, the description of the phenomenon is based on Brownian Motion behavior, which is explained by the collisions of the particles with the suspended molecules and fluid viscosity. Thus, a chaotic and random movement occurs on the aerosols, which are carried by airflow, distributing themselves in different areas of the environment5,6,7. Based on what had been described in the epidemics triggered by other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, there already existed suspicion that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was occurring using aerosols5,7. Given the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 – especially due to the possible underestimation of virus dispersion by aerosols4-8 – it is essential to review individual protection measures, in terms of the recommendation of universal use of the N95 respirator or equivalent (PFF2), especially in situations of health care units treating patients with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is the proposal of the present manuscript, the universal use of the N95 or PFF2 respirator should be considered for all healthcare professionals who provide direct care to patients in closed environments – a characteristic of most healthcare
Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Andreia Patricia Gomes, Leandro Almeida de Oliveira, Leonardo De Almeida Oliveira, Caio Henrique Santos Almeida, and Luciene Muniz Braga
Universidade Federal de Goias
The current pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-19), caused by the pathogen SARSCoV-2, leading to thousands of deaths in 2020, has mobilized the scientific community, with the purpose of understanding the different aspects of the disease and proposing new treatment and prevention measures. Research carried out in several areas includes evaluating the possibility of using hyperimmune globulin and monoclonal antibodies against SARS CoV-2 as well as analyzing the viability and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and hyperimmune globulin in combating Sars-CoV-2. A literature review was carried out with a defined search strategy using the keywords (i) “hyperimmune globulin”, (ii) “monoclonal antibody”, (iii)“ covid-19” and (iv)“ sars-cov-2”, in the PubMed and ResearchGate databases, using the bibliographic references of the articles selected in these databases. Of the 187 citations obtained, 10 articles published between 2019 and 2020 were selected after reading the summary of each one and determining its compatibility with the objective of this study. Final considerations highlight the main challenges and the feasibility of using hyperimmune globulin and monoclonal antibodies for the treatment/prevention of SARS CoV-2 infection.KEY WORDS: Hyperimmune globulin; monoclonal antibody; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2.
Paulo Sergio Balbino Miguel, Maria Alexandra de Carvalho Meireles, Randyston Brenno Feitosa, Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Sandra De Oliveira Pereira, Ademir Nunes Ribeiro Junior, Marcio Luiz Fortuna Esmeraldo, Stefania Salvador P. Montenegro, and Luiz Alberto Santana
Universidade Federal de Goias
Leptospirosis is one of the neglected infectious diseases locally widespread and extremely significant in tropical areas due to its great epidemic potential. It is a worldwide public health problem in view of the emergence and reemergence of the disease due to lack of sanitation and negligence, among other factors. In fact, leptospirosis infects more than 1 million people per year, resulting in almost 60,000 deaths. Human infection generally takes place after skin exposure to soil and/or water contaminated with urine of chronically infected mammals. The clinical presentations of the disease vary from a slight fever, goosebumps and flu-like symptoms to the acute forms of the disease. Understanding the main aspects of the disease is paramount due to the many unspecific signs and symptoms as well as frequently mistaken diagnosis. In this article, we discuss the epidemiological, immunopathogenic, clinical and prophylactic aspects of this condition with the purpose of clarifying an up to date panorama of the subject.
 KEY WORDS: Leptospirosis; Leptospira; concepts; clinical update.
Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista, Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Luciene Muniz Braga, and Andréia Patrícia Gomes
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
To the Editor: C oronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, has raised questions concerning biosafety, especially relating to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in the context of PPE shortage in the world. This text draws attention to the risk of airborne transmission (by aerosols) of the pathogen, which implies expanding protection measures for health care professionals (HCPs), the “most valuable resource” in coping with the disease. So far, it is understood that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 occurs primarily by droplets (5–10 μm in diameter) and by contact, which require the adoption of relevant precautionary measures to prevent virus transmission. Additional concern, in relation to the dissemination of COVID-19, exists regarding inhalation of aerosols, particles with a diameter less than 5 μm, which remain airborne for a long time and may move distances greater than 1 m. It has been postulated that air transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs in special situations, such as endotracheal intubation, noninvasive ventilation, airway aspiration, swab collection (oral or nasopharynx), and bronchoscopy. In these contexts, the use of an N95 respirator, as a replacement for the surgical mask, is indicated for the protection of HCPs. Despite recommendations of the World Health Organization, prioritizing the precautionary principle by contact and by droplets, there are gaps regarding the possibility of airborne transmission of COVID-19. In fact, other situations with the potential to spread the disease by aerosols have been proposed, related to sneezing, coughing, and wheezing (dyspnea). In addition, the study of aerodynamics of infective particles containing SARS-CoV-2, in a Chinese hospital, identified the virus more than 3 m from the bedside of patients with COVID-19, and even in external areas of the hospital. Another study demonstrated dispersion, of up to 4 m, of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols in a COVID-19 patient hospitalization unit. These results supported the adoption of measures for aerosol contagion prevention, which result in less HCPs if they get infected by the pathogen. Furthermore, the high viral loads in the airways of patients with COVID-19 and the disease cases exponential rate of growth indicate that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is much more important, epidemiologically, from what has been reported. Recognizing the likely underestimation of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the major risk of illness of people
Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Eugênio Silva, and Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Marli Do Carmo Cupertino, Bruna Soares de Souza Lima Rodrigues, Brenda Silveira Valles Moreira, Ademir Nunes Ribeiro Júnior, Stefania Montenegro, Paulo Sergio Balbino Miguel, Angelica Cristina Pezzin Palheta, and Francisco Xavier Palheta Neto
Universidade Federal de Goias
Lagochilascariasis, described for the first time in 1909, is caused by a helminth nematode within the Lagochilascaris genus, and Ascarididae family, which mainly affects the underprivileged, especially among rural populations. Brazil presents more than 75% of the cases worldwide, mostly in the Amazon region, where the illness is considered emergent. The main clinical manifestation in humans is the appearance of subcutaneous purulent lesions normally found around the neck, mastoid and middle ear regions, the originating form is a painless granulomatous reaction that may have a chronic course and lead to death. Considering the paucity of reports on this helminthiasis, a bibliographic study was performed with the intent of consolidating information found systemized as etiology, epidemiology, pathogeny, clinical aspects, diagnostic, treatment, prophylaxis and control, as well as guiding health professionals in the resolution of human lagochilasacariasis cases. The present review reinforces the need for further studies on the subject, with a view to increasing the appropriate management of the disease and learning from it, to improve control, based on adequate knowledge of its natural cycle, as well as health education of the population.KEY WORDS: Emerging diseases; human lagochilasacariasis; infectious diseases.
Oswaldo Jesus Rodrigues da Motta, Verônica Sobral Camara Lapas, Anamelia Costa Faria, Rogério Lopes Rufino Alves, and Cláudia Henrique da Costa
Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia
1. Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem – DEM – Universidade Federal de Viçosa – UFV – Viçosa (MG) Brasil. 2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanita’ Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italia. In an article published in the Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, Lapas et al.(1) translated the Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS) into Brazilian Portuguese, adapting it to the cultural context and validating it for use as a method of screening for polysomnography in Brazil, and concluded that this tool can be used to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in individuals in the country.(1)