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There are large differences in the shape and size of regional SARS-CoV-2 epidemics in Brazil. Here we tested monthly blood donation samples for IgG antibodies from March 2020 to March 2021 in eight of Brazil’s most populous cities. There was large variation in the inferred attack rate adjusted for seroreversion across cities, and seroprevalence was consistently smaller in women and donors older than 55 years. The age-specific infection fatality rate differed between cities and consistently increased with age. The infection hospitalisation rate (IHR) increased significantly during the gamma-dominated second wave in Manaus, suggesting increased morbidity of the Gamma VOC compared to previous variants circulating in Manaus. The higher disease penetrance associated with the health system’s collapse increased the overall IFR by a minimum factor of 2.91 (95% CrI 2.43–3.53). These results demonstrate large heterogeneity in epidemic spread and highlight the utility of blood donor serosurveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 epidemics.

Background and Objectives: Transfusion is one of the most performed medical procedures. Wrong indications are common and are probably related to the scarcity of transfusion teaching during medical education. The development of a new way to improve transfusion education is paramount. Social media has the potential to reach larger audiences for rapid communication of medical content. The use of social media for transfusion education in Brazil has not been published. The aim of this article is to describe a new tool to improve transfusion learning. Materials and Methods: Evidence-based cards were created. Initially, these cards were sent by WhatsApp. Later, Instagram and Facebook pages were created.EducaSangue, as this e-learning project was called, is a tool for the spreading of transfusion knowledge that permits the exchange of experiences.Results: By April 2021, Facebook and Instagram pages had 8300 and 5100 followers, respectively. Cards about single red blood cell (RBC) unit, alternatives to transfusion, transfusion reactions and pre-transfusion tests were published. Doctors and other health professionals follow EducaSangue. RBC transfusions reduced in Ceara and single-unit RBC increased by 28%, although not statistically significant. In Brazil, the minority of medical schools have transfusion as a discipline. The scarcity of transfusion education is related to the poorer care of the patient. Technological innovation has been used for educational changes and is an alternative to formal education. Conclusion:Social media is an interesting tool to provide quality to medical services, since they can reach a broader public, especially where personal contact is difficult.patient blood management, transfusion medicine, transfusion therapy Highlights• This is the first article that evaluates the use of social media in transfusion medicine education in Brazil.• Social media is a powerful tool to improve transfusion safety and patient blood management.

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Resumo: O espaço de relacionamento do Facebook vem redefinindo a participação social e empoderando a população nas diversas causas sociais, incluindo a doação RISTI, N.º 30, 12/2018 Redes Sociais e Promoção da Saúde: Utilização do Facebook no Contexto da Doação de Sangue Social Networks and Health Promotion: Use of Facebook in the Context of Blood Donation

Objetivo: relatar a vivência de uma equipe interdisciplinar na implantação da técnica de Recuperação Intraoperatória de Sangue em um serviço público de atendimento ao trauma. Método: estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, desenvolvido no Instituto Dr. José Frota, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Resultados: a técnica foi implantada no segundo semestre de 2015 no hospital de trauma, e a vivência permitiu listar as atividades da implantação da técnica, como a disponibilização do equipamento, materiais e profissional capacitado; aulas e palestras direcionadas ao corpo clínico e residentes de anestesiologia; identificação de cirurgias com benefício potencial; abordagem direta da enfermagem aos cirurgiões no centro cirúrgico; divulgação sistemática da disponibilidade do método e dos resultados obtidos no hospital, com o apoio da chefia cirúrgica; criação de estratégia de comunicação na interface entre enfermeiros, cirurgiões e anestesistas; e ampliação da equipe de enfermeiros para o atendimento 24 horas. Conclusão: a implantação da técnica de Recuperação Intraoperatória de Sangue no hospital de trauma permitiu identificar critérios para sua utilização e disponibilizar a estratégia de conservação de sangue para todos os procedimentos com benefício potencial, ampliando o uso de forma sistemática.

Background Immune haemolysis in liver transplant (LT) can occur due to autoantibodies and alloantibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for immune haemolysis in LT.Methods A total of 175 consecutive patients were included. Multiorgan recipients were excluded. Samples, from before LT, seven consecutive days and weekly for 4 weeks, were evaluated for haemolysis and immunohaematological tests. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis.Results Nine patients (5Á1%) presented positive antibody screen (AS) before LT, (2Á3% clinically significant), more frequent in RhD-negative (P = 0Á017). Positive DAT occurred in 53 (30Á3%) and was related to high MELD score (P = 0Á048), HCV (P = 0Á005) and furosemide use (P = 0Á001). Positive AS after LT occurred in 22 patients (12Á5%), with nine (5Á7%) clinically significant antibodies. Positive AS occurred more frequently in RhD negative (P = 0Á021) and in those transfused (P = 0Á022). Post-transplant positive DAT was associated with piperacillintazobactam use (P = 0Á021) and minor ABO incompatibility (P = 0Á0038). Five patients presented passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS), all received liver-graft O, four presented haemolysis, and three were transfused due to PLS.Conclusion Auto-and alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens are frequent in LT, but the frequency of immune haemolysis was only 2Á8%. The only risk factor for PLS was minor ABO mismatch.

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