Gac Med Mex
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COVID-19 arrived in Latin America early in March 2020. Currently, strategies are being developed in Colombia focusing on the quarantine and social and economic capital reactivation, whereby the expected results are not being obtained. In this article, we propose to review scientific evidence-based literature where information on the operation and adaptation of health systems, and social, economic and solidarity sectors of Colombia is presented. The purpose is to identify COVID-19 implications in the network that provides health services, quality of life and health-disease prognosis in the country, which is not prepared to face crises of social nature and of health systems, as well as the economic and solidarity impacts that are brought about by pandemics and crude episodes of disease.
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In the efforts to explain COVID-19 pathophysiology, studies are being carried out on the correspondence between the expression of SARS-CoV-2 cell receptors and viral sequences. ACE2, CD147 and TMPRSS2 receptors expression could indicate poorly explored potential infection targets. ⋯ RNA and viral receptor proteins expression was observed in numerous anatomical sites, which partially coincides with the information reported in the literature. High expression in testicular cells markedly stood out, and it would be therefore important ruling out whether this anatomical site is a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir; otherwise, germ cell damage, as it is observed in infections with other RNA viruses, should be determined.
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As of March 23, 2020, suspension of non-essential activities was declared in Mexico throughout the country in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ In Mexico, social distancing is being applied, but studies are still required on the dynamics of the epidemic, person-to-person transmission, incidence of subclinical infections, and patient survival.
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The relationship between the social covenant, ethics and scientific research is highly important for society. Economic prosperity and better health are two of the main reasons why society supports science, without society itself being able to determine the nature of the research that is to be implemented; this is decided by Research Committees (RCs) and Research Ethics Committees (RECs). This article analyzes how the work of RCs and RECs must have a social covenant and represent the interests of society in order to promote its trust in research.
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From 1990 to 2012, the Sanitary and Tropical Diseases Institute experienced the most important changes. In 1989, its name and orientation were modified to become the National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference. Shortly before, it had been formalized as the apex of the National Network of Public Health Laboratories and had incorporated laboratories for preventive programs such as exfoliative cytology and rabies, malaria and tuberculosis diagnosis; subsequently, it would incorporate other networks that emerged as part of the response to major epidemic outbreaks and to the new epidemiological outlook. ⋯ In 2001, the Institute started working with pathogens related to bioterrorism. By then, space restrictions of the headquarter's building were evident; in 2008, starting the construction of new facilities was decided. The Institute and its diagnostic networks constitute a milestone in Latin American public health of the 21st century.