UFRN researchers test new equipment for diagnosing syphilis and HIV in a single blood group | Great Northern River

A group of researchers in the project “Syphilis no”from the Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS/UFRN), developed and implemented the first tests of equipment that achieves, with the same blood collection process, If the patient is infected with HIV and syphilis.

The patenting of this “multimeter” – which was done in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization – also involved collaboration from researchers from the USA and Portugal in its development over the years.

The results of the operation of this device were the subject of meetings between LAIS and the Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat (SVSA) of the Ministry of Health recently.

At the meeting, the team of researchers from UFRN also presented results from the Salus platform for primary care procedures and health monitoring (see below).

Multiple testing for syphilis and HIV, according to LAIS/UFRN, is cheaper than the tests currently used in Brazil, offers a solution by being available digitally at the point of care, and can also prevent other, more expensive tests from being performed. To complete the diagnosis.

Currently, the tests in Brazil are imported and disposable, and the test is not automatically linked to patients’ electronic medical records. This often creates the need for other tests, according to LAIS.

According to LAIS/UFRN, the publication is important because it undergoes rigorous peer review, a necessary step before it is integrated into the Unified Health System (SUS). According to the laboratory, the use of multiple tests can lead to savings of more than 850 million Brazilian reals In the coming years in Brazil.

At the meeting, LAIS also presented the performance of the Salus platform, Which controls, integrates, monitors and provides transparency to primary care procedures and health surveillance. Salus already operates in 15 Brazilian states, serving more than 1,400 municipalities with more than 64 million people.

Salus is a digital epidemiological surveillance platform that carries out surveillance based on the processing and curation of data from the e-SUS VE database, enabling integrated consultation by specialists from the public health network on information received from patients diagnosed with syphilis. Through integrated and unified access to information, it guides the correct management through rapid patient care and monitoring.

Salus integrates into the Unified Health System the key to eliminating vertical transmission of syphilis (when a pregnant woman transmits syphilis to her child) with real-time case management-based surveillance of this disease – essential for Brazil to be able to eliminate congenital syphilis. In accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organization.

The system also creates a communication bridge between primary care and health surveillance, allowing access to data of interest to primary care that are generated by surveillance, such as 100% configurable and real-time epidemiological bulletins.

Thus, the Director-General has a global view of the health situation of his state or municipality in terms of epidemiological scenarios, online and without information delays, an essential aspect for more effective and timely decision-making.

“Through Salus, we monitor prenatal, syphilis and HIV tests. The platform has also been important during the pandemic, with greater transparency regarding Covid-19 cases in all regions of the country,” LAIS Executive Director Ricardo Valentim explained.

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