The infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, triggers a series of immune responses in the host organism. These responses, while essential for pathogen elimination, can also cause significant damage to host tissues. This work details the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection, from its structure to the processes of viral entry and replication, as well as the mechanisms related to infection and activation of the immune system, which can culminate in a cytokine storm. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies, vaccines, and alternative therapies that were urgently released during the pandemic. Continuous research, especially related to the immune response, is necessary to enhance knowledge and preparedness for future pandemics.

Introduction: Candida infections represent a major public health concern and the intrinsic and acquired resistance of Candida species to antifungals underscores the need for new therapeutic approaches. In this context, natural products represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potential antifungal activity. Methods: The antifungal activity of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction (EAF) of Poincianella pluviosa (DC.) L. P. Queiroz stem bark was evaluated against planktonic Candida spp. by broth microdilution method. The effect of EAF combined with Fluconazole (FLZ) was assessed using the checkerboard assay. The effects of EAF alone and combined with FLZ on Candida albicans morphology and membrane integrity were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. The antibiofilm activity of EAF against developing and mature biofilms, as well as its effects on mammalian cell viability, was assessed using tetrazolium-based assays. Results: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the antifungal activity of P. pluviosa stem bark EAF against planktonic and biofilm-associated Candida cells and its interaction with FLZ. EAF exhibited fungistatic activity against all tested strains, including FLZ-resistant isolates, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.2 to 500 µg/mL. EAF also reduced the metabolic activity of developing and mature biofilms. The combination of EAF and FLZ showed synergistic activity against most tested strains, reducing the MICs of both compounds. Microscopic analyses revealed reduced metabolic activity in cells treated with EAF alone or combined with FLZ, without detectable changes in cell morphology or cytoplasmic membrane integrity. EAF showed no cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells at the antifungal concentrations tested. Conclusion: These findings highlight the antifungal potential of the stem bark EAF of P. pluviosa, alone and in combination with FLZ, supporting further investigation of EAF as a potential source of bioactive compounds for developing alternative strategies to control Candida infections.

Objetivo: este trabalho busca entender e conhecer mais sobre o pós-covid, focando na parte neurológica, visto que, o pós pandemia está marcado por inúmeras sequelas e entre elas, estão as sequelas neurológicas. Referencial Teórico: os impactos do pós COVID nos dias atuais, dando destaque para as sequelas neurológicas, estão cada vez mais evidentes, por isso este trabalho discute esta temática. Ainda, para melhor compreesão das sequelas, esta revisão aborda sobre as fisiopatologias viriais e a relação com os sintomas Método: foi realizada uma revisão integrativa de artigos que tratam sobre as sequelas neurológicas do COVID-19. Resultado e Discussão: Através da compreensão da fisiopatologia viral, conclui-se que existem três principais formas do vírus SARS-CoV-2 invadir o sistema nervoso central e causar sequelas como: cefaléia, perda de memória, confusão mental, acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico e alteração do sono. Entretanto, ainda não se pode fazer uma conclusão completa de como essas sequelas acontecem. Portanto, se faz necessário um maior entendimento acerca desses mecanismos invasores, para que as condutas eficazes e o melhor tratamento para essas sequelas possam ser definidos. Implicações da Pesquisa: essa pesquisa é carregada de informações relevantes e associadas sobre as sequelas neurológicas pós COVID-19, auxiliando futuras pesquisas da área científica. Originalidade: Este estudo traz consigo informações importantes para a população científica e médica, auxiliando no maior conhecimento acerca das sequelas neurológicas pós Covid-19 e, consequentemente em seus ideais tratamentos.