Impact of hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antivirals on glycidic metabolism

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the glucose metabolism of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in pretreatment and sustained viral response (SVR) periods. Materials and methods: This was an intervention pre-post study of 273 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with DAAs from March 2018 to December 2019. Glycidic metabolism was evaluated through homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) - insulin resistance (IR) and HOMA-β indices and assessments of insulinemia and HbA1c levels. These parameters were analyzed with a T test by paired comparison of the means of the variables and Wilcoxon's test paired for the median; in the variables with an abnormal distribution, the Z score was generated for the mean in both the pretreatment and SVR periods. Statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among 273 participants, 125 (45.8%) had prediabetes, and 50 (18.3%) had diabetes. In SVR, there was a significant increase in platelets, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglycerides and a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma GT and bilirubin. The HOMA-IR and HOMA-β indices increased in SVR from 1.95 to 2.29 (p = 0.087) and 71.20 to 82.60 (p = 0.001), respectively. Insulinemia increased from 7.60 μU/mL to 8.90 μU/mL (p = 0.011). HbA1c decreased from 5.6 to 5.4 (p < 0.001). Among patients with prediabetes and those with diabetes, the reduction in HbA1c values was significant (p = 0.006 and p = 0.026, respectively). Conclusion: SVR significantly impacts and leads to improvement in glucose metabolism in patients with chronic liver disease induced by hepatitis C virus.

High incidence of herpes simplex virus-1 in cord blood and placenta infection of women in southern Brazil / Alta incidência do vírus herpes simplex 1 em sangue de cordão e infecção na placenta de mulheres no sul do Brasil

Abstract Objective Estimate the prevalence of human herpesvirus type 1 HSV-1 DNA in placental samples, its incidence in umbilical cord blood of newborns and the associated risk factors. Methods Placental biopsies and umbilical cord blood were analyzed, totaling 480 samples, from asymptomatic parturients and their newborns at a University Hospital. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencingwere used to identify the virus; odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) were performed to compare risk factors associated with this condition. Results The prevalence of HSV-1 DNA in placental samples was 37.5%, and the incidence in cord blood was 27.5%. Hematogenous transplacental route was identified in 61.4% from HSV-1+ samples of umbilical cord blood paired with the placental tissue. No evidence of the virus was observed in the remaining 38.6% of placental tissues, suggesting an ascendant infection from the genital tract, without replication in the placental tissue, resulting in intra-amniotic infection and vertical transmission, seen by the virus in the cord blood. The lack of condom use increased the risk of finding HSV-1 in the placenta and umbilical cord blood. Conclusion The occurrence of HSV-1 DNA in the placenta and in cord blood found suggests vertical transmission from asymptomatic pregnant women to the fetus.

Resumo Objetivo Estimar a prevalência do DNA do vírus herpes humano 1 (HSV-1) em amostras de placenta, sua incidência no sangue do cordão umbilical de recém-nascidos e fatores de risco associados. Métodos Biópsias de placenta e de sangue de cordão umbilical foram analisadas, totalizando 480 amostras de parturientes assintomáticas e seus recém-nascidos emum hospital universitário. Reação de cadeia de polimerase (RCP) nested e sequenciamento gênico foram usados para identificar o vírus; odds ratio (OR) e risco relativo (RR) foram realizados para comparar os fatores de risco associados à essa condição. Resultados A prevalência do DNA do HSV-1 em amostras de placenta foi de 37,5%, e a incidência no sangue do cordão foi de 27,5%. A via transplacentária hematogênica foi identificada em 61,4% das amostras de HSV-1+do sangue do cordão umbilical, pareadas com o tecido placentário. Nenhuma evidência do vírus foi observada nos restantes 38,6% dos tecidos placentários, sugerindo uma infecção ascendente do trato genital. A falta de uso do preservativo aumentou o risco de encontrar o HSV-1 na placenta e no sangue do cordão umbilical. Conclusão A ocorrência de DNA do HSV-1 na placenta e no sangue do cordão umbilical sugere uma transmissão vertical de gestantes assintomáticas para o feto.

Characterisation of complete high- and low-risk human papillomavirus genomes isolated from cervical specimens in southern Brazil

The classification of human papillomavirus (HPV) intratypic lineages by complete genome sequencing is a determinant in understanding biological differences in association with this disease. In this work, we have characterised complete HPV genomes from southern Brazil. Fifteen cervicovaginal Pap smear negative samples previously categorised as HPV-positive were sequenced using ultradeep sequencing, and 18 complete genomes from 13 different HPV types were assembled. Phylogenetic and genetic distance analyses were performed to classify the HPV genomes into lineages and sublineages. This is the first report describing the distribution of HPV intratype lineages of high and low oncogenic risk in asymptomatic women from southern Brazil.

Prevalence of Candida spp. in cervical-vaginal samples and the in vitro susceptibility of isolates

Abstract Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection of the genital mucosa caused by different species of the genus Candida. Considering the lack of data on this topic in the south of Brazil, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of Candida spp. in the cervical-vaginal mucosa of patients treated at a university hospital in southern Rio Grande do Sul, as well as the etiology and the susceptibility of the isolates against fluconazole, itraconazole, miconazole and nystatin. Samples were collected at the gynecology clinic of the Federal Hospital of the University of Rio Grande, and the isolates were identified using phenotypic and biochemical tests. The susceptibility analysis was performed according to the CLSI M27-A2 protocol. Of the 263 patients included, Candida spp. was isolated in 27%, corresponding to a prevalence of approximately 15% for both VVC and colonization. More than 60% of the isolates were identified as Candida albicans; C. non-albicans was isolated at a rate of 8.6% in symptomatic patients and 14.3% in asymptomatic patients. The prevalence of resistance against fluconazole and itraconazole was 42% and 48%, respectively; the minimal inhibitory concentration of miconazole ranged from 0.031 to 8 µg/mL, and that of nystatin ranged from 2 to >16 µg/mL. The high rate of resistance to triazoles observed in our study suggests the necessity of the association of laboratory exams to clinical diagnosis to minimize the practice of empirical treatments that can contribute to the development of resistance in the isolates.

Avaliação dos fatores associados à transmissão vertical de HIV-1 / Evaluation of factors associated with vertical HIV-1 transmission

Resumo Objetivo Comparar a prevalência e os fatores associados à transmissão vertical de HIV-1 entre grávidas tratadas de 1998-2004 e de 2005-2011 em um serviço de referência de cuidado de pacientes com HIV no sul do Brasil. Métodos Estudo descritivo e analítico que usou as bases de dados de laboratórios da Rede Nacional de Laboratórios de CD4 e Carga Viral de DST/Aids do Ministério da Saúde. As grávidas com HIV-1 foram selecionadas em uma pesquisa ativa de informações clínicas e dados obstétricos e neonatais em seus prontuários médicos entre 1998-2011. Resultados Foram analisadas 102 grávidas entre 1998 e 2004 e 251 entre 2005-2011, no total 353 crianças nascidas de grávidas com HIV-1. Observou-se que a transmissão vertical foi de 11,8% entre 1998 e 2004 e de 3,2% entre 2005-2011 (p < 0,001). O maior uso de medicamentos antirretrovirais (p = 0,02), a redução na carga viral (p < 0,001) e o tempo de ruptura de membranas menor do que quatro horas (p < 0,001) foram associados à redução nos fatores de transmissão vertical quando os dois períodos são comparados. Conclusão Observou-se uma redução na taxa de transmissão vertical nos últimos anos. De acordo com as variáveis estudadas, sugere-se que os fatores de risco de transmissão vertical de HIV-1 foram ausência de terapia antirretroviral, alta carga viral das grávidas e tempo de ruptura maior do que quatro horas.

Abstract Objective To compare the prevalence and factors associated with vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) among pregnant women treated in the periods of 1998-2004 and 2005-2011 in a reference service for the care of HIV-infected patients in southern Brazil. Methods This was a descriptive and analytical study that used the databases of laboratories from the CD4 and STDs/AIDS Viral Load National Laboratory Network of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. HIV-1-infected pregnant women were selected after an active search for clinical information and obstetric and neonatal data from their medical records between the years of 1998 and 2011. Results 102 pregnant women were analyzed between 1998 and 2004 and 251 in the period between 2005 and 2011, totaling 353 children born to pregnant women with HIV-1. It was observed that the vertical transmission rate was 11.8% between 1998 and 2004 and 3.2% between 2005 and 2011 (p < 0.001). The increased use of antiretroviral drugs (p = 0.02), the decrease in viral load (p < 0.001), and time of membrane rupture lower than 4 h (p < 0.001) were associated with the decrease of vertical transmission factors when comparing the two periods. Conclusion It was observed a decrease in the rate of vertical transmission in recent years. According to the studied variables, is suggested that the risk factors for vertical transmission of HIV-1 were absence of antiretroviral therapy, high viral load in the pregnant women, and membrane rupture time >4 h.

Frequência do Papilomavírus Humano na placenta, no colostro e no sangue do cordão umbilical / Frequency of Human Papillomavirus in the placenta, in the colostrum and in the umbilical cord blood

OBJETIVO: Determinar a frequência do Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) na placenta, no colostro e no sangue do cordão umbilical de parturientes e seus neonatos atendidos no Ambulatório de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia do Hospital Universitário de Rio Grande (RS), Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas biópsias de 150 placentas do lado materno, 150 do lado fetal, 138 amostras do sangue do cordão umbilical e 118 amostras de colostro. As biópsias de placenta foram coletadas da porção central e periférica. O DNA foi extraído segundo protocolo do fabricante e conforme referência encontrada na literatura. O HPV foi detectado pela técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase aninhada (PCR-Nested) com os primers MY09/11 e GP5/GP6. A genotipagem foi por sequenciamento direto. As participantes responderam a um questionário autoaplicado com dados demográficos e clínicos, a fim de caracterizar a amostra. RESULTADOS: O HPV foi detectado em 4% (6/150) do lado materno das placentas, 3,3% (5/150) do lado fetal; 2,2% (3/138) no sangue do cordão e 0,8% (1/118) no colostro. A taxa de transmissão vertical foi de 50%. O genótipo de baixo risco oncogênico encontrado foi o HPV-6 (60%) e de alto risco, os HPV-16 e HPV-18 (20% cada). CONCLUSÕES: Esses resultados sugerem que o HPV pode infectar a placenta, o colostro e o sangue do cordão umbilical. .

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the placenta, in the colostrum and in the umbilical cord blood of parturient women and their newborns assisted at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Hospital of Rio Grande (RS), Brazil. METHODS: Biopsies were collected from 150 placentas on the maternal side, 150 on the fetal side, 138 samples of umbilical cord blood and 118 of the colostrum. The placenta biopsies were collected from the central and peripheral portions. DNA was extracted according to the manufacturer's protocol and to a reference found in the literature. HPV was detected by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR-Nested) using primers MY09/11 and GP5/GP6. Genotyping was performed by direct sequencing. The participants responded to a self-applied questionnaire with demographic and clinical data, in order to characterize the sample. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 4% (6/150) of cases on the mother's side of the placentas, in 3.3% (5/150) on the fetal side, in 2.2% (3/138) in umbilical cord blood and in 0.84% (1/118) in colostrum samples. The vertical transmission rate was 50%. HPV-6 was the low-risk genotype found (60%) and the high-risk genotypes were HPV-16 and HPV-18 (20% each). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that HPV can infect the placenta, the colostrum and the umbilical cord blood. .

Prevalence of hrrpes simplex virus type 2 and rsk factors associated with thiss infection in women in southern Brazil / Prevalencia do herpes virus tipo 2 e fatores de risco associados a sua infeccao em mulheres do sul do Brasil

SUMMARY The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HVS-2) is the most prevalent infection worldwide. It is a cofactor in the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). This study evaluated the prevalence of HSV-2, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and associated factors in patients treated at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and Basic Health Units (BHU) in Rio Grande, Brazil. The observed prevalence of HSV-2 was 15.6%. Among the 302 women studied, 158 had received assistance in BHU and 144 were treated at FURG. The prevalence of HSV-2 in these groups was 10.8% and 20.8%, respectively, RR 1.9 and p = 0.012. Knowledge about the Pap smear, and the presence of lesions showed no association with HSV-2 infection. Multivariate analysis showed that the variable that most influenced the risk of HSV-2 infection was the presence of HIV infection, with a relative risk of 1.9 and p = 0.04. Discussion: Genital ulcers are an important entry point for HIV, and condom use is an important strategy to reduce transmission of HIV and HSV-2. .

RESUMO O vírus herpes simplex tipo 2 (HVS-2) é uma das infecções mais prevalentes em todo o mundo. Considera-se um co-factor na aquisição do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e na persistência do papilomavirus humano (HPV). Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de HSV-2 usando a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e fatores associados em pacientes atendidos na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande e em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do Rio Grande, Brasil. A prevalência de HSV-2 encontrada neste estudo foi de 15,6%. Entre as 302 mulheres estudadas, 158 haviam recebido assistência na UBS e 144 foram atendidos na FURG. A prevalência de HSV-2 nestes grupos foi de 10,8 e 20,8%, respectivamente, com RR: 1,9 e p = 0,012. Conhecer o exame de Papanicolaou, e presença de lesão não teve associação com infecção HSV-2. A análise multivariada mostrou que a variável que influencia no risco de infecção HSV-2 foi o paciente ter HIV, com risco relativo 1,9 e p = 0,04. Discussão: As úlceras genitais são importante porta de entrada para o vírus HIV e o uso do preservativo é estratégia importante para reduzir a transmissão do HIV e do HSV-2. .

Prevalência de Chlamydia trachomatis e fatores de risco associados à infecção detectada em amostra endocervical / Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and risk factors associated with infection detected in endocervical sample

OBJETIVO: Foi avaliar a prevalência de Chlamydia trachomatis e os fatores de risco associados à infecção em amostras endocervicais de mulheres atendidas em ambulatório de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. MÉTODOS: Amostras de secreção endocervical de 200 mulheres atendidas em Hospital Universitário foram avaliadas para diagnosticar C. trachomatis com uso da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) utilizando primers CT05/CT06 que amplificam 281 pares de bases da principal proteína de membrana externa de C. trachomatis. Todas as participantes responderam a um questionário pré-codificado e autoaplicável. Os dados foram analisados no programa do software SPSS 17.0; para a análise multivariada foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: Das 200 mulheres que foram incluídas no estudo, a prevalência de infecção por C. trachomatis foi de 11% (22 pacientes) e destas 55 (27,5%) foram positivas para o HPV. Os fatores de risco associados à infecção por C. trachomatis foram: ter 8 anos ou menos de escolaridade (p<0,001), renda familiar de até 1 salário mínimo (p=0,005), primeira relação sexual com 15 anos ou menos (p=0,04) e ser portadora do vírus HIV (p<0,001). Após a análise multivariada, apenas as variáveis escolaridade igual ou inferior a oito anos (RP 6,0; IC95% 1,26 - 29,0; p=0,02) e presença do HIV (RP 14,1; IC95% 3,4 - 57,5; p<0,001) permaneceram significantes. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de C. trachomatis em amostras endocervicais pelo método de PCR foi de 11%. Os fatores associados à maior infecção por C. trachomatis foram menor escolaridade e ser portar o vírus HIV.

PURPOSE: It was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and the risk factors associated with infection in endocervical specimens from women seen in outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology. METHODS: Samples of endocervical secretion of 200 women treated at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande were analyzed for the presence of C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers that amplify CT05/CT06 281 base pairs of the main outer membrane protein of C. trachomatis. All participants completed a pre-coded and self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 17.0 software; for multivariate analysis it was used Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of the 200 women who were included in the study, the prevalence of infection with C. trachomatis was 11% (22 patients) and these 55 (27.5%) were positive for HPV. Risk factors associated with infection by C. trachomatis were: 8 years or less of schooling (p<0.001), family income below the poverty level (p=0.005), first intercourse at age 15 or less (p=0.04) and being a carrier of the virus HIV (p<0.001). After multivariate analysis, only the variables of schooling or less than eight years (PR 6.0; 95%CI 1.26 - 29.0; p=0.02) and presence of HIV (RP 14.1; 95%CI 3.4 - 57.5; p<0.001) remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of C. trachomatis in endocervical specimens by PCR was 11%. The factors associated with a higher infection by C. trachomatis were lower education and being HIV positive.

Fatores de risco e prevalência da infecção pelo HPV em pacientes de Unidades Básicas de Saúde e de um Hospital Universitário do Sul do Brasil / Risk factors and prevalence of HPV infection in patients from Basic Health Units of an University Hospital in southern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência e os genótipos do HPV e identificar os fatores associados à infecção em mulheres, gestantes e não gestantes HIV-1 positivas e negativas, atendidas nos Ambulatórios de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia e em Unidades Básicas de Saúde em Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Amostras de células cervicais de 302 mulheres foram analisadas para presença de HPV e genótipos por reação em cadeia da polimerase, aninhada e em sequenciamento. Foram calculadas as razões de prevalência associadas às variáveis estudadas por meio do teste exato de Fisher ou χ² e de regressão de Poisson. Foram excluídas as participantes sem material suficiente para realizar a extração de DNA. RESULTADOS: Das 302 mulheres incluídas no estudo, o HPV foi detectado em 55 (18,2%); destas, 31 eram gestantes, apresentando uma associação significativa para a presença do HPV (p=0,04) quando comparadas às não gestantes. Os fatores de risco para infecção foram: pacientes com idades <20 anos (p=0,04), início precoce das relações sexuais (p=0,04), ausência do exame citopatológico (p=0,01), diagnóstico de citopatológico alterado (p=0,001) e contagem <349 células/mm³ (p=0,05). No entanto, a multiparidade constitui-se como fator de proteção para a infecção (p=0,01). Na análise multivariada, demonstrou-se que idade <20 anos (RP=2,8; IC95% 1,0 - 7,7, p=0,04) e diagnóstico de citopatológico alterado (RP=11,1; IC95% 3,0 - 4,1, p=0,001) persistiram associadas significativamente à infecção. O genótipo foi determinado em 47 amostras (85,4%), apresentando um por infecção: oito HPV 16 e 58; seis HPV 6; quatro HPV 18 e 33; três HPV 53 e 82; dois HPV 83 e 61; um HPV 31, 35, 45, 64, 68, 71 e 85. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de detecção do HPV foi de 18,2%, os genótipos mais frequentes foram o 16 e 58, sendo que fatores sociodemográficos e ginecológicos apresentaram associação com a infecção viral.

PURPOSE: To determine the HPV prevalence and genotypes and to identify factors associated with infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women with positive or negative HIV-1, treated in Gynecology and Obstetrics Ambulatories and in Health Primary Units, in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. METHODS: Cervical cells samples from 302 patients were analyzed for HPV presence and genotypes were determined by nested and sequencing polymerase chain reaction. We calculated prevalence ratios associated with the studied variables by Fisher's exact or χ² tests, and Poisson's regression. Women with insufficient material were excluded from the study. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 55 of the 302 women included in the study (18.2%); of these, 31 were pregnant, showing a significant association for HPV (p=0.04) when compared to non-pregnant ones. Risk factors for the infection were: patients aged <20 years-old (p=0.04), early initiation of sexual life (p=0.04), absence of cytological test (p=0.01), diagnosis of altered cytology (p=0.001), and counting <349 cells/mm³ (p=0.05). However, multi-parity was found to be a protective factor for the infection (p=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that age <20 years-old (PR=2.8; 95%CI 1.0 - 7.7, p=0.04) and an altered cytological result (PR=11.1; 95%CI 3.0 - 4.1, p=0.001) were significantly associated with infection. HPV genotype was determined in 47 samples (85.4%) presenting one genotype per infection: eight HPV 16 and 58; six HPV 6; four HPV 18 and 33; three HPV 53 and 82; two HPV 83 and 61; one HPV 31, 35, 45, 64, 68, 71 and 85. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HPV detection was 18.2%, the most frequent genotypes were 16 and 58, and sociodemographic and gynecological factors were associated with viral infection.

Co-infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in pregnant women from southern Brazil: high rate of intraepithelial cervical lesions

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-positive) pregnant women require specific prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The efficacy of established approaches is further challenged by co-infection with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infections in pregnant women infected with different HIV-1 subtypes and to relate these findings, together with additional demographic and clinical parameters, to maternal and infant outcomes. Blood samples from pregnant women were collected and tested for syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Human papillomavirus (HPV) diagnosis was evaluated by the presence of alterations in the cervical epithelium detected through a cytopathological exam. Medical charts provided patient data for the mothers and children. Statistical analyses were conducted with STATA 9.0. We found a prevalence of 10.8 percent for HCV, 2.3 percent for chronic HBV, 3.1 percent for syphilis and 40.8 percent for HPV. Of those co-infected with HPV, 52.9 percent presented high-grade intraepithelial lesions or in situ carcinoma. Prematurity, birth weight, Apgar 1' and 5' and Capurro scores were similar between co-infected and non-co-infected women. The presence of other STDs did not impact maternal and concept outcomes. More than half of the patients presenting cervical cytology abnormalities suggestive of HPV had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer, evidencing an alarming rate of these lesions.

The effect of combined polymorphisms in chemokines and chemokine receptors on the clinical course of HIV-1 infection in a Brazilian population

Polymorphisms in genes that encode chemokines or their receptors can modulate susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and disease progression. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of polymorphisms CCR5-Δ32, CCR2-64I, CCR5-59029A and SDF1-3'A and their role in the course of HIV infection in a Southern Brazilian population. Clinical data were obtained from 249 patients for an average period of 6.4 years and genotypes were determined by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Survival analyses were conducted for three outcomes: CD4+ T-cell counts below 200 cells/µL, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or death. The frequency of the polymorphisms CCR5-Δ32, CCR2-64I, CCR5-59029A and SDF1-3'A were 0.024, 0.113, 0.487 and 0.207, respectively. CCR5-Δ32 was associated with a reduction in the risk for CD4+ T-cell depletion and with an increased risk for death after AIDS diagnosis. CCR2-64I was associated with a reduction in the risk for developing AIDS. SDF1-3'A was also associated with decreased risk for AIDS, but its effect was only evident when CCR2-64I was present as well. These results highlight the possibility of using these markers as indicators for the prognosis of disease progression and provide evidence for the importance of analysing the effects of gene polymorphisms in a combined fashion.

Papilomavírus humano: prevalência e genótipos encontrados em mulheres HIV positivas e negativas, em um centro de referência no extremo Sul do Brasil / Human papillomavirus: prevalence and genotypes found among HIV-positive and negative women at a reference center in the far south of Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar a presença do papilomavírus humano e verificar a prevalência e distribuição dos genótipos HPV-6, -11, -16 e -18 em mulheres HIV-1 positivas e negativas. MÉTODOS: Analisou-se amostras de secreção cervical de 98 mulheres por reação em cadeia da polimerase nested para presença do HPV e tipo-específica para detecção dos genótipos, sendo estes confirmados por análise dos fragmentos de restrição. Realizou-se os testes do qui-quadrado e Fisher para a análise estatística. RESULTADOS: O DNA-HPV foi observado em 66,3 por cento das amostras analisadas, 76,4 por cento no grupo HIV positivo e 60 por cento no grupo HIV negativo (p=0,1). Uma prevalência maior de infecção viral por genótipos oncogênicos foi observada no grupo de pacientes HIV positivo (65,2 por cento) quando comparado ao grupo HIV negativo (28,6 por cento), (p=0,006), sendo HPV-16 foi o mais frequente nos dois grupos, seguido pelo HPV-18. CONCLUSÕES: Sugere-se que mulheres HIV positivas apresentam maior probabilidade de se infectar por genótipos oncogênicos de HPV, ressaltando a importância de um programa de rastreamento e diagnóstico diferenciado para este grupo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was detect the presence of human papillomavirus and investigate the prevalence and distribution of the HPV-6, 11, 16 and 18 genotypes among HIV-1 positive and negative women. METHODS: Samples of cervical smears from 98 women were analyzed using the nested polymerase chain reaction for the presence of HPV and using the type-specific technique for genotype detection. Genotypes were confirmed by means of restriction fragment analysis. The chi-square and Fisher tests were performed for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: HPV-DNA was observed in 66.3 percent of the samples analyzed: 76.4 percent in the HIV-positive group and 60 percent in the HIV-negative group (p = 0.1). Higher prevalence of viral infection due to oncogenic genotypes was observed in the HIV-positive group (65.2 percent) than in the HIV-negative group (28.6 percent), (p = 0.006), and HPV-16 was the most frequent in the two groups, followed by HPV-18. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that HIV-positive women present a higher likelihood of infection by oncogenic HPV genotypes, and the importance of a screening and differential diagnosis program for this group is highlighted.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

We conducted a molecular epidemiological study to investigate HIV-1 strains in Rio Grande, southern Brazil, searching for an association with transmission mode and risk behavior. Patients (185) identified at an AIDS treatment reference Hospital, from 1994 to 1997, were included; from which 107 blood samples were obtained. Nested PCR was realized once for each sample; for amplified samples (69) HIV subtypes were classified using the heteroduplex mobility assay. Subtypes identified were B (75 percent), C (22 percent) and F (3 percent). All infections with C were diagnosed after 1994. Comparing patients with B and C, no differences were detected regarding demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics; survival analysis did not reveal differences in HIV to AIDS evolution. A higher proportion of injecting drug users, IDU (not significant, p<.07) was found among those with C. This suggests that C may have been introduced in this area through IDU, and is being spread, probably by their sexual partners, to persons with other risk practices