Influence of exposure and vertical transmission of HIV-1 on the neuropsychomotor development in children

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 during pregnancy is a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental delay and deleterious effects in children. However, limited information about these conditions exists in poor geographical areas in Brazil. Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV-1 is dealt differently in different regions of the country and in poorer areas it is more difficult to evaluate the impact of the prevention methods. The outcomes of the exposure to HIV-1 and the impact of vertical HIV-1 transmission on neuropsychomotor development was evaluated for the first time in children born to HIV-infected mothers in the North region of Brazil, where the majority of the population has poor access to health services. METHODS: Sixty children born to HIV-1-infected mothers (case group) and 58 born to non-infected mothers (control group) were followed for the first 12 months of life in a prospective case-control study. Neuropsychomotor development was assessed using the Denver II test. RESULTS: Suspected neuropsychomotor developmental delays were more frequent in the case group (33.3%), namely in language (38.9%) and gross motor skills (27.8%). These delays were reversed in most children after 12 months of life due to therapeutic intervention. The delays were not reversed in three children, all of whom belonged to the case group. Only one of these was infected with HIV-1, and this child had the poorest neuropsychomotor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HIV-1 infection negatively affected the neuropsychomotor development in children, although other factors may have played a role.

Association of serum levels of C-reactive protein with CRP-717 T/C polymorphism and viremia in HCV and HBV carriers

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the association of the rs2794521 polymorphism in the CRP gene in individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C, correlating it with markers of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis scores, viral load, and plasma protein levels. METHODS: The study analyzed 185 blood samples obtained from patients with hepatitis B (n=74) and hepatitis C (n=111) and 300 samples from healthy donors. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels were quantified using the automated immunoturbidimetric method. RESULTS: The TT genotype was the most frequent in all studied groups and was associated with higher plasma levels of the protein but not with the progression of liver disease. Low levels of C-reactive protein were associated with increased viremia and scores indicative of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrated a close relationship between the ability of the virus to replicate and cause liver damage and low serum concentrations of C-reactive protein. Future research may determine if these results can be interpreted as a possible form of escape for the virus by decreasing its action as an opsonin and decreasing phagocytosis, which are functions of C-reactive protein in the immune response.