Vacunas en pacientes con VIH/SIDA / Immunizations in HIV/AIDS patients

Los sujetos con infección por Virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) tienen mayor susceptibilidad de adquirir infecciones por su deterioro inmunológico. Según el deterioro inmunológico y el uso de terapia antiretroviral (TARV) en niños y adultos VIH (+), la intensidad de la respuesta inmune a las vacunas es menor que la población general. Por este motivo es preferible administrar vacunas una vez que la TARV haya permitido la inmunoreconstitución, y se recomiendan dosis de refuerzo. Por otra parte, las vacunas vivas atenuadas deben ser usadas con precaución, y están contraindicadas en inmunosupresión severa.

Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more susceptible to acquiring infections due to their immune deterioration. The intensity of the immune response to vaccines is lower than general population, depending on immune status and the use of antiretroviral therapy (ARV). For this reason, it is preferable to administer vaccines once ART has allowed immune reconstitution, and booster doses are recommended. On the other hand, live vaccines should be used with caution, and are contraindicated in severe immunosuppression.

Principais manifestações bucais em pacientes pediátricos HIV positivos e o efeito da terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa / Most common oral manifestations in pediatric patients HIV positive and the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Resumo Esta revisão integrativa da literatura tem por objetivo identificar as principais lesões bucais que afetam pacientes pediátricos com HIV, bem como descrever o efeito da terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa (HAART) sobre essas lesões, comparando-a com a terapia antirretroviral (ART). Foi feita uma busca nas bases de dados PubMed e Scielo, seguindo critérios de inclusão e exclusão pré-determinados. Foram selecionados dezenove artigos científicos e extraídas as informações principais sobre prevalência e a frequência das manifestações bucais em pacientes pediátricos HIV positivos e o efeito da terapêutica aplicada. As lesões mais frequentes foram candidíase oral, gengivite, aumento das parótidas e eritema gengival linear. O uso da HAART mostrou diminuir a prevalência das manifestações bucais nos pacientes pediátricos com HIV e ser mais eficaz que a ART. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que a manifestação bucal mais frequente em pacientes pediátricos com HIV é a candidíase oral, seguida de alterações como gengivite e aumento das glândulas parótidas. O uso de HAART parece reduzir a prevalência dessas lesões orais, apresentando resultados mais eficazes que os da ART.

Abstract This integrative literature review aims to identify the main oral lesions affecting pediatric patients with HIV, and describe the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on these injuries, comparing it to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A search was conducted in PubMed and Scielo databases, following predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. 19 papers were selected and the main information on the prevalence and frequency of oral manifestations in HIV-positive pediatric patients and effect of therapy applied were extracted. The most frequent injuries were oral candidiasis, gingivitis, parotid gland enlargement and linear gingival erythema. The use of HAART shown to reduce the prevalence of oral manifestations in pediatric patients with HIV and be more effective than ART. The findings of this study suggest that the most frequent oral manifestation in HIV-infected children is oral candidiasis, followed by changes such as gingivitis and enlargement parotid glands. The use of HAART appears to reduce the prevalence of these oral lesions, showing more effective results than ART.

Treatment adherence in patients living with HIV/AIDS assisted at a specialized facility in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In the 1990s, Brazil adopted a public policy that allowed for universal, free access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Since then, treatment adherence has become a new challenge for administrators of sexually transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) policies. This study quantified adherence to ART and verified whether there is an association between sociodemographic variables and clinical/laboratory data in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, exploratory study with a quantitative approach that was conducted over 8 months. The target population contained patients who were assisted at the ambulatory care facility specialized in STD/AIDS of a medium-size city located in Northwest São Paulo. In order to verify the level of adherence to ART, a validated CEAT-VIH (Assessment of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Questionnaire) questionnaire was used. Sociodemographic aspects and clinical/laboratory data were obtained from the medical records. The results were analyzed using the Student's t-test and Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS Herein, 109 patients were interviewed, 56% of whom were male. The age of the population ranged 18-74 years (mean 45.67 years). Adherence to ART was classified as insufficient in 80.7% of cases. There was an association between ART adherence and presence of symptoms and/or opportunistic infection (p=0.008) and economic status (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to ART among HIV carriers cared for by the public health system is low. Patients who reported a favorable economic status and those without symptoms and/or opportunistic infection demonstrated greater treatment adherence than those who needed to take more than 3 pills a day.

Vaccination status of people living with HIV/AIDS in outpatient care in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Abstract Antiretroviral therapy has increased the survival of patients with HIV/AIDS, thus necessitating health promotion practice with immunization. Vaccines are critical components for protecting people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The purpose of study was to analyze the vaccination status of PLWHA in outpatient care in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Cross-sectional study performed from June 2014 to June 2015. The screening was done with patients in antiretroviral therapy, 420 patients underwent screening, but only 99 met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected for interviews using forms to characterize sociodemographic, clinical and vaccination situations. Only 14 patients had complete vaccination schedules. The most used vaccines were hepatitis B, influenza vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal. There was no difference between men and women regarding the proportion of PLWHA with full vaccination schedule or between sex, skin color, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or occupational status. There was no difference between having or not having a complete vaccination schedule and age, years of education, family income or number of hospitalizations. CD4+ T-cells count of patients with incomplete immunization was lower than patients with complete immunization. Health education strategies can be done individually or in groups to explain the importance of vaccination and to remind about doses to be administered. Most patients did not have proper adherence to vaccination schedules, especially due to lack of guidance. Results implied that education in health is important for vaccination adhesion, knowledge of adverse events and continuation of schemes.

Sistema de acciones para la prevención de la neurotoxoplasmosis en personas con VIH y SIDA / System of actions to prevent neurotoxoplasmosis in persons with HIV and AIDS

La neurotoxoplasmosis está asociada a la inmunodeficiencia y su expresión es mayoritariamente entre personas con VIH y SIDA, es la infección oportunista que con mayor frecuencia afecta el sistema nervioso en personas inmunodeprimidas por lo que todo acercamiento a la prevención desde la metodología de pares permite la reducción de riesgos y la reducción de daños. Se desarrolló un sistema de acciones para la prevención de la neurotoxoplasmosis en personas con VIH y SIDA. Se describe la etapa de capacitación de capacitadores, que se inició con un diagnóstico de actitudes basada en los conocimientos y prácticas que indican la percepción de riesgo a la infección por Toxoplasma gondii. Las personas con VIH que se formaron como capacitadores tienen actitudes positivas para reconocerse en riesgo ante la neurotoxoplasmosis como enfermedad oportunista y disponerse a multiplicar el aprendizaje pues accionaron como educadores pares. La implementación de las tres primeras etapas del sistema de acciones por parte de los voluntarios profesionalizados en el tema facilita las acciones de los profesionales de salud en el camino para la prevención secundaria y terciaria. El propósito de desarrollar un sistema de acciones para la prevención primaria, detección temprana y tratamiento oportuno de la neurotoxoplasmosis en personas con VIH y SIDA se logró a través de representantes de equipos de ayuda mutua del país. Resultó de gran valor identificar las actitudes ante la neurotoxoplasmosis como enfermedad oportunista en personas con VIH y SIDA, todo lo que facilita el camino a la prevención secundaria a través de la terapéutica específica.

Neurotoxoplasmosis is associated to immunodeficiency and it expresses mainly in persons with HIV and AIDS; it is the opportunistic infection that more frequently affects the nervous system in inmunodepressed persons so any approach to its prevention from the methodology of pairs allows decreasing risks and damages. We developed a system of actions for preventing neurotoxoplasmosis in persons with HIV and AIDS. We describe the capacitation of trainers which began with the diagnosis of attitudes based in knowledge and practices indicating the risk perception of the Toxoplasma gondii infection. Persons with HIV formed as trainers have positive attitudes for recognizing the risk of neurotoxoplasmosis as opportunistic disease and being ready to multiply knowledge because they acted as pair educators. The implementation of the three first stages of the action system by volunteers professionalized in the theme facilitates the health professionals’ actions in the way for the secondary and tertiary prevention. The purpose of developing a system of actions for the neurotoxoplasmosis primary prevention, early detection and opportune treatment in persons with HIV and AIDS was achieved through representers of the mutual help teams of the country. Identifying attitudes toward neurotoxoplasmosis as opportunistic disease in persons with HIV and AIDS was of great value, as it makes easy the way to the secondary prevention through the specific therapeutic.

Hansen's disease: a vanishing disease?

The introduction, implementation, successes and failures of multidrug therapy (MDT) in all Hansen's disease endemic countries are discussed in this paper. The high efficacy of leprosy treatment with MDT and the global reduction of prevalence led the World Health Organization, in 1991, to establish the goal of elimination of Hansen's disease (less than 1 patient per 10,000 inhabitants) to be accomplished by the year 2000. Brazil, Nepal and East Timor are among the few countries that didn't reach the elimination goal by the year 2000 or even 2005. The implications of these aspects are highlighted in this paper. Current data from endemic and previously endemic countries that carry a regular leprosy control programme show that the important fall in prevalence was not followed by the reduction of the incidence. This means that transmission of Mycobacterium leprae is still an issue. It is reasonable to conclude that we are still far from the most important goal of Hansen's disease control: the interruption of transmission and reduction of incidence. It is necessary to emphasize to health managers the need of keeping Hansen's disease control activities to better develop control programmes in the future. The recent international proposal to interrupt the transmission of leprosy by the year 2020 seems to unrealistic and it is discussed in this paper. The possibility of epidemiological impact related to the human immunodeficiency virus/Hansen's disease coinfection is also considered.

Neurologic complications of HIV in the HAART era: where are we?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurological complications continue to occur despite the development in antiretroviral treatment. New forms of old opportunistic infections and increased prevalence of neurocognitive disorders are the challenges that infectious diseases specialists face in daily clinic. How to screen and treat these disorders are subject of debate and new studies are underway to answer these questions. This review focuses on a brief discussion about opportunistic infections still present in late diagnosed HIV-infected patients and describes new forms of HIV-related neurological complications.

Physician adherence to guidelines for tuberculosis and HIV care in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection among HIV-infected patients in Brazil. Brazil's national policy for HIV care recommends screening for latent tuberculosis (TB) and implementing isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). OBJECTIVES: We compared physician adherence to TB screening and other prevention and care policies among HIV primary care clinics in Rio de Janeiro City. METHODS: Data on performance of CD4 counts, viral load testing, tuberculin skin testing (TST) and IPT were abstracted from patient charts at 29 HIV clinics in Rio de Janeiro as part of the TB/HIV in Rio (THRio) study. Data on use of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis were also abstracted from a convenience sample of 150 patient charts at 10 HIV clinics. Comparisons were made between rates of adherence to TB guidelines and other HIV care guidelines. RESULTS: Among the subset of 150 patients with confirmed HIV infection in 2003, 96 percent had at least one reported CD4 counts result; 93 percent had at least one viral load result reported; and, PCP prophylaxis was prescribed for 97 percent of patients with CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm³ or when clinically indicated. In contrast, 67 patients (45 percent) had a TST performed (all eligible); and only 11 percent (17) of eligible patients started IPT. Among 12,027 THRio cohort participants between 2003 and 2005, the mean number of CD4 counts and viral load counts was 2.5 and 1.9, respectively, per patient per year. In contrast, 49 percent of 8,703 eligible patients in THRio had a TST ever performed and only 53 percent of eligible patients started IPT. CONCLUSION: Physicians are substantially more compliant with HIV monitoring and PCP prophylaxis than with TB prophylaxis guidelines. Efforts to improve TB control in HIV patients are badly needed.

Desarrollo de neoplasias e infecciones definitorias de sida después de iniciar la terapia antirretroviral de alta eficacia / Development of AIDS-related malignancies and infections after starting HAART

Con el objetivo de evaluar la incidencia de neoplasias e infecciones definitorias de Sida (NIDS) y los posibles factores asociados a su desarrollo luego de iniciada la terapia antirretroviral de alta eficacia (HAART) analizamos las historias clínicas de los pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento entre julio 2003 y octubre 2007. Todos recibieron profilaxis con trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol y azitromicina según la recomendación actual. Evaluamos el desarrollo de NIDS en los 6 meses posteriores al inicio de la terapia y su asociación con variables clínicas y epidemiológicas. Analizamos 235 historias clínicas: 118 mujeres (50.2%) y 117 hombres (49.8%). Observamos 11 casos de NIDS: 3 formas pulmonares y 3 ganglionares de tuberculosis, 3 meningitis por Criptococcus neoformans, 1 chagoma cerebral y 1 linfoma no Hodgkin. Presentar recuento de células CD4 menor a 100 o 150 células/ml se asoció con riesgo de desarrollar NIDS. La media de células CD4 fue 73 en los pacientes que desarrollaron NIDS y 143 en los que no la desarrollaron. No hubo asociación con las otras variables analizadas. En pacientes con CD4 menor a 150 células/ml observamos un caso de chagoma cerebral entre 4 con serología reactiva para Chagas, y ninguno de toxoplasmosis cerebral entre 46 con serología reactiva para toxoplasmosis. Concluimos que la tasa de incidencia de NIDS fue del 4.7%, siendo tuberculosis en primer lugar y criptococosis en segundo las enfermedades más frecuentemente observadas. Presentar bajo recuento de células CD4 se asoció de manera significativa al desarrollo de NIDS. Debería reevaluarse el rol de la quimioprofilaxis.

In order to evaluate the incidence rate and possible risk factors associated with AIDS-related malignancies and infections (ARMI) we performed data analysis of clinical charts of HIV patients in two hospital cohorts, that started high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) between July 2003 and October 2007. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and azytromicin prophylaxis was provided according to current guidelines. We evaluated development of ARMI six months after-starting HAART and its association with clinical and epidemiological variables. Of 235 patients analyzed -118 women (50.2%) and 117 men (49.8%)- 11 presented ARMI: 3 pulmonary TB and 3 lymph nodes TB cases, 3 cases with meningeal Cryptococcus, one Chagas' disease presenting brain mass and one with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ARMI incidence: 4.7%. A CD4 cell count < 100/150 was associated with risk of developing ARMI. The mean CD4 cell count was 73 in patients who developed ARMI and 143 in those who did not. No association was found with the other analyzed variables. In the CD4 cell count < 150 group one out of 4 patients with reactive serology presented Chagas's disease causing brain mass; none of the 46 patients with reactive serology presented toxoplasmosis encephalitis. The incidence rate of ARMI was 4.7%. TB in first place and cryptococcosis in second were the AIDS events more frequently observed. A low CD4 cell count was the only observed risk factor statistically associated with development of ARMI. The role of prophylaxis in this population should be re-evaluated.

Effectiveness and safety of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis for HIV-1 infected patients from Rio de Janeiro

The clinical and epidemiological characteristics, adverse events, treatment adherence and effectiveness of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis were analyzed in a cohort of 138 tuberculosis/HIV-coinfected patients. An open, non-randomized, pragmatic prophylactic trial was conducted on adult patients with a normal chest X-ray and positive tuberculin skin test (> 5 mm) who received isoniazid chemoprophylaxis (300 mg/day) for six months. The mean of follow up was 2.8 years (SD 1.3). Adherence to chemoprophylaxis was 87.7 percent (121/138). Only one patient presented tuberculosis after the end of chemoprophylaxis, corresponding to 0.3 cases per 100 persons per year. The relative risk of some adverse effects was 4.6 times higher (95 percent CI: 1.9-11.5) in patients with positive anti-HCV serology (4/9, 44.4 percent) compared to those with negative serology (12/129, 9.6 percent) (p = 0.002). This study provides evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of a short and self-administered isoniazid regimen. We recommend the implementation of this routine by health service practitioners.

Tuberculosis en el paciente con infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Tuberculosis in HIV positive individuals

Tuberculosis (TB) is worldwide one of the leading causes of death in HIV infected individuals. In Chile, TB rates have fallen dramatically in the general population and new cases are being progressively restricted to high risk groups, particularly immunosupressed individuals. In these patients diagnostic tests have decreased sensitivity and TB frequently evolves to disseminated and rapidly progressive forms. Besides, the concurrent treatment of HIV infection and TB adds further toxicities and the possibility of significant interactions. In this article we review the particularities and advances in diagnostic and therapeutic aspeets of TB in the HIV infected patient.

La tuberculosis (TBC) es una de las principales causas de muerte en el mundo en individuos con infección por VIH. En Chile, su incidencia en la población general se ha reducido significativamente y esta enfermedad se ha ido centrando en grupos de alto riesgo, en particular los inmuno suprimidos. En estos pacientes las pruebas diagnósticas tienen sensibilidad inferior y la enfermedad evoluciona con mayor frecuencia hacia formas diseminadas y rápidamente progresivas. El tratamiento simultáneo de la infección por VIH y la enfermedad tuberculosa aumenta la complejidad al sumar toxicidades e interacciones. En este artículo revisamos las particularidades y los avances que han surgido, tanto en el diagnóstico como el tratamiento de la TBC, en el paciente co-infectado con VIH.

Vacunación para hepatitis B en pacientes adultos infectados con virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Hepatitis B vaccine in patients with human immunodeficiency vinas infection

Hepatitis B is a public health problem in the entire world, mainly among HIV infected people in whom the coinfection change the course, natural history and morbi-mortality of the disease. Because of this, it is imperative to design strategies to prevent hepatitis B infection in HIV patients. Vaccination is the most important tool for prevention, although its efficacy varies according to immunologic and virologic status of the patient.

La infección por virus de hepatitis B (VHB) representa un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, especialmente entre las personas infectadas con el VIH, en quienes la coinfección modifica el curso y la historia natural de la enfermedad, así como la morbimortalidad, lo cual hace imperativo diseñar estrategias encaminadas a la prevención de la infección por VHB en pacientes infectados con VIH. La vacunación constituye la forma más importante de prevención, aunque su efectividad se ve alterada, de acuerdo al estado inmunológico y virológico del paciente.

Comorbidades e manifestações bucais em pacientes idosos HIV positivos / Comorbidities and bucal manifestations in HIV-positive older patients

A epidemia do HIV/AIDS vive o final de sua terceira década seguida por importantes avanços terapêuticos e uma considerável expectativa de vida dos pacientes infectados. Diversas comorbidades têm sido frequentemente observadas, relacionadas com o próprio envelhecimento e/ou com o uso de terapia antiretroviral por tempo prolongado. As manifestações bucais oportunistas tornam-se mais raras, e outras alterações estão se tornando mais prevalentes e merecem atenção do cirurgião-dentista. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a prevalência de comorbidades e de manifestações bucais em pacientes idosos portadores de HIV atendidos no CAPE-FOUSP, e analisa-las de acordo com dados demográficos e estado imunológico dos pacientes. Foram avaliados prontuários de 61 pacientes, de onde foram coletados dados demográficos e relativos à infecção pelo HIV. Todos os pacientes exibiam alguma comorbidade. Quarenta e um (70,5%) pacientes apresentaram ao menos uma manifestação bucal relacionada ao HIV, sendo as mais freqüentes a candidíase oral e a xerostomia. É importante que o cirurgião-dentista conheça o perfil do paciente HIV positivo idoso, as condições bucais mais observadas e as comorbidades mais frequentes, especialmente as que apresentem repercussões no manejo odontológico.

HIV/AIDS epidemic lives the end of its third decade followed by important advances in the therapy and life expectancy of the infect patients, with a growing number of HIV-positive older patients. Some comorbidities are becoming more common, related with aging and the long-term use of some antiretroviral medications. Some buccal manifestations are still considered important markers of HIV progression. Although, some lesions are becoming more frequent. All of them deserve attention by the dentist. Based on this, this article purpose is to verify the prevalence of comorbidities and HIV-related buccal manifestations on older patients attended on HIV-positive patients of Special Care Dentistry Center of Sao Paulo University (CAPE-FOUSP), and analyze them according to demographic data and immunologic status of the patients. Sixty-one patients were evaluated retrospectively and information about HIV infection and demographic data were collected. All patients comorbidities. Forty-three patients (75,5%) exhibited at least one buccal manifestation and the frequent are oral candidiasis and xerostomia. Is important for the oral health provider know the current profile of HIV-positive older patient, witch includes associated oral conditions and the most frequent comorbidities, especially those that demand changes in the dental management.

Impacto de la inmunodepresión basal y su grado de recuperación al año de terapia antirretroviral en sobrevida, complicaciones oportunistas y reacción de recuperación inmune / Impact of baseline CD4 count, immune recoveny and viral suppression at 7 year of first highly active antiretroviral therapy on survival, AIDS defining events and immune recovery reactions

Background: Baseline (BL) CD4 cell count is a major factor in outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); treatment induced immune recovery and viral response can modulate this outcome. Aim: To evaluate the association between baseline CD4 cell count and outcome during the first HAART régimen. Material and methods: Prospective study in 2,050 patients on first HAART with a follow up (f/u) ofat least 1 year. All had BL CD4 and viral load (VL) counts which were repeated at least twice a year. Patients were grouped according to BL CD4 (cells/mm³) in <100 (Gl), 100-199 (G2) and ≥ (G3). Groups were further divided according to immune and vírologícal response at 1 year in CD4 > or < 200 and VL detectable or undetectable (<80 copies/mL). Outcome measures were death, ALUS defining events (ADE) and, as a surrogate marker of immune recovery reaction, herpes zoster (HZ). Resulte: During the first year of follow up, 113 patients (10.8 percent) diedin Gl (n =1,044), 17 (2.5 percent) in G2 (n =675) (Gl-2 p <0.05) and 9 (2.7 percent) in G3 (n =331) (G2-3 p NS). One hundred twenty five of919 (13.6 percent) patients alive at 1 year had ADE in Gl, 55/643 (8.5 percent) in G2 (p <0.05) and 20/320 (5.2 percent) in G3 (G2-3 p NS). ADEs with follow up CD4 >vs< 200 were: 25/274 (9.1 percent) vs 100/643 (15 7 percent) in Gl (p <0.005); 28/404 (6.9 percent) vs 27/235 (11.2 percent) in G2 (p NS) and 18/281 (6.4 percent) vs 2/41 (4.8 percent) in G3 respectively (p NS). Detectable VL was an additional risk for ADE only in Gl without CD4 recovery. HZ was seen in 6.6 percent of Gl vs 4 percent in G2 (p <0.05) and 4.3 percent in G3. HZ rate was higher in all groups reaching a follow up CD4 >200 than those who did not, with a statistically significant difference at p <0.05 only in Gl (9.5 percent vs 5.3 percent). Conclusions: The occurrence of death and ADE during the first year of HAART was significantly higher in patients with aBL CD4...

Assistência aos pacientes com HIV/Aids no Brasil / Health care to HIV/AIDS patients in Brazil

O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a assistência à população com Aids no Brasil e a capacidade do Sistema Unico de Saúde (SUS) de prover intervenções para enfrentamento da epidemia e discutir a sustentabilidade da iniciativa brasileira de distribuição universal e gratuita dos anti-retrovirais. O trabalho considerou dados originais de uma pesquisa sobre a capacidade potencial de distribuição de uma futura vacina anti-HIV no Brasil, envolvendo 119 entrevistados. Nas abordagens da assistência hospitalar e da assistência farmacêutica foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS e do Sistema de Controle Logístico de Medicamentos do Programa Nacional de DST/Aids. Os resultados mostraram bom desempenho da política de distribuição de anti-retrovirais. Entretanto, o acesso ao tratamento de doenças oportunistas foi deficitário. Os valores pagos pelo Sistema Unico de Saúde pelas internações por Aids mantiveram-se muito baixos, com valor médio em torno de R$700,00, em 2004. A assistência a pacientes com HIV/Aids no Brasil tem sido tratada como um direito do cidadão, com o respaldo de uma articulação efetiva entre as esferas de governo e a sociedade civil. Os desafios que se colocam atualmente dizem respeito ao monitoramento mais fino dos processos e resultados obtidos e à sustentabilidade da distribuição universal e gratuita de anti-retrovirais.