Corticosteroid therapy associated with COVID-19: an ally or a risk factor for the establishment of secondary fungal co-infections?

Corticosteroid therapy to combat inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a risk factor for developing secondary fungal co-infections. PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched, with the following word groups: [(aspergillosis OR mucormycosis OR candidiasis) AND (coronavirus disease) AND (corticoids). The selected articles present the main risk factors related to the establishment of secondary fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Corticosteroid therapy used to combat inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be strongly associated with the establishment of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Mucormycosis has been the main fungal co-infection related to corticosteroid therapy, causing a high number of deaths in COVID-19 patients. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent comorbidity, especially for the establishment of mucormycosis. Dexamethasone use seems to be associated with mucormycosis emergence and death. However, aspergillosis showed a greater relationship with patient recovery. Thus, risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, combined with corticosteroid use, have shown a relationship to the establishment of mucormycosis. The corticosteroids used in COVID-19 patients should be individually analyzed, considering the patient's medical history and the risk/benefit ratio of the use of these drugs.

Drug selection for simultaneous treatment of tuberculosis combined with hepatitis C virus infection / 中华肝脏病杂志

Clinically, patients with tuberculosis (TB) combined with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often require simultaneous treatment. Consequently, when anti-HCV and TB drugs are used in combination drug-drug interactions (DDIs), anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and liver disease states need to be considered. This paper focuses on discussing the metabolic mechanisms of commonly used anti-TB and HCV drugs and the selection options of combined drugs, so as to provide rational drug use for TB patients combined with HCV infection.

Successful treatment of a patient with cutaneous co-infection caused by Mucor irregularis and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract The authors report a rare case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis and cutaneous Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in a 67-year-old Chinese woman. After the administration of liposomal amphotericin B combined with cefoperazone/sulbactam sodium, the patient recovered. Invasive fungal infection combined with cutaneous bacterial infection should receive attention.

Hiperinfección por Strongyloides en paciente de la Patagonia con co-infección por HTLV-1 / Strongyloides hyperinfection in patient from Patagonia with HTLV-1 co-infection

La estrongiloidiasis es una afección desatendida causada por el parásito Strongyloides stercoralis. En los individuos inmunosuprimidos, fundamentalmente en los que tienen depresión de la inmunidad celular, puede desarrollarse el síndrome de hiperinfección por Strongyloides. La coinfección con virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de formas graves de estrongiloidiasis. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 50 años con hiperinfección por Strongyloides y coinfección con HTLV. Se demoró el diagnóstico debido a su epidemiología inusual y a la sospecha inicial de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. El diagnóstico se confirmó mediante la identificación del parásito en muestras de lavado bronquio-alveolar y biopsias de mucosa duodenal y colónica. Se utilizó ivermectina subcutánea como tratamiento antihelmíntico con adecuada respuesta terapéutica.

Strongylodiasis is an unattended condition caused by the parasite Strongyloides stercoralis. The Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome can develop in immunosuppressed hosts, mainly in those with depression of cellular immunity. Co-infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is a risk factor for the development of severe forms of strongyloidiasis. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with Strongyloides hyperinfection and coinfection with HTLV. The diagnosis was delayed owing to its unusual epidemiology and an initial suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease. Identification of the parasite in bronchioalveolar lavage and duodenal and colonic mucosa biopsies confirmed the diagnosis. Subcutaneous ivermectin was used as an anthelmintic treatment with an adequate therapeutic response.

Factores asociados a sobrevida en pacientes con co-infección VIH-TBC en el Servicio de Infectología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Perú, durante los años 2004-2012 / Factors associated to survival in patients with HIV-TB in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital, Perú, since 2004 to 2012

Resumen Introducción La principal causa de muerte en pacientes infectados con VIH es la tuberculosis (TBC). Pocos estudios latinoamericanos han evaluado la sobrevida de pacientes co-infectados. Objetivo Determinar factores asociados a sobrevida en pacientes con co-infección VIH-TBC atendidos en un hospital peruano. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, en base a registros clínicos de pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Infectología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza durante los años 2004-2012. Se evaluó la sobrevida de 315 pacientes, utilizando las curvas de Kaplan-Meier y el método de Riesgos Proporcionales de Cox. Resultados De 315 pacientes, 82 murieron durante el seguimiento. La mediana de seguimiento para cada participante fue de 730 días. El análisis multivariado mostró que recibir TARGA (HR: 0,31; IC: 0,20-0,50; p < 0,01) y tener mayor peso (HR: 0,96; IC 0,94-0,98; p < 0,01) al momento del diagnóstico de la co-infección fueron factores protectores; mientras que tener una patología distinta a TBC (HR: 1,88; IC: 1,19-2,98; p < 0,01), edad mayor a 34 años (HR: 1,76; IC: 1,12-2,74; p ≤ 0,01), y estar hospitalizado al momento del diagnóstico (HR: 1,69; IC 1,02-2,80; p < 0,04) se asociaron a menor sobrevida. Discusión Recibir TARGA y tener mayor peso al momento del diagnóstico de la coinfección se asociaron a mayor sobrevida.

Background The main cause of death in HIV patients is tuberculosis (TB). However, few Latin American studies have evaluated the prognosis of patients with coinfection. Aim To determine the factors associated with survival in patients with HIV-TB coinfection treated at a Peruvian referral hospital. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed based on clinical records of patients treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases in the Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital from 2004 to 2012. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox Proportional Hazard Model. Results From 315 patients, 82 died during the follow-up. The mean of follow for each patient was 730 days. The multivariate analysis showed that receiving HAART (HR: 0,31; IC: 0,20-0,50; p < 0,01) and having more weight (HR: 0,96; IC 0,94-0,98; p < 0,01) when the coinfection was diagnosed, were protective factors; while having a pathology different from TB (HR: 1,88; IC: 1,19-2,98; p < 0,01), age in years (HR: 1,76; IC: 1,12-2,74; p ≤ 0,01) and being hospitalized when diagnosed with TB (HR: 1,69; IC 1,02-2,80; p < 0,04) were associated with lower survival. Discussion Receiving HAART and having more weight when the coinfection is diagnosed were associated with a higher chance of survival.

Visceral leishmaniasis and leishmaniasis-HIV coinfection: comparative study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to draw clinical and epidemiological comparisons between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and VL associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHOD: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 473 cases of VL, 5.5% were coinfected with HIV. The highest proportion of cases of both VL and VL/HIV were found among men. A higher proportion of VL cases was seen in children aged 0-10 years, whereas coinfection was more common in those aged 18-50 years. CONCLUSIONS: VL/HIV coinfected patients presented slightly differently to and had a higher mortality rate than those with VL only.

Morbi-mortalidad en pacientes con infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis comprobada, y co-infección VIH-Tuberculosis en Hospital Roosevelt en Guatemala / Morbi-mortality in patients with proved Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, co-infected and no co-infected with HIV, at Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala

Tuberculosis (TB) es la enfermedad oportunista más importante relacionada con VIH, provocando manifestaciones clínicas graves y con frecuencia diseminadas, y afección extrapulmonar. En Guatemala es la principal causa de muerte en pacientes con Sida. OBJETIVO: Determinar la morbi-mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con Tuberculosis en Hospital Roosevelt. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico comprobado por tests microbiológicos positivos para Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mayores de 12 años de edad, ingresados en los servicios de Medicina interna durante el año 2013. Se consideraron positivos los pacientes con frotes de ZN, prueba de PCR-RT (GeneXpert de Cepheid). Se colectaron los datos clínicos y epidemiológicos de los pacientes con un instrumento estandarizado de manera prospectiva, generándose una base de datos en Excel 2010 y realizando el análisis estadístico con: SPSS21...(AU)

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the main opportunistic infection related to HIV, causing complex and serious disease, frequently, extra-pulmonary in HIV patients. In Guatemala it represents the main cause of death in AIDS patients and with an increased incidence in patients with other co-morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the morbi-mortalily in admitted patients in internal medicine wards with tuberculosis at Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City. METHODOLOGY: Patients with proved infection by clinical and/or culture/PCR-RT positive to Mycobacterium tuberculosis were included, older than 12 years old, admitted to the internal medicine guards, which presented positive culture and/or ZN smears and/or PCR-RT (GeneXpert, Cepheid) positive tests in 2013. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected in a prospective manner, with a standardized instrument, generating an Excel 2010 data base that was analyzed by SPSS21. RESULTS: 200 patients were included, 61% males with man: woman ratio of 1.5:1. 48% presented HIV coinfection. 54% of the patients aged: 25 to 44 years old. 43% residents outside Guatemala City. The extra pulmonary TB was present in 65%. The highest mortality was observed in TB-HIV co-infected patients: 30.2% versus 10. % in lung cases (p=0.001). 2.1% died in the first 24 hours after admission, 13.5% between 1-7 days; 14.6% after 7 days of hospital stay, (p=0.002). Regarding the CD4 count, the higher mortality index was shown in the cases <100cel/mL 28.12%, versus 2.08% in > 100 (p=0.0001). CONCLUSSIONS: In a reference center like Roosevelt Hospital, the coinfection HIV-TB represents 48% of the TB cases. Mortality was higher in extrapulmonary TB and HIV patients with <100 CD4 counts

Liver transplantation in a patient with hepatitis B, C and D coinfection associated with hepatocellular carcinoma: a management strategy for a rare condition. Case report / Transplante hepático em paciente com coinfecção pelos vírus B, C e D associada a carcinoma hepatocelular: uma estratégia de tratamento para uma condição rara. Relato de caso

CONTEXT: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis C infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation worldwide. However, patients who are given transplants because of viral liver diseases often present clinical coinfections, including hepatitis B together with hepatitis D. Currently, different strategies exist for patient management before and after liver transplantation, and these are based on different protocols developed by the specialized transplantation centers. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of a 58-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B, C and D coinfection. The patient developed cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. His treatment comprised antiviral therapy for the three viruses and OLT. The patient's outcome was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: OLT, in association with antiviral therapy using entecavir, which was administered before and after transplantation, was effective for sustained clearance of the hepatitis B and D viruses. A recurrence of hepatitis C infection after transplantation responded successfully to standard treatment comprising peginterferon alfa-2A and ribavirin.

CONTEXTO: O transplante ortotópico de fígado (TOF) é o tratamento de escolha em pacientes com doença hepática terminal. A cirrose por hepatite C é a principal indicação de transplante hepático no mundo. No entanto, pacientes transplantados por hepatopatias virais frequentemente apresentam coinfecções, como hepatite B associada a hepatite D. Atualmente, existem diferentes estratégias de manejo em pacientes pré e pós-transplantados conforme diferentes protocolos de conduta de serviços especializados em transplante. RELATO DE CASO: Apresentamos o raro caso de um homem de 58 anos diagnosticado com as hepatites crônicas B, C e D. O paciente evoluiu com cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular. O tratamento consistiu de terapia antiviral para os três vírus e de transplante ortotópico de fígado. O desfecho do paciente foi satisfatório. CONCLUSÃO: O transplante ortotópico de fígado, associado à terapia antiviral com entecavir antes e após o procedimento, foi eficaz na depuração sustentada dos vírus B e D. A recidiva do vírus C após o transplante respondeu com sucesso ao tratamento padrão com alfapeginterferon 2A e ribavirina.

A case of secondary syphilis mimicking palmoplantar psoriasis in HIV infected patient

Due to diverse clinical and histopathological presentations, diagnosis of secondary syphilis can occasionally prove challenging. Variable clinical presentations of secondary syphilis in HIV disease may result in an incorrect diagnosis and an inappropriate treatment regimen. Similarly, the histology of secondary syphilitic lesions may show considerable variation, depending on the clinical morphology of the eruption. We report a case of secondary syphilis in an HIV infected patient with cutaneous palmoplantar lesions simulating palmoplantar psoriasis.

Treatment outcome of human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis co-infected patients in public hospitals of eastern and southern zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death among people living with human immunodeficiency virus. In sub-Saharan Africa, tuberculosis accounts for more than 78% of all deaths among people with human immunodeficiency virus. Objectives: To assess tuberculosis treatment outcome and the associated factors in adult tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients in four public hospitals of eastern and southern zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia. Methodology: Institution based cross-sectional study design was used to examine secondary data from tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients attending four public hospitals of eastern and southern zone of Tigray, from January 2009 to August 2011. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select individual patient cards from the respective hospitals. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to assess the impact of each variable in predicting treatment outcome. Results: Out of 342 patients included, 199 (58.2%) patients completed treatment, 43 (12.6%) patients were cured, 88 (25.7%) died, 7 (2%) defaulted, and 5 (1.5%) patients failed treatment. Treatment success rate was around 71%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis the factors that were strongly associated with unfavorable tuberculosis treatment outcomes were WHO stage IV (AOR = 3.2, CI = 1.58-6.82, p-value = 0.001), age greater than 45 years (AOR = 6.08, CI = 2.28-16.23) and baseline CD4 count less than 200 cells/L (AOR = 6.19, CI = 2.28-16.89, p-value = 0.001). Conclusion: The rate of treatment success in this study was lower than the rate newly recommended by WHO. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to improve treatment success rates of both diseases. .

Pacientes vivendo com HIV/AIDS e coinfecção tuberculose: dificuldades associadas à adesão ou ao abandono do tratamento / Patients living with HIV/AIDS and co-infection by tuberculosis: difficulties associated with treatment compliance or dropout / Pacientes que viven con el VIH/ SIDA y coinfectados con tuberculosis: las dificultades asociadas con la adhesión o abandono del tratamiento

Pesquisa realizada em Fortaleza-CE, entre março e abril de 2011, com o objetivo de identificar as dificuldades que influenciam a adesão ou o abandono do tratamento de tuberculose em pacientes com Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida. Estudo qualitativo, com informações coletadas por meio de entrevista semiestruturada aplicada a pacientes com Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida e coinfecção tuberculose. Utilizamos o discurso do sujeito coletivo para a análise dos resultados. Os pacientes relataram dificuldades relacionadas aos aspectos socioeconômicos, ao estilo de vida e ao uso da medicação. O uso de álcool e o consumo de drogas ilícitas surgiram como fatores que levam a episódios de interrupção do processo terapêutico da doença. Concluímos que as barreiras relacionadas aos aspectos sociais, econômicos e ao estilo de vida são mais difíceis de serem enfrentadas para uma adesão continuada ao tratamento, tornando necessário o papel desempenhado pelos profissionais da saúde, apoiado por políticas públicas e sociais mais resolutivas.

Research carried out in Fortaleza- CE, between March and April 2011, with the objective of describing the difficulties that influence non-compliance to tuberculosis treatment or treatment dropout in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Qualitative study with data collected through a semi-structured interview, applied to patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and with co-infection of tuberculosis. The Collective Subject's Speech was used for result analysis. Patients reported difficulties related to socioeconomic aspects, lifestyle and drug use. The consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs were factors that led to the discontinuance of the therapeutic process of the disease. We conclude that the barriers related to social economical aspects and to lifestyle are more difficult to be faced for a continuous compliance to treatment, making the role played by health professionals necessary, supported by more effective public and social policies.

Investigación realizada en Fortaleza-CE, entre marzo y abril de 2011, con el objetivo de describir las dificultades que influyen en la adhesión o abandono del tratamiento de la tuberculosis en pacientes infectados con Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana. Estudio cualitativo, con informaciones recopiladas a través de entrevista semiestructurada, aplicada en pacientes con Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida coinfectados con tuberculosis. Se utilizó el Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo para el análisis de los resultados. Los pacientes relataron dificultades cuanto a los aspectos socioeconómicos, estilo de vida y uso de medicamentos. El uso de alcohol y consumo de drogas fueron factores que llevaron a episodios de interrupción del proceso terapéutico de la enfermedad. Concluimos que obstáculos relacionados a los aspectos sociales, económicos y estilo de vida son más difíciles de enfrentar para una adhesión continuada al tratamiento, se hace necesario el rol desempeñado por profesionales de salud, con el apoyo de políticas sociales más resolutivas.

Slow clinical improvement after treatment initiation in Leishmania/HIV coinfected patients / Melhora clínica após o início do tratamento em pacientes portadores de co-infecção Leishmania/HIV

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil there is a large area of overlap of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and HIV infection, which favored a increased incidence of coinfection Leishmania/HIV. METHODS: This study evaluated 65 consecutive patients with VL and their clinical response to treatment in two health care settings in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. RESULTS: At baseline, the clinical picture was similar between both groups, although diarrhea and peripheral lymphadenomegaly were more frequent in HIV-infected subjects. HIV-positive patients had lower median blood lymphocyte counts (686/mm³ versus 948/mm³p = 0.004) and lower values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (48IU/L versus 75.6IU/L p = 0.016) than HIV-negative patients. HIV-positive status (hazard ratio = 0.423, p = 0.023) and anemia (HR = 0.205, p = 0.002) were independent negative predictors of complete clinical response following antileishmanial treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces that all patients with VL should be tested for HIV infection, regardless of their clinical picture. This practice would allow early recognition of coinfection with initiation of antiretroviral therapy and, possibly, reduction in treatment failure.

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, há uma grande área de sobreposição de leishmaniose visceral (LV) e infecção pelo HIV, o que favoreceu o aumento da incidência de co-infecção Leishmania/HIV. MÉTODOS: Este estudo avaliou a resposta clínica ao tratamento de 65 pacientes em dois centros de referência de saúde em Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTADOS: O quadro clínico inicial foi semelhante entre os dois grupos, exceto pela maior frequência de diarréia e linfadenomegalia periférica em indivíduos infectados pelo HIV. Pacientes HIV-positivos apresentaram menor contagem de linfócitos no sangue (686/mm³versus 948/mm³p = 0,004) e menores valores de alanina aminotransferase (ALT) (48UI/L versus75,6UI/Lp = 0,016) do que pacientes HIV-negativos. Infecção pelo HIV-1 (hazard ratio-HR= 0,423, p = 0,023) e anemia (HR = 0,205, p = 0,002) foram preditores independentes de resposta clínica incompleta após o início do tratamento leishmanicida. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo reforça a indicação de testagem para HIV em todos os pacientes diagnosticados com LV. O procedimento permitiria o reconhecimento precoce da co-infecção, levando à adequação do manejo clínico e o início da terapia antirretroviral, aumentando as chances de sucesso terapêutico.

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of kala-azar.

In India, about 100 000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar are estimated to occur annually, 90% of which occur in the state of Bihar. Currently, antibody-based tests such as the rK39-based immunochromatographic strip test and the direct agglutination test (DAT) are widely used for the diagnosis of VL. However, their major drawback is continued positivity both long after cure and in a high proportion of individuals living in endemic areas. Thus, antibody-based tests must always be used in combination with a standardized clinical case definition for VL. There have been many breakthroughs in the past decade in the treatment of kala-azar in India, such as approval of oral miltefosine and paromomycin, single-dose treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and multidrug treatment. Encouraged by these advances, an ambitious VL elimination programme was launched with the aim to eliminate VL as a public health problem in India, Nepal and Bangladesh by 2015. Early diagnosis, complete treatment of cases, integrated vector management, effective disease surveillance, and clinical and operational research should be the five key components of the strategy to achieve this goal.

study of the microbiology of diabetic foot infections in a teaching hospital in Kuwait

The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiological profile of diabetic foot infections [DFIs] and assess the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative agents. Data were obtained from a retrospective analysis of DPI samples collected from June 2007 to July 2008. Specimens were cultured using optimal aerobic and anaerobic microbiological techniques, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to the methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI]. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase [ESBL] production was measured using the double disk synergy test and the ESBL Etest. A total of 440 patients were diagnosed with DFIs during this period, and a total of 777 pathogens were isolated from these patients with an average of 1.8 pathogens per lesion. We isolated more Gram-negative pathogens [51.2%] than Gram-positive pathogens [32.3%] or anaerobes [15.3%]. Polymicrobial infection was identified in 75% of the patients. The predominant organisms isolated were members of the Enterobateriaceae family [28.5%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [17.4%], Staphylococcus aureus [11.8%], methicillin-resistant S. aureus [7.7%], anaerobic Gram-negative organisms [10.8%], and Enterococcus spp. [7%]. Vancomycin was the most effective treatment for Gram-positive bacteria, and imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin were the most effective treatments for the Gram-negative bacteria. In conclusion, DFI is common among diabetic patients in Kuwait, and most of the cases evaluated in this study displayed polymicrobial etiology. The majority of isolates were multi-drug resistant. The data gathered in this study will be beneficial for future determinations of empirical therapy policies for the management of DFIs. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Five-Year Review of HIV-Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Co-Infected Patients in a New York City AIDS Center

A retrospective review of 4,721 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, followed at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York City, was conducted from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009. HIV-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection rate was 218/4,721, 4.6%. Among co-infected patients, 19 patients (19/218, 8.7%) died; 13 patients (13/19, 68.4%) died from non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) defining including 2 patients with liver failure. More non-survivors (5 patients, 5/19, 26.3%) had liver cirrhosis than those who survived (8 patients, 8/199, 4.0%; P = 0.002). There were more patients with positive HBV e antigen (HBeAg) among non-survivors, (12 patients, 12/19, 63.2%) than among survivors (74 patients, 74/199, 37.2%; P = 0.047). HIV-HBV co-infection is associated with increased overall mortality. Therefore, use of dual active antiretrovirals, particularly, tenofovir (TDF) based regimen for optimal suppression of HIV-HBV and immune restoration with prevention of high risk behaviors may contribute to improved outcomes.

Diagnosis & treatment of tuberculosis in HIV co-infected patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge, with an estimated 1.4 million patients worldwide. Co-infection with HIV leads to challenges in both the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Further, there has been an increase in rates of drug resistant tuberculosis, including multi-drug (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant TB (XDRTB), which are difficult to treat and contribute to increased mortality. Because of the poor performance of sputum smear microscopy in HIV-infected patients, newer diagnostic tests are urgently required that are not only sensitive and specific but easy to use in remote and resource-constrained settings. The treatment of co-infected patients requires antituberculosis and antiretroviral drugs to be administered concomitantly; challenges include pill burden and patient compliance, drug interactions, overlapping toxic effects, and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Also important questions about the duration and schedule of anti-TB drug regimens and timing of antiretroviral therapy remain unanswered. From a programmatic point of view, screening of all HIV-infected persons for TB and viceversa requires good co-ordination and communication between the TB and AIDS control programmes. Linkage of co-infected patients to antiretroviral treatment centres is critical if early mortality is to be prevented. We present here an overview of existing diagnostic strategies, new tests in the pipeline and recommendations for treatment of patients with HIV-TB dual infection.

Co-infection Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV: systematic review (1980 - 2010) / Coinfecção Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV: revisão sistemática (1980 - 2010)

INTRODUCTION: The co-infection Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV has been described as a clinical event of great relevance. The objective of this study wasto describe clinical and epidemiological aspects published in literature. METHODS: It is a systematic review of a descriptive nature from the databases Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Scopus, from 1980 to 2010. RESULTS: There were 83 articles (2.8 articles/year) with a total of 291 cases. The co-infection was described in 1980 and this situation has become the defining AIDS clinical event in Brazil. This is the country with the highest number of publication (51.8 percent) followed by Argentina (27.7 percent). The majority of cases are amongst adult men (65.3 percent) native or from endemic regions with serological diagnosis in the chronic stage (97.9 percent) and indeterminate form (50.8 percent). Both diseases follow the normal course, but in 41 percent the reactivation of the Chagas disease occurs. The most severe form is the meningoencephalitis, with 100 percent of mortality without specific and early treatment of the T. cruzi. The medication of choice was the benznidazole on doses and duration normally used for the acute phase. The high parasitemia detected by direct or indirect quantitative methods indicated reactivation and its elevation is the most important predictive factor. The lower survival rate was related to the reactivation of the Chagas disease and the natural complications of both diseases. The role of the antiretroviral treatment on the co-infection cannot yet be defined by the knowledge currently existent. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relevance of this clinical event there are still gaps to be filled.

INTRODUÇÃO: A coinfecção Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV vem sendo sistematicamente descrita como um evento clínico de grande relevância. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos publicados na literatura científica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de revisão sistemática, de natureza descritiva, a partir da busca nas bases Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Scopus, de 1980 a 2010. RESULTADOS: Identificou-se 83 artigos (2,8 artigos/ano), com um total de 291 casos registrados. A coinfecção foi descrita em 1980 e, no Brasil, tornou-se evento clínico definidor de AIDS. Este é o país com maior número de publicações (51,8 por cento), seguido pela Argentina (27,7 por cento). A maioria dos casos é de homens adultos (65,3 por cento), naturais ou procedentes de regiões endêmicas, com diagnóstico sorológico, na fase crônica (97,9 por cento) e na forma indeterminada (50,8 por cento). As duas doenças evoluem naturalmente, mas em 41 por cento dos casos ocorreu reativação da doença de Chagas. A forma mais grave é a meningoencefalite, com 100 por cento de letalidade nos casos sem tratamento específico e precoce do T. cruzi. O medicamento indicado foi benznidazole, nas doses e duração utilizadas na fase aguda em imunocompetentes. O diagnóstico da reativação foi comprovado por alta parasitemia, detectada por métodos diretos ou indiretos quantitativos, sendo a sua elevação considerada fator preditivo para reativação. A menor sobrevida nacoinfecção esteve relacionada à reativação da doença de Chagas e às complicações naturais de ambas as doenças. O papel do tratamento antirretroviral sobre a evolução da coinfecção ainda não pode ser definido pelo conhecimento existente. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da relevância deste evento clínico, ainda persistem lacunas a serem preenchidas.