Distribution of naïve (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) T-cells in HIV-infected Puerto Rican population

HIV infection usually results in a gradual deterioration of the immune system. It is evident that early recognition of progression markers during HIV infection from asymptomatic to symptomatic state is needed. In the present cross-sectional study, peripheral blood lymphocytes from 63 HIV-infected Puerto Rican individuals were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry to study the co-expression CD45RA and CD45RO on both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and its correlation with age, gender, CD4 count, CD4:CD8 ratio, anti-retroviral therapy, clinical status, and viral load. Measurement of T-cell subsets in these patients showed an excessive increase of CD3+CD8+, CD8+CD45RA+, and CD8+CD45RO+ T-cells as disease progresses. In contrast, it was also observed a significant decrease in CD3+CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ T-cells. The distribution of CD8+CD45RA+ T-cells did not change significantly between HIV and AIDS cases suggesting that this T-cell subset is not a good progression marker. Interestingly, CD4+CD45RA+ T-cells were significantly difference between genders, and CD44+CD45RA+ and CD8+CD45RO+ T-cells were influenced by age. In conclusion, the distribution of naïve/memory CD4+ T-cells and memory CD8+ T-cells significantly correlate with HIV infection in disease progression. It is also important to mention that these T-cell subpopulations may be influenced by both gender and age. Overall, these results suggest that a loss in the generation of new immune response and function may be occurring during disease progression. This study open new windows of understanding that will be beneficial for future studies on immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring for HIV/AIDS.

The shape of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Puerto Rico

This study presents information on AIDS patients in Puerto Rico, including their general sociodemographic profile, some risk-related parameters, characteristics of vulnerable groups, and elements of the clinical spectrum of the disease. Data were analyzed from the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program and available studies about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Puerto Rico. A total of 23.089 AIDS cases were reported to the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program from January 1981 through February 1999. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected mostly males and females between the ages of 30 and 49, though cases have also been reported for other age groups. The cumulative proportion of persons with AIDS who are women has increased tremendously, from 11.4 pour cent for the 1981-1986 period to 21.6 pour cent for the entire 1981-1999 period. In Puerto Rico the category of injecting drug users (IDUs) accounts for the majority of the AIDS cases (52 pour cent), followed by heterosexual contact (22 pour cent), and men who have sex with men (17 pour cent). The three main diagnoses for AIDS on the island are wasting syndrome (30.7 pour cent); esophageal, bronchial, and lung candidiasis (29.4 pour cent); and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (26.8 pour cent). According to 1994 vital statistics for Puerto Rico, AIDS was the fourth-leading cause of death. The overall reported AIDS mortality rate was 42.0 per 100.000 persons, with the rate for males, 67.8, much higher than it was for females, 17.4. AIDS is the first cause of death among persons between 30 and 39 years old. Intense efforts are needed to better understand the epidemic in Puerto Rico and its biology, social and family impacts, and financial costs

Examen instrumentado de la rodilla: utilización del aparato KT-1000 en lesiones de ligamento cruzado anterior / Instrumental examination of the knee. The use of KT-100 in anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Los aparatos para el examen instrumentado de rodilla han sido descritos, especialmente aquellos que miden la inestabilidad antero-posterior, concluyendo que son aparatos útiles, pero sólo como complemento de un buen examen clínico. Se reportan los resultados de un estudio con el aparato KT-1000, con los objetivos de evaluar si existían resultados similares entre diferentes examinadores, en múltiples periódos de tiempo y valorar el efecto de la presión aplicada a la rótula durante el examen. Siete investigadores examinaron a siete voluntarios en tres diferentes periódos. Se colocó un transductor de presión en la porción rotuliana del aparato. En el tercer periódo de prueba se estandarizó la presión por todos los examinadores. Se evaluó la prueba de cajón manual máximo y de carga de 20 lbs. Se concluye que el aparato es reproducible para el mismo examinador con diferentes voluntarios, pero que los resultados de un investigador no pueden ser comparados a los de otro examinador por la gran variabilidad de respuesta que existe entre los mismos. La presión aplicada en la rótula es muy variable, pero no es necesario estandarizarla para obtener resultados confiables con el aparato