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Introdução: O número de casos de HIV continua a aumentar globalmente, de forma desproporcional em homens que fazem sexo com homens e outras populações vulneráveis, apesar do desenvolvimento de múltiplas estratégias de prevenção. Dentre essas estratégias, destaca-se a Profilaxia Pós-Exposição ao HIV (PEP), ainda que subutilizada, se encontra no centro da cascata de prevenção. Ao seguir seu protocolo os usuários são levados a testagem, podendo ser encaminhados à profilaxia, ao tratamento (caso seja necessário) e até mesmo ofertados à outras estrategias, sendo assim uma ferramenta multipotente para a interrupção da cadeia de transmissão do HIV. Assim, nosso estudo teve como objetivo explorar o acesso aos serviços de saúde que ofertam a Profilaxia Pós exposição ao HIV e as tecnologias disponíveis para auxiliá-lo. Métodos: Foram realizadas duas etapas sequenciais: 1ª- Estudo exploratório e descritivo com abordagem qualitativa e 2ª- Estudo de Prospecção de Tecnologias. A pesquisa obedeceu às diretrizes éticas sobre pesquisas com seres humanos, reguladas pela resolução 466/12 e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP (parecer nº 3.280.490). O estudo qualitativo visou explorar as barreiras de acesso à Profilaxia Pós Exposição ao HIV percebidas por usuários e profissionais de saúde nos serviços de saúde especializados. Para isso foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória com abordagem qualitativa. Os participantes da pesquisa foram profissionais médicos e enfermeiros envolvidos no protocolo da profilaxia em Centros de Referência e usuários da prevenção, totalizando 10 participantes, amostragem definida por saturação de dados. As entrevistas gravadas foram transcritas e posteriormente processadas pela Classificação Hierárquica Descendente e por análise de Similitude. A prospecção foi guiada pelo objetivo de identificar e analisar os aplicativos móveis que abordam PEP para infecções por HIV. Conduzimos um estudo exploratório descritivo em 3 fases sequenciais: revisão sistemática da literatura, análise de patentes e busca sistemática de lojas de aplicativos. Para a revisão sistemática, seguimos as diretrizes Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes adaptadas para uma revisão integrativa nas bases de dados PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Science Direct, Eric, Treasure e CINAHL. Resultados: Foram obtidas cinco classes: Informação; Centralização de acesso; Fluxo de atendimento; Relações interpessoais nos serviços de saúde e Dificuldades e Barreiras. Existem diversos fatores dificultadores no acesso à prevenção que perpassam conhecimento, acolhimento e divulgação de informações. Diante do advento da Pandemia de COVID-19 muitos desses problemas se agravam e aumentam a vulnerabilidade de possíveis utilizadores da profilaxia. Na busca por tecnologias que auxiliassem o acesso a PEP, os aplicativos encontrados apenas informam sobre a prevenção e tratamento do HIV tendo como públicoalvo profissionais de saúde, pessoas com HIV ou a população em geral, mas com recursos disponíveis apenas limitados, isto é, principalmente texto, imagens e vídeos. Os três aplicativos com foco exclusivo no PEP foram criados por pesquisadores de universidades brasileiras. Conclusão: O acesso à profilaxia pós-exposição ao HIV encontra desafios e barreiras, que vão desde o desconhecimento sobre a profilaxia, o que impossibilita sua busca, à centralização dos serviços de saúde e estigmas que permeiam as estruturas dos serviços de saúde. Nossa revisão não encontrou nenhuma conexão entre os estudos científicos, patentes registradas e os aplicativos disponíveis relacionados ao PEP; esse achado indica que esses aplicativos disponíveis não possuem um embasamento teórico ou metodológico em sua criação.
Introduction: The number of HIV cases continues to rise globally, disproportionately in men who have sex with men and other vulnerable populations, despite the development of multiple prevention strategies. Among these strategies, HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) stands out, although underutilized, is at the center of the prevention cascade. By following its protocol, users are tested and may be referred to prophylaxis, treatment (if necessary) and even offered to other strategies, thus being a multipotent tool for interrupting the HIV transmission chain. Thus, our study aimed to explore access to health services that offer Postexposure HIV Prophylaxis and the technologies available to help it. Methods: Two sequential steps were carried out: 1st - Exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach and 2nd - Technology Prospection Study. The research followed the ethical guidelines on research with human beings, regulated by resolution 466/12 and approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto/USP (opinion nº3.280,490). The qualitative study aimed to explore the barriers to accessing HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis perceived by users and professionals in specialized health services. For this, an exploratory research with a qualitative approach was carried out. The research participants were medical professionals and nurses involved in the prophylaxis protocol in Reference Centers and prevention users, totaling 10 participants, a sample defined by data saturation. The recorded interviews were transcribed and later processed by the Descending Hierarchical Classification and by Similitude analysis. The prospect was guided by the objective of identifying and analyzing mobile apps that address PEP for HIV infections. We conducted a descriptive exploratory study in 3 sequential phases: systematic literature review, patent analysis and systematic search of app stores. For the systematic review, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items guidelines for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes adapted for an integrative review in the PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Science Direct, Eric, Treasure and CINAHL databases. Results: Five classes were obtained: Information; Access centralization; Service flow; Interpersonal relationships in health services and Difficulties and Barriers. There are several factors that hinder access to prevention that permeate knowledge, reception, and dissemination of information. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these problems are aggravated and increase the vulnerability of possible users of prophylaxis. In the search for technologies that would aid access to PEP, the apps found only inform about the prevention and treatment of HIV, targeting health professionals, people with HIV or the general population, but with only available resources limited, that is, mainly text, images, and videos. The three applications with an exclusive focus on PEP were created by researchers from Brazilian universities. Conclusion: Access to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis faces challenges and barriers, ranging from the lack of knowledge about prophylaxis, which makes it impossible to pursue it, to the centralization of health services and stigmas that permeate the structures of health services. Our review found no connection between scientific studies, registered patents, and available applications related to PEP; this finding indicates that these available applications do not have a theoretical or methodological basis in their creation.
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Humanos , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/prevención & control , Prevención de Enfermedades , Barreras de Acceso a los Servicios de SaludRESUMEN
Background: HIV is a chronic disease which also significantly affects the behavior. This study aims at evaluating behavioral disorders in children with HIV/AIDS.Methods: This Cross-sectional study utilized the Child Behaviour Check List.Results: The overall prevalence of borderline and clinically significant behavioral problems were 69.3% (n=104). The prevalence of behavioral disorders were observed in the eight categories - anxious/depressed (borderline-7.7%, clinically significant-18.3%), withdrawn/depressed (6.7%, 18.3%), somatic problems (7.7%, 6.7%), rule-breaking behavior (7.7%, 18.3%), aggressive behavior (10.6%, 21.1%), attention problems (15.4%, 2.9%) and thought problems (9.6%, 2.9%). No social problems were observed. Internalizing problems were common in girls and externalizing problems were common in boys. As age advanced a simple linear progression in prevalence of Behavior Problems was found. There were 47.1% of Orphans in study and behavioral problems were more common in them.Conclusions: High prevalence of behavioural abnormalities warrants comprehensive management including Behavioural counselling and therapy and not just drugs for these children.
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Background: India has approximately 2.4 million of people living with HIV and out of these two thirds live in rural areas. This study may yield significant data to understand epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in this region that would help in designing techniques for effective implementation to prevent this infection.Methods: The present study was a comprehensive retrospective hospital-based investigation of the HIV infection in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India based on a large number of clinical samples at HCTS centre, representing different geographic regions and has been functional since 2002, conducting HIV tests, counselling of patients as well as maintains proper records.Results: A total of 444 HIV positive clients were registered in this retrospective study. The male and female ratio among all positive clients was 1.67:1 and the most common age group for both the genders was 35-49 years. Among 444 HIV positive clients, HIV-TB co-infection found in 72 (16.21%) cases. Out of 444 clients, 177 (40%) and 167 (38%) found extremely immunocompromised with low CD4 cells count in range between of 0-100 cells/mm3 and >100-350 cells/mm3 respectively. Mortality was seen in 72 (16%) out of 444 HIV positive clients.Conclusions: There is an urgent need of information, education about this disease and by providing suitable occupation or to make them aware, which will markedly help in preventing the spread of HIV pandemic in this geographical region.
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Background: This paper presents the prevalence of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending integrated counselling and testing Centres (ICTC) in selected districts of Karnataka.Methods: A cross sectional study was done at ICTCs. Men and transgenders coming with referral slips from targeted intervention (TI), non-government organizations (NGOs) were considered as MSMs. The basic demographic data, HIV test result and details of post- test counselling were collected in specific format. Data from 13 districts was obtained from April 2009 to March 2010 and comparing the prevalence of HIV among MSM in HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS).Results: Out of 8,276 MSMs in 13 districts, 2808 (33.9%) visited ICTCs with TI NGOs referral slips and were tested for HIV once in a year. The overall prevalence of HIV was 8.6%. Prevalence was highest (17.3%) among men in the age group of 41 to 45 years, illiterates (11.5%), unemployed (11.2%) and divorced and separated (13.3%) and widowed (13.6%) MSMs. Among those tested, 97.7% of MSM underwent post-test counselling and collected their report. The highest HIV prevalence was among MSMs from Mysore district (20.1%), followed by Udupi (19.9%) and Bagalkot (10.6%). Rest of all the other districts had less than 10% of HIV prevalence.Conclusions: The uptake of HIV testing among the MSM with referral slips was low in Karnataka. The prevalence level differs in various districts. There is need for more focused and effective counselling by peer educators for correct and consistent condom usage among illiterate, widowed and unemployed MSMs.
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Objective To explore the clinical manifestation,laboratory findings,treatment and prog-nosis of immune dysregulation,polyendocrinopathy,enteropathy,X-linked ( IPEX) syndrome,and to improve pediatricians'knowledge of this disease. Methods Clinical data of two cases of IPEX were retrospectively analyzed,and related literatures were reviewed. Results One of the two male children showed severe and early-onset enteropathy,another showed insulin-dependent diabetes onset. Both of them complicated with sep-sis. DNA sequencing of whole-genome exon group showed a mutation in FOXP3 gene. Finally,one of the two IPEX children accepted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation( HSCT) . Another one was waiting for the treatment of HSCT. Conclusion IPEX should be considered also in infants with typical symptoms including early-onset refractory diarrhea, multiple endocrine disease and severe recurring infections. Gene sequencing mayl help diagnose the disease. Early HSCT can improve the patients'outcomes.
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Introducción: desde la aparición de los primeros casos del Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA) en Estados Unidos en 1981, se construyó un estigma alrededor de la enfermedad que forjó el concepto sociocultural y los imaginarios respecto a esta, asociando la adquisición del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) -virus que desencadena el síndrome- con limitados grupos de población, lo cual propicia un impacto limitado de las campañas emprendidas en la promoción de la salud. Objetivo: comprender el impacto sociocultural del concepto del VIH en las campañas de promoción de la salud desde la percepción de algunos adultos que vivían con la enfermedad en Medellín para el año 2012. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una investigación cualitativa, con enfoque histórico hermenéutico, utilizando la Teoría Fundamentada de Barney Glaser y Anselm Strauss. La información se obtuvo a través de entrevistas realizadas a 13 participantes, cuyas transcripciones se analizaron y categorizaron hasta llegar a la saturación teórica. Resultados: de acuerdo a los informantes clave del estudio, los conceptos socioculturales que se han erigido en torno al VIH se han convertido en una barrera de acceso a los servicios de salud, debido al estigma social, el significado religioso y los mal denominados grupos de riesgo asociados al virus. Discusión: diferentes autores coinciden con los resultados de esta investigación al afirmar que los conceptos socioculturales forjados alrededor del VIH otorgan una mayor complejidad en el abordaje de la enfermedad, lo cual afecta la respuesta a la epidemia desde de sistemas de salud
Introduction: Since the moment in which the first cases of Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) appeared in the United States in 1981, a stigma was built around the disease which created the social and cultural concept and imagery surrounding the condition. This linked the acquisition of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (IHV)-the virus that triggers the syndrome- to limited population groups, which in turn led to a limited impact of health promotion campaigns addressing it. Objective: To understand the sociocultural impact of the HIV concept in the health promotion campaigns from the perception of some adults living with the disease in Medellin by 2012. Materials and methods: A qualitative research project with a historical and hermeneutic approach using the Grounded Theory method of Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. Data was obtained through interviews with 13 participants. The transcriptions were analyzed and categorized until reaching theoretical saturation. Results: According to key informants of the study, socio-cultural concepts that have been erected around HIV have become a barrier to access health services due to social stigma, religious significance and misnamed group risk associated with the virus. Discussion: The results obtained by a number of authors are consistent with those of this study since they state that the social and cultural concepts surrounding HIV make it more difficult to approach the disease, which in turn affects the health systems' response to this epidemic
Introdução: Desde a aparição dos primeiros casos da Síndrome de Imunodeficiência Adquirida (SIDA) nos Estados Unidos em 1981, construiu-se um estigma ao redor da doença que forjou o conceito sociocultural e os imaginários com respeito a esta, associando a aquisição do Vírus de Imunodeficiência Humana (VIH) -vírus que desencadeia a síndrome- com limitados grupos de população, o qual propicia um impacto limitado das campanhas empreendidas na promoção da saúde. Objetivo: Compreender o impacto sociocultural do conceito do VIH nas campanhas de promoção da saúde desde a percepção de alguns adultos que viviam com a doença em Medellín para o ano 2012. Materiais e métodos: realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, com enfoque histórico hermenêutico, utilizando a Teoria Fundamentada de Barney Glaser e Anselm Strauss. A informação obteve-se através de entrevistas realizadas a 13 participantes, cujas transcrições se analisaram e categorizaram até chegar à saturação teórica. Resultados: de acordo aos informantes chave do estudo, os conceitos socioculturais que se têm erigido em torno ao VIH se têm convertido em uma barreira de acesso aos serviços de saúde, devido ao estigma social, o significado religioso e os mau denominados grupos de risco associados ao vírus. Discussão: diferentes autores coincidem com os resultados desta pesquisa ao afirmar que os conceitos socioculturais forjados ao redor do VIH outorgam uma maior complexidade na abordagem da doença, o qual afeta a resposta à epidemia desde os sistemas de saúde
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Humanos , VIH , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida , Estigma Social , Promoción de la Salud , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de SaludRESUMEN
Objective To explore the pathogen spectrum, drug resistance rate and clinical characteristics of pneumonia caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in acquined immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.Methods The clinical data of 31 hospitalized AIDS patients with bronchoalceolar lavage flind (BALF) culture confirmed NTM pulmonary disease in Guangzhou No.8 People′s Hospital from January,2008 to February,2015 were retrospectively analyzed, including pathogen spectrum, drug resistance rate and clinical characteristics.The clinical characteristics and drug resistance were compared between Mycobacterium avmm-intracellulare complex (MAC) pneumonia and the non-MAC pneumonia, and t test and chi-square test were used.Results Of the 31 AIDS patients,28 were male and 3 were female, with the mean age of 40.9 years old.The 31 NTM strains were consisted of 14 MAC strains and 17 non-MAC strains (including 4 M.kansasii strains,3 M.lentiflavumstrains, 2 M.szulgai strains, 2 M.yongonense strains etc).There was no significant difference between two groups in sex ratio, mean age, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and treatment outcome (all P>0.05).The major clinical manifestations included fever, productive cough, weight loss, anemia and low CD4+ count (<50/μL).Most patients showed thoracic lymphadenectasis and patchy shadows in lungs, and few patients had millet shadows and pericardial effusion.Compared with non-MAC strains, MAC strains had higher drug resistant rate of moxifloxacin (10/14 vs 4/17), levofloxacin (14/14 vs 8/17), and clarithromycin (11/14 vs 7/17).More extensively drug resistance strains were seen in non-MAC strains compared with MAC strains (11/14 vs 7/17).Conclusions MAC is the most common pathogen of NTM pulmonary disease in AIDS patients.The clinical features of pneumonia caused by MAC and non-MAC are similar, but drug resistance of MAC strains are more severe.
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Background: Toxoplasmosis is an uncommon disease in immunocompetent people. Case characteristics: We report an adolescent boy with central nervous system toxoplasmosis who presented with progressive lower cranial nerve palsies and a ring-enhancing lesion on neuroimaging. Intervention: Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed on histopathology of the excised lesion. Message: Toxoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions irrespective of immune status.
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Background: Anaemia is the most frequently encountered haematological complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) even in the era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Although HAART appears to be associated with a somewhat lower risk of anaemia, anaemia remains common in the HAART era. This study looks at the characteristics of red blood cells in anaemic HIV infected patients with emphasis on red cell indices. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients aged 18-66 years were recruited, comprising of 40 HIV infected, treatment naïve individuals who were also anaemic patients and 20 individuals who were non anaemic patients. Venous blood (5 mls) was collected by vacutainer from each patient who consented into an anti-coagulant K3 EDTA specimen bottle for haematological indices which included Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), White blood cell (WBC) & differentials, Platelet count and red blood cell indices by automated counter, CD4+ cell count by semi-automated flow cytometer, and HIV viral load was quantitated using PCR- based diagnostic tests. Peripheral blood smear for morphology was done by routine manual methods and stained with Romanowsky stain. Results: Majority (72.5%) have normocytic anaemia, 10.0% have microcytic anaemia and 17.5% have macrocytic anaemia. Majority (55.0%) of the HIV infected anaemic subjects have normocytic/normochromic red blood cells on morphology. The mean WBC of HIV infected anaemic patients (7.20 x109/L±4.93) was significantly different from the mean WBC of HIV infected non-anaemic patients (5.66 x109/L±1.74) (p=0.008). The mean platelet count of HIV infected anaemic patients (277.27 x109/L±126.76) was significantly different from the mean platelet count of HIV infected non-anaemic patients (207.40 x109/L±61.86) (p=0.006). Conclusion: Anaemia in HIV infection was found to be normocytic normochromic anaemia.
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Objective: Use of ART in HIV infected individuals’ results in reduced mortality and morbidity associated with AIDS. Long term complications of HIV & ART including dyslipidemia & dysglycemia have raise concern regarding accelerated cardiovascular risk in these patients. Aim of study is to determine prevalence of dyslipidemia & dysglycemia in HIV infected patients and its relation to CD 4 count. Material and Methods: A cross sectional two arm comparison study carried out at Shree Sayajirao General Hospital and Medical College Baroda. The treatment arm, ON ART arm, constituted 30 patients already on ART defined as a combination of at least three classes of antiretroviral drugs, namely PIs, NNRTIs and NRTIs, one of which was a PI or an NNRTI ,or a triple combination of NRTIs. Comparator arm, ART naïve arm constituted 30 HIV-positive patients, eligible for, but not yet receiving ART. Dyslipidemia & dysglycemia were defined as high total or LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, or low HDL cholesterol according to the adult treatment panel III (ATP III) guidelines and as the presence of diabetes , impaired fasting blood sugar(FBS) , impaired post prandial blood sugar(PP2BS) or impaired glucose tolerance according to ADA (American diabetes association)criteria ,respectively. Discussion: Dysglycemia was present in 30% of study population and dyslipidemia was present in 73.33% of study population. Difference in elevation of serum Cholesterol level and serum LDL level in patients on ART arm was statistically significant. Dysglycemia and dyslipidemia was associated with low CD 4 count compare to patients with normal blood glucose level and normal lipid profile level.
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·AIM:To describe an unusual combination of retinal manifestations in an AIDS patient with progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN),complicated by combined central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).·METHODS:A case report.·RESULTS:The patient presented with PORN with primary optic nerve involvement complicated by combined central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO) as a primary manifestation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV).Aggressive treatment with intravitreal and specific systemic anti-VZV therapy,in addition to systemic highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) achieved retinal quiescence with sparing of the fellow eye.Visual outcome of the affected eye was poor.·CONCLUSION:We present the first report of PORN associated with the unusual combined complications of CRAO and CRVO. Aggressive local treatment was combined with systemic therapy,which achieved local control and empirical prophylaxis for the fellow eye.
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Cytomegalovirus infection is a common complication in patients suffering from advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Cytomegalovirus infections of the gastrointestinal tract in human immunodeficiency-virus-positive patients tend to manifest as ulcerative lesions rather than as mass lesions. In this study, we describe a case of a mass lesion identified as cytomegalovirus proctitis in a human immunodeficiency-virus-positive patient, which had initially been thought to have an adenocarcinoma or a lymphoma. A 60-year-old man had an ulcerofungating mass in the rectum, which was initially detected via palpation. Findings of computerized tomography indicated a malignant mass, which was enhanced in the contrast image. An additional colonoscopy and biopsy were conducted for purposes of diagnosis. The histological examination revealed characteristic inclusion bodies within the nuclei of vascular endothelial cells in the ulcer bed. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-cytomegalovirus antibody confirmed the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection. The patient's anorectal lesion had subsided after the initiation antiviral treatments. The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in human immunodeficiency-virus- positive patients occasionally proves rather difficult. Cytomegalovirus infection had induce the formation of mass lesions in immunocompromised patients.
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Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida , Adenocarcinoma , Biopsia , Colonoscopía , Infecciones por Citomegalovirus , Citomegalovirus , Diagnóstico , Células Endoteliales , Tracto Gastrointestinal , Huésped Inmunocomprometido , Cuerpos de Inclusión , Linfoma , Palpación , Proctitis , Recto , ÚlceraRESUMEN
La cesárea hemostática es una técnica quirúrgica que combinada con el tratamiento antirretroviral reduce significativamente la transmisión vertical del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana. En este artículo se realiza la descripción de la técnica, sus modificaciones, ventajas y desventajas.
The bloodless cesarean section is a surgical technique that combined with retroviral treatment reduces the vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. In this article was done a description about the technique, its modifications, advantages and disadvantages.
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Humanos , Femenino , Cesárea/métodos , Cesárea , Especialidades Quirúrgicas/métodos , Hemorragia , VIH , Técnicas HemostáticasRESUMEN
Experimental study was made on Glyke preparationwhich revealed certain effect in 66 cases of AIDS treat-ed in Tanzania.It has been proved that this prepara-tion not only regulates the immunity of the organism,but also possesses anti—viral action,so it is a safe andeffective Chinese traditional remedy for treating AIDS.
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Objective To study the rule of distribution and evol vement of TCM syn dromes in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods Totally 177 HIV/AI DS patients were investigated with questionnaire in the epide miological study to collect the data of diagnosis, and the rou tine test of CD4+T lymphocyte count was carried out. Results The young and mid dle-aged females were the most involved group with an increasing incidence in G u angdong Province and with a strong relation of sex and infection route. The main symptoms of the 177 HIV/AIDS patients were fatigue, cough and loss of appetite, the secondary ones were night sweating, skin itching, headache, and hair loss, and the most common sign was skin rash. The leading TCM syndromes were qi and yi n deficiency and lung and kidney deficiency. The distribution of symptoms and si gns, syndromes and various indices was significantly different in gender, age an d infection route (P