Immunological Profiles in HIV Positive Patients Following HAART Initiation in Kigali; Rwanda

Background: Interleukin-10; IL-2 and IFN -? are some of the crucial cytokines associated with HIV infection and pathogenesis. While IL-2 and IFN-? play critical roles in host resistance to infection; IL-10 inhibits the synthesis IFN-?; IL-2 at mRNA and protein level; exacerbating damage to immune system. Objective: To determine the levels of; changes in and correlation between CD4 count; viral load; IL-10; IL-2 and IFN-? before HAART and at six months of HAART among HIV positive patients in Kigali; with a view to understand cytokine networks particularly in relation to HAART ; and to see whether they can be used as alternative markers of the disease progression. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting: Kagugu; Kimironko; Biryogo; Gitega Health Centres and Centre Medico-Social Cornum; all located in Kigali. Subjects: Thirty three (33) HAART initiation eligible HIV positive patients including 13 women and 20 men. Results: A drop in viral load (though only a small number of patients achieved an undetectable viraemia); a recovery of CD4+ cells; a decrease in IL-10 (though it remained high for many patients especially those with unchanged viraemia); and an increase in IL-2 and IFN-? indicated a successful HAART . A negative correlation between CD4 count and viral load and between CD4 count and IL-10 (but r -0.5) was observed. IL-10 correlated positively and strongly with viremia (r 0.5 at both time points: p-values 0.05). There was no significant correlation between CD4 count; IL-2 and IFN-?. Conclusion: Results demonstrated the down-regulatory effect of IL-10 on Th1 cytokines and that a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine is associated with HIV disease progression. A successful HAART results in CD4+ cells recovery; drop in viraemia and IL-10 with up-regulation of Th1 cytokines. Also; findings show potential usefulness of IL-10 as a marker of HIV disease progression

Sintomas climatéricos e fatores associados em mulheres HIV soropositivas / Menopausal symptoms and associated factors in HIV-positive women

Introdução: Com o surgimento da terapia antirretroviral ocorreu significativa queda da mortalidade por doenças relacionadas ao HIV, transformando assim esta infecção em uma doença crônica. Com o envelhecimento, maior sobrevida da população infectada e, também, pelo surgimento de novos casos na faixa etária climatérica, tem havido aumento significativo na prevalência de mulheres portadoras desse vírus em idade mais avançada. Estudos atuais sugerem que estas mulheres experimentam a menopausa e o climatério de forma diferente das mulheres soronegativas, tanto pela idade mais precoce da menopausa, quanto por sintomas mais intensos. Objetivo: Em mulheres HIV soropositivas avaliar os sintomas climatéricos e fatores associados. Sujeitos e métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de corte transversal em 537 mulheres, entre 40 e 60 anos, sendo 273 HIV soropositivas e 264 soronegativas. Todas foram submetidas à entrevista para avaliação das características sociodemográficas e sintomas climatéricos. Resultados: A média etária foi 47,7±5,8 anos nas mulheres HIV soropositivas e 49,8±5,3 anos nas soronegativas (p<0,001). Análise bivariada mostrou menor prevalência de sintomas vasomotores no grupo soropositivo (p=0,009), especificamente fogachos (p<0,002) e sudorese (p=0,049). Ressecamento vaginal também foi menos prevalente no grupo soropositivo (p<0,005). Depressão e insônia não apresentaram diferença estatística. Análise múltipla mostrou que os fogachos estiveram associados a estar na peri ou pós-menopausa (RP=2,12, IC95% 1,52-2,94). Ressecamento vaginal foi menos frequente em mulheres sem companheiro (RP=0,67, IC95% 0,49-0,90), e esteve associado à maior idade (RP=1,03, IC95% 1,01-1,06) e a estar na peri e pós-menopausa (RP=1,69, IC95% 1,10-2,60). Depressão esteve inversamente associada com realizar trabalho (RP=0,74, IC95% 0,58-0,96) e diretamente associada à presença de doenças crônicas (RP=1,30, IC95% 1,01-1,067).

The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly decreased the mortality caused by HIV-related diseases, transforming this condition into a chronic disease. With the aging of the infected population, the prevalence of HIV in older women increased significantly, a fact that is attributed both to the greater survival of those infected and to the appearance of new cases of the disease in climacteric individuals. Current studies suggest that these women experience menopause differently than seronegative women, trying earlier age of menopause and larger symptomatology. Objective: To evaluate menopausal symptoms and their associated factors in HIV-positive women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 537 women of 40-60 years of age, 273 of whom were HIV-positive and 264 HIV-negative. The women were interviewed to obtain data on their sociodemographic characteristics and menopausal symptoms. Results: The mean age of the seropositive women was 47.7 ± 5.8 years compared to 49.8 ± 5.3 for the seronegative women (p<0.001). Bivariate analysis showed a lower prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in the seropositive group (p=0.009), specifically hot flashes (p<0.002) and sweating (p=0.049). Vaginal dryness was also less prevalent in this group (p<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to depression or insomnia. Multiple analyses showed that hot flashes were associated with being peri- or postmenopausal (PR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.52-2.94). Vaginal dryness was less common in women without a partner (PR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.49-0.90) and was associated with older age (PR=1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.06) and being in the peri- or post menopause (PR=1.69; 95%CI: 1.10-2.60). Depression was inversely associated with being employed (PR=0.74; 95%CI: 0.58-0.96) and directly associated with the presence of chronic diseases (PR=1.30; 95%CI: 1.01-1.067).

Lactancia y transmisión madre-hijo del VIH en niños nacidos en las Maternidades Municipales de Rosario de 1999 a 2010 / Breastfeeding and mother-child transmission of HIV in infants born in maternity hospitals of Rosario Municipal 1999 to 2010

Se revisaron los casos de infección por VIH-1 ocurridos entre niños nacidos en maternidades municipales de Rosario, de 1999 a 2010 notificados al 30 de noviembre de 2011 para identificar el rol jugado por la lactancia materna. Se hallaron 12 casos entre 71.283 partos, de los cuales 479 fueron parturientas VIH positivas. hubo 6 mujeres con serología/s negativas previas o al momento del parto, diagnosticadas como VIH positivas meintras amamantaban sus hijos que resultaron infectados. Se proponen criterios para definir la posibilidad de la asociación. Nombramos estas madres como seroconvertidoras al VIH perinatales con diagnóstico intralactancia. Diez casos mostraron asociación con uso de drogas. La Tasa de Transmisión Vertical hallada fue 2,47 %, y podría reducirse aún más con el diagnóstico de VIH precoz durante la lactancia materna. Proponemos comunicar este problema y promover pruebas de VIH asesoradas ofrecidas regularmente desde los servicios a mujeres que amamantan y sus parejas.

Time series cross-correlation analysis of HIV seropositivity and pulmonary tuberculosis among migrants entering Kuwait

There is a paucity of published data on burden and pattern of dual infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV among migrants from South Asia, South-east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa entering the Middle-East, particularly Kuwait. Therefore, this study assessed the overall prevalence of HIV infection and pulmonary tuberculosis [TB] and evaluated the ecological relationship between them. Time series cross-correlation analysis was used to determine the ecological time-lagged relationship between the monthly proportions [per 100,000] of HIV seropositive and pulmonary TB cases among migrant workers that entered Kuwait between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2006. During the study period, overall prevalence [per 100,000] of HIV seropositivity and pulmonary TB among the migrants was 21 [494/23,28,582] [95% CI: 19-23], and 198 [4608/23,28,582] [95% CI: 192-204], respectively. Estimated cross-correlation function revealed a significant positive correlation [0.292 +/- 0.093] at lag -3 representing a positive relationship between the proportions of HIV seropositive [per 100,000] migrants tested 3 months earlier and the proportion of pulmonary TB [per 100,000] cases detected among migrants in a given month. Thus, the peak in proportion of pulmonary TB cases preceded the peak in proportion of HIV seropositive migrants indicating a direct time-lagged association between HIV seropositivity and the prevalence of pulmonary TB among migrants. HIV infection seemed to have played a significant role in the re-activation of latent M. tuberculosis infection in this migrant population. While currently less evident, in near future, however, TB and HIV/AIDS control programmes in the countries of origin of migrants may face a crucial challenge. Knowledge of serious consequences of association between HIV infection and pulmonary TB allows the promotion of public heath education to reduce the exposure to these infections. Future studies may focus on evaluating the impact of public health education programs on this dual burden of HIV infection and pulmonary TB in migrants

Morphometric analysis of dendritic cells from anal mucosa of HIV-positive patients and the relation to intraepithelial lesions and cancer seen at a tertiary health institution in Brazil / Análise morfométrica das células dendríticas da mucosa anal de pacientes HIV-positivos e relação com as lesões intraepiteliais e o câncer numa instituição de saúde terciária no Brasil

PURPOSE: To morphometrically quantify CD1a+ dentritic cells and DC-SIGN+ dendritic cells in HIV-positive patients with anal squamous intraepithelial neoplasia and to evaluate the effects of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy and HPV infection on epithelial and subepithelial dendritic cells. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to morphometrically analyze the relative volume of the dendritic cells and the relationship between anal intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer in HIV-positive patients from the Tropical Medicine Foundation of Amazonas, Brazil. All patients were submitted to biopsies of anorectal mucosa to perform a classic histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis, employing antibodies against CD1a and DC-SIGN for the morphometric quantification of dendritic cells. RESULTS: HIV-negative patients displayed a CD1a DC density significantly higher than that of HIV-positives patients (3.75 versus 2.54) (p=0.018), and in patients with severe anal intraepithelial neoplasia had correlated between DC CD1a density with levels of CD4 + cells (p: 0.04) as well as the viral load of HIV-1 (p: 0.035). A not significant rise in the median density of CD1a+ DC was observed in the HIV positive/ HAART positive subgroup compared to the HIV positive/ HAART negative subgroup. The CD1a+ DC were also significantly increased in HIV-negative patients with anorectal condyloma (2.33 to 3.53; p=0.05), with an opposite effect in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support an enhancement of the synergistic action caused by HIV-HPV co-infection on the anal epithelium, weakening the DC for its major role in immune surveillance. Notoriously in patients with severe anal intraepithelial neoplasia, the density of CD1a+ epithelial dendritic cells was influenced by the viral load of HIV-1. Our study describes for the first time the density of subepithelial DC-SIGN+ dendritic cells in patients with anal severe anal intraepithelial neoplasia and points to the possibility that a specific therapy for HIV induces the recovery of the density of epithelial DC.

OBJETIVO: Quantificar morfometricamente as células dendríticas DC CD1a+ e DC DC-SIGN+ em pacientes HIV positivos portadores de neoplasia escamosa intraepitelial anal e avaliar os efeitos da infecção pelo HIV, da terapia antirretroviral e da infecção pelo HPV sobre as células dendríticas epiteliais e subepiteliais. MÉTODOS: Um estudo prospectivo foi realizado para analisar morfometricamente o volume relativo das células dendríticas e as relações entre neoplasia intraepitelial anal e o câncer em pacientes HIV positivos da Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas, Brasil.Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a biópsia da mucosa retal para realizar uma análise clássica histopatológica e imunohistoquímica utilizando anticorpos contra anti-CD1a e anti-DC-SIGN, para a quantificação morfométrica das células dendríticas. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes HIV negativos apresentaram densidade das DC CD1a+ significativamente maior do que a dos pacientes HIV positivos (3,75 versus 2,54) (p:0,018), e os pacientes com severa apresentaram correlação das DC CD1a com os níveis de células TCD4(p:0,04) assim como a carga viral do HIV-1 (p:0,035). Observamos no subgrupo HIV-positivo/HAART positivo elevação não significativa na mediana da densidade das DC CD1a+ em relação ao grupo HIV-positivo/HAART negativo. As DC CD1a+ também se elevaram nos pacientes HIV negativo portadores de condiloma anorretal(2,33 para 3,53; p:0,05), com efeito inverso nos pacientes HIV positivos. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos dados confirmam a potencialização da ação sinérgica representada pela coinfecção HIV-HPV sobre o epitélio anal, fragilizando as DC em sua função primordial de vigilância imune. Notoriamente nos pacientes com neoplasia intraepithelial anal grave, a densidade das DC CD1a+ epiteliais sofreu influência da carga viral do HIV-1. Nosso estudo descreveu pela primeira vez a densidade das DC subepiteliais DC-SIGN+ em pacientes com neoplasia intraepithelial anal severa e apontamos para a possibilidade de que a terapia específica para o HIV induza a recuperação da densidade das DC epiteliais.

Micronúcleos em células do colo uterino em mulheres HIV+ segundo sua condição de imunidade / Micronuclei in uterine cervical cells of women HIV+ according to immunocompetence markers

OBJETIVO: investigar a micronucleação (MN) em células esfoliadas do colo uterino de mulheres HIV+ observando as condições de imunidade aferidas pelos níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e da carga viral para o HIV (CV). MÉTODOS: foram obtidas coletas citológicas da junção escamocolunar de 23 pacientes HIV+ de Ambulatório de DST/AIDS. O grupo controle foi composto por mulheres assintomáticas do Ambulatório de Prevenção de Câncer Ginecológico do mesmo serviço. O material foi submetido a processamento citológico para leitura em microscopia de luz, com objetiva de imersão em 2.000 células por paciente. Para avaliação da condição imunitária das pacientes HIV+ investigamos os níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e CV. A análise estatística dos resultados se fez com os testes do Χ2 e Kolmogorov-Smirnov. RESULTADOS: vinte e três pacientes compuseram o grupo de mulheres HIV+ e 19 formaram o grupo controle. Em todas as pacientes HIV+ e em 84,2 por cento do grupo controle detectamos MN. Dezessete pacientes HIV+ (73,9 por cento) tiveram mais de 7 MN. No grupo controle tivemos apenas 1 caso (5,2 por cento) com mais de 7 MN. Houve tendência na associação de maiores quantidades de MN em mulheres com baixos níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e maiores níveis de CV, sem caracterizar correlação estatística. CONCLUSÕES: pacientes HIV+ em fase de AIDS têm maior ocorrência de MN que o grupo controle e, também, a frequência com que são detectados MN parece estar associada a piores condições clínicas da imunossupressão.

PURPOSE: to investigate the micronucleation (MN) of exfoliated cells from the uterine cervix of HIV+ women according to immunocompetence status. We investigated the clinical conditions of immunocompetence by analyzing the levels of CD4+ lymphocytes and viral count for HIV (VC). METHODS: biological material was collected from 23 HIV+ patients whose cervical oncologic cytology results were negative. They were patients from the STD/AIDS-FCMS-PUCSP who underwent a cytobrush collection in the squamous columnar junction. Similar material was obtained from 19 healthy control women. The material, about 2000 cells per patient, was processed for cytology using light microscopy and an immersion objective. To analyze the immunological status of HIV+ patients we used CD4+ count and VC. Statistical analysis was performed using the Χ2 and Kolmorogov-Smirnov tests. RESULTS: twenty-three pacients composed the group of HIV+ women and 19 composed the control group. We found micronuclei (MN) in all HIV+ patients and in 84.2 percent of the control group. In 17 73.9 percent of the HIV+ patients and in 5.2 percent of the control group we found more than 7 MN cells. MN tended to occur more among women with poorer immunological status in the HIV+ group. CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ patients in the AIDS phase have a higher prevalence of micronucleated cells, as opposed to a control group. Also, the frequency of MN was associated with worse conditions of immunosuppression.

Antibiotic resistance among pathogens causing disease in Jamaican children with HIV/AIDS / Resistencia antibiótica entre los patógenos que causan enfermedades en los niños jamaicanos con VIH/SIDA

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data regarding the antimicrobial resistance patterns of pathogens in children with HIV/AIDS from developing countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sepsis in a cohort of 219 HIV-infected Jamaican children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined clinical and microbiological data for children enrolled in the Kingston Paediatric/Perinatal HIV/AIDS programme from September 1, 2002 to May 31, 2007. Cases were defined as physician-diagnosed, laboratory confirmed UTIs and sepsis based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Only isolates from urine, blood and sterile sites were considered. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (20.1%) accounted for 74 episodes of UTIs and sepsis. Mean number of infections was 1.7 ± 1.3 per patient. There were 31 males (70.5%) and mean age at time of infection was 5.6 ± 4.7 years. Bacterial infections comprised cystitis (n = 52, 70.3%), bacterial pneumonia (n = 15, 20.3%), meningitis (n = 4, 5.4%), septicaemia (n = 2, 2.7%) and bone infection (n = 1, 1.4%). Among 52 UTIs, 39 were caused by a single organism. The most common UTI isolates included Escherichia coli (n = 21, 53.8%) and Enterobacter spp (n = 5, 12.8%). Among 22 cases of sepsis, isolates included Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 8, 36.4%) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (n = 6, 27.3%). All E coli isolates at two of three clinical sites were resistant to cotrimoxazole. There were 79.7% (n = 51) of infectious episodes with a cotrimoxazole-resistant organism occurring among those on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Escherichia coli was the most frequent bacterial isolate. Cotrimoxazole is a poor choice for empiric treatment of sepsis and UTIs in this clinical setting.

OBJETIVO: Los datos existentes en relación con los patrones de resistencia antimicrobiana en los ninos con VIH/SIDA de los países en vías de desarrollo, son limitados. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia y los patrones de susceptibilidad antibiótica de los patógenos bacterianos que causan infecciones de las vías urinarias (IVU) y sepsis en una cohorte de 219 ninos jamaicanos infectados con VIH. MÉTODOS: Este estudio transversal examinó datos clínicos y microbiológicos de ninos enrolados en el programa KPAIDS del 1ero. de septiembre de 2002 al 31 de mayo de 2007. Los casos se definieron como IVU y sepsis de diagnóstico médico, confirmada en el laboratorio, a partir de criterios de los Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CCE). Solamente se tuvieron en cuenta aislados de orina, sangre y sitios estériles. RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y cuatro pacientes (20.1%) dieron lugar a 74 episodios de IVU y sepsis. El número promedio de infecciones fue 1.7 ± 1.3 por paciente. Hubo 31 varones (70.5%) y la edad promedio en el momento de la infección fue 5.6 ± 4.7 anos. Las infecciones bacterianas abarcaron: cistitis (n = 52, 70.3%), pulmonía bacteriana (n = 15, 20.3%), meningitis (n = 4, 5.4%), septicemia (n = 2, 2.7%) e infección ósea (n = 1, 1.4%). De las 52 IVU, 39 fueron causadas por un solo microorganismo. Los aislados más comunes de IVU incluyeron Escherichia coli (n = 21, 53.8%) y Enterobacter spp (n = 5, 12.8%). De los 22 casos de sepsis, los aislados incluyeron Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 8, 36.4%) y Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo (n = 6, 27.3%). Todos los aislados de E coli en dos o tres sitios clínicos eran resistentes al cotrimoxazol. Se produjeron 79.7% (n = 51) episodios infecciosos con un organismo resistente al cotrimoxazol entre los pacientes que se hallaban bajo profilaxis con cotrimoxazol. CONCLUSIONES: Escherichia coli fue el aislado bacteriano más frecuente. El cotrimoxazol es una opción pobre para el tratamiento empírico de sepsis e IVU en esta situación clínica.

Síndrome de reconstitución inmune en pacientes VIH positivo / Immune reconstitution syndrome in HIV-positive patients

El síndrome de reconstitución inmune (SR) en pacientes VIH positivo es una consecuencia adversa de la restauración de la respuesta inmune específica, durante los primeros 6 meses de tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA). Objetivo. Cuantificar la prevalencia de SRI y caracterizar demográfica, clínica, inmunológica y virológicamente a pacientes VIH positivo con SRI que iniciaron TARGA en la Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Hospital Roosevelt, ciudad capital, Guatemala, 2006-2008...

Lost opportunities to Complete CD4+ Lymphocyte Testing among Patients who Tested Positive for HIV in South Africa

Objective:To estimate rates of completion of CD4+ lymphocyte testing (CD4 testing) within 12 weeks of testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at a large HIV/AIDS clinic in South Africa, and to identify clinical and demographic predictors for completion.Methods:In our study, CD4 testing was considered complete once a patient had retrieved the test results. To determine the rate of CD4 testing completion, we reviewed the records of all clinic patients who tested positive for HIV between January 2008 and February 2009. We identified predictors for completion through multivariate logistic regression.Findings:Of the 416 patients who tested positive for HIV, 84.6% initiated CD4 testing within the study timeframe. Of these patients, 54.3% were immediately eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) because of a CD4 cell count ≤ 200/µl, but only 51.3% of the patients in this category completed CD4 testing within 12 weeks of HIV testing. Among those not immediately eligible for ART (CD4 cells > 200/µl), only 14.9% completed CD4 testing within 12 weeks. Overall, of HIV+ patients who initiated CD4 testing, 65% did not complete it within 12 weeks of diagnosis. The higher the baseline CD4 cell count, the lower the odds of completing CD4 testing within 12 weeks.Conclusion:Patient losses between HIV testing, baseline CD4 cell count and the start of care and ART are high. As a result, many patients receive ART too late. Health information systems that link testing programmes with care and treatment programmes are needed

Profilaxis antirretroviral en 80 embarazadas infectadas con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Antiretroviral prophylaxis in 80 pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Determinar los factores epidemiológicos y la profilaxis antirretroviral utilizada en embarazadas seropositivas al virus de inmunodeficiencia humana. El siguiente es un estudio descriptivo, se revisaron 80 historias clínicas (82 embarazos con 83 recién nacidos), que fueron evaluadas en el HUC entre el año 1999 y 2004, se analizaron variables epidemiológicas que se recogieron en un protocolo de recolección de datos que incluían: edad, diagnóstico de virus de inmunodeficiencia humana, modo de adquisición del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana, inicio y tipo de profalaxis antirretroviral utilizada en la madre y el recién nacido, modo de culminación del embarazo, carga viral, linfocitos TCD4+, infecciones oportunistas y/o neoplasias, transmisión vertical del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana y malformaciones congénitas, entre otros. Las variables se recogieron en un protocolo de recolección de datos. Para el análisis y descripción de los datos se utilizó el programa Epi Info 5. La mayoría de las pacientes se encontraban en las edades de 20-29 años edad: 52 (63 por ciento). El diagnóstico de virus de inmunodeficiencia humana se realizó durante el embarazo en el 62 por ciento de los casos, 69,5 por ciento de las pacientes eran amas de casa, el promedio del contaje de linfocitos TCD4+ al finalizar la profilaxis antirretroviral fue de 527,6 células/mm3 y el de la carga viral fue de 150.24 copias por mm3. En el 91,5 por ciento (75/82) de los casos se indicó profilaxis antirretroviral en la etapa prenatal, en la culminación del embarazo y en el recién nacido, 12,5 por ciento casos no lo recibieron. El esquema de ZDV, LMV NFV, 57 (76 por ciento) fue el más utilizado.

Non-familial multiple keratoacanthomas in a 70 year-old long-term non-progressor HIV-seropositive man.

We describe here multiple keratoacanthomas in an Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-seropositive 70 year-old man. The patient had multiple epithelial tumors of the skin showing rapid growth, histopathological features of a keratoacanthoma and a conspicuous tendency toward spontaneous remission. A diagnosis of nonfamilial multiple keratoacanthoma was established. The patient had a CD4 count of 633 cells/microL. The HIV disease in our patient was of a nonprogressive nature with CCR5-positive T cells.

Resposta imune local nas lesões do colo uterino induzidas pelo HPV em mulheres soropositivas para o HIV / Local immune response in uterine cervix injuries induced by HPV in HIV-infected women

Os autores relatam a participação da imunidade local, representada pelas células de Langerhans, e a posterior ativação da resposta imunológica, como mecanismos importantes no controle das lesões intraepiteliais cervicais. Acredita-se que a depleção das células de Langerhans (quantitativa) ou a alteração na morfologia (qualitativa) possam ter participação no mecanismo de progressão ou persistência das lesões HPV induzidas, tendo em vista que poderão determinar alteração na resposta imunológica local independente na contagem de linfócitos TCD4+. Por outro lado, uma resposta imunológica local adequada pode ser a responsável pela regressão dessas lesões.

Evolución de mortalidad y estado actual de una población infectada por VIH controlada en un centro multiprofesional / Evolution of mortality and current status of an HIV-infected population cared for at a comprehensive HIV/AIDS center in Chile

Background: Chile, a middle-income country with an HIV epidemic of moderate proportions (global infection rate 0.2%) began a government sponsored, free, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for patients from the public health system in 2001 reaching in 2004 a 100% coverage. Arriaran Foundation (AF) is the largest public AIDS care center for adults in the country. Aim: To show the present status of the AF population and the evolution of mortality. Material and Methods: Review of AF database from 1991-2004 that at 12/31/2004 had a total cumulative population of 2,259 adult patients; an active census of 1,065 patients and admitting rate 160-190 patients per years. Results: The global mortality registered was 33.4%, with decreasing annual mortality from 15.7% of its active population in 1995 to 1.9% in 2004. As of 12/31/2004, 817 patients (76.7%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART); and 19.3% either did not require nor accept it. Thirty one percent received Combivir® and nevirapine, with undetectable viral load (<400 copies per ml) in 78%. Thirty percent received Combivir® and efavirenz with undetectable viral load in 80% at last count. Both regimens were used mainly as first therapy. Lopinavir/ritonavir was received by 6.3% of patients, mainly for post failure therapy and 58% had undetectable viral load. A baseline CD4 count <200 x mm3 was present in 70% of patients, 45.3% had a count below 100 and 47.8% had clinical AIDS. At the last follow up assessment, CD4 count was <200 in 36.8%, <100 in 10.6% and 200-350 in 44.9%. Conclusion: The expanded access program to ART in a public, comprehensive AIDS care center in Chile has been highly successful in reaching high undetectability (75%), reducing mortality and improving immune status despite very advanced baseline disease.

Oncogenicidade do papilomavírus humano e o grau de neoplasia intra-epitelial anal em doentes HIV positivo / Human papillomavirus oncogenicity and grade of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV positive patients

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o grau de neoplasia intra-epitelial anal (NIA) está associado ao tipo do HPV em doentes HIV positivo, já que esses apresentam imunodepressão durante longos períodos. MÉTODOS: Identificamos os tipos do HPV, pelo método da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), e realizamos exame anatomo-patológico para avaliar o grau de NIA em 39 homens HIV positivo portadores de condilomas acuminados perianais. RESULTADOS: Observamos NIA de alto grau em nove (23,1 por cento) e NIA de baixo grau em 30 doentes (76,9 por cento). Os tipos virais mais observados foram os não oncogênicos 6 e 11 em 64 por cento e os oncogênicos 16, 18 e 31 em 20,5 por cento. Não identificamos o tipo viral em quatro doentes (10,2 por cento), embora o teste revelasse a presença do DNA viral. Comparando o padrão histológico e os tipos virais, observamos que os tipos não oncogênicos do HPV também podem estar associados ao desenvolvimento de NIA de alto grau. CONCLUSAO: Os resultados obtidos nas condições de execução deste estudo permitem concluir que tanto os tipos oncogênicos como os não oncogênicos de HPV podem estar associados ao desenvolvimento de NIA de alto grau em doentes HIV positivo.

The frequency of peripheral neuropathy in a group of HIV positive patients in Brazil

A neuropatia periférica é complicação neurológica comum, podendo ocorrer nas fases assintomáticas e sintomáticas da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV). As síndromes mais comuns são a polineuropatia distal simétrica, polineuropatia desmielinizante inflamatória, polirradiculopatia, mononeuropatia, mononeuropatia múltipla e neuropatia autonômica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a freqüência da neuropatia periférica em um grupo de pacientes HIV positivo em São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODO: Em um período de 17 meses, foram avaliados clinicamente 49 pacientes HIV positivos. Foram solicitados exames laboratoriais e eletroneuromiografia (ENMG) para todos os pacientes. RESULTADOS: Foi estabelecido o diagnóstico clínico de neuropatia periférica em 34 (69,4%) dos 49 pacientes. O sinal neurológico mais comum foi a alteração da sensibilidade (97,1%). Treze (33,3%) dos 39 pacientes que realizaram a ENMG tiveram o diagnóstico de neuropatia periférica, sendo a neuropatia sensitivo-motora axonal o achado mais comum. Não foram encontradas alterações significativas nos exames laboratoriais (42 pacientes realizaram os exames), com exceção de quatro pacientes em que o VDRL foi positivo. CONCLUSÃO: A neuropatia periférica foi um achado freqüente no grupo de pacientes HIV positivo estudados clinicamente.

Who is at high risk? A comparison of the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in pregnant women and a high risk group

To compare the seroprevalence of HIV in Jamaican pregnant women with that in substance abusers, two groups of antenatal patients were studied, one (A) attending a public hospital clinic and the other (B) attending private clinics. The HIV seroprevalence in the antenatal patients was compared with that in the substance abusers, group C, in 1996 and five years later in 2001. HIV antibody was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The HIV seroprevalence in group A more than doubled (1.6-3.8) in five-years, 1996-2001. There were no seropositives in group B. In group C, the seroprevalence rose from 2.08 in 1996 to 5.76 in 2001. There was indication that group A might no longer be considered [quot ]low risk[quot ], as there was no significant difference from group C in HIV seroprevalence in 1996 and 2001. The trend seen in this study is worthy of further investigation

Flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines in peripheral blood of HIV-1 infected Thai children.

The objective of this study was to determine changes in Th1/Th2 cytokine production at the cellular level which occur during the progression of HIV-1 subtype E infection in Thai children born to HIV-1 subtype E infected mothers. Mitogen stimulated whole blood cultures from 12 uninfected and 27 HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai children were stained intracellularly with fluorescein labelled monoclonal antibodies against Interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-gamma (Th1 cytokines) and IL-4 (Th2 cytokine). Additionally, co-staining of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was performed. Results were analyzed by two and three color flow cytometry. The percentage of IFN-gamma expressing cells in CD4+ T cells was increased in HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai children with mild and moderate immunosuppression (Immunological categories 1 + 2, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) staging system, 1994). The percentages of IFN-gamma expression was continuously enhanced accompanied by remaining preserved in the proportion of IL-2 producing T cells in HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai children with severe immunosuppression (Immunological category 3, CDC staging system, 1994). The percentages of IFN-gamma expression was continuously augmented whereas the proportion of IL-2 producing T cells remained unchanged in HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai Children with severe immunosuppression (immunological category 3, CDC staging system, 1994). The percentage of Th2 cytokine producing cells within the CD4+ ad CD8+ T cells increased in HIV-1 subtype E infected individuals and showed a significant difference in HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai children with AIDS compared with uninfected infants. These results suggest that in vertically acquired HIV-1 infection with severe immunosuppression, the percentages of IL-2 producing CD4+ T cell was consistent but the percentages of IL-4 and IFN-gamma producing cell were increased. Similar results were found for CD8+ T cells in which IL-4 producing cells were increased in conjunction with a remaining in the number of IL-2 producing cells in HIV-1 subtype E infected Thai children. Thus, changes in the Th1 and Th2 cytokine pattern during HIV-1 infection may contribute to the prognosis of HIV disease in children.