The effects of cash transfer programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention and care outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies.

BACKGROUND: Poverty and social inequality are risk factors for poor health outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS. In addition to eligibility, cash transfer programmes can be divided into two categories: those with specific requirements (conditional cash transfers [CCTs]) and those without specific requirements (unconditional cash transfers). Common CCT requirements include health care (eg, undergoing an HIV test) and education (eg, children attending school). Trials assessing the effect of cash transfer programmes on HIV/AIDS outcomes have yielded divergent findings. This review aimed to summarise evidence to evaluate the effects of cash transfer programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention and care outcomes. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, LILACS, WHO IRIS, PAHO-IRIS, BDENF, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde SP, Localizador de Informação em Saúde, Coleciona SUS, BINACIS, IBECS, CUMED, SciELO, and Web of Science up to Nov 28, 2022. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of cash transfer programmes on HIV incidence, HIV testing, retention in HIV care, and antiretroviral therapy adherence, and conducted risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to combine studies and calculate risk ratios (RRs). Subgroup analyses were performed using conditionality types (ie, school attendance or health care). The protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021274452. FINDINGS: 16 RCTs, which included 5241 individuals, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 13 studies included conditionalities for receiving cash transfer programmes. The results showed that receiving a cash transfer was associated with lowered HIV incidence among individuals who had to meet health-care conditionalities (RR 0·74, 95% CI 0·56-0·98) and with increased retention in HIV care for pregnant women (1·14, 95% CI 1·03-1·27). No significant effect was observed for HIV testing (RR 0·45, 95% CI 0·18-1·12) or antiretroviral therapy adherence (1·13, 0·73-1·75). Lower risk of bias was observed for HIV incidence and having an HIV test. The strength of available evidence can be classified as moderate. INTERPRETATION: Cash transfer programmes have a positive effect on mitigating HIV incidence for individuals who have to meet health-care conditionalities and on increasing retention in HIV care for pregnant women. These results show the potential of cash transfer programmes for HIV prevention and care, especially among people in extreme poverty, and highlight that cash transfer programmes must be considered when developing policies for HIV/AIDS control, as indicated by the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target of the HIV care continuum. FUNDING: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, USA.

Deduplicating records in systematic reviews: there are free, accurate automated ways to do so.

OBJECTIVE: Here, we examined the accuracy measures of a set of automated deduplication tools to identify duplicate in the eligibility process of systematic reviews. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A planned search strategy was carried out on seven electronic databases until May 31, 2021. Using manual search as the reference standard, we assessed sensibility, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS: Specificity ranged from 0.96 to 1.00. Rayyan, Mendeley, and Systematic Review Accelerator (SRA) presented high sensibility (0.98 [95% CI = 0.94-1.00]; 0.93 [95% CI = 0.88-0.97] and 0.90 [95% CI = 0.84-0.95], respectively), whereas EndNote X9 and Zotero had only fair sensitivity (0.73 [95% CI = 0.65-0.80] and 0.74 [95% CI = 0.66-0.81], respectively). Negative predictive value ranged from 0.99 to 1.00. Mendeley and SRA had good PPV (0.93 [95% CI = 0.88-0.97] and 0.99 [95% CI = 0.96-1.00], respectively). PPV was fair for EndNote X9 (0.61 [95% CI = 0.54-0.69]) and Zotero (0.62 [95% CI = 0.54-0.69]) and poor for Rayyan (0.41 [95% CI = 0.36-0.47]). CONCLUSION: Choosing the most suitable tool depends on its interface's characteristics, the algorithm to identify and exclude duplicates, and the transparency of the process. Therefore, Rayyan, Mendeley, and SRA proved to be accurate enough for the systematic reviews' deduplication step.

Assessing the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019.

We assessed the proportions and causes of the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. Demographic variables, mention of tuberculosis (TB), and CD4 cell counts closest to death were used to compare those who had HIV/AIDS mentioned on their death certificate (HMDC) to those who did not. Out of 10,698 deaths, 2,863 (26.8%) had no HMDC, from which 412 (14.4%) had external underlying cause. After excluding deaths from external causes, we found that 24% still had no HMDC. Age ≥ 40 years (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.52-2.01), non-white race/ethnicity (OR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.02-1.31), the male gender (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.11-1.42), higher CD4 cell counts closest to death (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.12-1.16), absence of TB (OR = 4.86; 95%CI: 3.76-6.29) and not dying within a hospital (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.31-2.95) were associated with increased probabilities of not having HMDC. The proportion of deaths with no HMDC increased from 18.7% to 35.1% between 2014 and 2019. The high proportion of underreported deaths in Rio de Janeiro indicates that HIV/AIDS mortality coefficients in the state may be underestimated. With the changing patterns of mortality of PLHIV, physicians are advised to consider the broader clinical spectrum of HIV infection, and surveillance officers should improve death monitoring.

Assessing the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019 / Avaliação da subnotificação de óbitos em pessoas vivendo com HIV no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2014 e 2019 / Evaluando el subregistro de muertes entre personas que viven con VIH en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, de 2014 a 2019

Abstract: We assessed the proportions and causes of the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. Demographic variables, mention of tuberculosis (TB), and CD4 cell counts closest to death were used to compare those who had HIV/AIDS mentioned on their death certificate (HMDC) to those who did not. Out of 10,698 deaths, 2,863 (26.8%) had no HMDC, from which 412 (14.4%) had external underlying cause. After excluding deaths from external causes, we found that 24% still had no HMDC. Age ≥ 40 years (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.52-2.01), non-white race/ethnicity (OR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.02-1.31), the male gender (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.11-1.42), higher CD4 cell counts closest to death (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.12-1.16), absence of TB (OR = 4.86; 95%CI: 3.76-6.29) and not dying within a hospital (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.31-2.95) were associated with increased probabilities of not having HMDC. The proportion of deaths with no HMDC increased from 18.7% to 35.1% between 2014 and 2019. The high proportion of underreported deaths in Rio de Janeiro indicates that HIV/AIDS mortality coefficients in the state may be underestimated. With the changing patterns of mortality of PLHIV, physicians are advised to consider the broader clinical spectrum of HIV infection, and surveillance officers should improve death monitoring.

Resumo: Os autores avaliaram as proporções de subnotificação de óbitos e fatores associados em pessoas vivendo com HIV (PVHIV) no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2014 e 2019. Variáveis demográficas, menção de tuberculose (TB) e contagem de células CD4 mais próxima ao óbito foram utilizadas para comparar indivíduos que tiveram códigos para HIV/aids mencionados na declaração de óbito (HMDO) àqueles que não apresentaram tal menção. Entre 10.698 certidões de óbito, 2.863 (26.8%) não citaram HIV/aids. Entre estes, 412 (14,4%) apresentaram causas externas como a causa subjacente. Depois de excluir as causas externas, 24% das certidões não mencionaram HIV/aids. Idade acima de 40 anos (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raça/etnicidade não branca (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), sexo masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), contagem de CD4 mais alta próximo ao óbito (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), não ter TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29) e morte extra-hospitalar (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95) mostraram associação com aumento de probabilidade de não apresentar HMDO. A proporção de certidões de óbito que não citavam HIV/aids aumentou de 18,7% para 35,1% entre 2014 e 2019. A alta proporção de óbitos subnotificados no Rio de Janeiro indica a possível subestimação dos coeficientes de mortalidade por HIV/aids no estado. A mudança nos padrões de mortalidade em PVHIV desafia tanto os médicos, no sentido de considerar o espectro clínico mais amplo na infecção pelo HIV, quanto os especialistas em vigilância, no sentido de aprimorar o monitoramento da mortalidade.

Resumen: Evaluamos los porcentajes y factores asociados con el subregistro de muertes entre personas afectadas por VIH (PLHIV) en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, desde 2014 a 2019. Se utilizaron variables demográficas, mención de tuberculosis (TB) y recuentos de células CD4 más cercanos al fallecimiento, para comparar a quienes tenían VIH/SIDA reflejado en el certificado de defunción (HMDC), con quienes no lo tenían. De las 10.698 muertes, 2.863 (26,8%) no tuvieron HMDC. De entre ellos, 412 (14,4%) tenían causas externas como causa subyacente. Tras excluir las causas externas, un 24% no tuvieron HMDC. Edad ≥ 40 años (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raza no blanca raza/etnicidad (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), género masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), recuentos de células CD4 más altos más cercanos a la muerte (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), que no tenían TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29), y que no murieron en un hospital (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95), estuvieron asociados con probabilidades crecientes de no tener HMDC. La proporción de muertes que no tenían HMDC aumentó de un 18,7% a un 35,1% entre 2014 y 2019. La alta proporción de muertes subregistradas en Río de Janeiro indican que los coeficientes de mortalidad VIH/SIDA en el estado quizás estaban subestimados. Los patrones cambiantes de mortalidad suponen un desafío para las PLHIV, así como para los médicos, a la hora de considerar infección por VIH dentro de un espectro clínico más amplio, al igual que para los agentes de supervisión, con el fin de mejorar el monitoreo de muertes.

Mortality profiles among people living with HIV/AIDS: comparison between Rio de Janeiro and other federative units between 1999 and 2015. / Perfis de mortalidade em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids: comparação entre o Rio de Janeiro e as demais unidades da federação entre 1999 e 2015.

INTRODUCTION: The trend toward stabilization regarding the AIDS epidemic in Brazil over the past decade hides a very complex scenario, where two-thirds of the Brazilian federative units exhibit AIDS standardized mortality rates (ASMR) significantly above the national average and/or in upward tendency. ASMR in Rio de Janeiro State remains virtually unchanged over the years; the state currently occupies the second position in the national ranking of this indicator. OBJECTIVE: To assess temporal trends in causes of death searching for differential profiles that could be useful for understanding mortality among patients with HIV in the state. METHODOLOGY: Causes of death were analyzed in any field of the death certificates from the Mortality Information System between 1999 and 2015 for individuals ≥ 15 years of age. Cardiovascular diseases, non-AIDS-related cancers, external causes, diabetes mellitus, and tuberculosis were established by the mention or not of their codes according to the 10th edition of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) in death certificates. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to describe odds ratios in relation to 1999 and adjusted mean annual variations. RESULTS: The results point to the emerging role of external causes and genitourinary diseases and the persistent role played by tuberculosis, differentially affecting AIDS mortality in the state, in a scenario of high mortality due to infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that tuberculosis remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the need for studies that identify individual-level factors impacting their survival, thus improving local HIV/AIDS control measures.

INTRODUÇÃO: A aparente estabilidade da mortalidade por aids no país na última década encobre uma gama de cenários, com dois terços dos estados apresentando taxa padronizada de mortalidade por aids (TPMA) significativamente acima da média nacional e/ou em tendência ascendente. No Rio de Janeiro, a TPMA vem mantendo-se alta e estável ao longo dos anos; atualmente o estado ocupa a segunda posição no ranking nacional desse indicador. OBJETIVO: Examinar tendências temporais em causas de óbito na busca de padrões diferenciais que contribuam para o entendimento da mortalidade por aids no estado. METODOLOGIA: Foram analisadas causas de óbito em qualquer campo das declarações de óbito constantes do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) entre 1999 e 2015 para indivíduos ≥ 15 anos. Doenças cardiovasculares, malignidades não relacionadas à aids, causas externas, diabetes melito e tuberculose foram estabelecidas pela menção ou não de seus códigos conforme a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados com a Saúde (CID-10) nas declarações de óbito. Modelos lineares generalizados com efeitos mistos foram usados para descrever odds ratios relativas a 1999 e variações anuais médias ajustadas. RESULTADOS: Verificaram-se o aumento proporcional em causas externas e doenças geniturinárias e, sobretudo, o persistente papel desempenhado pela tuberculose, impactando diferencialmente a mortalidade por aids no estado, em um cenário de alta mortalidade por doenças infecciosas. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados reforçam a manutenção da tuberculose na mortalidade de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) no Rio de Janeiro e chamam a atenção para a necessidade de avaliar determinantes individuais atuando na redução da sobrevida desses pacientes, de forma a aprimorar o programa de controle do HIV/aids no estado.

Perfis de mortalidade em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids: comparação entre o Rio de Janeiro e as demais unidades da federação entre 1999 e 2015 / Mortality profiles among people living with HIV/AIDS: comparison between Rio de Janeiro and other federative units between 1999 and 2015

RESUMO: Introdução: A aparente estabilidade da mortalidade por aids no país na última década encobre uma gama de cenários, com dois terços dos estados apresentando taxa padronizada de mortalidade por aids (TPMA) significativamente acima da média nacional e/ou em tendência ascendente. No Rio de Janeiro, a TPMA vem mantendo-se alta e estável ao longo dos anos; atualmente o estado ocupa a segunda posição no ranking nacional desse indicador. Objetivo: Examinar tendências temporais em causas de óbito na busca de padrões diferenciais que contribuam para o entendimento da mortalidade por aids no estado. Metodologia: Foram analisadas causas de óbito em qualquer campo das declarações de óbito constantes do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) entre 1999 e 2015 para indivíduos ≥ 15 anos. Doenças cardiovasculares, malignidades não relacionadas à aids, causas externas, diabetes melito e tuberculose foram estabelecidas pela menção ou não de seus códigos conforme a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados com a Saúde (CID-10) nas declarações de óbito. Modelos lineares generalizados com efeitos mistos foram usados para descrever odds ratios relativas a 1999 e variações anuais médias ajustadas. Resultados: Verificaram-se o aumento proporcional em causas externas e doenças geniturinárias e, sobretudo, o persistente papel desempenhado pela tuberculose, impactando diferencialmente a mortalidade por aids no estado, em um cenário de alta mortalidade por doenças infecciosas. Conclusão: Os achados reforçam a manutenção da tuberculose na mortalidade de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) no Rio de Janeiro e chamam a atenção para a necessidade de avaliar determinantes individuais atuando na redução da sobrevida desses pacientes, de forma a aprimorar o programa de controle do HIV/aids no estado.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The trend toward stabilization regarding the AIDS epidemic in Brazil over the past decade hides a very complex scenario, where two-thirds of the Brazilian federative units exhibit AIDS standardized mortality rates (ASMR) significantly above the national average and/or in upward tendency. ASMR in Rio de Janeiro State remains virtually unchanged over the years; the state currently occupies the second position in the national ranking of this indicator. Objective: To assess temporal trends in causes of death searching for differential profiles that could be useful for understanding mortality among patients with HIV in the state. Methodology: Causes of death were analyzed in any field of the death certificates from the Mortality Information System between 1999 and 2015 for individuals ≥ 15 years of age. Cardiovascular diseases, non-AIDS-related cancers, external causes, diabetes mellitus, and tuberculosis were established by the mention or not of their codes according to the 10th edition of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) in death certificates. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to describe odds ratios in relation to 1999 and adjusted mean annual variations. Results: The results point to the emerging role of external causes and genitourinary diseases and the persistent role played by tuberculosis, differentially affecting AIDS mortality in the state, in a scenario of high mortality due to infectious diseases. Conclusion: These data suggest that tuberculosis remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the need for studies that identify individual-level factors impacting their survival, thus improving local HIV/AIDS control measures.

A comparison of accuracy and computational feasibility of two record linkage algorithms in retrieving vital status information from HIV/AIDS patients registered in Brazilian public databases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: While cross-referencing information from people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to the official mortality database is a critical step in monitoring the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Brazil, the accuracy of the linkage routine may compromise the validity of the final database, yielding to biased epidemiological estimates. We compared the accuracy and the total runtime of two linkage algorithms applied to retrieve vital status information from PLWHA in Brazilian public databases. METHODS: Nominally identified records from PLWHA were obtained from three distinct government databases. Linkage routines included an algorithm in Python language (PLA) and Reclink software (RlS), a probabilistic software largely utilized in Brazil. Records from PLWHA1 known to be alive were added to those from patients reported as deceased. Data were then searched into the mortality system. Scenarios where 5% and 50% of patients actually dead were simulated, considering both complete cases and 20% missing maternal names. RESULTS: When complete information was available both algorithms had comparable accuracies. In the scenario of 20% missing maternal names, PLA2 and RlS3 had sensitivities of 94.5% and 94.6% (p > 0.5), respectively; after manual reviewing, PLA sensitivity increased to 98.4% (96.6-100.0) exceeding that for RlS (p < 0.01). PLA had higher positive predictive value in 5% death proportion. Manual reviewing was intrinsically required by RlS in up to 14% register for people actually dead, whereas the corresponding proportion ranged from 1.5% to 2% for PLA. The lack of manual inspection did not alter PLA sensitivity when complete information was available. When incomplete data was available PLA sensitivity increased from 94.5% to 98.4%, thus exceeding that presented by RlS (94.6%, p < 0.05). RlS spanned considerably less processing time compared to PLA. CONCLUSION: Both linkage algorithms presented interchangeable accuracies in retrieving vital status data from PLWHA. RlS had a considerably lesser runtime but intrinsically required manually reviewing a fastidious proportion of the matched registries. On the other hand, PLA spent quite more runtime but spared manual reviewing at no expense of accuracy.

Diabetes Mellitus is Associated with Increased Death Rates Among HIV-Infected Patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide and a known factor leading to increased risk of death, especially in conjunction with other risk factors. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of DM among HIV-infected patients and its association with overall mortality. All HIV-infected patients 18 years or older who were followed in the Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI) cohort from January 1991 to December 2011 were included. Time-updated covariables included DM status, calendar year, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and CD4 cell counts. Fixed demographic covariables included gender and age at entry. Poisson models were used to calculate mortality rate ratios (RR) with robust variances. Among the 4,871 patients included, 1,192 (24.4%) died (mortality rate = 4.72/100 person-years [PY]; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.46-5.00). Death rates were significantly higher among those presenting with DM compared with those who did not (6.16/100 vs. 4.61/100 PY, respectively. p = 0.001). In the final model, DM was significantly associated with mortality (RR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.57-1.94; p < 0.001). When the analysis was restricted to those on cART or the period post-1996, the association between DM and mortality was even stronger (RR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.91-2.46; p < 0.001 and RR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.75-2.18; p < 0.001, respectively). Among the major groups of cause of deaths (CODs), the proportion of AIDS-related conditions in patients with DM was lower (74.27% vs. 58.93%, respectively; p < 0.001); whereas in non-AIDS-related conditions, nonimmunodeficiency-related causes (22.44% vs. 34.82%, respectively; p = 0.004) were more common in patients with DM. In conclusion, DM was associated with increased mortality rates even after controlling for HIV-related variables associated to this outcome. Differences in the underlying CODs were identified, reinforcing the necessity to assess and treat comorbidities such as DM in HIV-infected patients.

Continuous increase of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and non-HIV related cancers as causes of death in HIV-infected individuals in Brazil: an analysis of nationwide data.

INTRODUCTION: After antiretroviral therapy (ART) became available, there was a decline in the number of deaths in persons infected with HIV. Thereafter, there was a decrease in the proportion of deaths attributed to opportunistic infections and an increase in the proportion of deaths attributed to chronic comorbidities. Herein we extend previous observations from a nationwide survey on temporal trends in causes of death in HIV-infected patients in Brazil. METHODS: We describe temporal trends in causes of death among adults who had HIV/AIDS listed in the death certificate to those who did not. All death certificates issued in Brazil from 1999 to 2011 and listed in the national mortality database were included. Generalized linear mixed-effects logistic models were used to study temporal trends in proportions. RESULTS: In the HIV-infected population, there was an annual adjusted average increase of 6.0%, 12.0%, 4.0% and 4.1% for cancer, external causes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), respectively, compared to 3.0%, 4.0%, 1.0% and 3.9%, in the non-HIV group. For tuberculosis (TB), there was an adjusted average increase of 0.3%/year and a decrease of 3.0%/year in the HIV and the non-HIV groups, respectively. Compared to 1999, the odds ratio (OR) for cancer, external causes, CVD, DM, or TB in the HIV group were, respectively, 2.31, 4.17, 1.76, 2.27 and 1.02, while for the non-HIV group, the corresponding OR were 1.31, 1.63, 1.14, 1.62 and 0.67. Interactions between year as a continuous or categorical variable and HIV were significant (p<0.001) for all conditions, except for DM when year was considered as a continuous variable (p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Non HIV-related co-morbidities continue to increase more rapidly as causes of death among HIV-infected individuals than in those without HIV infection, highlighting the need for targeting prevention measures and surveillance for chronic diseases among those patients.

Metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected individuals: underlying mechanisms and epidemiological aspects.

The success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has determined a dramatic decline in AIDS- and immunodeficiency-related causes of death in the HIV-infected population. As life-expectancy increases, such individuals have become gradually exposed not only to the effects of aging itself, but also to the influence of environmental risk factors, which are known to act in the general population. These features can lead to obesity, diabetes mellitus and ultimately cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolic complications and abnormal fat distribution were frequently observed after a few years of antiretroviral therapy and, as the array of antiretroviral drugs became broader, long term metabolic alterations are becoming far more common worldwide. Nevertheless, the risk of not being on HAART is overwhelmingly greater than the metabolic adverse events in terms of morbidity and mortality events. HIV/HAART-induced metabolic unbalances overlap in some extent the components of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its high rates in the HIV population place infected individuals in an elevated CVD risk category. MetS can explain at least in part the emergence of CVD as the major morbidity and mortality conditions in the HIV population. In this review we convey information on the underlying aspects of MetS during HIV infection, highlighting some physiopathological and epidemiological features of this comorbidity along with the role played by HIV itself and the synergy action of some antiretroviral drugs. Considerations on MetS management in the HIV population are also depicted.

Lack of galectin-3 disturbs mesenteric lymph node homeostasis and B cell niches in the course of Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Galectin-3 is a ß-galactoside-binding protein that has been shown to regulate pathophysiological processes, including cellular activation, differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, we showed that galectin-3 acts as a potent inhibitor of B cell differentiation into plasma cells. Here, we have investigated whether galectin-3 interferes with the lymphoid organization of B cell compartments in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) during chronic schistosomiasis, using WT and galectin-3(-/-) mice. Schistosoma mansoni synthesizes GalNAcß1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAc(Lac-DiNAc) structures (N-acetylgalactosamine ß1-4 N-acetylglucosamine), which are known to interact with galectin-3 and elicit an intense humoral response. Antigens derived from the eggs and adult worms are continuously drained to MLNs and induce a polyclonal B cell activation. In the present work, we observed that chronically-infected galectin-3(-/-) mice exhibited a significant reduced amount of macrophages and B lymphocytes followed by drastic histological changes in B lymphocyte and plasma cell niches in the MLNs. The lack of galectin-3 favored an increase in the lymphoid follicle number, but made follicular cells more susceptible to apoptotic stimuli. There were an excessive quantity of apoptotic bodies, higher number of annexin V(+)/PI(-) cells, and reduced clearance of follicular apoptotic cells in the course of schistosomiasis. Here, we observed that galectin-3 was expressed in non-lymphoid follicular cells and its absence was associated with severe damage to tissue architecture. Thus, we convey new information on the role of galectin-3 in regulation of histological events associated with B lymphocyte and plasma cell niches, apoptosis, phagocytosis and cell cycle properties in the MLNs of mice challenged with S.mansoni.

Canine leishmaniasis in Brazil: serological follow-up of a dog population in an endemic area of american visceral leishmaniasis.

We performed a serological, clinical, and parasitological follow-up of a dog population in an endemic area of American Visceral Leishmaniasis estimated by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and western blot (WB). After twelve months, the results obtained from IFA demonstrated that 50% were seropositive and two serological profiles were observed: the first one ranging from 1/40 to 1/80 and the second >/=1/160. By WB, it was observed that the same percentage and sera from positive dogs presented the recognition of the peptides of 29 and 32 kDa up to 8 months before IFA serum conversion. Among the positive dogs, all the sera from symptomatic ones with tissue parasitism recognized the peptide of 68.5 kDa. Our results suggest the need of modifications in the control measures regarding the elimination of the dogs. They also corroborate the high sensitivity and specificity of western blot in the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis, suggesting the possibility of its association with IFA.

[Leishmaniasis in domestic dogs: epidemiological aspects]. / Leishmaniose em cães domésticos: aspectos epidemiológicos.

In Barra de Guaratiba, an endemic area for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, control campaigns were unable to reduce canine infection rates. This difficulty prompted an in-depth study of dogs as a reservoir for Leishmania chagasi in the peri-urban environment through clinical and serological follow-up using the immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques. Recognition of 29 kDa and 32 kDa peptides by sera from dogs with proven L. chagasi infection was observed. Furthermore, only sera from symptomatic dogs recognized the 68.5 kDa antigen, so the latter should be considered a parameter for culling dogs from endemic areas. The WB technique proved to be more sensitive than IFA, since the 29 and 32 kDa peptide fractions were even recognized by sera from AVL seronegative dogs up to 8 months before IFA seroconversion. Proximity to wooded areas was an important risk factor for L. chagasi infection in dogs, possibly due to the presence of wild reservoirs.

Leishmaniose em cães domésticos: aspectos epidemiológicos / Leishmaniasis in domestic dogs: epidemiological aspects

Em Barra de Guaratiba, área endêmica de leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA) no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as campanhas de controle não têm sido capazes de reduzir a infecção canina. Este fato nos levou a aprofundar o estudo do cão como reservatório da Leishmania chagasi em ambiente periurbano, através de acompanhamento clínico e sorológico usando as técnicas de IFA e WB. O reconhecimento dos peptideos de 29 e 32kDa por soro de cães comprovadamente infectados por L. chagasi foi observado. Além disso, somente soros de cães sintomáticos reconheceram o antígeno de 68,5kDa, podendo esse peptídeo ser recomendado como parâmetro para eliminação dos cães em área endêmica. A técnica de WB provou ser mais sensível que IFA, desde que as frações peptídicas de 29 e 32kDa foram reconhecidas por soro de cães soronegativos para LVA, até 8 meses antes da soroconversão pelo IFA. A proximidade da mata foi fator relevante para aumentar o risco de infecção por L. chagasi nos cães, possivelmente devido à presença de reservatórios silvestres.

The use of immunoblot analysis in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Rio de Janeiro.

In this article, we describe the findings obtained using immunoblot analysis in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and its correlation with serological titer and clinical status. We found that all animals bearing amastigote forms recognized antigens with 29 and 32 kDa and that this pattern can be exploited for diagnostic and epidemiological purposes. The recognition of the 29- and 32-kDa antigens was verified even in seronegative dogs and preceded seroconversion in periods ranging from several months to 2 yr. We found a correlation between serological titer and parasite burden. Although no correlation between antigenic recognition pattern and clinical status was observed, immunoblot analysis proved to be a reliable test to detect antibodies against Leishmania sp. antigens in dogs from areas with endemic VL.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: assessment of risk factors.

Barra de Guaratiba is a coastal area of the city of Rio de Janeiro where American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is endemic. Although control measures including killing of dogs and use of insecticides have been applied at this locality, the canine seroprevalence remains at 25% and during 1995 and 1997 eight autochthonous human cases were notified. In order to evaluate factors related to the increase of the risk for Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection in dogs we have screened 365 dogs by anti-Leishmania immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and captured sandflies in the domestic and peridomestic environment. Some variables related to the infection were assessed by uni- and multivariate analysis. The distance of the residence from the forest border, its altitude and the presence of the opossum Didelphis marsupialis in the backyard, were found predictor factors for L. (L.) chagasi infection in dogs in Barra de Guaratiba. The presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the peridomestic environment indicates the possibility of appearence of new human cases. Our data also suggest the presence of a sylvatic enzootic cycle at this locality.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: assessment of risk factors

Barra de Guaratiba is a coastal area of the city of Rio de Janeiro where American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is endemic. Although control measures including killing of dogs and use of insecticides have been applied at this locality, the canine seroprevalence remains at 25 percent and during 1995 and 1997 eight autochthonous human cases were notified. In order to evaluate factors related to the increase of the risk for Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection in dogs we have screened 365 dogs by anti-Leishmania immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and captured sandflies in the domestic and peridomestic environment. Some variables related to the infection were assessed by uni- and multivariate analysis. The distance of the residence from the forest border, its altitude and the presence of the opossum Didelphis marsupialis in the backyard, were found predictor factors for L. (L.) chagasi infection in dogs in Barra de Guaratiba. The presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the peridomestic environment indicates the possibility of appearence of new human cases. Our data also suggest the presence of a sylvatic enzootic cycle at this locality