Validation of the definitions of nursing diagnoses for individuals with Aids.

OBJECTIVES: to develop and validate conceptual and operational definitions of nursing diagnoses of the International Classification for Nursing Practice for people living with Aids. METHODS: methodological study with 100 individuals with Aids, in a hospital school. In addition, 19 nurses selected from the Lattes platform acted as experts in the validation process. The research was conducted, using three moments: identification and validation of the nursing diagnoses; construction of the conceptual and operational definitions of the diagnoses, and content validation, using the content validity index. RESULTS: a total of 35 diagnoses were identified and 18 had their conceptual and operational definitions validated, with validity index of ≥ 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: the construction of the conceptual and operational definitions enables nurses to analyze the clinical inferences and endorse the nursing diagnosis, contributing to its predictive capacity.

Classification of clinical risk in people with AIDS followed up in specialized care / Clasificación de riesgo clínico en personas con SIDA acompañadas de la atención especializada / Classificação de risco clínico em pessoas com aids acompanhadas na atenção especializada

ABSTRACT Aim: To develop a clinical risk stratification score for people living with AIDS and to analyze its association with clinical and sociodemographic aspects. Method: Cross-sectional study involving 150 adults with AIDS, in outpatient follow-up. A structured instrument was applied and, sequentially, inferential statistical techniques on the developed score. Results: 45.3% of the participants were classified as in high clinical risk. TL-CD4+ <500cel/mm3 count, detectable viral load, presence of opportunistic diseases, chronic diseases and clinical manifestations were associated with high clinical risk. There was a significant difference in the mean risk between the categories of variables employment status (p = 0.003) and economic class (p = 0.035). There was a higher risk for brown people (OR = 5.55), unemployed status (OR = 16,51) and belonging to classes C (OR = 20.07) and D (OR = 53,32), and a lower risk for individuals with higher schooling (OR = 0.02). Conclusion: The proposed score quantifies clinical situations and points out sociodemographic aspects that predispose to instability and aggravation of AIDS, supporting the qualification of care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Elaborar una puntuación para estratificación de riesgo clínico de personas viviendo con sida y analizar su asociación con aspectos clínicos y sociodemográficos. Método: Estudio transversal que involucra a 150 adultos con sida, en seguimiento de ambulatorio. Se aplicó instrumento estructurado y, secuencialmente, técnicas estadísticas que interfieren en la puntuación elaborada. Resultados: El 45,3% de los participantes fueron clasificados en el riesgo clínico alto. La cuenta de LT−CD4+<500cel/mm3, la carga viral detectable, la presencia de enfermedades oportunistas, las enfermedades crónicas y manifestaciones clínicas se asociaron al riesgo clínico elevado. Se verificó una diferencia significativa en el riesgo medio entre las categorías de variables de empleo (p=0,003) y la clase económica (p=0,035). Se constató un mayor riesgo para las personas pardas (OR=5,55), alejadas del empleo (OR=16,51) y pertenecientes a las clases C (OR=20,07) y D (OR=53,32), y menor riesgo entre los individuos con mayor escolaridad (OR=0,02). Conclusión: La puntuación propuesta cuantifica situaciones clínicas y apunta aspectos sociodemográficos que predisponen a la inestabilidad y agudización del sida, subsidiando la calificación del cuidado.

RESUMO Objetivo: Elaborar um escore para estratificação de risco clínico de pessoas vivendo co.m Aids e analisar sua associação com aspectos clínicos e sociodemográficos. Método: Estudo transversal envolvendo 150 adultos com aids, em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Aplicou-se instrumento estruturado e, sequencialmente, técnicas estatísticas inferenciais sobre o escore elaborado. Resultados: 45,3% dos participantes foram classificados no risco clínico alto. A contagem de LT-CD4+<500cel/mm3, carga viral detectável, presença de doenças oportunistas, doenças crônicas e manifestações clínicas associaram-se ao risco clínico elevado. Verificou-se diferença significativa no risco médio entre as categorias das variáveis situação empregatícia (p = 0,003) e classe econômica (p = 0,035). Constatou-se maior risco para pessoas pardas (OR = 5,55), afastadas do emprego (OR = 16,51) e pertencentes às classes C (OR = 20,07) e D (OR = 53,32), e menor risco entre os indivíduos com maior escolaridade (OR = 0,02). Conclusão: O escore proposto quantifica situações clínicas e aponta aspectos sociodemográficos que predispõem a instabilidade e agudização da aids, subsidiando a qualificação do cuidado.

Classification of clinical risk in people with AIDS followed up in specialized care.

AIM: To develop a clinical risk stratification score for people living with AIDS and to analyze its association with clinical and sociodemographic aspects. METHOD: Cross-sectional study involving 150 adults with AIDS, in outpatient follow-up. A structured instrument was applied and, sequentially, inferential statistical techniques on the developed score. RESULTS: 45.3% of the participants were classified as in high clinical risk. TL-CD4+ <500cel/mm3 count, detectable viral load, presence of opportunistic diseases, chronic diseases and clinical manifestations were associated with high clinical risk. There was a significant difference in the mean risk between the categories of variables employment status (p = 0.003) and economic class (p = 0.035). There was a higher risk for brown people (OR = 5.55), unemployed status (OR = 16,51) and belonging to classes C (OR = 20.07) and D (OR = 53,32), and a lower risk for individuals with higher schooling (OR = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The proposed score quantifies clinical situations and points out sociodemographic aspects that predispose to instability and aggravation of AIDS, supporting the qualification of care.

Addressing the under-reporting of adverse drug reactions in public health programs controlling HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are a major clinical and public health problem world-wide. The prompt reporting of suspected ADRs to regulatory authorities to activate drug safety surveillance and regulation appears to be the most pragmatic measure for addressing the problem. This paper evaluated a pharmacovigilance (PV) training model that was designed to improve the reporting of ADRs in public health programs treating the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria. METHODS: A Structured Pharmacovigilance and Training Initiative (SPHAR-TI) model based on the World Health Organization accredited Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SOR-IT) model was designed and implemented over a period of 12 months. A prospective cohort design was deployed to evaluate the outcomes of the model. The primary outcomes were knowledge gained and Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSR) (completed adverse drug reactions monitoring forms) submitted, while the secondary outcomes were facility based Pharmacovigilance Committees activated and health facility healthcare workers trained by the participants. RESULTS: Fifty-five (98%) participants were trained and followed up for 12 months. More than three quarter of the participants have never received training on pharmacovigilance prior to the course. Yet, a significant gain in knowledge was observed after the participants completed a comprehensive training for six days. In only seven months, 3000 ICSRs (with 100% completeness) were submitted, 2,937 facility based healthcare workers trained and 46 Pharmacovigilance Committees activated by the participants. Overall, a 273% increase in ICSRs submission to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was observed. CONCLUSION: Participants gained knowledge, which tended to increase the reporting of ADRs. The SPHAR-TI model could be an option for strengthening the continuous reporting of ADRs in public health programs in resource limited settings.

A joint frailty model provides for risk stratification of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients based on unobserved heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between recurrent AIDS-defining events and a semicompeting risk of death in patients with advanced, multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus infection and to identify individuals at increased risk for these events using a joint frailty model. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Three hundred sixty-eight patients with antiretroviral treatment failure in the Options in Management of Antiretrovirals Trial randomized to two antiretroviral treatment strategies using a 2 × 2 factorial design, intensive vs. standard and interruption vs. continuation, and followed for development of AIDS-defining events and death. RESULTS: Participants were heterogeneous for risk of AIDS-defining events and death (P < 0.001), and AIDS-defining events were strongly associated with death (P < 0.001), irrespective of treatment. The frailty model was used to classify individuals into high- and low-risk groups based on unobserved heterogeneity. Low-risk individuals were unlikely to die (0%) or have an AIDS-defining event (<4%), whereas high-risk individuals had event rates approaching 70%. About one-third of high-risk individuals had accelerated mortality, all who died before experiencing an AIDS-defining event. High-risk was associated with being immunocompromised and higher predicted 5-year mortality. CONCLUSION: The joint frailty model permits classification of individuals into risk groups based on unobserved heterogeneity that may be identifiable based on observed covariates, providing advantages over the traditional Cox model.

Assessment of pharmaceutical services in HIV/AIDS health units in the city of Niterói, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to conduct an assessment of pharmaceutical services in HIV/AIDS in the city of Niteroi, Brazil, with emphasis on management. It was done a descriptive cross-sectional study, and the approach used was a normative assessment focused on quality. The indicators used were analyzed individually or grouped according to the components of pharmaceutical services. The assessment identified some good points, especially regarding the good availability of ARVs, and good guide patients in the use of these drugs, and also some problems such as low levels of compliance in relation to good dispensing practices criteria and storage and a high time for the distribution of medicines. The result was a degree of 50.3% compliance with the quality criteria, considered only regular in accordance with trial made. Proposals were suggested for actions and interventions, especially in relation to the improvement of structural conditions of pharmacies of health facilities in the city, and increased training of professionals involved in the services.

[Development of valorization of physical activity: the role of HIV associations]. / La construction de la valorisation de l'activité physique : le rôle des associations VIH.

With the arrival of triple combination therapy in 1996-1997, HIV infection, considered up until then to be a life-threatening condition, changed statuses within the realm of public health actions Progressively likened to a "chronic illness", the discourse on HIV prevention targeting people living with HIV (PLHIV) began to evolve. A review of the scientific literature and the journals of four national HIV associations published between 1990 and 2010 shows that physical activities, previously discouraged because considered to be dangerous, have become increasingly presented as a means of improving quality of life and are increasingly recommended for PLHIV. This article studies this reconfiguration of the discourse on HIV prevention, as well as its effects on the discourse conveyed by HIV associations. The article shows how the new classification of HIV as a "chronic illness", on the basis of scientific expertise, has led to a modified discourse on prevention, including the recommendation of regular and controlled physical activity. This new orientation has contributed to the restructuring of HIV associations which relay this discourse and modify their organization and services, increasingly offering access to physical activities. However, this raises the question of the effects of this new representation of physical activities, as there has been little conside-ration of the difficulties encountered by PLHIV to respond to these repeated encouragements to modify their lifestyles in order to be "good" chronically ill patients. .

Do we have the reliable data? An exploration of data quality for AIDS information system in China.

A national AIDS program evaluation system has been applied to the ranking of the performance of involved public health organizations in China since 2007. The system provides quantitative performance comparison information based on automatic mining of the data stored in a unified web-based national information system, China AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System (the CRIMS). Hence, the quality of the AIDS program evaluation system is directly related to the data quality in the CRIMS. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the AIDS program evaluation system. The research method is qualitative interview of public health practitioners in Jiangxi Province. The public health practitioners believed that the introduction and ongoing usage of the CRIMS has significantly transformed the practice of AIDS prevention and control. They believed that the AIDS program evaluation system has brought in increased accountability of public health. They suggested that the accuracy and completeness of AIDS program evaluation needs to go beyond the data from the CRIMS. Further research will continue to identify the unknown factors that undermine the performance of AIDS programs in China.

Malnutrición en niños colombianos con infección por VIH/SIDA / Malnutrition in Colombian children with HIV/AIDS infection

Introducción: La desnutrición (DNT) es una de las complicaciones más tempranas que se presenta en niños con infección por VIH/SIDA, asociada a su morbimortalidad. Igualmente como consecuencia de la terapia antriretroviral y otros medicamentos utilizados, se han encontrado problemas de resistencia a la insulina y obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de malnutrición (MNT) en niños con infección por VIH/SIDA por carga viral de la Clínica de VIH/SIDA del Hospital Universitario del Valle de Cali, Colombia (HUV) y su posible asociación con algunos factores de riesgo. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, observacional de corte transversal, con análisis de casos y controles, a quienes se les tomaron datos como carga viral, %CD4, peso y talla. Se categorizó la carga viral (copias/ml) en: <400, ≥400-<300000, ≥30000-<1 millón y ≥1 millón; y el %CD4 en: <15%, ≥15%-<25% y ≥25%. Se consideró DNT global (déficit P/E≥10%), DNT crónica (déficit T/E≥5%), DNT aguda (déficit P/T≥10%) y sobrepeso (exceso P/T≥10%). Resultados: Fueron incluidos 111 niños entre 0 meses y 15 años de edad, con predominio del género masculino (51,3%), con modo de transmisión vertical en 91,8%. El 58.5% tenían entre ≥400-<300000 copias/ml de carga viral; y el 59% presentaron %CD4 ≥25%. La valoración nutricional evidenció DNT global en 64%, DNT aguda en 58%, DNT crónica en 22% y sobrepeso en 18%. Hubo riesgo de 1.7, 1.5 y 2.0 veces más de presentar DNT global, aguda y crónica, respectivamente, si la carga viral era ≥400 copias/ml. Conclusión: En niños con infección por VIH/SIDA por carga viral de la Clínica Pediátrica de VIH/SIDA del HUV de Cali, Colombia, la prevalencia de MNT fue superior al 18%, con una relación positiva superior a 1.5 veces entre carga viral y los diferentes tipos de DNT.

Introduction: Undernutrition (UNT) is a complication that occurs earlier in children with HIV/AIDS associated morbidity and mortality. Also as a result of anti-retroviral therapies and other drugs used, have encountered problems of insulin resistance and obesity. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition (MNT) in children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS by viral load in the Pediatric Clinic HIV/AIDS at the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali, Colombia (HUV) and its possible association with certain risk factors. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study, with case-control analysis, whose data were taken as viral load, CD4%, weight and height. Were categorized viral load (copies / ml): <400, ≥ 400 - <300000, ≥ 30000 - <1 million and ≥ 1 million, and the %CD4 <15%, ≥ 15% - <25% ≥ 25%. UNT is considered global (low W/A≥10%), chronic (low H/A≥5%), acute (low W/H≥10%) and overweight (excess W/H≥10%). Results: We included 111 children from 0 months to 15 years old with male predominance (51.3%), mode of transmission in 91.8%. 58.5% were aged ≥ 400 - <300,000 copies/ml viral load, and 59% had CD4% ≥25%. Nutritional assessment showed 64% global UNT, 58% acute UNT, 22% chronic UNT and 18% overweight. Risk was 1.7, 1.5 and 2.0 times the present global, acute and chronic UNT, respectively, if the viral load was ≥ 400 copies / ml. Conclusion: In children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS by viral load of Pediatric Clinic HIV/AIDS at the HUV in Cali, Colombia, the prevalence of MNT was higher than 18%, with a positive relationship more than 1.5 times between viral load and the different types of UNT.

Virus de la hepatitis B e infección por VIH/SIDA en niños / Hepatitis b and HIV/AIDS infection in children

La infección por VIH/SIDA en niños ha aumentado a nivel mundial y en nuestro medio no es la excepción, aunque desde hace muchos años se ha cambiado la historia natural de la enfermedad utilizando la terapia antirretroviral altamente efectiva (HAART). La manera más frecuente de transmisión del Virus de la Hepatitis B (VHB) son contactos con sangre o fluidos y a través de actividad sexual. La infección por VIH/SIDA es una enfermedad viral progresiva caracterizada por el desarreglo inmune. La infección concurrente de VIH con VHB y hepatitis C (VHC) se asocia con incremento en la severidad y empeora el pronóstico de la enfermedad hepática.

HIV/AIDS in children has increased worldwide and in our environment is no exception, although for many years has changed the natural history of disease using highly effective antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The most frequent way of transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is contact with blood or body fluids and by sexual activity. HIV/AIDS is a viral disease characterized by progressive immune disorder. HIV concurrent infection with HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with increased severity and worsens the prognosis of liver disease.

Alteraciones de la superficie ocular en pacientes con VIH/SIDA / Alterations of the ocular surface in patients suffering from HIV/AIDS

El objetivo fue describir las principales manifestaciones clínicas del VIH/SIDA a nivel de la superficie ocular. Se realizó un estudio exploratorio en el periodo comprendido de octubre a diciembre de 2010 sobre el tema. Se utilizaron los buscadores médicos: Medline, Ebesco, Hinari, Scielo y otros. La información se resumió en vistas a la presentación del informe final de la investigación. Además, se empleó la entrevista a expertos. La infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) provoca un amplio espectro de manifestaciones clínicas por la afectación de múltiples órganos y sistemas. La frecuencia de las manifestaciones oculares varía desde un 30 a un 70 por ciento del total de pacientes en estadio SIDA, 3 de cada 4 casos desarrollarán en algún momento de la enfermedad clínica oftalmológica. Estas alteraciones pueden afectar a cualquier estructura del globo ocular. Las principales manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad en la superficie ocular son: microangiopatia conjuntival, conjuntivitis, síndrome de ojo seco y de Stevens-Johnson, sarcoma de Kaposi, carcinoma conjuntival, queratitis por Microscoporidium, variantes atípicas de queratitis por herpes simple. Las manifestaciones clínicas del VIH/SIDA a nivel de la superficie ocular tienden a ser frecuentes, y en ocasiones, su curso es más severo, así como con un mayor índice de atipicidades...(AU)

The objective was to describe the main clinical symptoms of HIV/AIDS to the level of ocular surface. An exploratory study about the topic was carried out from October to December 2010. The theme was sought out in the Bibliographic Database of Medline, Ebsco, Hinari, Scielo and others. The information was collected, as well as interviews to specialists were conducted in order to write the final details of the research. The infection caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) provokes a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms due to the affection of multiple organs and systems. The frequencies of the ocular manifestations vary from 30 per cent to 70 per cent of the total of patients suffering from AIDS, 3 out of 4 cases can develop the clinical ophthalmologic disease at any moment. These alterations can affect any structures of the bulbus oculi. The main clinical manifestations of the disease in the ocular surface are: Conjuntival microangiopathy, conjunctivitis, dry-eyed syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Conjuntival carcinoma, keratitis by Microsporidium, atypical variants of keratitis due to simple herpes. Clinical manifestations of HIV/AIDS to the level of ocular surface are frequent, and in occasions, its course is severe, with a high rate of atypical characteristics...(AU)

Immune restoration and onset of new AIDS-defining events with combination antiretroviral therapy in HIV type-1-infected immigrants in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: We investigated differences in immune restoration and onset of new AIDS-defining events on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) among HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients of different regional origin now living in the Netherlands. METHODS: Treatment-naive adults reaching plasma viral load (pVL)<400 copies/ml within 9 months of starting cART were selected from the Netherlands ATHENA cohort. CD4(+) T-cell response on cART was determined over 7 years using mixed models. CD4(+) T-cell counts were excluded from the analyses at the first of two consecutive measurements of pVL≥400 copies/ml following prior suppression to <400 copies/ml. Multivariate analyses included gender, age, CD4(+) T-cell count and pVL prior to cART, hepatitis coinfection, HIV-1 transmission and region of origin (Western Europe/North America [WN], sub-Saharan Africa [SSA], Southeast Asia [SEA], Latin America/Caribbean [LAC] or other). RESULTS: For 6,057 selected patients (WN 3,947, SSA 989, SEA 237, LAC 695 and other 189), median follow-up was 3.2 years (WN 3.3, SSA 2.9, SEA 3.2, LAC 2.7 and other 2.7). CD4(+) T-cell increase in the first 6 months of cART was lower in males than females (-26 cells/mm(3); P<0.0001) and in patients from SSA compared with WN (-36 cells/mm(3); P<0.0001). Because men from SSA started with lower CD4(+) T-cell counts than men from WN, they continued to lag behind and had lower absolute CD4(+) T-cell counts after 7 years of cART. Furthermore, cumulative tuberculosis incidence after 7 years of cART was higher in SSA compared with WN (4.5% versus 0.5%, hazard ratio 5.08, 95% confidence interval 2.22-11.60). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1-infected immigrants from SSA have blunted immune restoration on fully suppressive cART and should be identified at an earlier disease stage. Our results call for more intensive screening for both latent and active tuberculosis in these patients.

Profiling advanced disease in an Asian clinical human immunodeficiency virus cohort: comparison of two definitions for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease defined immunologically and clinically by evaluating the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus patients in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: A human immunodeficiency virus cohort database established at a university and the major human immunodeficiency virus specialist services in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome at the study centres between 1985 and 2006 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease defined (a) clinically as World Health Organization stage IV, and (b) immunologically as a CD4 count lower than 350/microL. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 2006, a total of 1317 patients, a majority of whom Chinese, were evaluated. Of these, 914 (69%) and 335 (25%) fulfilled the criteria for immunologically and clinically defined advanced disease, respectively. The mean age of the study population was 38 years and male-to-female ratio 4:1. There were two peaks in the frequency distribution of CD4 counts, one at a low count of less than 100/microL and the other between 200 and 400/microL. All except four with clinically defined advanced disease had CD4 counts lower than 350/microL on presentation. Of those with immunologically defined advanced disease, men having sex with men accounted for a lower proportion in the clinically advanced category, and Pneumocystis pneumonia was the commonest advanced disease at presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Both clinical and immunological definitions provide a consistent means for assessing advanced disease, the implications of which are different. Such profiling has been made possible through the operation of a standardised cohort database, which is useful in (1) enhancing human immunodeficiency virus epidemiology studies, and (2) evaluating the performance of public health services.

Sensitivity of paediatric AIDS score vs. WHO case classification in Indian children--a retrospective study.

This study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, to test the statistical significance of existing World Health Organization (WHO) clinical case definition (CCD) for diagnosis of AIDS in areas where diagnostic resources are limited. A total of 360 cases between 18 months and 12 years of age satisfying WHO case definitions of AIDS were included in study group. Our study detected 16.66% (60) of HIV incidence in children visiting the paediatrics outpatient clinic. Twenty percent of cases manifested three major and two minor signs, which had sensitivity of 73.33%; specificity, 90.66% and positive predictive value (PPV), 61.11%. Stepwise logistic analysis identified weight loss, chronic fever >1 month and total lymphocyte count <1500 cells mm(-3) as important predictors. Eighty-six cases (23.89%) showed two major and two minor signs with sensitivity and specificity of 86.66 and 88.66%, respectively. Thus a CCD based on 13 clinical signs/symptoms was proposed for paediatric AIDS with better sensitivity and PPV than the WHO case definition but with almost similar specificity.

Revised surveillance case definitions for HIV infection among adults, adolescents, and children aged <18 months and for HIV infection and AIDS among children aged 18 months to <13 years--United States, 2008.

For adults and adolescents (i.e., persons aged >/=13 years), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection classification system and the surveillance case definitions for HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been revised and combined into a single case definition for HIV infection. In addition, the HIV infection case definition for children aged <13 years and the AIDS case definition for children aged 18 months to <13 years have been revised. No changes have been made to the HIV infection classification system, the 24 AIDS-defining conditions for children aged <13 years, or the AIDS case definition for children aged <18 months. These case definitions are intended for public health surveillance only and not as a guide for clinical diagnosis. Public health surveillance data are used primarily for monitoring the HIV epidemic and for planning on a population level, not for making clinical decisions for individual patients. CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists recommend that all states and territories conduct case surveillance of HIV infection and AIDS using the 2008 surveillance case definitions, effective immediately.

A new application of spatiotemporal analysis for detecting demographic variations in AIDS mortality: an example from Florida.

The purpose of the present study was to characterize, geographically and temporally, the patterns of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) death disparity in 67 Florida jurisdictions, and to determine if the detected trends varied according to age, race, and sex. The space-time scan statistic proposed by Kulldorff et al was used to examine the excess AIDS deaths that occurred between 1987 and 2004. Results were geographically referenced in maps using EpiInfo and EpiMap made available by the Centers for Disease Control. Miami-Dade and the nearby counties including Broward, Martin, and Palm Beach are the most likely clusters (observed/expected: 1505.16) with temporal dimension (also called cluster's age) persisting from 1996 to the present. Union county had the longest cluster for the cluster period 1987-1998, but not for 1999-2004. African-Americans contributed to more clusters compared with whites. Time trends indicated that AIDS mortality peaked in 1995 and then sharply dropped until 1998, when the decrease stopped. By accounting for the temporal dimension of disease clustering, the present study revealed the persistence of geographic clusters, which is not often provided by other geographic detection methods. These findings may be informative for medical resource allocation and better focus public health intervention strategies for AIDS care.

Manifestaciones iniciales de la infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana en pediatría: premio Doctor Juan Guido Tatá": LIII Congreso Nacional de Pediatría 2007 / Initial manifestations of human immunodeficiency in pediatrics: prize Doctor Juan Guido Tatá: LIII National Congress of Peditrics 2007

La infección VIH en pediatría, muestra diversidad de manifestaciones cuyo reconocimiento permite una precoz aproximación diagnóstica. Determinar las manifestaciones inicieales en pacientes pediátricos con infección VIH. Estudio comparativo y retrospectivo, incluyendo pacientes con infección VIH del Hospital de Niños "J.M de Los Ríos" (Caracas, Venezuela) entre 1987-2006. Los datos fueron obtenidos de la base de datos de la consulta. Según la forma de transmisión del VIH se establecieron dos grupos: vertical y horizontal. Se registró la manifestación inicial y la edad de presentación, así como la edad del diagnóstico VIH. Las frecuencias fueron comparadas por el método chi cuadrado. Se incluyeron 191 pacientes: grupo vertical 80,1 por ciento y grupo horizontal 19,9 por ciento. Del total 5,2 por ciento estaban asintomáticos, 33,5 por ciento tenían manifestaciones inespecíficos, 41,9 por ciento tenían síntomas VIH/no SIDA y 19,4 por ciento tenían síntomas VIH/SIDA. Las manifestaciones más frecuentes fueron: linfadenopatías generalizadas (25 por ciento), hepatomegalia (16,1 por ciento), infecciones respiratorias altas recurrentes y persistentes (15,1 por ciento), infecciones bacterianas severas (18,2 por ciento), diarrea crónica (11,4 por ciento) y esplenomegalia (10,9 por ciento). La edad de la primera manifestación fue de 0,9 ± 0,7 años en el grupo vertical y 5,5 ± 3,9 años en el grupo horizontal. La edad del diagnóstico VIH fue 2,8 ± 2,7 años en el grupo vertical y 7,6 ± 4,9 años en el grupo horizontal. Las manifestaciones inespecíficas fueron las más frecuentes: linfoadenopatías generalizadas, hepatomegalia e infecciones respiratorias altas. Sin embargo, las infecciones bacterianas severas y la diarrea crónica, constituyen manifestaciones relevantes para la sospecha de infección VIH. El diagnóstico se realizó como mínimo 2 años después de la primera manifestación en ambos grupos.

Pediatric HIV infection shows different manifestations whose recognition allows an early diagnostic approach. To determine the initial manifestations in HIV pediatric patients. It was a comparative and retrospective study that included HIV patients who attended to Hospital de Niños “J.M de Los Ríos” (Caracas, Venezuela), between 1987-2006. Data were obtained from HIV consultation Data Base. According to HIV transmission, we established two groups: vertical and horizontal. The initial manifestation and the patient age at that moment were recorded, so was the HIV diagnosis age. The frequencies were compared by square chi method. There were 191 patients: 80,1% in the vertical group and 19,9% in the horizontal one. There were 5,2% of asymptomatic patients, 33,5% had inespecific manifestations, 41,9% had HIV/no AIDS symptoms and 19,4% had HIV/AIDS symptoms. The most frequently seen manifestations were: generalized lymphadenopathy (25%), hepatomegaly (16%), recurrent and persistent upper respiratory tract infection (15,1%), severe bacterial infection (18,2%), chronic diarrhea (11,4%) and splenomegaly (10,9%). The age at the first manifestation was 0,9 ± 0,7 years in the vertical group and 5,5 ± 3,9 years in the horizontal one. The HIV diagnosis age was 2,8 ± 2,7 years in the vertical group and 7,6 ± 4,9 years in the horizontal one. The most frequent manifestations were inespecific: generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and upper respiratory tract infection. However, severe bacterial infections and chronic diarrhea are relevant manifestations to suspect HIV infection. HIV diagnosis was done at least two years after the first manifestation in both groups.

Actualización en VIH/SIDA: 25 años de epidemia / Update on HIV/AIDS: 25 years of epidemics

AIDS have been, and will keep on being, a relevant disease in our country and worldwide, as a real cure does not yet exist and the number of new cases is still increasing. That is why the issues on early diagnosis and proper handling of opportunistic infections must be continuously divulged in medical setting, as are the identification and prevention of complications derived from the therapies.

El SIDA es y seguirá siendo una patología relevante en nuestro país y en todo el mundo ya que no existe una terapia curativa y los casos nuevos siguen aumentando. Es por eso que su diagnóstico precoz y el manejo adecuado de las enfermedades oportunistas, como también el conocer y prevenir las complicaciones de las terapias son temas que deben difundirse en el ámbito médico.

The rate of epidemiological and virological changes during the transition from nascent to concentrated HIV epidemic stage in the former Soviet Union countries.

The rate of processes accompanying the transition of the HIV-1 epidemic from nascent stage to concentrated one in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) during intravenous drug user (IDU)-associated HIV infection outbreaks in 1994-1999 has not been analyzed. To define the rates, we studied susceptible populations and circulating viruses before, during, and after the outbreaks. Our findings included the following: (1) the pattern of high HIV-1 genetic diversity characteristic of the nascent epidemic changed to a concentrated one within 1 year in St. Petersburg and in Moscow; (2) different FSU regions were at different stages of the HIV-1 epidemic in 1994-1996; (3) the change of serotypic patterns characteristic of different stages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for the non-IDU risk group occurred within 1 year in Moscow, suggesting an extremely high rate of IDU-associated epidemic pattern distributions in regions and susceptible populations in the FSU.

Neuropathologic contributions to understanding AIDS and the central nervous system.

This historical review describes the evolution of the pathogenetic concepts associated with infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with emphasis on the pathology of the nervous system. Although the first descriptions of damage to the nervous system in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) only appeared in 1982, the dramatic diffusion of the epidemic worldwide and the invariably rapidly fatal outcome of the disease, before the introduction of efficient treatment, generated from the beginning an enormous amount of research with rethinking on a number of pathogenetic concepts. Less than 25 years after the first autopsy series of AIDS patients were published and the virus responsible for AIDS was identified, satisfactory definition and classification of a number of neuropathological complications of HIV infection have been established, leading to accurate clinical radiological and biological diagnosis of the main neurological complications of the disease, which remain a major cause of disability and death in AIDS patients. Clinical and experimental studies have provided essential insight into the pathogenesis of CNS lesions and natural history of the disease. The relatively recent introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1995-1996 has dramatically improved the course and prognosis of HIV disease. However, there remain a number of unsolved pathogenetic issues, the most puzzling of which remains the precise mechanism of neuronal damage underlying the specific HIV-related cognitive disorders (HIV dementia). In addition, although HAART has changed the course of neurological complications of HIV infection, new issues have emerged such as the lack of improvement or even paradoxical deterioration of the neurological status in treated patients. Interpretation of these latter data remains largely speculative partly because of the small number of neuropathological studies related to the beneficial consequence of this treatment.