Declining sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers: the results of an HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention strategy in Honduras, 2006-08.

In 2006, we implemented an HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programme for female sex workers (FSWs) in three Honduran cities. All FSW attending STI clinics underwent regular examinations and STI testing. Information on condom use with different partners was collected at each visit. After three years, we detected a significant decline in the prevalence of syphilis from 2.3% at the first screening to 0.0% at the third screening (P = 0.05), and of chlamydia, from 6.1% to 3.3% (P = 0.01). No changes were observed in the prevalence of gonorrhoea or trichomoniasis. The cumulative HIV prevalence remained constant (P = 0.44). Reports of condom use with clients increased from 93.8% to 98.9% (P < 0.001). The implementation of an HIV/STI prevention programme in FSW has contributed to increases in condom use with clients and the reduction in syphilis and chlamydia prevalence. The intervention should be strengthened and considered as part of a national health policy strategy.

Mycobacterium simiae infection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Mycobacterium simiae is usually an environmental contaminant rarely associated with human disease. We report a fatal case of M.simiae infection in a 37 year old, HIV positive, male from whom the organism was isolated from blood culture. The identification of M.simiae was performed using DNA amplification followed by analysis on 3 agarose gel of the amplicon fragments after digestion by restriction endonucleases. The precise identification of mycobacterial isolates to the species level is important, with both epidemiological and therapeutic implications.

Mycobacterium simiae infection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Mycobacterium simiae is usually an environmental contaminant rarely associated with human disease. We report a fatal case of M.simiae infection in a 37 year old, HIV positive, male from whom the organism was isolated from blood culture. The identification of M.simiae was performed using DNA amplification followed by analysis on 3% agarose gel of the amplicon fragments after digestion by restriction endonucleases. The precise identification of mycobacterial isolates to the species level is important, with both epidemiological and therapeutic implications.

[A simple kidney cyst in childhood]. / Quiste renal simple en la infancia.

OBJECTIVE: To report on a 6-year-old patient with an infected simple renal cyst. METHODS/RESULTS: A 6-year-old girl was admitted on three occasions for acute infectious syndrome and right lumboabdominal pain. The ultrasound scans showed a simple cyst in the right kidney which contained cellular elements. The patient was treated with antimicrobials on each occasion and the symptoms disappeared a few days later. On her third admission surgery was decided due to the recurrent clinical symptoms, a persistently high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the presence of intracystic cellular elements, which raised the suspicion of intracystic abscess or tumor. The patient was submitted to surgery; the cyst was drained, resected and the internal wall marsupialized. The postoperative period was unremarkable and the patient is asymptomatic 10 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The case described herein is uncommon; to our knowledge, a similar case has not been reported in the literature.

[Historical overview of antimalarials used in Venezuela]. / Reseña historica de los antimalaricos utilizados en Venezuela.

A historical review of antimalarials used in Venezuela is presented from the time when the bark of quina was used until the massive distribution of quinine and metoquine by the Dirección de Malariología y Saneamiento Ambiental. The utility of chloroquine and primaquine against sensible parasite isolates and of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and quinine, currently used against P. falciparum resistant strains, is thoroughly discussed. The author suggests use of artemisimine and its derivatives as a very promising antimalarial drug. She also stresses the possibility of the application of new antimalaria vaccine against P. falciparum blood states, presently assayed in the country as an additional tool in malaria control programs.