Cervical Cancer Screening in HIV-Positive Women in India: Why, When and How?

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining illness, and HIV-positive women are at high risk. The present study aimed to determine the magnitude of the problem, compare the performance of screening tests and assess factors affecting participation. METHODS: HIV-positive women aged 30-59 years attend the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinics were screened by conventional Pap, HPV testing (Hybrid Capture 2) and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). A cohort of HIV-negative women from the community matched for age and parity were screened similarly. Screen-positive women underwent colposcopy and biopsy. Factors affecting participation were assessed. RESULTS: Pap, VIA and HPV were positive in 48 (23.8%), 65 (32.2%) and 76 (37.6%) subjects, respectively, among HIV-positive women, and in 12 (5.9%), 10 (4.9%) and 12 (5.9%) subjects, respectively, among HIV-negative women. CIN2 + was present in 12 (6.4%) HIV-positive women and in 1(0.5%) HIV-negative woman (p = < 0.004). Sensitivity of HPV, Pap and VIA for detection of CIN2 + lesions was 91.7%, 75.0% and 75.0%, respectively; specificity was 68.4%, 83.9% and 72.5%, respectively. Lack of availability of screening facilities in the ART clinic and long waiting times were a strong deterrent to participation among HIV-positive women. CONCLUSIONS: There was higher prevalence of HPV infection and CIN2 + lesions in HIV-positive women. VIA showed equivalent sensitivity to Pap and could be a good substitute in low resource settings. Setting up cervical screening services in ART clinics and sensitising physicians can improve outcomes among these women.

Pregnancy with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) on imatinib chemotherapy: an oncologist's nightmare and obstetrician's dilemma.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are among the few cancers amenable to successful treatment by targeted molecular therapy with KIT receptor inhibitors like imatinib mesylate. Increasing incidence of this tumor and its successful treatment has given rise to issues of fertility and child bearing in patients affected at young age. Although contraception advice and termination of early pregnancy have been the standard practice in patients on such therapy, an occasional patient who desires pregnancy can leave both obstetrician and oncologist perplexed. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report our experience in a rare patient of metastatic GIST who had a successful normal pregnancy while on imatinib therapy. We further attempt to evaluate similar evidence in literature.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy - a pilot study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Despite routine iron supplementation and promotion of diet modification, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains widely prevalent in our antenatal population. Recent studies in pediatric population have highlighted the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in IDA. This study was undertaken to study the effect of eradication therapy in H. pylori infected pregnant women with IDA. METHODS: Randomized placebo-controlled double blind clinical trial was done on 40 antenatal women between 14-30 wk gestation, with mild to moderate IDA and having H. pylori infection, as detected by stool antigen test. These women were randomly divided into group I (n=20): H. pylori treatment group (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, omeprazole for 2 wk) and group II (n=20): placebo group. Both groups received therapeutic doses of iron and folic acid. Outcome measures were improvement in haematological parameters and serum iron profile after 6 wk of oral iron therapy. RESULTS: The prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnant women with mild to moderate anaemia was 39.8 per cent (95% CI 35.7, 44.3); and 62.5 per cent (95% CI 52, 73) of these pregnant women with IDA were infected with H. pylori. After 6 wk of therapeutic oral iron and folic acid supplementation, the rise in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum iron and percentage transferrin saturation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the group given H. pylori eradication therapy as compared to the placebo group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a high occurrence of H. pylori infection in pregnant women with IDA. Eradication therapy resulted in significantly better response to oral iron supplementation among H. pylori infected pregnant women with IDA.