Seroinfection of Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Parvovirus B19, Treponema pallidum, and HIV in a Pregnant Attending a Medical Center in Northern Peru.

Introduction: Transplacental infections are frequent, especially in developing countries, where limited screening is performed to find infectious agents in the pregnant population. We aim to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and seroinfection of antibodies against Toxoplasma, parvovirus B19, T. pallidum, and HIV in pregnant women who attended the Motupe Health Center in Lambayeque, Peru during July-August 2018. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 179 pregnant women interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. ELISA was used to determine antibodies to Toxoplasma and parvovirus B19. The detection of syphilis and HIV was conducted using immunochromatography, while the detection of hepatitis B was conducted using FTA-ABS and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results: Of 179 pregnant women, syphilis and HIV infections routinely included in the screening of pregnant women presented a seroinfection of 2.2 and 0.6%, respectively. Toxoplasmosis seroinfection was 25.1%, while IgM antiparvovirus B19 was 40.8%, revealing that pregnant women had an active infection at the time of study. Conclusion: The level of seroinfection of toxoplasmosis reveals the risk to which pregnant women who participated in the study are exposed. The high seroinfection of parvovirus B19 could explain the cases of spontaneous abortion and levels of anemia in newborn that have been reported in Motupe, Lambayeque, Peru. However, future causality studies are necessary to determine the significance of these findings.

Factores asociados a la colonización rectal por Enterobacteriaceae productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en pacientes de consulta externa de un hospital al norte del Perú / Factors associated with rectal colonization by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in outpatients in a hospital in northern Peru

Introducción: Las Enterobacteriaceae productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido están presentes en las heces de los individuos de la comunidad. En Perú, la automedicación, el tipo de alimentación, condiciones sanitarias podrían asociarse a esta colonización. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de colonización rectal por EP-BLEE en pacientes de consulta externa del Hospital Regional Lambayeque, así como los factores asociados a la misma, durante los meses de julio 2018 a febrero 2019. Material y métodos: 331 pacientes participantes fueron entrevistados, de los cuales se obtuvieron tres muestras seriadas de heces recién emitidas. Las muestras fueron cultivadas en agar McConkey. Las EP-BLEE se confirmaron con la prueba de disco combinado (método americano). Resultados: el 85,8 % de los pacientes estuvieron colonizados por EP-BLEE, siendo Escherichia coli el aislamiento más frecuente (87,7 %). El análisis bivariado asoció el consumo de carne de cerdo (RP=1,15 IC 95%: 1,07 - 1,24), caprino (RP=1,18, IC 95%: 1,10 - 1,25) y el consumo de ensaladas frecuentemente (RP=1,15, IC 95 %: 1,05 - 1,28) con una mayor probabilidad de ser portador rectal de EP-BLEE. La automedicación presentó valores cercanos al límite de validez (p=0,051, RP 1,12, IC 95% 0,98 - 1,26). Conclusiones: Consumir carne de cerdo, caprino y ensaladas aumentan la probabilidad de ser portador de EP-BLEE, mientras que la automedicación podría estar asociada, por lo que es necesario seguir investigando, ya que se desconocen las razones de este hallazgo en pacientes de la comunidad.

Background:Extended-spectrumbeta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae(EP-BLEE) are present in the feces of individuals in the community. In Peru, self-medication, type of diet and sanitary conditions could be associated with this colonization. Objective:to determine the frequency of rectal colonization by EP-BLEE in outpatients of the "Hospital Regional Lambayeque", as well as the factors associated with it, during the months of July 2018 to February 2019. 331 participating patients Material and methods:were interviewed, and three serial samples of freshly emitted stool were obtained from them. The samples were cultured on McConkey agar. EP-BLEE were confirmed with the combined disc test (American method). 85.8% of patients were colonized by EP-BLEE, and Escherichia coliwas the most frequent isolate (87.7%). Bivariate Results:analysis associated the consumption of pork (RP=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.24), goat (RP=1.18, 95% CI: 1.10 - 1.25) and frequent consumption of salads (RP=1.15, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.28) with a higher probability of being a rectal carrier of EP-BLEE. Self-medication presented values close to the limit of validity (p=0.051, RP1.12, 95% CI 0.98 - 1.26). Consuming pork, goat meat and salads increase the probability Conclusions:of being a carrier of EP-BLEE, while self-medication could be associated, so further research is needed, since the reasons for this finding are unknown.

'Staying alive' with antiretroviral therapy: a grounded theory study of people living with HIV in Peru.

BACKGROUND: To achieve an optimal quality of life through chronic disease management, people living with HIV (PLHIV) must adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has been available throughout Peru since 2004 without cost in all regions; yet only 60% (43 200) of PLHIV receive ART and 32% are virally suppressed. Despite the low adherence, little is known about the experience of PLHIV with ART adherence in the context of Latin America. METHODS: A constructivist grounded theory design was used to understand the ART adherence experiences of PLHIV in Northern Peru. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 participants resulting in theoretical saturation. All interviews were recorded, immediately transcribed and analysed concurrently with data collection using constant comparative analysis with Atlas.ti (V.8) software. Rigour was maintained through openness, reflexivity, audit trail, memo writing, debriefings, member checks and positionality. RESULTS: The core category 'staying alive' emerged through the interaction of four categories, including: (1) overcoming barriers; (2) working with the healthcare team; (3) tailoring self-care strategies; and (4) appreciating antiretrovirals. Adherence is not a spontaneous outcome, instead, the surprise of HIV diagnosis transitions to living with HIV as a chronic disease. The healthcare team helps PLHIV realise ART is their life source by enhancing, supporting and facilitating self-care and overcoming barriers. CONCLUSION: Adherence emerges from experiential learning as PLHIV recognised ART as their life source in balance with their desire to continue living a normal life. Social support and healthcare team interventions help PLHIV implement tailored self-care strategies to overcome personal, social, and structural barriers to adherence. Healthcare professionals need to recognise the challenges confronted by PLHIV as they learn how to continue living while trying to stay alive.