RESUMO
Hepatitis C virus infection is a persistent worldwide public health concern. The prevalence of HCV infection is much higher in patients on chronic haemodialysis (HD) than in the general population. HCV infection can detrimentally affect patients throughout the spectrum of chronic kidney disease. Despite the control of blood products, hepatitis C virus transmission is still being observed among patients undergoing dialysis. Detection systems for serum HCV antibodies are insensitive in the acute phase because of the long serological window. Direct detection of HCV depends on PCR test but this test is not suitable for routine screening. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of HCV core antigen detection as an alternative to PCR. Few studies exist about the efficacy of HCV core antigen test in dialysis population. We studied the utility of HCV core antigen test in routine monitoring of virological status of dialysis patients. We screened 92 patients on long-term dialysis both by PCR HCV-RNA and HCV core antigen test. The sensitivity of HCVcAg test was 90%, the specificity 100%, the positive predictive power 100%, the negative predictive power 97%, and the accuracy 97%. We think serological detection of HCV core antigen may be an alternative to NAT techniques for routine monitoring of patients on chronic dialysis.
RESUMO
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. The main risk factor for infection of the female population is the heterosexual transmission with partners who are infected with human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV infection is very common in sexually active males, and it is the most common STDs. In our experience the prevalence of infection is just under 50%. There are careful and well-established procedures that are applied to women with HPV; on the contrary, with regard to male population, there is, often, less focus and less sensitivity during both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The objectives of this study respond to two specific questions: 1. Is it useful to control male partner? 2. What tests are advisable and necessary for a proper definition of the problem? In this study 160 male patients, partners of patients with HPV infection, were examined by peniscopia, the search for HPV-DNA and biopsy of the penis. The study results show that the percentage of HPV infection of the male partners of women with HPV infection is quite high, ranging from 47 to 49% in relation to the methods used. The prevalence of patients with high-risk virus which stands at over 60%. Moreover, from 17.5% to 40.5%, we observed an infection with multiple genotypes of which is known as a hazard factor of aggravation and persistence of HPV infection. In conclusion, HPV-related diseases is a clinical infection of the couple and it is obvious that to the couple should be given great attention. For an important and effective prevention of transmission of HPV from the male subject to viruses to woman, and for the prevention ping-pong effect, it is essential to submit all the male partners of women infected with HPV peniscopia, HPV tests, and possibly a biopsy of the penis.
