RESUMO
Platelet indices represent useful biomarkers to express the thromboembolic status, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in preterm newborns. Our study presented platelet count and function changes in prematurity-related morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular bleeding, and anemia of prematurity in preterm newborn cases reported to healthy full-term newborns by flow cytometry and hematological methods. The platelet volume represents the average size of platelets in the blood samples, showing the significantly increased values in preterm newborns compared with healthy full-term newborns due to increasing activated platelet production. Flow cytometric analysis of immature platelet fractions (IPF) made using thiazole orange staining to detect their mRNA content and a glycoprotein (anti-GPIIIa) antibody for platelet gating. CD61-TO expression from premature newborns was significantly lower compared to healthy full-term neonates. Preterm newborn cases with respiratory distress syndrome and a need for respiratory support (RDS+) were characterized by a significantly increased platelet volume and a decreased immature platelet fraction reported in RDS- cases. Evaluating the platelet function in the newborn is difficult because the laboratory methodologies work with small quantities of newborn blood samples. The immature platelet fractions and platelet volume promise to be diagnostic biomarkers for diseases.
RESUMO
Background and Objectives: Romania faces one of the highest cervical cancer burdens in Europe though it is a preventable cancer through population screening by cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) detection. Also, it has one of the highest incidences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HPV and HIV coinfection are frequently encountered. The aim of study was to establish the prevalence of HPV infection among HIV-positive women in Southeast Region of Romania, to genotype high risk HPV types -and to correlate the results with clinical data and cytological cervical lesions. Materials and Methods: 40 HIV-positive women were screened for HPV types and for cytological cervical lesions. The findings were evaluated in correlation with CD4 cell counts, HIV viral load, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, vaginal candidiasis, and Gardnerella using statistical methods. Results: 19/40 (47.5%) women were positive for HPV types, 63.15% infected with single HPV type and 36.85% with multiple HPV types. The most frequent types were type: 31 (42.1%), 56 (31.57%), 53 (15.78%). On cytology, 34 (85%) women were found with NILM of which 38.23% were HPV-positive. Fifteen percent of women had abnormal cytology (three ASC-US, three LSIL), and all of them were HPV-positive. Through analyzing the value of CD4 count, women with CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/µL were found to be significantly more likely to be infected with HPV; meanwhile there was no correlation between the detection of HPV types and HIV viral load. Candida or Gardnerella were more often associated with HIV-positive women with HPV, than in women without HPV. Conclusions: Infection with HPV types is common among HIV-positive women in the Southeast Region of Romania and it is associated with age at the beginning of sexual life, number of sexual partners, CD4 value, vaginal candidiasis, and Gardnerella infection.
