Birth conditions of children of women living with HIV

The objective was to identify the conditions of birth of children of women living with HIV in the period between 2009 and 2019, at the Regional Maternal and Child Hospital of Imperatriz (MA). Cross-sectional, quantitative, documentary study, with descriptive analysis of the data and carried out in a reference maternity hospital between August 2020 and July 2021. Information from the medical records of HIV-positive pregnant women and their newborn children was included. The results collected 314 medical records, of which 195 were eligible. Regarding the birth conditions of the newborns, in 56.41% the rapid test was negative; 72.82% used post-birth prophylaxis; 75.38% did not receive breast milk; 68.2% received vaccines at birth; 40.51% did not use any medication. 20.51% of the mothers were between 36 and 40 years old; 59.48% did not live in the municipality surveyed; 23.6% were housewives; 65.64 were multipara women; 46.15% were diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy; 67.17% had no coinfections; 82.05% underwent prenatal care; 60.51% used intrapartum prophylaxis; and 77.43% underwent cesarean section. The prenatal and childbirth follow-up of most of these women living with HIV reflected positively on the conditions of birth of their children, being an important strategy, aiming at the non-vertical transmission and prevention of the disease in children (AU).

Objetivou-se identificar as condições de nascimento de filhos de mulheres vivendo com HIV no período compreendido entre 2009 e 2019, no Hospital Regional Materno Infantil de Imperatriz (MA). Estudo transversal, quantitativo, documental, com análise descritiva dos dados e realizado em maternidade de referência entre os meses de agosto de 2020 e julho de 2021. Incluíram-se informações dos prontuários das gestantes soropositivas para HIV e de seus filhos recém-nascidos. Os resultados levantaram 314 prontuários, destes, 195 eram elegíveis. Sobre as condições de nascimento dos recém-nascidos, em 56,41% o teste rápido foi negativo; 72,82% usaram profilaxia pós-nascimento; 75,38% não receberam leite materno; 68,2% receberam vacinas logo ao nascer; 40,51% não faziam uso de nenhuma medicação; 20,51% das mães tinham entre 36 a 40 anos; 59,48% não residiam no município pesquisado; 23,6% eram donas de casa; 65,64 eram multigestas; 46,15% receberam o diagnóstico de HIV na gestação; 67,17% não tinham coinfecções; 82,05% realizaram o pré-natal; 60,51% fizeram uso da profilaxia intraparto; e 77,43% fizeram cesariana. O acompanhamento no pré-natal e parto da maioria dessas mulheres vivendo com HIV refletiu positivamente nas condições de nascimento de seus filhos, sendo uma importante estratégia, visando a não transmissão vertical e prevenção da doença nas crianças (AU).

Meningitis aséptica por varicela zóster sin rash vesicular previo en paciente VIH positivo. Presentación de caso / Varicella Zoster aseptic meningitis without previous vesicular rash in VIH positive patient. Case report

Resumen Un cuadro de meningitis aséptica, en el contexto de un paciente inmunosuprimido con diagnóstico de infección por Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH), debe llevar a pensar en múltiples diagnósticos diferenciales. Entre estos, se incluye el virus varicela zóster (VVZ) como uno de los principales agentes causales de meningitis a líquido cefalorraquídeo claro. Su reactivación da lugar a múltiples manifestaciones neurológicas potencialmente mortales en las que se consideraba al rash vesicular, o exantema pápulo/vesículo/ costroso como un signo fundamental para su diagnóstico. No obstante, las lesiones cutáneas están ausentes en más de un tercio de los pacientes con compromiso del sistema nervioso central. A continuación, se presenta el caso de un paciente con infección por VIH que presenta cefalea más fiebre, con hallazgos en líquido cefalorraquídeo de pleocitosis neutrofílica y una prueba molecular confirmatoria para virus varicela zóster, en ausencia de rash vesicular previo que guiara hacia este diagnóstico. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 91-9.

Abstract The clinical presentation of aseptic meningitis in the context of an immunosuppressed patient with a diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, should lead us to consider multiple differential diagnoses. Among these, the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) has been found as one of the main causative agents of clear cerebrospinal fluid meningitis. Its reactivation gives rise to multiple life-threatening neurological manifestations in which vesicular rash, or papule / vesicular / crusted rash was considered a fundamental sign for its diagnosis. However, skin lesions are absent in more than a third of patients with central nervous system involvement. Herein, we report a case of an HIV-infected patient with headache, fever and neutrophilic pleocytosis with FilmArray that confirms Varicella Zoster virus infection in an immunocompromised patient in the absence of vesicular rash. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 91-9.

HIV serology false positivity among expatriates from Africa: a screening dilemma.

HIV prevalence in Oman is low (<5 %); however, 45 % of the population are expatriates, including a portion originating from countries with high HIV prevalence (>5 %). HIV screening is performed at regional public health laboratories as part of a medical fitness programme for residency applicants. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of indeterminate serology results from 11 females of African origin, aged 21-43 years. Serology testing for HIV was conducted according to the national Oman algorithm: fourth-generation immunoassays (Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA, Siemens Enzygnost HIV Integral 4, Abbott ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo, Roche Elecsys HIV Combi PT, bioMérieux VIDAS HIV DUO QUICK), confirmatory assays (Geenius HIV 1/2 Confirmatory, INNO-LIA HIV I/II Score) and PCR testing. Confirmatory testing to resolve indeterminate results was conducted with available samples for five patients using a combination of immunoassays, confirmatory assays, PCR/PERT and pro-viral DNA levels, at three external laboratories; Roche Diagnostics (Germany), Swiss National Laboratory (Switzerland) and Barts Health NHS Trust (UK). Nineteen serum, 15 plasma and two whole-blood samples were analysed. Nine of ten patients analysed on Bio-Rad and Siemens immunoassays were highly reactive; seven were highly reactive on the Abbott assay. Eight of nine patients tested with the Roche assay were negative. Three of four patients tested on the bioMérieux assay were negative. Five patients underwent confirmatory testing at external laboratories; all were negative by HIV-RNA or pro-viral DNA testing. In conclusion, HIV-RNA and pro-viral DNA testing is recommended for HIV screening of individuals from high-prevalence regions coming to low-prevalence regions.

Evaluation of an HIV recent infection testing algorithm with serological assays among men who have sex with men in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence should be calculated in cross-sectional studies using recent infection testing algorithms (RITA) that consider clinical variables and serological test results such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dried blood spot (DBS) analysis. METHODS: The correlation between serum samples and DBS was evaluated using two commercial ELISA kits: SediaTM BED HIV-1 Incidence EIA (BED-Sedia) and Maxim HIV-1 Limiting Antigen Avidity (LAg-Avidity). Eight different RITAs were developed; all of them included serological assays. A combination of the variables viral load, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and CD4 count was used to build the RITAs. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, predictive positive value, predictive negative value, false recent rate (FRR) and false long-term rate were evaluated. RESULTS: The correlations between serum samples and DBS were 0.990 and 0.867 for BED-Sedia and LAg-avidity, respectively. Using only serological assays, the Youden index was higher for LAg-avidity than BED-Sedia (82.1-83.0% versus 69.2-69.6%). The best RITA was ART-serology, which showed a Youden index of 91.2-93.9% and FRR of 1.8-2.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Using DBS samples to determine HIV incidence is a good tool for epidemiological surveillance. The RITA that included ART and serological tests (BED-Sedia or LAg-avidity) showed the highest sensitivity and specificity and a low FRR.

Perceived risk and decisional balance to HIV testing in men who have sex with men from Monterrey, Mexico. / Riesgo percibido y balance decisional hacia la prueba del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres de Monterrey, México.

The perceived risk to HIV and the decisional balance (pros and cons) towards HIV testing are fundamental aspects for understanding the motivation of men who have sex with men to engage in behaviours that reduce or increase the risk of infection with the virus. OBJECTIVES: To describe the perceived risk of HIV and the decisional balance towards HIV testing and determine the association between perceived risk and the decisional balance towards HIV testing of men who have sex with men. METHOD: Descriptive correlational design, we used respondent-driven sampling, with which we recruited 202 men who have sex with men. RESULTS: Mean age of 27.79 (SD=8.13), 66.3% reported low perceived risk to HIV. The most significant pros were: "If I had HIV I would not want to infect anyone else" (95%) and "I would like to be sure I did not have HIV to tell my sexual partner" (90.6%). The most significant cons were: "I am afraid of the needle used for the HIV test" (53%), "people could reject me if they had HIV" (78.7%). Finally, there was a correlation between the perceived risk and the decisional balance towards HIV testing (rs=.759, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given such data, in future interventions it is important to consider information about the importance of HIV testing on a regular basis, as well as actions to increase the perception of vulnerability to HIV in this population.

HIV testing history and access to treatment among migrants living with HIV in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Migrants are overrepresented in the European HIV epidemic. We aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators to HIV testing and current treatment and healthcare needs of migrants living with HIV in Europe. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 HIV clinics in nine countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom), July 2013 to July 2015. HIV-positive patients were eligible for inclusion if they were as follows: 18 years or older; foreign-born residents and diagnosed within five years of recruitment. Questionnaires were completed electronically in one of 15 languages and linked to clinical records. Primary outcomes were access to primary care and previous negative HIV test. Data were analysed using random effects logistic regression. Outcomes of interest are presented for women, heterosexual men and gay/bisexual men. RESULTS: A total of 2093 respondents (658 women, 446 heterosexual men and 989 gay/bisexual men) were included. The prevalence of a previous negative HIV test was 46.7%, 43.4% and 82.0% for women, heterosexual and gay/bisexual men respectively. In multivariable analysis previous testing was positively associated with: receipt of post-migration antenatal care among women, permanent residency among heterosexual men and identifying as gay rather than bisexual among gay/bisexual men. Access to primary care was found to be high (>83%) in all groups and was strongly associated with country of residence. Late diagnosis was common for women and heterosexual men (60.8% and 67.1%, respectively) despite utilization of health services prior to diagnosis. Across all groups almost three-quarters of people on antiretrovirals had an HIV viral load <50 copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Migrants access healthcare in Europe and while many migrants had previously tested for HIV, that they went on to test positive at a later date suggests that opportunities for HIV prevention are being missed. Expansion of testing beyond sexual health and antenatal settings is still required and testing opportunities should be linked with combination prevention measures such as access to PrEP and treatment as prevention.

Factors Associated With Access to HIV Testing and Primary Care Among Migrants Living in Europe: Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: There is a heavy and disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among migrant communities living in Europe. Despite this, the published evidence related to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment needs for migrants is sparse. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with access to primary care and HIV testing among migrant groups living in Europe. METHODS: A Web-based survey (available in 14 languages) was open to all people aged 18 years and older, living outside their country of birth in the World Health Organization (WHO) European area. Community organizations in 9 countries promoted the survey to migrant groups, focusing on those at a higher risk of HIV (sub-Saharan Africans, Latin Americans, gay or bisexual men, and people who inject drugs). Multivariable analysis examined factors associated with access to primary care and previous history of an HIV test. RESULTS: In total, 559 women, 395 heterosexual men, and 674 gay or bisexual men were included in the analysis, and 68.1% (359/527) of women, 59.5% (220/371) of heterosexual men, and 89.6% (596/664) of gay or bisexual men had tested for HIV. Low perceived risk was the reason given for not testing by 62.3% (43/69) of gay or bisexual men and 83.3% (140/168) of women and heterosexual men who reported never having tested for HIV. Access to primary care was >60% in all groups. Access to primary care was strongly positively associated with living in Northern Europe compared with Southern Europe (women: adjusted odds ratio, aOR 34.56 [95% CI 11.58-101]; heterosexual men: aOR 6.93 [95% CI 2.49-19.35], and gay or bisexual men: aOR 2.53 [95% CI 1.23-5.19]), whereas those with temporary residency permits were less likely to have access to primary care (women: aOR 0.41 [95% CI 0.21-0.80] and heterosexual men: aOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.10-0.54] only). Women who had experience of forced sex (aOR 3.53 [95% CI 1.39-9.00]) or postmigration antenatal care (aOR 3.07 [95% CI 1.55-6.07]) were more likely to have tested for HIV as were heterosexual men who had access to primary care (aOR 3.13 [95% CI 1.58-6.13]) or reported "Good" health status (aOR 2.94 [95% CI 1.41-5.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Access to primary care is limited by structural determinants such as immigration and health care policy, which varies across Europe. For those migrants who can access primary care and other health services, missed opportunities for HIV testing remain a barrier to earlier testing and diagnosis for migrants in Europe. Clinicians should be aware of these potential structural barriers to HIV testing as well as low perception of HIV risk in migrant groups.

Optimizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Interventions for Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: A Modeling Study.

Background. In the United States, public health recommendations for men who have sex with men (MSM) include testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least annually. We model the impact of different possible HIV testing policies on HIV incidence in a simulated population parameterized to represent US MSM. Methods. We used exponential random graph models to explore, among MSM, the short-term impact on baseline (under current HIV testing practices and care linkage) HIV incidence of the following: (1) increasing frequency of testing; (2) increasing the proportion who ever test; (3) increasing test sensitivity; (4) increasing the proportion of the diagnosed population achieving viral suppression; and combinations of 1-4. We simulated each scenario 20 times and calculated the median and interquartile range of 3-year cumulative incidence of HIV infection. Results. The only intervention that reduced HIV incidence on its own was increasing the proportion of the diagnosed population achieving viral suppression; increasing frequency of testing, the proportion that ever test or test sensitivity did not appreciably reduce estimated incidence. However, in an optimal scenario in which viral suppression improved to 100%, HIV incidence could be reduced by an additional 17% compared with baseline by increasing testing frequency to every 90 days and test sensitivity to 22 days postinfection. Conclusions. Increased frequency, coverage, or sensitivity of HIV testing among MSM is unlikely to result in reduced HIV incidence unless men diagnosed through enhanced testing programs are also engaged in effective HIV care resulting in viral suppression at higher rates than currently observed.

Centro de testagem e aconselhamento: características dos usuários e prevalência de infecção pelo HIV / Testing and counseling center: characteristics of users and HIV infection prevalence

A política brasileira de diagnóstico precoce e prevenção da infecção pelo HIV fortaleceu-se a partir dos Centros de Testagem e Aconselhamento (CTA). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características de residentes do município de Rolândia que procuraram pelo diagnóstico de HIV no próprio município e no município de referência, assim como a prevalência de soropositividade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, cujos dados foram levantados do Sistema de Informação (SI) do CTA referentes ao período de 2006 a 2010. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados por meio de frequências simples e relativas. Em Rolândia, foram 5.502 pacientes, sendo 79,5% mulheres, 64,8% apresentavam união estável, e 40,8% procuraram o CTA alegando prevenção. Dos 37 pacientes que estiveram no CTA de Londrina, 62,1% eram solteiros ou separados, 27,0% compareceram devido à exposição a situação de risco, e 19% apresentavam sintomas da aids. Dentre todos os pacientes que realizaram o exame anti-HIV, o índice de positividade foi de 0,60%. Esta pesquisa reiterou a importância de conhecer os usuários que demandam os CTA e a soroprevalência, constituindo informações relevantes para elaboração de políticas públicas, implantação de estratégias de prevenção e ações de assistência e promoção à saúde da população.

The Brazilian policy on early diagnosis and prevention of HIV infection was consolidated through the establishment of Testing and Counseling Centers (TCCs). The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of residents of the municipality of Rolândia who sought HIV diagnosis in their own municipality and in the municipality of reference, as well as seropositivity prevalence. This is a descriptive research whose data was collected from the TCC's Information System (IS) referring to the period from 2006 to 2010. The data was tabulated and analyzed through simple and relative frequencies. In Rolândia, there were 5,502 patients, of whom 79.5% were women, 64.8% were in a stable relationship and 40.8% sought the TCC for prevention. Among the 37 patients of Londrina's TCC, 62.1% of them were single or divorced; 27.0% went to the TCC due to exposure to risk situation, and19% presented AIDS symptoms. Among all patients tested for HIV, the positivity index stood at 0.60%. This research reiterated the importance of knowing the users who need the TCC, in addition to seroprevalence, comprising relevant information for the implementation of public policies, prevention strategies and actions aimed at promoting the population's healthcare.

The Multispot rapid HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation assay is comparable with the Western blot and an immunofluorescence assay at confirming HIV infection in a prospective study in three regions of the United States.

BACKGROUND: A new HIV diagnostic algorithm has been proposed which replaces the use of the HIV-1 Western blot and HIV-1 immunofluorescence assays (IFA) as the supplemental test with an HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation assay. OBJECTIVES: To compare an FDA-approved HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation test (Multispot) as a confirmatory test with the HIV-1 Western blot and IFA. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were screened with an HIV-1/HIV-2 combination Antigen/Antibody (Ag/Ab) screening assay. Specimens with repeatedly reactive results were tested with Multispot and either Western blot or IFA. Specimens with discordant screening and confirmatory results were resolved with HIV-1 RNA testing. RESULTS: Individuals (37,876) were screened for HIV infection and 654 (1.7%) had a repeatedly reactive Ag/Ab assay result. On Multispot, 554 (84.7%) were HIV-1 reactive, 0 (0%) were HIV-2 reactive, 1 (0.2%) was reactive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 (undifferentiated), 9 (1.4%) were HIV-1 indeterminate, and 90 (13.8%) were non-reactive. HIV-1 RNA was detected in 47/90 Multispot non-reactive (52.2%) specimens. Among specimens confirmed to have HIV infection (true positives), Multispot and Western blot detected HIV-1 antibody in a similar proportion of cases (93.7% vs. 94.4% respectively) while Multispot and IFA also detected HIV-1 antibody in a similar proportion of cases (84.5% vs. 83.4% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Multispot confirmed HIV infections at a similar proportion to Western blot and IFA. Multispot, Western blot, and IFA, however, did not confirm all of the reactive Ag/Ab assay results and underscores the importance of HIV NAT testing to resolve discordant screening and confirmatory results.

Revelação do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV no contexto do aconselhamento: a versão do usuário / Disclosure of the HIV infection diagnosis in the context of counseling from the user's perspective: la versión del usuario / La revelación del diagnóstico de la infección por el VIH en el contexto del asesoramiento

A partir de uma investigação realizada em dois Centros de Testagem e Aconselhamento em DST/Aids de São Paulo, objetiva-se descrever processos de revelação do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV no contexto do aconselhamento sorológico. O estudo envolveu 14 sujeitos entrevistados após a revelação do resultado do teste. Conceitos da teoria psicanalítica de D. W. Winnicott foram utilizados para analisar e compreender os processos de aconselhamento investigados. Os resultados mostraram que o enfrentamento do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV e o desejo de cuidar da saúde a partir da revelação do resultado reagente têm efeitos variados nos sujeitos, dependendo do modo como o aconselhamento é feito. De um lado, pode-se ter a oportunidade de confronto consigo mesmo, com os próprios problemas, com a angústia gerada pela revelação do resultado, observando-se maior ou menor integridade psíquica dos sujeitos. Em contraste, isso não foi observado nos casos em que os sujeitos não se sentiram acolhidos e apoiados no aconselhamento. É importante que seja estabelecida uma relação intersubjetiva de ajuda no momento da revelação do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV para que o aconselhamento possa cumprir sua função estratégica de focar no problema específico e nos recursos mais saudáveis do indivíduo.

The present study emerged from a research done in two Testing and Couseling Centers for STD/AIDS in São Paulo. It aims at describing the reagent HIV test disclosure processes within the context of the serological counseling. The study involved 14 subjects interviewed after they were disclosed their test results. In the analysis and understanding of the counseling processes investigated, concepts from D. W. Winnicott's psychoanalytical theory were applied. The results showed that facing the HIV infection diagnosis and being willing to take care of one's health after the reagent result disclosure have different effects on the subjects, depending on how the counseling takes place. From one side, they can have the opportunity to confront themselves, their own problems and the anguish generated by the result disclosure, observing more or less psychic integrity from the subjects. On the other hand, this was not observed in cases where the subjects did not feel welcome and supported during counseling. It is important that an intersubjective relationship of support be established on the moment of the reagent HIV result disclosure so that the counseling can fulfill its strategic function to focus on the specific problem and the healthiest resources from the individual.

El estudio surge de una investigación que se produjo en dos Centros de Pruebas y Asesoramiento en DST/Sida en São Paulo, con el objetivo de describir procesos de revelación del resultado de la infección por el VIH en el contexto del asesoramiento serológico. El estudio involucró a 14 sujetos a quienes se les hizo una entrevista tras la revelación del resultado del examen. El análisis y la comprensión se hicieron aplicando conceptos de la teoría psicoanalítica de D. W. Winnicott. Los resultados demostraron que hacer frente al diagnóstico de la infección por el VIH y el deseo de cuidar la salud tras la revelación del resultado reactivo tiene efectos distintos en los sujetos, y dependen del modo con el que se hace el asesoramiento. Por un lado, es posible que haya oportunidad del confronto consigo mismo, con los propios problemas, con la angustia generada por la revelación del resultado, observándose más o menos la integridad psíquica de los sujetos. Por otro lado, esto no se observó en los casos en que los sujetos no se sintieron acogidos y apoyados en el asesoramiento. Es importante que se establezca una relación intersubjetiva de ayuda en el momento de la revelación de la infección por el VIH para que el asesoramiento cumpla su función estratégica de enfocar en el problema específico y en los recursos más sanos del indivíduo.

Niñez afectada con VIH/SIDA: calidad de vida, funcionalidad familiar y apoyo social en cinco ciudades colombianas / Children affected with HIV/AIDS: quality of life, family function and social support in five Colombian cities

Objetivo: Describir calidad de vida, funcionalidad familiar y apoyo social en menores de 18 años afectados con VIH/sida y cuidadores residentes en Cali, Buenaventura, Barranquilla, Santa Marta y Cartagena. Materiales y métodos: 286 encuestas personales realizadas a 11 menores que conocían su diagnóstico de seropositivos para VIH y 275, a cuidadores de menores que aún no conocían situación de afectación para VIH; se aplicaron en instituciones de salud tanto del sector estatal como del privado, empleándose los instrumentos EuroQol (EQ-5D), APGAR familiar y apoyo social MOS. Se realizó análisis descriptivo de los datos y tabulación en SPSS, versión 15, en español. Resultados: Las razones para retrasar la entrega del diagnóstico que reportaron profesionales de salud y cuidadores de los menores afectados [96.2% (n=275)] se relacionan con evitar daño psicológico o estrés emocional al menor; temor a causar situaciones de estigmatización ante la revelación involuntaria a otros, y falta de capacitación respecto al procedimiento y edad para entregar esta información. Las dimensiones de calidad de vida indicaron que los menores presentan dolor/malestar y angustia/depresión entre modera- do/severo [15.4% (n=44); 9.8% (n=28)], respectivamente. Se encontró normofuncionalidad familiar [73.8% (n=211)] y percepción de apoyo social máximo [74.1% (n=212)] en los participantes. Conclusiones: La baja tasa de divulgación del estado serológico para VIH/sida en población infantil encontrada en el estudio, indica que dentro del manejo integral en salud es prioritario desarrollar un modelo clínico de divulgación que favorezca procesos de apoyo a familias afectadas...

Objective: To describe quality of life, family functioning and social support for children under 18 years affected with HIV/AIDS and caregivers living in Cali, Buenaventura, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Cartagena.Materials and methods: 286 personal surveys conducted in 11 children who knew their diagnosis of HIV seropositivity and, 275 to caregivers of children who did not know their HIV status of involvement in health institutions belonging to the State and private sectors. Instruments were used EuroQol (EQ-5D), Family APGAR and MOS Social Support. We performed descriptive analysis of data and tabulation in SPSS Version 15 in Spanish. Results: The reasons for delaying the delivery of diagnosis, reported by health professionals and caregivers of affected children [96.2% (n=275)] are related to avoid psychological or emotional harm to a child, fear of inadvertent disclosure to others leading to situations of stigma and lack of training regarding the procedure and age to deliver this information. The dimensions of quality of life indicated that children have pain/discomfort and anxiety/ depression, moderate/severe [15.4% (n=44), 9.8% (n=28)] respectively. Normal family function was found [73.8% (n=211)] and perception of social support maximum [74.1% (n=212)] in participants. Conclusions: The low rate of disclosure of HIV status to HIV/AIDS on children found in the study, indicating that it is a priority to develop an outreach clinical model in the health management process that encourages support for affected families...

Revelación del estado serológico para VIH/SIDA en niños, niñas y adolescentes: una revisión teórica / Disclosure of HIV serostatus children and adolescents: a theoretical review

El artículo presenta una revisión del estado del arte del proceso de revelación del estado serológico en la población infantil menor de 18 años afectada con VIH/SIDA. Los resultados de la revisión se presentan en torno a las modalidades y factores asociados al proceso revelación y no revelación del diagnóstico de VIH a niños, niñas y adolescentes por parte de sus cuidadores y profesionales que brindan servicios de salud en diversos contextos socioculturales y la situación en Colombia. Se seleccionaron artículos publicados en cinco bases de datos utilizándose como palabras clave para la búsqueda “disclosure”, “disclosure model”, “disclosure in children with HIV/AIDS” y ”pediatric HIV/AIDS”. Para la búsqueda se incluyeron artículos en los idiomas inglés y español entre los años 1990 y 2008.

The article presents a review of HIV serostatus disclosure in the under-18 population living with HIV/AIDS. The results include disclosure models and factors associated with disclosure and non disclosure of children and adolescents' HIV serostatus by their caregivers and health workers.The effects of these factors in various sociocultural contexts were studied, with emphasis on the Colombian context. Articles published in five databases were selected, using the key words “disclosure”, “disclosure model”, “disclosure in children with HIV/AIDS” and “pediatric HIV/AIDS”. Articles published in English and Spanish, and between 1990 and 2008, were included.

Overseas processing of dried blood spots for timely diagnosis of HIV in Haitian infants / Diagnóstico oportuno del VIH en niños haitianos mediante el procesamiento en el extranjero de muestras de sangre seca

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of sending dried blood spots (DBS) to an overseas processing center for the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants in rural Haiti. METHODS: The program took place in the Central Department of Haiti. Children under 18 months of age who were born to an HIV-infected mother or who had a positive HIV antibody test had blood collected on filter paper. Once dry, specimens were labeled with a unique identifying number, placed in sealed gas-impermeable envelopes containing a desiccant, stored at room temperature, and mailed to a commercial laboratory in The Netherlands, where blood was eluted from the filter paper and analyzed by the RetinaTM rainbow HIV-1 RNA assay. Infants were tested at 1 month of age and again at 4 months of age. RESULTS: The DBS protocol was easily scaled up. During the study period, 138 infants had HIV status confirmed; 15 of them were found to be HIV infected and were enrolled in appropriate HIV care, and 123 were confirmed to be HIV uninfected, avoiding unnecessary prophylactic antibiotics and providing reassurance to caregivers. CONCLUSION: Central, overseas processing of DBS is a feasible solution for the timely diagnosis of HIV infection in infants where local capacity is unavailable. Regional processing centers for DBS could improve the access of millions of children in Latin America and the Caribbean to timely diagnosis of HIV infection.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la factibilidad de enviar muestras de sangre seca (MSS) a un centro en el extranjero para el diagnóstico de la infección por el VIH en niños de zonas rurales de Haití. MÉTODOS: El programa se realizó en el Departamento Central de Haití. Se tomó una muestra de sangre en papel de filtro de los niños menores de 18 meses nacidos de madres infectadas con el VIH o que tuvieran una prueba positiva de anticuerpos contra el VIH. Una vez secas, las muestras se etiquetaron con un número de identificación único, se colocaron en sobres sellados impermeable a gases con desecante, se almacenaron a temperatura ambiente y se enviaron por correo a un laboratorio comercial en los Países Bajos, donde se eluyó la sangre del papel de filtro y se analizó mediante el sistema RetinaTM Rainbow para la detección de ARN del VIH-1. Las pruebas se realizaron a los niños de 1 mes y se repitió a los 4 meses de edad. RESULTADOS: El procedimiento de MSS se llevó fácilmente a una escala mayor. En el período de estudio se confirmó el diagnóstico de 138 niños: 15 de ellos estaban infectados y recibieron los cuidados apropiados; 123 niños no tenían la infección, lo que evitó aplicar innecesariamente el tratamiento antibiótico profiláctico y el personal de salud sintió mayor confianza. CONCLUSIONES: El procesamiento centralizado de MSS en el extranjero es una solución factible para el diagnóstico oportuno de la infección por el VIH en niños cuando no hay capacidad local de diagnóstico. Centros regionales para el procesamiento de MSS podrían mejorar el acceso de millones de niños de América Latina y el Caribe al diagnóstico oportuno de esta infección.

Behavioural and serological human immunodeficiency virus risk factors among female commercial sex workers in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Cambodia is mainly caused by sexual transmission and the high-risk group in this country are female commercial sex workers (CSW). There are two types of CSW, direct CSW (DCSW) and indirect CSW (IDCSW), who are different from each other in sexual activities. This study was conducted in order to describe the risk factors on HIV for each type of CSW, and to establish effective preventive strategies against the HIV epidemic among CSW. METHODS: The participants, 143 DCSW and 94 IDCSW, were interviewed using a questionnaire to determine their demographic characteristics and behaviour. Blood samples were taken for serological tests on HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis and syphilis. The association between their behavioural pattern and their serological results was analysed. RESULTS: The questionnaire study showed that IDCSW had a riskier behavioural pattern than DCSW. The HIV seroprevalence rates of the DCSW and the IDCSW were 52.4% and 22.3%, respectively. Univariate logistic analyses showed a significant association between HIV antibody (HIV-Ab) and current age, age at commencement of commercial sex work, duration of commercial sex work, and the seropositivity of Chlamydia trachomatis-IgG antibody (CT-IgG-Ab) among the DCSW. The analyses also showed a significant relationship between HIV-Ab and CT-IgG-Ab among the IDCSW. CONCLUSIONS: Improving condom use rate is very important in order to prevent an HIV epidemic among the two types of CSW. This study also suggests it is important to prevent sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The STD control programme could be efficient for HIV prevention, especially among DCSW.

Seronegative HIV-2 carriers in India.

The discordant cases of seronegative, but culture and proviral HIV-2 DNA positive were found in Mumbai, India. This was corroborated by the successful isolation of HIV-2-RNA in culture medium, HIV-2 cDNA sequence determination and the detection of the antigen. The sequence of the isolated HIV-2 genomic RNA does not seem to be altered to the extent that the change will alter antibody binding. Furthermore, antibody from the same individual (even at 8 months from initial sampling) from whom HIV-2 was isolated did not react with the antigen of this strain. Those evidences imply that extremely low or non-production of the antibody may be due to suboptimal immune stimulation due to extremely slow HIV-2 replication. This low virus-load may be responsible for the negative antibody results in the HIV-2 carriers.

PIP: This paper describes the characteristics of HIV-2 seropositive and seronegative cases in Mumbai, India, and characterizes the differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2. More than 200 outpatients considered to be at high risk of HIV infection were screened for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody and proviral DNA. The study found 11 cases that were discordant for antibody test and HIV proviral DNA (i.e., negative for anti-HIV but positive for HIV-2 proviral DNA). The presence of this provirus was further corroborated by the detection of HIV-2 RNA in the culture medium upon HIV isolation, HIV-2 cDNA sequencing, and antigen detection. The sequence of the isolated HIV-2 genomic RNA did not seem to be altered to the extent that the change would affect antibody binding. Moreover, antibody from the same person in whom HIV-2 was detected did not react with the antigen of this strain even 8 months after the initial sampling. These findings indicate that extremely low production or non-production of the antibody may be brought about by suboptimal immune stimulation due to very low HIV-2 replication speed. This low virus load may account for the negative antibody results in the HIV-2 carriers in India.

HIV testing in the workplace: clarifying the meaning of South Africa's Employment Equity Act.

PIP: This article clarifies the meaning of South Africa's Employment Equity Act, which includes HIV testing in the workplace. This historic piece of legislation is intended to promote equality and equal opportunity in the workplace. Among other things, the Act prohibits employers to conduct pre-employment HIV testing unless the Labor Court has given permission. Several interpretations have ensued which was seen as damaging to HIV prevention strategies in the workplace. Employers, likewise, have used these interpretations to justify a threat to withdraw from the Joint UN Program on the HIV/AIDS-Sponsored Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS program. Similarly, arguments for HIV testing followed which were based on a fancifully narrow and literal reading of the section. This resulted to the literal interpretation of the Act that eventually made the contested sections unconstitutional and deprived employees of their fundamental rights to freedom and security, and access to health care services. A non-literal interpretation of the Act, on the other hand, does require the prohibition as applying only to ¿employer-initiated¿ HIV testing. One immediate remedy to the confusion would be for the Employment Equity Commission to publish a code of good practice on HIV testing in the workplace.^ieng

Public disclosure of serostatus -- the impact on HIV-positive people.

AIDS is steeped in moral judgments about who becomes infected with HIV. Consequently, an AIDS diagnosis inevitably brings with it feelings of shame, guilt, loss, depression, fear of disclosure and some form of self-imposed isolation. Because of the stigma of an HIV-positive diagnosis, people are often reluctant to come forward and be tested, which makes it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their own future and that of their family. Nevertheless, since early in the epidemic, people living with HIV/AIDS have spoken out to present their personal perspectives on living with HIV and to challenge perceptions about who can and cannot become infected. However, there has been little research to explore their role in the global response to AIDS and the impact of public HIV disclosure on the HIV-positive persons themselves.

Ignorance could worsen South Africa AIDS threat. Knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

PIP: A survey conducted by MarkData showed that more than half of all South Africans are exposed to the risk of HIV infection. Based on a sample of 2200 South Africans, the national survey indicated that between 55% and 65% of the population were exposed to either extreme, substantial, or significant risk of infection. The government estimates that 1700 South Africans are infected with HIV everyday, and that about 12% of the country's 40 million people are HIV positive. The survey showed that a fifth of the population was in a category of extreme risk, not expressing concerns about HIV infection, not practicing safe sex, and expressing the belief that one could tell by a person's appearance whether they had HIV/AIDS. Moreover, 15-20% of the population was at substantial risk, expressing the belief that AIDS was not necessarily fatal or that a cure was available, while 20-25% of the population was in a category of significant risk, expressing the belief that if one is monogamous one is safe from infection, irrespective of the behavior of one's partner.^ieng