Investigation and Analysis on Pathogen Distribution of HIV/AIDS Patients with Opportunistic Infection

Objective: This study aims to understand the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in the region of HIV/AIDS patients with opportunistic infection. Methods: To count the number of the bacterial culture of HIV/AIDS patients in our hospital from October 2011 to December 2014, and observe the distribution of all kinds of pathogenic bacteria. Results: From the 4269 cases of HIV/AIDS patients’ bacteria, 5045 cases were cultured whose main flora distribution wasCandida albicans, 1759 cases. The second one was penicillium, 982 cases. The third one was mycobacteria, 557 cases. And then there are 213 cases ofCryptococcus neoformans, 212 cases of?Klebsiella pneumonia, 209 cases of?E. coli, 157 cases of coagulase-negative staphylococci, 112 cases of?Candida tropicalis, 90 cases of glabrata, 81 cases of?Staphylococcus aureus, 75 cases of?Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 60 cases of Salmonella, 48 cases of Acinetobacter and the distribution of the rest of cultured bacterial was less than 40 cases. Conclusion: There are many kinds of types of Pathogenic bacteria in HIV/AIDS patients with the opportunity to infectious. And the majorities are?Candida albicans,?Penicillium marneffei,?Penicillium,?Mycobacterium,?Cryptococcus neoformans?and so on. The infection sites are widely distributed;respiratory and circulatory are the main infected system. Improving the detection rate and reducing the contamination rate can truly reflect the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and the distribution can guide the infection work in hospital. At the same time, it’s good to predict and prevent opportunistic infection. Thus, the patients can get immediate treatment.

Interferon γ in patients with HIV/AIDS and suspicion or latent tuberculosis infection

Objective:To assess the usefulness of IGRA test(QuantiFERON? -Cell mediated immune) compared with the tuberculin skin test.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out in Mexico,25 infected patients with HIV-AIDS and the suspicion or with latent tuberculous infection （LTBI） who were】18 years of age and without treatment for tuberculosis（TB）,were enrolled in the study.Results:Median cluster of differentiation（CD4） count was 364 cells/μL and median HIV viral load was 50 copies/mL.Overall,20 patients（80%） had at least one positive diagnostic test for LTBI:four（16%） had a positive tuberculin skin test and 19（76%）,a positive QuantiFERON ? -tuberculosis.Conclusions:No agreement is found between the two diagnostic tests:k = -0.004,95%confidence interval（-0.2219,0.2210）.Additional longitudinal studies among HIV-infected populations with high prevalence of TB are needed to further assess the usefulness of IGRAs in this patient population.

Characterization of Candida Species Isolated from Cases of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among HIV/AIDS Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

This study was designed to identify and characterize the Candida species isolated from lower respiratory tract infections among HIV positive patients and to determine the prevalence rates of Candida infections among these subjects. Two early morning expectorate sputum samples were collected from 272 HIV positive subjects visiting the ART clinics and DOTS centre with cases of lower respiratory tract infection, over a period of 14 months from May 2009 to July 2010 in Calabar. Subjects were recruited for this study upon approval by the Ethical Research Committee of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and obtaining written informed consent from the patients. Samples were processed by standard methods for isolation of Candida. Speciation was done by a germ tube test, chlamydospore production on corn meal agar and sugar fermentation and assimilation tests using the Microexpress Candida identification kit (Tulip, India). Out of the 544 sputum samples collected from 272 subjects, Candida species were isolated from 40 (14.7%) and identified after confirming the growth in the second sample. The majority of Candida species among the Candida isolates were Candida albicans (80%) followed by Candida tropicalis 5 (12.5%), Candida dubliniensis 2 (5.0%) and Candida guilliermondii 1 (2.5%). The isolation rate of Candida species from sputum samples was found to be highest among subjects aged 25 - 34 years, followed by those aged 15 - 24 years. Twenty (7.3%) HIV seropositive subjects had bacterial infections, while 4 (1.5%) subjects had mixed fungal and bacterial infections. This study is the first of its kind to be carried out in Calabar and the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria, and has shown that pulmonary candidiasis is a health problem among HIV positive patients in Calabar.

Cross-Sectional Study of Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Co-Infections among Patients Attending Directly Observed Treatment Centers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infects about one quarter of the global population and is transmitted via aerosols by coughing, sneezing, etc. Some socio-behavioral factors may predispose an individual to the disease. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional design with random stratified sampling technique. Sputum samples from suspected TB patients totaling 600 were obtained from patients attending directly observed treatment (DOTs) centers from different local government areas in Bayelsa. The sputum samples were examined for tuberculosis using the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and Gene Xpert molecular method while HIV/AIDS tests were carried out with EDTA blood using the Alere HIV12 test kit and others. Results: The Prevalence of TB by Gene Xpert was 294 (49.0%) and by AFB 217 (36.1%), while TB/HIV co-infection was 94 (32.0%), RRMTB was 34 (11.9%) and HIV 249 (41.5%). Prevalence by age group showed the 20 - 39 years had the highest prevalence of TB 98 (47.0%), TB/HIV 35 (47.0%), RRMTB 17 (48.0%) and HIV 90 (57.0%). By gender the male had slightly higher prevalence of TB 109 (52.0%), TB/HIV 51 (54.0%), RRMTB 20 (56.0%) and HIV 126 (51.0%) than the female. Prevalence among smokers and alcoholics and subjects who engaged in both habits had high prevalence TB 109 (37.0%), TB/HIV 14 (40.0%), RRMTB 14 (40.0%) and HIV 72 (29.0%). For educational status those with tertiary and secondary education had similar high prevalence and for occupation, the self-employed and civil servants had similar elevated prevalence. The prevalence by local government area showed that Yenegoa had the highest with TB 235 (80.0%), TB/HIV 72 (76.6%), RRMTB 24 (68.5%) and HIV 202 (81.2%). Conclusion: An increase in the development of resistance by M. tuberculosis also contributes to the persistence of the disease as well as some socio-economic factors.

A Retrospective Study of Culture-confirmed Mycobacterial Infection among Hospitalized HIV-infected Patients in Beijing, China

A retrospective analysis was performed in two major HIV/AIDS referral hospitals in Beijing to evaluate the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis（MTB） and non-tuberculous mycobacterial（NTM） infections in HIV-infected patients. A total of 627 patients＇ data were reviewed, and 102（16.3%） patients were diagnosed with culture-confirmed mycobacterial infection, including 84 with MTB, 16 with NTM, and 2 with both MTB and NTM. The most frequent clinical complication by mycobacterial infection was pulmonary infection（48/102, 47.1%）. The overall rates of multidrug-resistant TB（MDR-TB） and extensively drug-resistant TB（XDR-TB） were 11.9% and 3.4%, respectively. This study underlines the urgent need to intensify screening for mycobacteria coinfection with HIV and to prevent the spread of drug-resistant TB among HIV-infected patients.

Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in HIV/AIDS patients,northern Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) IgG and IgM antibodies in HIV/AIDS patients and uninfected subjects.MethodsThis cross sectional survey was carried out on 78 healthy and 62 HIV+/AIDS individuals in northern Iran between September 2007 and October 2008. Five mL of blood samples were collected from each person in case and control groups. Determination of CD4+ counts was performed by flow cytometry. The serum separated from blood samples was evaluated by conventional ELISA technique to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii.ResultsForty eight out of 62 (77.4%) HIV/AIDS serum samples were found positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody, compared with 59 among 78 (75.6%) HIV negative samples from the same area (P > 0.05). Six out of 62 (9.7%) HIV+/AIDS patients showed anti-T. gondii IgM antibody in their serum samples, compared with 7 among 78 (9%) HIV negative samples (P > 0.05). The mean of CD4+ counts in HIV+/AIDS was (430.8±182.3) cells/μL and in control group was (871.0±243.3)% cells/μL (P<0.01). CD4+ estimation in 5 (11.1%) of HIV+/AIDS patients was <200 cells/μL (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsSeroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in HIV patients is high, therefore the prevention of toxoplasmic encephalitis, administration of primary prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole to all HIV+/AIDS patients are necessary.

HIV/AIDS肺脾气虚证相关心脑血管疾病风险因素探析

目的通过检测血脂四项、血管内皮损伤因子、炎症相关因子,并结合前期的基因芯片结果,初步探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)/艾滋病(AIDS)肺脾气虚证相关心脑血管疾病风险因素及机制,为中医药早期干预心脑血管疾病提供依据。方法2020年9月—2020年11月选取河南省某地区确诊的20例HIV/AIDS肺脾气虚证患者作为研究对象,同地区20例HIV抗体阴性作为健康对照组。检测CD_(3)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)、CD_(8)^(+)计数,并计算CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)比值;检测血脂四项甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C);检测氧化低密度脂蛋白(Ox-LDL)、载脂蛋白A-I(ApoAⅠ)、载脂蛋白A-Ⅱ(ApoAⅡ)、载脂蛋白B(ApoB)、锌-α2-糖蛋白1(AZGP1)、可溶性血栓调节蛋白(sTM)、血管性血友病因子(vWF)、脂联素、瘦素(LEP)、超敏C反应蛋白(Hs-CRP)、单核细胞趋化因子1(MCP-1)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)。结果HIV/AIDS肺脾气虚证患者与健康对照组比较CD_(4)^(+)降低,CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)比值倒置,TC降低,sTM、AZGP1、Ox-LDL、Hs-CRP升高。结论HIV/AIDS肺脾气虚证患者存在炎性反应、血脂异常的表现,罹患心脑血管疾病风险增加。为中医药早期干预心脑血管疾病的发生提供新思路。

Correlation between Abdominal Ultrasonographic Findings and CD4 Cell Count in Adult Patients with HIV/AIDS in Jos, Nigeria

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) resulting in progressive destruction of cell mediated immunity. The abdominal manifestations of AIDS are related to the level of CD+4 cells count as well as viral load. Abdominal ultrasound examination is easy to perform, non-invasive, inexpensive, readily available and reproducible investigation which provides valuable information about abdominal findings in AIDS. The objective of the study was to evaluate abdominal ultrasound findings in adult HIV/AIDS patients in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and correlate these findings with the patients’ CD+4 counts. A cross-sectional study of abdominal ultrasound findings of adult patients with HIV/AIDS was conducted over a period of six months. The abdominal ultrasound findings and CD+4 counts were studied. Two hundred (40%) of the patients had normal abdominal ultrasound, while 60% (300) had various abnormalities. The common abnormalities included increased liver parenchymal echogenicity in 25.0%, hepatomegaly in 23.4%, splenomegaly in 6.6%, increased splenic echogenicity in 6.2% and thickened gallbladder wall in 12.6%, elevated renal parenchymal echogenicity in 6.4%, enlarged kidneys in 2.6%, lymphadenopathy in 6.0%, and ascites in 2.4%. Pelvic abscess was the least pathology in 0.2%. Most of the findings did not correlate with the patients’ CD+4?count except for lymphadenopathy and ascites. Although abdominal ultrasound examination is invaluable in the management of these patients, however, it has not shown to be useful in predicting the patients’ immune status.

HIV/AIDS related mortality among adult medical patients in a tertiary health institution in South-South,Nigeria

Objective:To determine the causes of death among human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) patients as a step to planning strategies to improve mortality from this condition.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the mortality pattern of adult HIV/AIDS patients in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007.The data were obtained from sexually transmitted infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(STI/AIDS) clinic register,admissions and discharge/death registers as well as the patients’ case records and the hospitals monthly mortality reviews.Information obtained included age,sex,diagnosis and cause(s) of death.The causes of death considered were the direct causes of death,since the originating antecedent cause of death is the same in all the patients,in this case,HIV/AIDS.Data was analysed using Epi Info 2002.Results:The total number of mortalities during the study period was 350,100 were HIV positive representing 28.6%of all deaths.While advanced HIV/AIDS disease was the leading cause of death in our study representing 27.0%,tuberculosis was the single leading cause of deaths in HIV/AIDS patients constituting about 24.0%of deaths.This was followed by sepsis and septicaemia(13.0%), meningitis and encephalitis,and anaemia accounting for 11.0%,while respiratory diseases constituted 5.0%of the mortality burden.The highest number of deaths occurred in those aged between 21-50 years(82.0%).Conclusions:The study has shown that HIV/AIDS is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our hospital.The causes of death reflect the varied spectrum of infection and other forms of organ involvement that affect HIV/AIDS patients.The present dismal situation of adult patients living with HIV/AIDS calls for enhanced strategies to decrease the mortality trend observed in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

Purified protein derivative skin testing on HIV/AIDS patients and logistic regression analysis of its risk factors

Objective： To understand the reactivity of purified protein derivative skin test（PPD test） in HIV-infected persons and to determine the influential factors associated with PPD. Methods： 174 HIV/AIDS patients registered in the local center for disease control and prevention（CDC） participated this study from April to June in 2006. Questionnaire,CD4 count and thoracic roentgenogram were performed for all participants. Results： In this study, response rate of questionnaires was 83.65%. The majority of these participants had a different degree of immunodeficiency that accounted for 93.64%. Female patients had a higher CD4 count than that of males. The total positive rate of PPD was 38.15%. Analysis of single factor in our study indicated that CD4 count, previous tubereulosis history, tuberculosis contact history and thoracic roentgenogram manifestation of patients were related to their PPD diameters. Further analysis of multiple factors also supports the previous conclusion that CD4 count and previous tuberculosis history of patients were risk factors in the PPD test. Conclusion： The PPD test of HIV/AIDS patients could be affected by several factors. For persons infected with HIV, the confirmation of latent tuberculosis infection （LTBI） should be considered the combination effect of previous MTB infection and body cellular immune function.

Analysis on Immune Tolerance and Resistance Mechanism of <i>Cryptococcus albidus</i>of AIDS Patients with Opportunistic Cryptococci Infection

Objective: To explore more about the immune tolerance and drug resistance of white Cryptococci albidus in AIDS patients with opportunistic Cryptococcus infection. Methods: To analyze drug resistance of the samples of white Cryptococcus albidus extracted from opportunistic infection AIDS patients in the certain infection area from October 2011 to December 2014. Results: After analyzing two samples of Cryptococcus albidus from 885 cases with opportunistic infection, we found that one of the samples do resist to ten common antibiotics. They were fluconazole, flu-cytosine, fluconazole, caspofungin, amphotericin B, MI miconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The other one was sensitive to voriconazole, but resistant to the rest of the drug. Two strains of bacteria were inoculated into the animals in vivo and their DNA was extracted to carry out the genotyping analysis. The results showed that different degrees of resistance gene amplification bands were found in the 10 kinds of antibiotics. Conclusion: Although there were few opportunistic infection Cryptococcus albidus in AIDS patients, it was easy to show its resistance to drugs. Therefore, great attention should be paid to it for the medical workers.

Mindfulness-based therapies for patients living HIV/AIDS

Dear Editor,We read with great interest the systematic review and meta-analysis publishedby Yanget al.[1],assessing the impact of various mindfulness-based therapies(MBTs),including mindfulness stress reduction(MBSR)and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy(MBCT),on patients with HIV/AIDS[1].While we congratulate the authors for investigating this important topic,several issues pertaining to this study require further discussion.

Etiologic Aspects of Epileptic Seizures of Recent Onset in HIV-AIDS Infected Subjects at the Yaounde Central Hospital (Cameroon)

Introduction: Patients infected with HIV usually develop neurological complications. Seizures are amongst clinical manifestation of these neurological complications of HIV infection. We report on 150 HIV positive patients who presented with newly onset seizures. Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the influence of HIV infection on epilepsy and particularly to look for the most common epilepsy induced complications in our context. Methodology: We recruited all patients infected with HIV and who consulted at the outpatient or admitted in the in the neurology unit of the Yaounde Central Hospital, for seizures from August 1st 2008 to December 31st 2009. All the patients were aged above 18 years, black and of Cameroonian nationality. All those who had a family history of epilepsy, as well as those with a personal history of epilepsy were excluded from the study. Results: During the period of study, we recruited 150 patients aged 38.7 ± 9.9 years and with an M/F sex ratio of 0.76. Generalized seizures were observed in 66% of patients, of whom 58% were HIV 1 positive and an average CD4 count of 65.4 ± 11.7/μl. Cerebral toxoplasmosis was the most common etiology observed in 30% of cases. Discussion: This study being hospital based must have selected the most serious patient with severe immunodeficiency. This can explain why a precise etiology was found in the majority of cases. Modi et al. (1999) found a space occupying lesion in 53%, meningitis in 22% and 25% without identifiable etiology in black South Africans. Central nervous system tuberculosis was the most frequent cause encountered in 64% of patients with etiologies. Conclusion: Seizures are one of the principal manifestations of HIV infection or its complications. Their prevalence is 9.5% in our study. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is the most frequent etiology in our study, followed by cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculous meningitis.

抗病毒治疗HIV/AIDS患者抑郁状况及其影响因素分析

【目的】了解接受抗病毒治疗HIV/AIDS患者抑郁状况及其影响因素。【方法】2022年7月-2022年9月,采用连续抽样法从南京市抗病毒治疗机构招募接受抗病毒治疗HIV/AIDS患者,进行匿名问卷调查,收集患者基本信息,采用患者健康问卷抑郁量表(PHQ-9)、简化的Berger艾滋病感知歧视量表(BHSS)及感知社会支持的多维度量表(MSPSS)调查抑郁状况、HIV耻辱得分以及社会支持水平等。采用多因素Logistic回归分析患者抑郁的影响因素。【结果】本研究共收集有效问卷1879份,抑郁检出率为50.1%,多因素logistic回归分析结果显示:相较于初中及以下文化程度的患者,研究生及以上文化程度抑郁的风险更低[OR=0.534,95%CI(0.341,0.835),P=0.006];相较于抗病毒治疗时长<1年,抗病毒治疗时长1~5年[OR=0.729,95%CI(0.536,0.991)]、>5~10年[OR=0.516,95%CI(0.379,0.702)]、>10年[OR=0.603,95%CI(0.375,0.969)]抑郁的风险更低;相较于中低社会支持水平,高社会支持水平是HIV/AIDS患者抑郁保护性因素[OR=0.430,95%CI(0.349,0.530),P<0.001];相较于未存在治疗药物副作用,存在药物副作用发生抑郁的风险更高[OR=2.260,95%CI(1.833,2.786),P<0.001];同时在HIV耻辱感量表得分越高,抑郁的可能性越高。【结论】南京市抗病毒治疗患者抑郁检出率较高,启动抗病毒治疗后应加强患者的药物副作用及心理状态监测,开展心理干预,缓解心理问题出现,提高患者的生命质量。

Characterization of TB/HIV Co-Infected Patients Receiving TB Treatment at a DOTS Clinic, in a Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a specific infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis while acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal illness caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Both of them constitute the main burden of infectious public health disease in many parts of the world, particularly in resource limited countries like Nigeria. This study sets out to describe TB/HIV co-infected patients accessing care at the DOTS clinic in a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively at the DOTS clinic of NAUTH Nnewi. A structured proforma was used to extract specific characteristics of TB/HIV co-infected patients who received TB treatment for the period of 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results: Ninety eight patients (40.6%) were TB/HIV co-infected, out of the two hundred and forty one patients treated for tuberculosis in the DOTS clinic during the period under review. These were the findings among the TB/HIV co-infected patients: there were more females (51%) than males (49%);the commonest age group affected was the group 30 - 39 years (34.7%);majority of the patients (91.8%) had pulmonary TB as against extrapulmonary TB (8.2%) and most of the patients had negative sputum AFB result (43.9%) as against those with positive result (36.7%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated some important characteristics of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Such knowledge if taken into consideration in both the tuberculosis control and HIV control programs will improve the outcomes of the programs.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in HIV Infected Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more predisposed to urinary tract infections due to suppression of their immunity by the virus. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection and the latter being an important contributor to development of chronic renal failure, hypertension and toxaemia of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in HIV-infected patients and proffer a recommendation on the need or otherwise to screen. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of treatment-naive HIV-infected patients attending the HIV clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. A single voided aseptically collected mid-stream urine (MSU) was obtained from each patient and all samples processed immediately, were sent for urinalysis and culture. Isolates were considered significant if there were ≥105 colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL) with 2 or less isolates, doubtful significance if 5 CFU/mL. Significant isolates were selected for identification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Inc., Chicago, Ill). Results: A total of 156 consenting participants were recruited into the study. The mean age was 36.45 ± 8.65 years. There were 60 of 156 (38.4%) males and 96 of 156 (61.56%) females. Only 33 of 156 (21.2%) had significant bacteriuria, out of the 33 participants, 19 (57.8%) were asymptomatic, while 14 of 33 (42.4%) had significant growth but were symptomatic or on antibiotics. E. coli was isolated in 9 of 19 (47.3%), followed by Staph aureus 4 of 19 (21.05%). Conclusion: More than half of participants who had significant growth had asymptomatic bacteriuria, while one-fifth of all patients had significant growth. Considering this statistics, screening for or treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria may be recommended in all HIV-infected patients.

Functional Health Literacy and Doctor-Patient Communication: Experiences of HIV/AIDS Patients in Homa Bay County, Kenya

Patient involvement in the health care process has been documented as a critical component of successful disease management. However, inadequate functional health literacy among patients is a well-known barrier to effective doctor-patient communication, which has an adverse effect on health outcomes. This study aimed at investigating the association of functional health literacy and doctor-patient communication among HIV/AIDS patients in Homa Bay County, Kenya. It was a cross-sectional hospital-based survey conducted among 362 HIV/AIDS patients receiving care at the eight sub-county hospitals of Homa Bay county. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis tests were used to ascertain the reliability and validity of study instruments, while Logistic regression logistic analysis was used to measure the association between functional health literacy and doctor-patient communication. 51% of the respondents were females, and the majority (30.9%) of respondents fell in the age group of 45 years and above. The respondents’ functional health literacy levels were inadequate at weighted means scores of 3.23 [SD 1.31]. The study further established that functional health literacy significantly influenced doctor-patient communication [Nagelkerke R square = 0.318]. There is, therefore, a need to document the determinants of functional health literacy to improve it and make doctor-patient interaction an enjoyable and meaningful experience.

Chronic Alcohol Consumption Affects Serum Enzymes Levels in the HIV-Infected Patients on Stavudine (d4T)/Lamivudine (3TC)/Nevirapine (NVP) Treatment Regimen

Chronic alcohol use is a common problem globally among the HIV-infected patients on ARV treatment regimens, leading to severe liver damage and increase in serum enzymes. The study determined effect of chronic alcohol intake on serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)) in HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP treatment regimen in Uganda using the WHO alcohol use disorders’ identification test (AUDIT) tool and chronic alcohol use biomarkers (ALT, AST, GGT, AST/ALT ≥ 2.0 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV)). A case control study using repeated measure design with serial measurements model was used. Alcohol use biomarkers were used to standardize the gender differences in alcohol use. A total of 41 patients (21 alcohol group and 20 control group) were followed up for 9 months with blood sampling done at 3 month intervals. The serum enzymes’ levels were determined by using the Cobas Intergra 400 Plus analyzer system. The mean GGT levels were higher in chronic alcohol use group as compared to control group in both groups. The levels were above reference ranges during 6 month and three times higher during 9-month follow-up period for both chronic alcohol use self reporting WHO AUDIT tool and biomarkers’ groups. Generally, the mean AST, ALT and AST/ALT levels were slightly higher in alcohol use group as compared to control group and were slightly higher in both groups as compared to reference ranges during the 9 month follow-up period. Chronic alcohol consumption by HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen increased GGT and AST/ALT serum enzyme levels and hence was used as chronic alcohol use biomarkers.

Dermatophytes Species Isolated of HIV-Infected Patients Identified by ITS-RFLP and ITS Region Sequencing from Triangulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais State of Brazil

Dermatomycoses are a group of diseases worldwide distributed and affect skin, hair and nails. Several fungal species can be envolved and keratinophilic fungi belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton are very common. These infections are globally distributed and their incidence has progressively increased. Despite their high incidence, few studies have been carried out in HIV-infected patients, regarding frequency, clinical presentations, and species identification. This study aimed to evaluate some epidemiological and clinical aspects of dermatophytosis in HIV-infected patients and to attempt phenotypical and molecular characteristics of their agents. Of 398 patients included, 306 were HIV-infected. Clinical data and samples of skin, hair and nail lesions were simultaneously obtained. The dermatophytes yielded in culture were phenotypically identified and evaluated by ITS-RFLP and ITS (Internal Transcribed Space) sequencing. Dermatophytes frequency in HIV-infected patients with cutaneous lesions was 11.76% similar to the 15.22% observed in non-HIV individuals. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common isolated species in both groups. Throught ITS-RFLP, 29/32 (90.63%) of dermatophytes isolates were identified at the species level. From the 10 isolates randomly selected for ITS sequencing, seven confirmed the ITS-RFLP results while three Trichophyton sp. were not identified as dermatophytes. The identification of these species in HIV-infected patients is highly desirable in order to improve the knowledge of their frequency, geographical distribution and relation to clinical presentation.