Progression of Platelet Counts in Treatment Naïve HIV/HCV Co-Infection

Background: Previous research has suggested an association between infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and low platelet counts. This study estimates platelet count changes over time in HIV/HCV co-infected participants and compares them with the changes in platelet count among HIV mono-infected participants to test if HIV/HCV co-infection is associated with lower platelet counts. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all HIV treatment naive patients from four sites in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort with platelet count measurements between 2002 and 2009. We conducted a mixed effects linear regression modeling the mean change in platelet count per year while adjusting for age, sex, race, baseline CD4 cell count, and site. Index date was the first platelet count after 2002, and participants were censored upon initiation of treatment for HIV or HCV. Results: There were 929 HIV/HCV co-infected and 3558 HIV mono-infected participants with a mean follow-up time of 1.2 years. HIV/HCV co-infected participants had on average a slighter lower platelet count at baseline (234,040 vs. 242,780/μL;p-value = 0.004), and a more rapid mean reduction per year (7230 vs. 3580/μL;p-value 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, baseline CD4 count. Conclusions: In treatment naive participants, HIV/HCV co-infection is associated with a more rapid decline in platelet count compared with HIV mono-infection.

Analysis of causes for liver function deteriora-tion in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection

BACKGROUND:Co-infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV-1 ) is common in hemophiliacs and drug abusers. To assess the interaction between HIV and HCV disease progression, we examined 82 HIV/HCV co-infection patients and 62 HCV infection patients. METHODS: Liver function, pathological changes, infec- tion duration, immune function and qualitative HCV-RNA and HCV antibody were compared retrospectively between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Fourty-eight patients (58.5%) in the HIV/ HCV co-infection group and 53 patients (85.5%) in the HCV infection group showed abnormal liver function. No significant difference was observed in inflammation and fi- brosis in the two groups P =0.187, 0.954). However, liver abnormality in the patients with HIV/HCV co-infection appeared 8 years earlier than in those with HCV infection alone (P<0.001). As to immune function, the counts of CD4+T and CD8+ T in the HIV/HCV group were (226.35 ± 173.49)×106/L and (914. 40 ±448. 28)×106/L, whereas in the HCV group they were (752.31±251.69)×l06/L and (529.011170.67)×106/L respectively. The difference in the two groups was highly significant (P<0.001; P<0.001). The ratio of the number of people with both HCV-RNA and HCV antibody positive to the number of HCV-RNA positive and HCV antibody negative in the HIV/HCV group was 52:9, whereas in the HCV group it was 44:1 (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: HIV/HCV co-infection can accelerate de- terioration of hepatitis C, which may be due to the effect of HIV on cellular immunity and humoral immunity of the body.

HIV/HCV Co-Infection—A Dual Neurocognitive Problem

Presence of the hepatitis C virus in HIV infected patients has an additional neurotoxic influence on the Central Nervous System. It has been described that HCV co-infection leads to neuropsychological impairment whose severity is greater than in mono-HIV infected subjects. In the present study we assessed the neuropsychological status of 46 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals from the Warsaw Hospital for Infectious Diseases. For the purpose of cognitive assessment, neuropsychological tests measuring global cognitive functions, attention and perception, verbal memory, as well as non-verbal aspects of executive functions, e.g. visual monitoring and planning, were assessed. In 60% of the investigated patients, who were co-infected with the hepatitis C virus, the overall cognitive outcome observed was worse than in mono-HIV infected subjects. The following factors were taken into account: ART therapy’s influence on cognitive functions using the CPE rank (CNS Penetration Efficacy, 2010), route of HIV transmission, conditions of human existence and age of investigated patients. The present work should be treated as a preliminary research and interpreted in the context of several limitations described in the text.

Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV/HCV Co-Infection Italian Consensus Workshop

About 50% of people living with the HIV infection in Italy are co-infected with HCV. In this group of patients, the primary cause of mortality is liver disease, which accounts for up to 14% of deaths. HIV/HCV co-infection also exposes patients to a higher risk of progression to AIDS, a faster evolution towards cirrhosis, more frequent drug toxicity, and lower tolerance for antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, HCV infection can play a part in increasing immune system depression;neurological, cognitive and renal damage;and bone fragility. Hence an optimal antiretroviral regimen needs to be chosen for co-administration with anti-HCV therapy and timed appropriately to improve the prognosis of co-infected HIV/HCV patients. Unfortunately, however, data on the safety and efficacy of antiretroviral drugs in these patients is scarce, as are studies of pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced liver impairment. Furthermore, restoring adequate immune constitution seems not to slow the progression of liver disease, and the metabolic and hepatic toxicity of some antiretroviral drugs can even contribute to inflammatory and fibrogenic processes. It is therefore essential that HIV/HCV co-infected patients receive only medications capable of ensuring the best immune recovery but possessing the lowest potential to trigger immune reconstitution syndrome or hepatic and metabolic damage.

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: HIV-HBV co-infection is a major public health problem that has not been sufficiently explored in the Central African workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HIV-HBV co-infection among people who living with HIV (PLHIV) in the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de lAmiti Sino-Centrafricaine in Bangui. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021 in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at the Amiti Sino-Centrafricaine University Hospital. It included the files of all PLHIV, which included the results of HBV serology. A standardized form was used to collect socio-demographic and professional data by documentary review. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 7 software. Means, proportions were calculated as well as Chi square witch was significant if p-value was below 0.05. Results: The study included 265 patients, 188 were women (70.1%) and 77 men (29.1%), giving a sex ratio of 0.45. Mean age was 35.8 years, higher in men (40 years) than in women (35.8 years) (p 0.0001). The age groups 25 to 34 (37.7%) and 35 to 44 (33.6%) were in the majority (71.3%). The majority of PLHIV were unemployed (57.1%), including housewives (43.0%). HBV prevalence was 14.3%, including 7.2% among the unemployed, who account for half of all co-infections. The search for associations between HIV-HBV co-infection and all socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status) and socio-professional categories showed no significant difference (p 0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV were predominantly young adults, female, and unemployed;no occupation was significantly associated with co-infection. The vast majority of co-infected people were not covered by the occupational health system (unemployed or informal sector). Urgent action is needed to improve workers access to occupational medicine in CAR.

Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among People Living with HIV in Burkina Faso and Diagnostic Performance of HIV/HCV/HBsAg Combined Rapid Test in Comparison with Architect Assays

Background: The diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a constraint for some populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in people living with HIV and to evaluate the performance of a combined rapid test for the simultaneous detection of HIV, HBV, and HCV. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that took place from February 2017 to November 2018 and included 139 HIV-infected individuals followed up at different medical centers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. HBV and HCV serology tests were performed on-site using finger prick whole blood with HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test and then serum with two reference tests “Architect HBsAg Qualitative” and “Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo”. Results: The mean age of the participants was 57 ± 8 years. Of the 139 participants, 10% (14/139) were HIV-1 positive, 71.9% (100/139) were HIV-2 positive, and 18.0% (25/139) were HIV-1/HIV-2 coinfected. The sensitivity and specificity of the HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test were 33.33% vs 99.11% and 20% vs 99.25% compared to Architect HBsAg Qualitative and Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo, respectively. The Kappa and Youden Index values were 0.4262 and 0.3244 and 0.2707 and 0.1925, respectively, compared to each of the two reference tests. Conclusion: The results show that the HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test has poor diagnostic efficiency and should not be recommended for the diagnosis of these viruses.

云南595例HIV/HCV共感染者的HCV基因型及临床特征分析

目的 分析云南省传染病医院抗病毒门诊595例HIV/HCV共感染者的HCV基因型及临床特征,为HIV/HCV防治提供参考。方法 选取2022年1月~2023年7月在云南省传染病医院抗病毒门诊就诊的HIV/AIDS患者为研究对象,采用横断面研究,收集患者基本信息,检测HCV抗体、HCV RNA、HCV基因型、生化指标,并进行分析。结果 筛查5709例HIV/AIDS患者,HCV抗体阳性率10.42%(595/5709),HCV RNA检测率86.72%(516/595),HCV RNA阳性率47.09%(243/516)。95.47%HCV RNA阳性完成HCV基因检测,其中各型占比为:1b型(14.66%)、2a型(0.86%)、3a型(27.59%)、3b型(40.95%)、6型(14.66%)、未分型(1.29%)。HCV RNA阳性者中FIB-4评分> 3.25为37.86%。不同感染途径的HIV/HCV共感染者丙肝基因分型差异有统计学意义(P <0.05),基因分型为3a、3b的FIB-4指数均高于其他基因型,两两比较差异均有统计学意义(均P <0.05)。结论 HIV/AIDS患者中HCV抗体、HCV RNA阳性率较高,HCV基因型以3b型、3a型为主要流行株,发生进展性肝脏纤维化占比较高。在HIV/AIDS患者中进行HCV感染的筛查对早期诊断及早期治疗丙型肝炎具有重要意义。

HIV/HCV双感患者病毒载量与生化指标研究

目的:探讨HIV/HCV双感患者与HIV/AIDS患者病毒载量、生化指标之间的差异,以及与HIV单纯感染者HCV病毒载量(HCV-RNA)之间的关系,分析病毒载量与细胞免疫水平及生化指标间相关性,为HIV/HCV共感染的临床诊断、治疗提供依据。方法:收集伊宁市传染病医院2023年入院的HIV/AIDS感染者、HCV感染者、HIV/HCV双感患者血清样本,检测丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)等生化指标;采用流式细胞术对CD4+T淋巴细胞进行计数,采用PCR技术检测HCV-RNA及HIV-RNA。结果:共收集HIV/AIDS感染者、HCV感染者和HIV/HCV共感染者及正常人群共481例,其中HIV/AIDS感染组192例,HCV感染组162例,HIV/HCV共感染组111例,正常对照组16例。HIV/HCV组的HIV-RNA检出率(51.35%)高于HIV组(25.52%)(P<0.001),HCV-RNA检出率高于HCV组(P<0.001),CD4+T淋巴细胞水平低于HIV/AIDS感染组(P<0.001),ALT和AST均极显著高于对照组、HIV组、HCV组(P<0.001),HIV病毒载量与CD4+T淋巴细胞计数及ALT、AST、GGT水平未存在相关性(P>0.05),与CD4+T%存在负相关性(P<0.05),HCV病毒载量与ALT、AST、GGT水平均存在正相关性(P<0.05),而HIV病毒载量与HCV病毒载量间未存在相关性(P=0.145)。结论:HCV感染机体后,ALT、AST、GGT等肝功能指标异常增高,HIV/HCV共感染后机体免疫抑制加重,免疫功能更加低下,肝脏的损伤严重,机体对HIV及HCV病毒的复制控制能力下降。

HIV and HCV:from Co-infection to Epidemiology,Transmission,Pathogenesis,and Treatment

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the infectious agent causing acquired immu-nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),a deadliest scourge of human society. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver disease and infects an estimated 170 million people worldwide,resulting in a serious public health burden. Due to shared routes of transmission,co-infection with HIV and HCV has become common among individuals who had high risks of blood exposures. Among hemophiliacs the co-infection rate accounts for 85%; while among injection drug users (IDU) the rate can be as high as 90%. HIV can accelerate the progression of HCV-related liver disease,particularly when immunodeficiency has developed. Although the effect of HCV on HIV infection is controversial,most studies showed an increase in mortality due to liver disease. HCV may act as a direct cofactor to fasten the progression of AIDS and decrease the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT). Conversely,HAART-related hepatotoxicity may enhance the progression of liver fibrosis. Due to above complications,co-infection with HCV and HIV-1 has imposed a critical challenge in the management of these patients. In this review,we focus on the epidemiology and transmission of HIV and HCV,the impact of the two viruses on each other,and their treatment.

427例HIV/AIDS患者合并HCV感染的临床分析

目的探讨广西住院HIV/AIDS患者合并HCV感染现状及临床特点。方法回顾性分析2018—2022年在我院首次住院治疗的13142例HIV/AIDS患者合并HCV的感染率。收集HIV/AIDS合并HCV感染患者(HIV/HCV组)的一般及临床资料,探讨感染途径和直接抗病毒药物(direct-acting antivirals,DAAs)治疗情况;纳入354例同期收治单纯HCV感染者作为对照;分析2组患者重症肝病的发生率和重症肝病致死率。结果13142例HIV/AIDS患者中,427例合并HCV感染,感染率达3.25%。HIV/HCV组感染途径85.71%为异性性传播。与单纯HCV组相比,HIV/HCV组肝衰竭的发生率和重症肝病致死率更高(P均<0.05)。对51例HIV/AIDS合并HCV感染患者进行HCV基因分型:la型占19.61%、lb型占13.73%、2a型占3.92%、3a型占11.76%、3b型占17.65%、6a型占29.41%,6d型占1.96%、6e型占1.96%。427例患者中入院前接受DAAs治疗者仅占1.41%(6/427)。对106例未行DAAs治疗患者分析显示,农民占53.77%,城镇无固定职业者占34.91%;首次在我院检查发现抗-HCV阳性者占64.15%(68/106),院外已确证丙型肝炎多年的37例患者中,不愿意治疗者占83.78%(31/37)。结论广西HIV/AIDS患者合并HCV感染比例高,性传播是合并HCV感染的主要途径,HCV基因型以1、3、6型为主,HIV合并HCV感染易导致肝病重症化,可增加病死率,入院前接受DAAs治疗率很低。因此,对合并HCV感染的HIV/AIDS患者,应加强宣教,提高其依从性,应尽早进行DDAs治疗,改善其预后。

凉山州某县HIV合并HCV感染者HCV基因型及临床特征分析

目的 分析凉山州某县HIV合并HCV感染者HCV基因型及临床特征。方法 采用回顾性研究,收集并分析2021年04月至2021年12月在四川凉山州越西县抗病毒治疗中心随访的55例HIV合并HCV感染者的基本信息、HCV基因型、HCV RNA定量结果和肝功能结果。结果 55例感染者中,以男性感染者为主(70.91%);年龄主要分布在21~40岁(70.91%);感染途径以静脉吸毒传播为主(61.82%)。55例感染者中,32例完成了HCV基因分型,共发现3种基因型-1型(包括1b型)、3型和6型,其中以3型为主。HCV各基因型在不同性别、年龄及感染途径中的分布差异均无统计学意义(P=0.350;P=0.893;P=0.765)。55例感染者中,HCV基因6型感染者的HCV RNA定量结果高于其他组的感染者,但各组间差异均无统计学意义(P=0.111)。肝功能结果在各组间的差异均无统计学意义(P=0.165;P=0.321;P=0.905;P=0.104)。结论 凉山州某县HIV合并HCV感染者中HCV基因型以3型相对较多,不同基因型的HCV RNA定量结果和肝功能结果无明显差异。

HIV/HCV共同感染患者肝脏病理改变分析

目的分析42例HIV/HCV共同感染患者肝穿组织的病理学检查,了解肝脏炎症及纤维化程度及影响病程发展的因素。方法选取昆明市第三人民医院2012年1月~2019年12月住院患者中42例HIV/HCV共同感染患者,对其进行肝活检穿刺,穿刺组织常规病理HE、特殊染色、免疫组化染色制片,病理医师镜下观察组织结构,对肝脏炎症、纤维化进行分级分期,同时采集静脉血检测肝功能、HIVRNA、HCVRNA和CD4和CD8计数等。结果HIV/HCV共同感染患者各炎症级别组11例肝功能生化指标ALT、AST无异常,37例组织学检查示肝脏有明显炎症及纤维化改变,由此可见HIV/HCV共同感染患者ALT、AST水平与肝脏病理改变不一致。结论HIV/HCV共同感染患者ALT、AST水平不应作为判断是否有肝脏损伤的主要指标。建议HIV/HCV共同感染患者在接受规范的HAART治疗时,即使肝功能正常也需要同时进行丙型肝炎的抗病毒治疗,必要时可行肝脏穿刺病理检查。

Stratification of the Degree of Hepatic Involvement in HIV-HCV Coinfection Using Two Biomarkers: APRI and FIB-4

Hepatitis C infection in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) poses management challenges. Of the world’s population, 3% are estimated to have chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, which is responsible for about 70% of cases of chronic hepatitis (accelerated chronicity in the presence of HIV and for such major complications as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) and Aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) scores are simple, inexpensive tests accessible to most people, and their performance has not yet been studied in C?te d’Ivoire. Objective: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of APRI and FIB-4 scores in liver damage in those co-infected with HIV/HCV in C?te d’Ivoire. Methods: This study was conducted over three months. The patients came from national blood transfusion center of the cities of Man and Daloa. The criteria for selecting respondents were at least 18 years of age and a positive test for HIV and HCV. APRI and FIB-4 scores were calculated for each patient from biological data obtained by COBAS C311 (Roche Hitachi, Japan). Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad and MED-CALC software. Results: Our study involved 30 patients (men) of middle age (25 - 52 years), with extremes ranging from 0.67 to 8 for APRI and 0.201 to 22 for FIB-4. A predictive APRI and FIB4 score of significant hepatic fibrosis was observed in 23% of patients;however, 46% and 54% of patients for the APRI and FIB-4 score, respectively, would not have significant fibrosis. An APRI and FIB4 score not included in the classification limits of the type of fibrosis hepatitis was observed in 31% and 23% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The performance of the APRI and FIB-4 biological scores analyzed according to the interpretation of their cut-off values would enable classifying about 70% and 77%, respectively, of the patient population in the stages of hepatitis C fibrosis.

Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Baseline Alanine Aminotransferase and CD4+ Count of Children with HIV Co-Infection with Hepatitis B and C at a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C viruses are endemic in sub- Saharan African countries including Nigeria. Researchers have studied the burden of co-infection of HIV with hepatitis B and hepatitis C but the risk factors and clinical presentation have not been much addressed especially in children. Methodology: This was a prospective cross sectional study that determined the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, baseline CD4+ count, CD4+ percentage, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of newly diagnosed, HAART na?ve HIV co-infection among children who were managed at a Tertiary Hospital in Ilorin, Nigeria. Result: Of the 60 HIV- infected children recruited, 11.7% had HIV co-infection with HBV or HCV. Children with co-infec- tions (mean age 8.43 ± 2.37 years) were significantly older than their HIV mono-infected counterparts (mean age 5.25 ± 3.96 years) (p = 0.011). There was no significant difference between HIV monoinfection and HIV co-infection with respect to gender (p = 0.758), ethnicity (p = 0.707), religion of parents (p = 0.436), family type (p = 0.184), social class (p = 0.535), previous transfusion (p = 0.053), scarification (p = 0.612), female genital mutilation (p = 0.778), and sharing of clippers (p = 0.806). The mean BMI, immunological staging (p = 0.535), baseline ALT (p = 0.940), and mean baseline CD4+ count (p = 0.928) were comparable. However, the body mass index of HIV co-infec- ted children decreased with age up till age 10 years. Conclusion: There were no risk factors, nor clinical features predictive of co-infection identified in this study. Co-infection did not negatively impact baseline, CD4+ count and ALT.

乌鲁木齐某中医三甲医院2020年HCV、TP、HIV的感染现状分析

目的 了解乌鲁木齐市中医医院患者的丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)、梅毒螺旋体(TP)、人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)的感染情况,为防止院内感染和乌鲁木齐市相关部门采取相应的干预措施提供参考资料。方法 收集2020年在乌鲁木齐市中医医院进行HCV、TP、HIV筛查的7 504例患者,整理患者的病例资料,并对析患者近3个月是否与临时性伴发生过性行为、婚姻状况以及文化程度进行深入分析。结果 HCV、TP、HIV的感染率为1.199%(90/7 504)、0.399%(30/7 504)、0.280%(21/7 504)。HCV的感染情况,少数民族、男性明显高于非少数民族和女性,比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),≤40岁的感染率低于>40岁的,在年龄上呈老龄化趋势;TP感染在性别、年龄上差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),在汉族、少数民族间的感染情况差异明显(χ^(2)=6.308,P<0.05),非本市人口的感染率(0.554%)要高于本市人群(0.282%);HIV的感染情况,在性别、户籍地、民族间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。在对TP、HIV患者的调查分析中,未婚或者离异以及学历在高中以下人群TP、HIV的患病率较高。结论 2020年乌鲁木齐市中医医院患者中HCV感染率较于我国一般人群低,TP、HIV感染率较之偏高;非本市户籍、少数民族、男性、无固定性伴侣者、学历低者为TP、HIV感染特征。

艾考恩丙替片联合索磷布韦维帕他韦治疗HIV/HCV合并感染患者的效果观察

目的 探究艾考恩丙替片联合索磷布韦维帕他韦治疗HIV/HCV合并感染患者的效果。方法 选取某院2019年1月~2023年1月纳入的110例HIV/HCV合并感染患者,按照抽签法分为对照组和观察组(n=55),其中对照组采用艾考恩丙替片治疗,观察组采用艾考恩丙替片联合索磷布韦维帕他韦治疗。评估两组患者的临床疗效、血脂水平、肝功能、免疫功能及不良反应。结果 观察组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组的血脂水平均高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组的丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)及总胆红素(TBil)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组的CD4^(+)、CD4/CD8均高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后两组患者的不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 HIV/HCV合并感染患者采用艾考恩丙替片联合索磷布韦维帕他韦治疗可提高治疗效果,提高患者的肝功能和免疫功能,且安全性较高,但在一定程度上升高血脂水平。

Long term immunological perturbations post DAA therapy in chronic HCV/HIV co-infected patients

Direct-acting antiviral(DAA)therapies are efficacious for the achievement of sustained virologic response(SVR)in almost all treated hepatitis C virus(HCV)-infected patients.However,the impacts of HCV eradication on immune function and chronic immune activation in the long-term remain controversial and limited,especially in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).Indeed,although restoration of many immune responses clearly can be observed,several features of immune perturbations persist over time after HCV clearance.Understanding the degree and reasons of the partial recovery of the immune system in chronic HCV/HIV coinfection after HCV elimination is pivotal to avoid disease progression and possible long-term clinical outcomes in cured patients,as well as contributing to the development of immunotherapy drug design.

HIV-tuberculosis co-infection in an Indian scenario:The role of associated evidence of immunosuppression

Objective:To determine the relationship between tuberculosis and the degree of immunosuppression as determined by CD4 count.The impact of immunosuppression on the severity of tuberculosis was also studied.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy(ART)-naive patients with known HIV seropositivity.All patients were diagnosed with active tuberculosis between January 2008 and December 2010,based on review of their medical records.Patients on chemoprophylaxis for opportunistic infection were excluded.Pattern and severity of tuberculosis,associated stigmata of immunosuppression,and CD4 counts were noted.Results:Of 140 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria.52 had mild tuberculosis with no other evidence of immunosuppression,52 had tuberculosis of variable severity with associated evidence of immunosuppression,and 36 had severe tuberculosis with no other evidence of immunosuppression.The CD4 count was highest in the first group[【109.2±99.9) cells/μL]and least in the second group[(58.4±39.8) cells/μL], and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.004).No statistical difference was observed in the CD4 count between those with mild tuberculosis and those with severe tuberculosis. Conclusions:In developing countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis in the general population,the possibility of incidental tuberculosis in patients with HIV should always be considered.CD4 count does not appear to influence the severity of tuberculosis.The presence of concomitant evidence of immunosuppression in the form of category B and C conditions is indicative of underlying immunosuppression and associated with a significantly lower CD4 count.

Preliminary investigation on the prevalence of malaria and HIV co-infection in Mae Sot District, Tak Province of Thailand

Objective: To preliminarily investigate the prevalence of HIV co-infection in patients with malaria in Mae Sot District, Tak Province of Thailand.Methods: The study was a retrospective study on blood samples collected from a total of 256 patients with malaria(all species and severity) who attended Mae Tao clinic for migrant workers, Tak Province during 2005-2007(148 samples) and 2010-2012(108 samples). Malaria diagnosis was performed based on microscopic examination of patients' blood smears. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay and gel particle passive agglutination were employed for the detection of HIV antigen in patients' plasma. Results: Plasmodium falciparum(P. falciparum) and Plasmodium vivax(P. vivax) are the two predominant malaria species with the ratio of about 1: 1 to 1.5:1. Most of the P. falciparum cases were presented with acute uncomplicated signs and symptoms with highest parasitemia of 1 045 000 asexual parasites/μL bloods. The prevalence of malaria and HIV co-infection during 2005-2007 was 1.35%(2/148 cases, 1 each for P. falciparum and P. vivax co-infection), but was increased to 2.78%(3/108 cases, 2 and 1 for P. falciparum and P. vivax co-infection, respectively) during 2010-2012.Conclusions: The increasing trend of prevalence of malaria and HIV co-infection in Mae Sot, Tak province was of a great concern on either pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetics aspect. The study in a larger numbers of malaria patients in different endemic areas throughout the country with different time periods is underway.

Factors Associated with HIV/Tuberculosis Coinfection among People Living with HIV after Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment in Lingwala Health Zone from 2021 to 2023

Context and objective: Around 8% of incident cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported among people living with HIV worldwide in 2022. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV. Africa accounts for the majority of co-infection episodes, with over 50% of cases in some parts of southern Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), around 9% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) develop TB and 11% of TB patients are infected with HIV. The DRC is one of the 30 countries in the world bearing the brunt of co-infection. Despite the efforts made by countries to improve access to antiretroviral traitement (ART), TB remains a major problem among people living with HIV. The Lingwala Health Zone in the provincial city of Kinshasa recorded a large number of cases of HIV/TB co-infection during the study period. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with HIV/TB co-infection among PLHIV on ART in the Lingwala health zone (HZ) in Kinshasa. Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in the state-run HIV care facilities in the Lingwala health district among PLHIV who had visited the health facilities during the period 2021-2023. Cases were coinfected patients and controls were PLHIV who had not developed tuberculosis during the study period. Results: A total of 281 PLHIV were enrolled in the study, with 70 cases and 211 controls. Factors associated with HIV/TB co-infection after multivariate analysis were viral load (OR = 5.34;95% CI;1.8-15.8, p = 0.005). History of tuberculosis (OR = 20.84;95% CI;8.6-50.3, p -85.0, p = 0.005) and BMI Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the detection of these enumerated factors should prompt providers to actively search for tuberculosis with a view to organising early management.