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.

Mathematical Modeling of the Co-Infection Dynamics of HIV and Tuberculosis Incorporating Inconsistency in HIV Treatment

A non-linear HIV-TB co-infection has been formulated and analyzed. The positivity and invariant region has been established. The disease free equilibrium and its stability has been determined. The local stability was determined and found to be stable under given conditions. The basic reproduction number was obtained and according to findings, co-infection diminishes when this number is less than unity, and persists when the number is greater than unity. The global stability of the endemic equilibrium was calculated. The impact of HIV on TB was established as well as the impact of TB on HIV. Numerical solution was also done and the findings indicate that when the rate of HIV treatment increases the latent TB increases while the co-infected population decreases. When the rate of HIV treatment decreases the latent TB population decreases and the co-infected population increases. Encouraging communities to prioritize the consistent treatment of HIV infected individuals must be emphasized in order to reduce the scourge of HIV-TB co-infection.

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.

APOBEC3G Role on HIV Infection in Africa: A Systematic Review

The highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has allowed people living with HIV to live longer with a better quality of life. However, toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance arise from HAART use. Therefore, new antiretroviral therapy is needed since no cure or vaccine is available against HIV. Virus-host interaction has been proven to be important in the last decade. Host factors such as the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), a receptor used by HIV to penetrate host cells, have led to the discovery of the Maraviroc, which is an antiretroviral medication used in the United States. In contrast, other factors like C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) and the Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G), a potent host defense factor against HIV, is under investigation. APOBEC3G antiviral activity remains a possible therapeutic target against HIV. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the role of APOBEC3G polymorphisms and their expression on HIV infection disease progression in Africa. We used Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar and searched for relevant publications in French or English reporting on APOBEC3G polymorphisms association with HIV infection in African populations from January 2009 to May 2023. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes) was used to process for reporting systematic review. Fifteen studies were included, of which seven were on APOBEC3G polymorphisms and eight were on APOBEC3G expression. Among the APOBEC3G polymorphisms, the most studied was H186R or rs8177832. The average of the minor allele frequency of H186R of APOBEC3G available for the studies included in this study was 0.29 with a 95% CI (0.172;0.401) and varied from 0.108 reported in Uganda to 0.47 recorded from Burkina Faso. The polymorphism H186R was not associated with HIV status in Southern Africa. However, the referent allele of H186R was protective against HIV infection in Western Central Africa, while in West Africa, it was the minor allele (G) of H186R which was protective against HIV. This review warrants a need to increase research on APOBEC3G, from its variants to its hypermutations on the continent with an essential variety of HIV-1 subtypes, to impact the research on A3G-based anti-HIV strategies.

Immunovirological Profile of HIV1 Infection in Children and Adolescents Followed at the Bangui Pediatric University Hospital

History: Pediatric management of HIV infection in children in the Central African Republic began in 2004 with the use of fractionated adult antiretrovirals and Cotrimoxazole. It has evolved over the years with the use of pediatric forms, oral suspensions and dispersible tablets. The transition to Dolutegravir took place in 2020. The active file of our patients will grow from 78 to over 1900 today. Follow-up examinations are carried out to assess adherence to treatment. Objective: To determine the immunovirological profile and factors associated with treatment failure during follow-up of children on ART at the Bangui pediatric university hospital. Patients and Method: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study from May 30 to December 02, 2022. The study sample was drawn from a cohort of HIV-1-infected children followed up at the Bangui pediatric university hospital and on ART for three semesters who met the selection criteria. Results: The prevalence of treatment failure varied from one semester to the next. Thus, the prevalence of therapeutic failure was 20% in the first semester, 10% in the second semester and 7% in the third semester. The prevalence of virological failure was 10.28% in the first half of the year, 6.91% in the second half and 4.98% in the third. Secondly, immunological failure was 0.48% in the first half of the year, 0.32% in the second 0.64% in the third half. Finally, clinical failure was 8.82% in the first half, 4.82% in the second half, 1.92% in the third half. Socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with treatment failure were male gender (p 1000 copies/ml (p Conclusion: The occurrence of treatment failures in children is a major problem, especially in our resource-limited countries, given the challenges facing antiretroviral therapy. It is therefore necessary to carry out a study on resistance genotyping in order to propose correct management protocols, as the future of treatment programs depends on it.

Investigation and Analysis of HIV Infection among Unpaid Blood Donors in Wuzhou City

Objective: To take the unpaid blood donors in Wuzhou City as the research object, analyze the characteristics and prevalence of HIV infection, further explore its epidemiological characteristics, and lay a solid foundation for the recruitment of unpaid blood donors and the safety of blood transfusion, so as to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion. Methods: This paper collected the anti-HIV test results of unpaid blood donors and the confirmation results of reactive samples from 2015 to 2020, and carried out statistical analysis on the relevant information of positive samples. Result: From 2015 to 2020, a total of 233,242 unpaid blood donors were tested, and the positive rate of anti-HIV initial screening was 0.057% (132/233,242), and the positive rate of anti-HIV confirmed was 0.022% (51/233,242);the comparison of positive rates in each year was P < 0.05. Among the total number of infections, 76.47% (39/51) of confirmed positive persons were infected with HIV alone, followed by combined TP infection, accounting for 15.69% (8/51);for the people between 46 and 55 years old, the infection rate was the highest, reaching 37.3%;and more men (90.2%) were infected than women. In terms of education background, junior high school and below were the majority, accounting for 58.83% of the total;in terms of marital status, the number of unmarried people was 27, accounting for 52.9%. In terms of occupation, there were two main groups: farmers and workers, accounting for 66.7% of the total number of infections, and students accounting for 15.7%. Among the confirmed positives, the proportion of first-time blood donors and whole blood donors was higher than that of those who donated blood again or donated component blood. Conclusion: The situation of HIV infection among unpaid blood donors in Wuzhou City was relatively stable from 2015 to 2020, with no significant change in the absolute number of infected people compared to the previous period (the HIV infection rate from 2010 to 2013 was 0.03%), and most of them were males, unmarried people and those with low education. Therefore, attention must be paid to the consultation and recruitment of blood donors before blood donation, as well as the HIV screening in the laboratory after blood donation, so as to ensure the safety of clinical blood use.

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.

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.

Progressive Characteristics of HIV Infection in the Elderly in the Cohort of the Internal Medicine Department of the Points G University Hospital, Bamako. Mali

Few data are available on HIV infection in the elderly and they are an important population in our different cohorts in view of the improvement in the quality of care over the last ten years. Objective: to determine the clinical and immunovirological characteristics as well as the acceptance of antiretroviral drugs in this patient population. This is a cohort study of the files of PLHIV (People living with HIV) aged 50 years or more, followed in the Internal Medicine Department of the Point G University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2012. Results: Out of 161 HIV-infected patients in the cohort, 38 were aged 50 years or older, of whom 11 met the criteria and were included. The median age was 55 years, 90.9% of whom were in the [50 - 59 years] age group, with 63.6% being women (sex ratio = 0.57). At admission, 3 patients (27.3%) had prurigo and 2 (18.2%) had oral-pharyngeal candidiasis. At inclusion, 45.5% of patients were classified as WHO stage 2 and one as WHO stage 4. All were on ARVs, including 10 on 1st line HIV-1 and 1 on HIV-2. On triple therapy, the average weight gain was 5.1 kg at D15 and 6.84 kg at M6. However, at M12 there was a weight loss of 1.04 kg. The mean CD4 T cell gain was +102/mm3 at M6 and +188/mm3 at 12 months. At D0, mean viral load = 565024.75 copies/mm3 [99 - 1100000] in 4/11. At M12, two patients had undetectable viral loads. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV in elderly subjects is certainly underestimated. Thanks to triple antiretroviral therapy, PLHIV are aging with HIV but screening is not systematically proposed during consultations in elderly subjects. It is necessary to reinforce communication about HIV at all ages.

Syphilis and HIV Infection among Pregnant Women Previously Screened Negative during Their First Antenetal Care Visit (ANC) at Some Selected Health Facilities in the Buea Health District, Cameroon

Syphilis and HIV are amongst the world’s most widespread diseases, particularly in low-income countries. Syphilis and HIV infections during pregnancy have been associated with numerous adverse pregnancy outcomes. Of concern now are the rising rates of congenital syphilis and HIV in Cameroon. Cameroon only mandates testing pregnant women for syphilis and HIV during their first ANC visit. This study was aimed at determining the incidence of new syphilis and HIV infections and factors associated with pregnant women who previously tested negative during their first ANC visit. A cohort design was used, where 335 pregnant women were followed up for a period from December 2019 to August 2020. A blood sample was drawn and the serum was analyzed using the WANTAI ELISA and AIDTM HIV 1 + 2 Ag/Ab ELISAPlus test methods for syphilis and HIV respectively at three intervals. A questionnaire was used to identify risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Out of the 335 pregnant women who were followed up during this study, 49 (14.6%) were later diagnosed with syphilis (32 in 2nd trimester and 17 in 3rd trimester). 54 (16.1%) were diagnosed with HIV infection (13 at two months post-1st-trimester visit, 23 in the 2nd trimester and 18 in the 3rd trimester). Lastly, 10 (2%) were co-infected with syphilis and HIV of which 8 occurred during 2nd trimester and 2 in the 3rd trimester. The factors associated with contracting new syphilis infections include;younger age group aOR (1.302, 95% CI), leaving in an urban area aOR (3.158, 95% CI), lower level of education (Primary and no formal) with aOR of (9.055, 95% CI) (P = 0.001) and (6.764, 95% CI) (P = 0.006) respectively, inadequate knowledge on the diseases aOR (2.176, 95% CI), women unaware of their partner status aOR (3.190, 95% CI). Most factors associated with contracting new HIV infections were similar to the factors associated with contracting new syphilis infections post 1st ANC visit aOR (1.174, 95% CI) and pregnant women with more than one sexual partner aOR (7.342, 95% CI) were observed for HIV infection.. There is an increased incidence of new infection of syphilis and HIV post first ANC screening in the Buea Health District, Cameroon. The need for constant education on the identifiable factors and these diseases, and screening during every ANC visit irrespective of their previous laboratory results is warranted.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of COVID-19 in an Incarcerated Population Burdened with HIV Infections in Port Harcourt

Background: The burden of COVID-19 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are some of the major and persistent global health challenges of the twenty-first century. HIV and COVID-19 are expected to overlap in high HIV-burden countries, posing several public health challenges as a result. Prisons are overcrowded, have limited space for social distancing and have inadequate ventilation systems, making it difficult to contain the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the high-risk behaviours of inmates which contribute to the spread of HIV within these facilities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 among inmates in a prison facility with a relatively high HIV burden in Port Harcourt, Nigeria;investigating potential risk factors and co-infection with HIV. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design sampling 200 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre from July to December 2022. A well-structured questionnaire was administered via interviews in addition to screening for HIV-1/2 antibodies as well as COVID-19 antigens using rapid diagnostic test kits. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were carried out on the GraphPad Prism 9 software with statistical significance defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Result: The prevalence of HIV from the current study was 6.5%, COVID-19 prevalence was reported to be 12.5% while HIV/COVID-19 co-infection was 1.5% The duration of incarceration, face mask use, frequent visitations and vaccination against COVID-19 were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of COVID-19 in the studied population (p Conclusion: The current study reports a relatively high prevalence of HIV and COVID-19 among the inmates in the study area. It becomes expedient for the administrators of the correctional facility to properly screen new inmates for COVID-19, quarantine and manage cases, as well as provide them with personal protective equipment such as face masks. In-person visitation should be balanced with measures to prevent the spread of the infection, and mass vaccination campaigns should be promoted. Improving access to HIV screening and therapy for all prisoners should be prioritised to identify and manage the incidence of HIV early, reducing the risk of transmission, mitigating comorbidities and improving health outcomes.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection is one of the mostfrequent causes of comorbidity and mortality in the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) population, and liver-related mortality is now the second highest cause of death in HIV-positive patients, so HCV infection should be countered with adequate antiviral therapy. In 2011 began the era of directly acting antivirals(DAAs) and the HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir were approved to treat HCV-genotype-1 infection, each one in combination with pegylated interferon alfa(Peg-IFN) + ribavirin(RBV). The addition of the first generation DAAs, strongly improved the efficacy of antiviral therapy in patients with HCVgenotype 1, both for the HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV coinfected, and the poor response to Peg-IFN + RBV in HCV/HIV coinfection was enhanced. These treatments showed higher rates of sustained virological response than Peg-IFN + RBV but reduced tolerability and adherence due to the high pill burden and the several pharmacokinetic interactions between HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs. Then in 2013 a new wave of DAAs arrived, characterized by high efficacy, good tolerability, a low pill burden and shortened treatment duration. The second and third generation DAAs also comprised IFN-free regimens, which in small recent trials on HIV-positive patients have shown comforting preliminary results in terms of efficacy, tolerability and adherence.

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.

Pulmonary Function by Spirometry in Children with Perinatal HIV Infection

Background: In an age of antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of children perinatally infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has significantly increased. At the same time, however, pulmonary pathologies secondary to opportunistic infections have decreased thanks to increased diagnostics and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite this, in these children an immune dysregulation is maintained due to chronic infection. There is evidence that these patients have increased probability of presenting with abnormalities in pulmonary function, mainly with chronic obstructive clinical pictures (25% - 40% of perinatally infected adolescents display some anomaly in the spirometry), which predisposes them to increased risk of chronic pulmonary disease. Since lung development occurs mainly during infancy, patients perinatally infected with HIV may suffer consequences. This can be secondary to opportunistic infections, chronic inflammation due to the virus, and immunologic effects of ART, mainly in non-industrialized countries, where late diagnosis is frequent. Methodology: An analytical, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at Roosevelt Hospital Pediatric infectious disease clinic, from January to December 2019. A sample of 76 patients was obtained, out of a population of 362 patients. A total of 62 subjects, who met the criterion of reproducibility in the spirometry, were analyzed. Results were analyzed with percentages and the association of variables using the chi-squared test (χ2). Results: A decrease in pulmonary function was found in 34% of patients, mild obstructive pattern (16%) predominating. Significant association between basal viral load greater than 100,000 cp/ml and a decrease in Forced expiratory flow 25 - 75 (FEF 25-75) (p 0.046) and in relationship between forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity (FEV1/ FVC p = 0.024) was observed, as well as a non-statistically significant relationship between advanced clinical stage at diagnosis and decreased pulmonary function. Conclusions: The prevalence of decreased pulmonary function related to advanced clinical stage and elevated basal viral load (>100,000 cps/ml) is higher than that reported in other studies (25%) and has an influence in the long-term decrease in pulmonary function.

RETRACTED: Prevalence and Profile of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among HIV-Infected Adults at Panzi Referral Hospital, in the Post-Conflict South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Short Retraction Notice? The paper does not meet the standards of "World Journal of AIDS". This article has been retracted to straighten the academic record. In making this decision the Editorial Board follows COPE's Retraction Guidelines. The aim is to promote the circulation of scientific research by offering an ideal research publication platform with due consideration of internationally accepted standards on publication ethics. The Editorial Board would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused.? Editor guiding this retraction: Prof. Linda D. Moneyham (EiC of WJA) Please see the article page for more details.? The?full retraction notice in PDF is preceding the original paper which is marked "RETRACTED".

Buruli Ulcer and HIV Coinfection: Cases in Togo

Background: In Togo, as in all sub-Saharan countries, the burden of HIV infection remains high. The registration of new cases of Buruli ulcer every year also remains a major public health problem. Buruli ulcer (BU) is a disabling disease and the presentation of lesions is frequently severe. A feature of BU and HIV coinfection is the rarity of cases, which makes its study difficult, but, nevertheless, important to study its seroprevalence, biological data, risk factors and genetic diversity. The purpose of this study is to explore the comorbidity of Buruli ulcer and HIV by evaluating HIV seroprevalence in BU patients, assessing demographic data, reviewing biological data including CD4+ T cell count, hemoglobin levels, and viral loads, and evaluating clinical and therapeutic data. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including only BU patients confirmed by Ziehl Neelsen staining and IS 2404 PCR. The patients were hospitalized in the National Reference Center for Tsevie. They were recovered patients and patients undergoing outpatient treatment in the Gati and Tchekpo Deve treatment centers, respectively, within the Sanitary Districts of Zio and Yoto of the Maritime Region during the period from August 2015 to March 2017. Results: The number of HIV-positive BU patients is 4 out of a total of 83 BU patients. All patients are HIV-1 positive. HIV prevalence among BU patients is 4.8% compared to 2.5% nationally and 3% at regional level. Three BU patients are seropositive out of a total of 46 female patients while one patient under 15 years is seropositive out of a total of 37 male BU patients. There are a greater proportion of female patients with BU/HIV coinfections. Half of the BU/HIV positive patients (BU/HIV+) have a CD4+ TL of fewer than 500 cells/μl and the difference is significant between those of the BU HIV- and those of the BU/HIV+ patients. Two patients have undetectable viral loads while the other two have more than 1000 copies/ml (33,000 and 1,100,000 copies/ml). Anemia is significantly present in BU/HIV+ patients with a p-value = 0.003. Half of BU patients have primary education, while three-quarters of BU/HIV+ patients have no education. All patients are either in stage I or stage II of the AIDS WHO classification. All patients are on first line ARV therapy and only ARV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are used. Conclusion: In Togo, the prevalence of HIV in BU patients, although higher, is not significantly different from that of national and regional. The relatively high CD4+ LT levels of relatively high BU HIV + patients, undetectable viral loads, and AIDS WHO stages I and II indicate good quality management. Author Summary: Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a mycobacterial skin disease that leads to extensive ulcerations and causes disabilities in approximately 25% of the patients. Co-infection with HIV is described by the authors through the prism of risk factors and the severity of ulcerations. Healing time is described as longer than in BU/HIV- patients. The scarcity of cases seems to be an obstacle for further study. Noteworthy are the study of cases in Benin and the study of cohort cases in Cameroon. However, no study appears to be based on the seroprevalence of this morbid association, the biological data and the antiretroviral regimens. These regimens, if poorly instituted, conflict with antimycobacterial drugs against Buruli ulcer. This study, although confronted with the particular configuration of Togo, a country with a low HIV prevalence of 2.8% national prevalence and an average of 55 cases of Buruli ulcer per year, is studying the biological aspects of co-infection HIV/BU, including seroprevalence of HIV, CD4+ LT levels, patient viral load and hemoglobin levels and ARV regimens. This study shows the need for future studies, including the study of the genetic diversity of circulating Mycobacterium ulcerans strains in Togo and the study of Buruli ulcer co-infection/HIV and tuberculosis.

Factors influencing HIV infection in men who have sex with men in China

To identify risk factors for HIV infection among men who have sex with men （MSM） and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention interventions. Between December 2011 and August 2012, a case-control study was conducted among MSM who underwent voluntary counselling and testing for HIV. Confirmed HIV-positive MSM were included in the case group, and HIV-negative MSM were included in the control group. Information on possible risk factors was collected by a survey questionnaire and a qualitative interview. The results of a conditional logistic regression showed that the following were influencing factors for HIV infection： average monthly income between 2001 and 3000 Yuan （odds ratio （0R）=6.341, 95% Ch 1.714-12.544）, only sometimes using condoms when having anal sex with men in the last 6 months （0R=7.601, 95% Ch 1.359-23.083）, having HIV-positive sex partners （0R=5.273, 95% Ch 1.572- 17.691）, rectal trauma with bleeding in the last 6 months （0R=2.947, 95% Ch 1.308-6.638）, not using condoms at last sexual encounter （OR-- 1.278, 95% Ch 1.012-5.595）, engaging in commercial sex （0R=5.925, 95% Ch 1.923-13.890） and having more than 16 sex partners in the last 6 months （0R=1.175, 95% Ch 1.021-1.353）. These seven factors were the risk factors of HIV infection （OR〉l）. However, having anal sex less than 10 times in the previous 1 month （OR=O.O02, 95% CI： 0.000-0.287） was a protective factor against HIV infection among MSM （OR〈l）, and insertive （0R=0.116, 95% Ch 0.000-0.236） （OR〈l） anal intercourse influenced HIV infection. Interventions should be targeted at MSM whose average monthly income is between 2001 and 3000 Yuan, and who engage in commercial sex. In addition, the importance of using condoms at every sexual encounter should be emphasised in health education, as should the treatment of rectal trauma with bleeding. Finally, MSM should decrease the number of sex partners and frequency of anal sex to decrease the rate of HIV infection.

Prevalence survey of infection with Treponema pallidum among HIV-positive patients in Tehran

Objective:To identify the frequency of syphilis among Iranian HIV-positive patients.Methods:A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of syphilis and HIV co-infection among 450 patients diagnosed with HIV infection was conducted between 2004 and 2008 at Imam Khomeini hospital,Tehran,Iran.The lab tests including CD4 cell count,cerebrospinal fluid,veneral disease research laboratory(VDRL),fluorescent treponema antibody-absorption(FTA-Abs)and viral load were performed for all the patients.Data regarding medical history and their demographics were also collected.Results:Of all 450 HIV-positive patients,24(5.3%)had a positive VDRL test and only two men had a FTA-Abs positive test which means 0.45%of them had a definite co-infection of syphilis.65.3%of the HIV-positive patients were injection drug users that the co-infection prevalence of them was 0.7%.We did not find any patient with neurosyphilis.Conclusions:Considering the increasing prevalence of HIV and also extensive use of highly active antiretroviral therapy in developing nations,the diagnosis of syphilis should be timely established using screening tests among such patients.