Synopsis of gastropod-associated nematodes of Ciscaucasia (Russian Federation) with the description of a new species of Pellioditis Dougherty, 1953 (syn. Phasmarhabditis Andrássy, 1976).

Caucasus is known as one of the few biodiversity hotspots in Europe and is characterised by rich gastropod fauna while the nematode fauna in association with gastropods has remained largely understudied. Surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021 in the North Caucasus of the Russian Federation (Stavropol Upland and western and central parts of Krasnodar Krai) has revealed the presence of three new species of Pellioditis, a facultative parasite of land gastropods, and two species of obligate parasites, the intestinal parasite Angiostoma kimmeriense and a new, still undescribed species of a larval ectoparasite Alloionema sp. The new associations of Cruznema sp. and Rhabditophanes sp. with land gastropods were recorded for the first time in the Russian Federation. The new species of Pellioditis Dougherty, 1953 described here is based on the analysis of morphology and molecular studies of two distant and morphologically distinct strains, thermalis and sindicae. Pellioditis thermalis n. sp. was characterised by females possessing a tail of about 95-100 µm long, broadly conical in shape in the thermalis and sindicae strains, with a rounded anterior part and a subulate terminal part as long as the former; prominent phasmids located at the mid-tail, equatorial vulva position, a lateral field of three ridges (four incisions), males with spicules featuring a hole at the distal tip, ensheathed infective juveniles with average length 717 µm in the thermals strain and 771 µm in the sindicae strain, and exsheathed ones 644 µm and 682 µm, respectively. ITS-based phylogenetic analyses revealed that all Pellioditis species found in Ciscaucasia and Transcaucasia probably belong to two separate clades, with independent evolutionary histories of colonisation of this area. The entire Caucasus range area appears to serve as a biodiversity hotspot for the genus Pellioditis, presumably due to its complicated geological history and repeated isolation events for its terrestrial mollusc hosts.

[The impact of dental caries prevention program on the anthropometric measurements of preschool children]. / Vliyanie programmy profilaktiki kariesa zubov, provodimoi v doshkol'nykh uchrezhdeniyakh, na rostovesovye pokazateli detei.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to compare body mass indices (BMI) of children receiving and not receiving dental caries prevention program in preschool institutions at the age of 3-6 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised163 children (76 boys and 87 girls) initially examined at the age of 3 years in nurseries of the Khimki city region. In one of the nurseries 54 children received dental caries prevention and educational program for 3 years. Other 109 children not receiving any special programs served as controls. Data on caries prevalence and intensity as well as weight and height were collected at baseline examination and 3 years after. BMI was calculated by standard formula and WHO criteria for weight deficiency, normal weight, overweight and obesity for children aged 2-5 and 6-17 years were applied. RESULTS: Caries prevalence in 3-years-old was 34.1% with dmft median of 1.4 teeth. After 3 years the prevalence of dental caries reached 72.5% in controls and was almost twice as low in the main group (39.3%). Caries intensity growth was also significantly higher in controls (p<0.0001). There was statistically significant difference on the rate of underweight and normal weight in children receiving and not receiving dental caries preventive program (p<0.05). The rate of normal and low BMI in the main group was 82.6% (vs. 66% in controls) and 7.7% (vs. 22%), correspondingly. The higher the caries intensity the more is the risk for being underweight (11.5% in caries-free children vs 25.7% in having DMFT+dft more than 4, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Our study showed positive impact of dental caries prevention program on the anthropometric measurements of children aged 3-6 years which increases the significance of this type of programs in pre-school institutions.

[Child's weight as a risk factor for early childhood caries]. / Ves rebenka kak faktor riska kariesa rannego detskogo vozrasta.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to reveal possible correlation between child's birth weight, BMI at examination, dental caries prevalence and intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 220 healthy children aged 3-6 born mature and attending nursery schools in Khimky city (Moscow region, Russia). Data on birth weight were extracted from a healthcare reports database, current height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated and interpreted according to WHO criteria. Calibrated pediatric dentists performed oral examination registering the dmft index. RESULTS: Children suffering from dental caries at the age of 3-6, have lower birth weight and struggle to put it on later in life. This results in higher proportion of children with underweight. Among children with caries 69.2% had BMI lower than 15th percentile, and 28.3% had very low IMT (lower than 5th percentile) vs 5.6% in the group without caries (p<0.05). The mechanisms and the direction of this correlation are unclear. CONCLUSION: There is a necessity for further investigations on the role of various factors associated with body weight and alimentary status in the development of the early childhood caries.

[Prevalence, intensity, and efficacy of dental caries treatment in pre-school children living in the town of Khimki]. / Rasprostranennost', intensivnost' i effektivnost' lecheniya kariesa zubov u detei doshkol'nogo vozrasta, prozhivayushchikh v gorodskom okruge Khimki.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to assess the prevalence, intensity, and treatment efficacy of dental caries in children aged 3 to 6 years residents of the town of Khimki, Moscow region. The number of decayed, filled, and missed due to caries teeth was registered. The parents were interviewed in order to reveal dental caries treatment experience as well as reasons for negative experience, age of the first dental office visit and the reasons for it. RESULTS: The incidence of dental caries in 3-6 years old living in Khimki is 52%. The prevalence and incidence unsurprisingly grow with age as well as the number of children having the experience of toothache and early extractions. The vast majority of children including these with positive dental treatment experience have untreated carious lesions. The difference of decayed teeth between children having negative and positive treatment experience in statistically insignificant (p=0.57), and the number of filling is equally small in both subgroups (p=0.99). This means even cooperative children who underwent dental treatment have untreated (or previously treated but having no fillings - in 22.6% of treatment cases) cavities. CONCLUSION: The dental caries intensity growth outpaces the possibilities of the Khimky dental service resulting in the low number of caries-free previously treated children (17.9% of all treated). All this dictates the necessity for dental caries prevention programs and implementation of new models for dental care organization in preschool children.

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mercury content in hair of women from a territory distant from mercury-rich geochemical zones (Cherepovets city, Northwest Russia).

For the first time in the Russian Federation, a study was conducted to determine the level of mercury in the hair of young and middle-aged women with or without metabolic syndrome (MS) and the Association of mercury content in hair with cardiometabolic risk factors. The studied cohort consisted of 387 women (204 with metabolic syndrome and 183 without metabolic syndrome as controls). The mercury content in the hair was determined by atomic absorption pyrolysis. The relationship between mercury in hair and cardiometabolic risk factors was evaluated using linear regression. Calculation of the odds ratio (OR) of the risk of metabolic syndrome among quartiles of mercury content in the hair was performed by multiple logistic regression. Hg concentrations in hair were higher in women with metabolic syndrome than without metabolic syndrome (Mean - 520; median - 360; versus Mean - 330; median - 260 µg/kg, P < 0.001). There is an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic syndrome in women, whose hair contain over 544 µg/kg of mercury. The results of this study indicate that the intake of Hg in the human body can be one of the factors that can increase the development of cardiometabolic risk.

Mercury content in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica Temminck, 1844) from the coastal and inland areas of the Russia.

Being a global pollutant, mercury can originate from both natural as well as anthropogenic sources. Coastal marine atmospheric fog is considered a potential source of ocean-derived monomethylmercury (MMHg) to coastal terrestrial ecosystems. However, the ratio between mercury appearing through natural processes and that from the results of human activity is unclear. We assumed that the total mercury content in the fur of tigers would differ depending on the distance from the sea. Here we show that the average mercury content in tigers from the coast (0.435 ± 0.062 mg kg-1) is significantly different from tigers from the inland area (0.239 ± 0.075 mg kg-1), (p = 0.02). We found that the content of mercury in the fur of tigers is largely dependent of natural processes rather than human activity. We assume that the levels of mercury in coastal ecosystems in the south of the Russian Far East reflect the position of the region relative to the deep faults of the East Pacific Platform. Obtained data indicate that environmental risks associated with mercury pollution currently exist, but do not pose a serious threat to Siberian tigers.

[Implementation of early comprehensive rehabilitation of children with cleft lip and palate using the example of the Moscow region]. / Realizatsiya rannei kompleksnoi reabilitatsii detei s rasshchelinoi guby i neba na primere Moskovskoi oblasti.

Lack of early comprehensive rehabilitation of children with congenital cleft lip and palate, with age leads to aggravation of anatomical and functional disorders. Aesthetic external deformation is progressing, requiring multiple corrections. The absence of orthopedic correction in the pre-surgical period, functional correction of anatomically restored muscles in the postoperative period, exacerbates the pathology of the bite, causes persistent speech disorders. The pathology of speech adversely affects the general physical, intellectual development of the child, as well as his full adaptation in society. Problems not eliminated in childhood subsequently interfere in work and in everyday life. The patient should receive such medical care that would fill the health gap and contribute to the formation of socially significant personality traits. An integrated approach has become the only possible and only it brings optimal results. The organization of cooperation between specialists should be carried out on the basis of the Federal, Regional General Medical Profile of the medical institution.

A Unique Prototypic Device for Radiation Therapy: The p53-Independent Antiproliferative Effect of Neutron Radiation.

Radiation therapy with heavy particles including neutrons, an otherwise therapeutically perspective because of its high tissue penetration and efficient tumor damage, is currently limited by the lack of adequate equipment. An NG-24 generator (140 kg, 42 × 110 cm, ~1011 particles/s, > 14 MeV) has been designed and engineered to replace the huge and environmentally harmful neutron reactors, cyclotrons, and accelerators with a compact, portable, safe, and potent source of high-energy neutrons. We demonstrate that the neutron beam produced by NG-24 causes a significant antiproliferative effect on human tumor cell lines regardless of the status of the anti-apoptotic p53 protein. Phosphorylation of histone 2A and increased amounts of p21, cyclin D, and phospho-p53 were detectable in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells (wild-type p53) irradiated with 4 Gy several days post-treatment, accompanied by G2/M phase arrest. These treatments dramatically reduced the ability of single cells to form colonies. In the HCT116p53KO subline (p53 -/-), the G2/M arrest was independent of the aforementioned mechanisms. Hence, the NG-24 generator is a source of a powerful, therapeutically relevant neutron flux that triggers a p53-independent antiproliferative response in tumor cells.

Larval spirurids in a supralittoral amphipod in the north-east of Russia and the identification of the intermediate host of Antechiniella septentrionalis (Spirurida: Acuariidae), parasitic in a tundra vole.

The supralittoral amphipod Traskorchestia ditmari (Derzhavin, 1923) was identified as the intermediate host for Antechiniella septentrionalis Ivanova, Dokuchaev & Spiridonov, 2019, a parasite of the tundra vole Microtus oeconomus and Skrjabinocerca sp. (both Spirurida: Acuariidae) in Magadan Oblast in north-eastern Russia. Joint infection by both larval spirurids was not observed. The infective stage of A. septentrionalis was the encysted larvae, while larvae of Skrjabinocerca sp. were free in the amphipod's coelom. The identity of A. septentrionalis was confirmed using cox1 mtDNA gene analysis, performed on adult stages from a tundra vole and on larvae from amphipods. Possible transmission routes of A. septentrionalis are discussed.

Antechiniella septentrionalis n. sp. (Spirurida: Acuariidae), a new intestinal nematode parasite of the tundra vole Microtus oeconomus (Pallas) (Rodentia: Muridae) in the north-east of Russia.

Antechiniella septentrionalis n. sp. (Spirurida: Acuariidae) is described from the duodenum of a tundra vole, Microtus oeconomus (Pallas), collected in the Magadan region in the north-east part of Russia. It differs from A. suffodiax (Beveridge & Barker, 1975) and A. sertatum Smales, 1991 mainly in having a larger number of postcloacal papillae (5-6 pairs vs 4 pairs), a differently shaped left spicule, the disposition of precloacal papillae in two rows vs one, and oblong vs oval eggs. Other differences include the different disposition of ovaries in A. septentrionalis n. sp and A. suffodiax and the different structure of deirids in A. septentrionalis n. sp. and A. sertatum. The new species was characterized molecularly (partial sequences for 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cox1 mtDNA). The phylogenetic analyses performed showed the affinity of the new species to the members of the Acuariidae and other spirurid nematodes.

[The experience in the application of nikavir in the schemes of perinatal chemoprophylactics of HIV infection: evaluation of the immunological and virusological effectiveness.]

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this work was to study the immunological and virological efficacy of the domestic antiretroviral drug nicavir (at the optimal dose, as proven by previous clinical studies) with lamivudine, in comparison with other drugs of the group of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in combination with kaletra in perinatal HIV chemoprophylaxis regimens. METHODS: 658 pregnant women aged 16-39 years and children born to them were examined. The first group (281 people) and the third group (66 people) received the nicavir (manufactured by AZT PHARMA KB LLC) with lamivudine in combination with calyx; the second (281 people) and the fourth (30 people) of the comparison group, stag and zidovudine, respectively, with lamivudine in combination with calyx. The effectiveness of CP was assessed from the increase in the number of CD4 lymphocytes, reduction of the viral load, and the number of children born without HIV DNA in the blood. RESULTS: Against the backdrop of the therapy, the viral load below the detectable level and the positive dynamics of CD4 lymphocytes were registered in all examined women prior to childbirth. When applying the scheme of niacavir + lamivudine + kaletra, a more rapid decrease in the level of BH, most pronounced by week 4 of therapy, was found, as compared with the rate of decline of the same index in pregnant comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results allow us to consider ART with the inclusion of nicavir effective and recommend its priority use in perinatal prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

[Ocular lesions in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals]. / Porazhenie organa zreniia u VICh-infitsirovannykh patsientov oftal'mologicheskikh statsionarov.

PURPOSE: To analyze ophthalmic pathologies in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals of Perm city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 75 HIV patients registered in Perm Regional Centre for Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases who had received treatment in ophthalmic in-patient clinics of Perm in 2005-2015 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patient examination included traditional ophthalmological methods, as well as immunological (determination of CD4 cells and viral load), serological (detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, toxoplasma), general clinical methods, and consultations by allied specialists. RESULTS: Ophthalmopathology requiring in-patient care was detected in 75 people (84 eyes). Men comprised 76%, women - 24%; average age was 32.82±8.68 years. The stage of HIV infection was known in 78.66% of patients: stage II - in 5% of cases, stage III - in 32%, stage IV - in 63%. Co-infection (hepatitis B and C, syphilis, tuberculosis) was detected in 81% of patients. HIV-related diseases (cytomegalovirus and herpes infection, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis) were observed in 48% of individuals. The time of emergence of ocular pathology from the time of HIV detection ranged from 1 day to 14 years. Inflammatory ocular diseases occurred in 55% of cases, dystrophic disorders - in 18%, eye traumas - in 24%, and strabismus - in 3% of patients. Reduced level of CD4 (less than 500 cells/mm3) was more prevalent (72.13%) among the study patients. As of the time of the study, only 36.4% of patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: Among the studied individuals, eye lesion was mostly severe, inflammatory in nature; it occurred more frequently in stage IV HIV patients with reduced number of CD4 lymphocytes who was not receiving antiretroviral therapy.

[The Rational Anti-Retroviral Therapy of HIV-Infected Patients: Opinion of Medical Specialists].

The article presents the results of questionnaire sociological survey of medical specialists professionally working in the area of medical and medicinal care of HIV-infected patients. The survey data demonstrated that in spite of active implementation of regulating documents in practice of medical and medicinal support of HIV-infected patients the specialists encounter difficulties in case of choosing medications and evaluation of medicinal therapy schemes, including from position of efficiency and safety of anti-retroviral medications. This is also confirmed by analysis of actual practice of prescriptions. The results of study predetermine necessity of development of informational organizational technologies for optimization of choice, prescription and application of medications on the basis of principles of rational application of medications and according to direction of public policy.

Mercury in soil, earthworms and organs of voles Myodes glareolus and shrew Sorex araneus in the vicinity of an industrial complex in Northwest Russia (Cherepovets).

The characteristic properties of uptake and distribution of mercury in terrestrial ecosystems have received much lesser attention compared to aquatic particularly in Russia. Terrestrial ecosystems adjacent to large industrial manufactures-potential sources of mercury inflow into the environment frequently remain unstudied. This is the first report on mercury (Hg) levels in the basic elements of terrestrial ecosystems situated close to a large metallurgical complex.Mean values of mercury concentration (mg Hg/kg dry weight) in the vicinity of city of Cherepovets were the following: 0.056 ± 0.033-in the humus layer of soil; 0.556 ± 0.159-in earthworms; in the organs of voles Myodes glareolus (kidneys-0.021 ± 0.001; liver-0.014 ± 0.003; muscle-0.014 ± 0.001; brain-0.008 ± 0.002); in the organs of shrew Sorex araneus (kidneys-0.191 ± 0.016; liver-0.124 ± 0.011; muscle-0.108 ± 0.009; brain-0.065 ± 0.000). Correlation dependences between Hg content in soil and earthworms (r s  = 0.85, p < 0.01) as well as soil and all studied shrews' organs (rs = 0.44-0.58; p ≤ 0.01) were found.The results obtained evidence for a strong trophic link in the bioaccumulation of Hg in terrestrial food webs. Despite the vicinity to a large metallurgical complex, mercury content in the studied objects was significantly lower than values of corresponding parameters in the soils and biota from industrial (polluted) areas of Great Britain, the USA, and China.

Mercury Content in Organs and Tissues of Indigenous (Vulpes vulpes L.) and Invasive (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray.) Species of Canids from Areas Near Cherepovets (North-Western Industrial Region, Russia).

Trophic and spatial components of ecological niches of two canids native Vulpes vulpes and introduced Nyctereutes procyonoides are overlapping partially in the studied region. Maximum concentrations of mercury in predatory mammals of Canidae family from surroundings of Cherepovets have been determined in liver and kidneys (over 0.50 mg/kg wet weight), with minimal concentrations in brain (<0.2 mg/kg wet weight). The amount of mercury in the same organs of the red fox and raccoon dog is not significantly different. These levels of mercury content are noticeably higher than those in the predators of Canidae family that inhabit territories of Europe lacking the local sources of mercury. At the same time, absolute values of metal quantity are commensurable with the levels registered in predators from the mercury polluted regions of Spain and Poland.

Survey of nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs in Norway.

A survey of nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs was conducted for the first time in Norway. A total of 611 terrestrial slugs were collected from 32 sample sites. Slugs were identified by means of morphological examination, dissection of genitalia and molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA. Twelve slug species were identified, representing four different slug families. Internal nematodes were identified by means of morphological analysis and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Of the sample sites studied, 62.5% were found to be positive for nematode parasites, with 18.7% of all slugs discovered being infected. Five nematode species were identified in this study: Alloionema appendiculatum, Agfa flexilis, Angiostoma limacis, Angiostoma sp. and Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. Of these species, only one nematode was previously undescribed (Angiostoma sp.). This is the first record of the presence of A. appendiculatum, A. flexilis and A. limacis in Norway.

COMPARATIVE EFFICIENCY OF APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC SCHEMES FOR POST-CONTACT PREVENTION OF HIV INFECTION IN HEALTH PROVIDERS.

AIM: Comparative assessment of the efficiency of application of different therapeutic schemes for post-contact prevention (PCP) of HIV infection in health providers. METHODS: Medical personnel that had professional contacts with HIV-infected patients (n=44) were given medications for PCP. 19 of them (group 1) used phosphazide, 25 (group 2) combivir (lamivudine + zidovudine) in combination with kaletra for 4 weeks after the contact. Phosphazide (AZT Farma K.B., Russia) was used at a dose of 0.4 g twice daily, other medications in standard doses. The results were evaluated 4 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after PCP from the safety of the treatment and the absence of professional HIV infection. RESULTS: The medical personnel showed no signs of HIV infection throughout the entire period of observation. The safety of therapy was confirmed by the absence of myelohepatotoxic effect of the preparations. Combivir therapy caused a 1.8-fold rise in AST activity of within 4 weeks after onset of PCP (p<0,05). Phosphazide produced no such effect. CONCLUSION: The above results indicate that both schemes ofantiretroviral activity are 100% efficient as PCP of HIV infection, but phosphazide has an advantage of higher safety and better tolerability.

[MEDICO-SOCIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS RECEIVING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY].

The aim of the study was medico-social characteristic of HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2006-2012 based on the logical and comparative analysis of medical cards with the use of systemic informational approach. The study yielded the medico-social characteristic of HIV-infected patients suggesting the presence of concomitant disorders requiring prescription of several medications to be used either simultaneously or alternatively (in case of poor efficiency or side effects of primary treatment). The data obtained indicate the necessity of optimization of the choice and prescription of pharmacotherapy taking account of its effects and safety based on the analysis of the potential and cost-effectiveness of different therapeutic modalities. The results of the study can be used to develop organizational measures for the improvement of public drug supply.

[Analysis of Symbiotic Genes of Leguminous Plants Nodule Bacteria Grown in the Southern Urals].

Bacterial strains isolated from the nodules, tissues, and root surface of wild legumes growing in the Southern Urals related to the tribes Galegeae, Hedysareae, Genisteae, Trifolieae, and Loteae were examined for the presence in their genomes of symbiotic (sym) genes. It was found that the sym-genes are present in microorganisms isolated only from the nodules of the analyzed plants (sym+ -strains). Phylogenetic analysis of sym+ -strains on the basis of a comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that sym+ -strains belong to five families of nodule bacteria: Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium, and Phyllobacterium. A study the phylogeny of the sym-genes showed that the nodule bacteria of leguminous plants of the Southern Urals at the genus level are mainly characterized by a parallel evolution of symbiotic genes and the 16S rRNA gene. Thus, cases of horizontal transfer of sym genes, which sometimes leads to the formation of certain types of atypical rhizobial strains ofleguminous plants, are detected in nodule bacteria populations.

[The efficacy and safety of a therapy regimen including raltegravir and a fixed dose combination of lamivudine and abacavir in previously rifabutin-treated patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection].

AIM: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of using raltegravir (RAL) twice daily in conjunction with a once-daily fixed dose combination of abacavir (ABC)/lamivudine (3TC) in patients with HIV infection and active tuberculosis who have not previously received antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have taken rifabutin as antituberculosis therapy (ATT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The efficiency of ART was evaluated in 28 patients from a change in HIV RNA levels and from an increase in CD4+ lymphocyte counts during 48-week treatment that had been completed by 15 (53.6%) patients. The main reason for therapy discontinuation was that the patients returned to the use psychoactive agents. RESULTS: After 24 and 48 weeks of ART, the level of HIV RNA reached the undetectable values (less than 50 copies/ml) in 81.25 and 75% of the patients, respectively (according to an analysis including the patients who had completed the study in conformity with the requirements of the protocol). In only 2 patients, the virological therapy proved to be ineffective, which was likely to be associated with noncompliance with drug therapy. Following 24- and 48-week therapy, the increase in median CD4+ lymphocyte counts was 70 and 208.5 per µl, respectively. The concurrent use of ART and ATT caused positive changes in the lung skiagraphic pattern in 92.9% of the patients and complete resolution of lung tissue infiltration in 71.4%. Mixed infection ended in a fatal outcome caused by a progressive tuberculous process in 3 (10.7%) patients, in 2 of them within the first 8 weeks of treatment. The concomitant use of ATT including rifabutin and an ART (RAL + ABC/3TC) regimen was safe since one patient was noted to have a RAL-related adverse event (AE) (an allergic reaction) and caused the patient to discontinue therapy. ATT was not discontinued because of AE in any case. CONCLUSION: The ART regimen containing RAL and a fixed dose combination of ABC/3TC for adult patients with tuberculosis concurrent with HIV infection who are on combined therapy using rifabutin for tuberculosis may be recommended for the treatment of this category of patients.