Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Histoplasmosis from a Colombian Hospital.

Histoplasmosis is common among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA) in Latin America, but its diagnosis is difficult and often nonspecific. We conducted prospective screening for histoplasmosis among PLWHA with signs or symptoms suggesting progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) and hospitalized in Hospital La María in Medellín, Colombia. The study's aim was to obtain a clinical and laboratory profile of PLWHA with PDH. During 3 years (May 2008 to August 2011), we identified 89 PLWHA hospitalized with symptoms suggestive of PDH, of whom 45 (51%) had histoplasmosis. We observed tuberculosis (TB) coinfection in a large proportion of patients with PDH (35%), so all analyses were performed adjusting for this coinfection and, alternatively, excluding histoplasmosis patients with TB. Results showed that the patients with PDH were more likely to have Karnofsky score ≤ 30 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.97-4.06), liver compromised with hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly (PR = 1.77, CI = 1.03-3.06) and elevation in serum of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to values > 40 mU/mL (PR = 2.06, CI = 1.09-3.88 and PR = 1.53, CI = 0.99-2.35, respectively). Using multiple correspondence analyses, we identified in patients with PDH a profile characterized by the presence of constitutional symptoms, namely weight loss and Karnofsky classification ≤ 30, gastrointestinal manifestations with alteration of liver enzymes and hepatosplenomegaly and/or splenomegaly, skin lesions, and hematological alterations. Study of the profiles is no substitute for laboratory diagnostics, but identifying clinical and laboratory indicators of PLWHA with PDH should allow development of strategies for reducing the time to diagnosis and thus mortality caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.

Socio-demographic patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder in Medellin, Colombia and the context of lifetime trauma exposure.

Colombia, South America is currently transitioning to post-conflict status following 6 decades of armed conflict. The population has experienced extensive exposures to potentially traumatic events throughout the lifespan. Sources of trauma exposure include the prolonged armed insurgency, narco-trafficking violence, urban gang violence, violent actions of criminal bands, intra-familial violence, gender-based violence, and sex trafficking. Exposure to potentially traumatic events is related to a variety of psychiatric outcomes, in particular, posttraumatic stress disorder. Given this context of lifetime trauma exposure, socio-demographic patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder were explored in a sample of residents of Medellin, Colombia, the nation's second largest city and a nexus for multiple types of trauma exposure.

VIH en habitantes de calle de Medellín / HIV among the street dwellers of Medellín

OBJETIVO: determinar la prevalencia de VIH y las características socio-demográficas del habitante de calle en la ciudad de Medellín, con la finalidad de ampliar la comprensión de la problemática en este grupo vulnerable. METODOLOGÍA: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal; se determinó la seroprevalencia de VIH y los comportamientos de riesgo. El procesamiento se realizó mediante el software SPSS 8.0. El análisis bivariado se acompañó con pruebas estadísticas. RESULTADOS: se encuestaron 230 habitantes de calle,de los cuales el 69,6% eran hombres, con promedio de edad de 38 ± 10,9 años; se identificó una prevalencia de VIH del 7,8%; entre los hombres esta prevalencia fue de 10% y entre las mujeres fue de 2,9%. Por grupos de edad, el 12% de las personas de 25 a 34 años tenían VIH, el 11% de los mayores de 55 años y el 8% de las personas de 18 a 24 años. El 41% de los hombres y el 30% de las mujeres tenían creencias correctas sobre la transmisión del VIH. DISCUSIÓN: la prevalencia del 7,8% muestra que la infección por VIH en Colombia está concentrada en poblaciones que se encuentran en condiciones de exclusión, estigma y discriminación, y que se requieren acciones focalizadas hacia grupos vulnerables.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of HIV among the street dwellers of the city of Medellin (Colombia) as well as their socio-demographic characteristics in order to deepen the understanding of the problems faced by this vulnerable group. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional study was conducted in which HIV seroprevalence and risk behaviors were determined. Data was processed using the SPSS 8.0 software, and the bivariate analysis was conducted using statistical methods. RESULTS: a survey was conducted on 230 street dwellers, 69.6% of which were men. The average age was 38 ± 10.9 years, and HIV prevalence was 7.8%. This prevalence was 10% for men and 2.9% for women. The rate of infected individuals was 12% for those aged 25 to 34, 11% for individuals aged 55, and 8% for those aged 18 to 24. Additionally, 41% of men and 30% of women had correct beliefs regarding HIV transmission. DISCUSSION: the prevalence value of 7.8%, shows that HIV infections in Colombia are concentrated in populations in a state of exclusion, stigma, and discrimination. This value also shows a need for actions targeting vulnerable groups.