Neuropsychological profile of patients with infectious disease: characterization and comparison of patients with HIV, HTLV, and HCV.

Understanding the effect of the HIV, HTLV-1, and HCV viruses on cognitive aspects can help in the better characterization of dementia, as well as the best conducts to be suitable for rehabilitation. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize and compare the neuropsychological profile of 3 groups of patients with infectious diseases: HIV, HTLV, and HCV. The results of neuropsychological assessments and depression assessment of 325 people treated at a referral hospital for infectious diseases were analyzed, being 120 HIV carriers (74 (61.7%) men) with an average age of 47.5 years (SD = 10.3), 65 patients with HTLV-1 (16 (24.6%) men) with a mean age of 49.9 years (SD = 12.9), and 87 HCV patients (47 (54%) men) with a mean age of 55.5 years (SD = 11.2). In addition, 54 people (26 (48.1%) men) with negative serology who made up the control group were evaluated. The results of the statistical evaluation of the sociodemographic factors of the four groups (HIV, HTLV-1, HCV, and control) showed that in addition to age, schooling was a significant factor among them and may have a strong influence on the performance of cognitive tests. The HTLV-1 group had the lowest neurocognitive performance and also the highest rate of depressive symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Clinical Course Among Subjects HIV-1-Infected in Sao Paulo.

INTRODUCTION: People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are under risk for co-infection with SARS-CoV-2. This population may be more prone to complications from COVID-19 due to persistent inflammation caused by HIV and higher incidence of metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies, as well as being considered elderly at 50 years of age. The objective of this study was to report SARS-CoV-2 infection frequency, clinical evolution, and mortality in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: The period of inquiry ranged from January to September 2020. Due to the social distance and the suspension of in-person medical care during the time of the investigation, we sent electronic questions about demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data to 403 HIV-infected patients. RESULTS: Among 260 patients who answered the questionnaire, thirty-nine patients (15%) had suggestive symptoms and were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of this, 11 had positive results (32.4%) and no patient died of COVID-19 complications. Nine were male (3.4%), and the mean age of the patients with positive results was 43.2 years (± 9.6). 107 patients (41.1%) were over 50 years of age and their mean T-CD4+ cell count was 768. Eleven patients (4.2%) had a detectable HIV RNA viral load and 127 (48.8%) had comorbidities. These variables were not associated with an increased risk for infection. CONCLUSION: The frequency of SARS-COV2 infection among HIV-infected is similar to the general population, and the clinical course is associated with the presence of comorbidities and not due to the HIV infection. However, new studies should be done to assess if this vulnerable population could answer the vaccine anti-SARS-Cov2.

Prognosis Markers for Monitoring HTLV-1 Neurologic Disease.

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is associated not only with some severe manifestations, such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM) and ATLL, but also with other, less severe conditions. Some studies have reported neurologic manifestations that did not meet all the criteria for the diagnosis of HAM in individuals infected with HTLV-1; these conditions may later progress to HAM or constitute an intermediate clinical form, between asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers and those with full myelopathy. This study evaluated the prognostic value and looked for a possible association of those parameters with the intermediate syndrome (IS) status and HAM status. METHODS: Proviral load (PVL), spontaneous lymphoproliferation, interferon (IFN)-γ spontaneous production was quantified in samples of asymptomatic and HAM patients, as well as patients with IS. RESULTS: The critical age range was 50-60 years for IS outcome and more of 60 years for HAM outcome, with an increased risk of 2.5-fold for IS and 6.8-fold for HAM. IFN-γ was increased in patients with IS compared with asymptomatic carriers (ACs) (p = 0.007) and in patients with HAM compared with ACs (p = 0.03). Lymphoproliferation was increased in patients with HAM vs ACs (p = 0.0001) and patients with IS (p = 0.0001). PVL was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: IFN-γ has high specificity of prediction of subject remain asymptomatic compared with PVL and lymphoproliferation assay tests. IFN-γ has been shown to be a biomarker of progression to intermediate stage and to HAM. The association of other markers with manifestations associated with HTLV-1 infection that does not meet the HAM criteria should be verified.

High prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in São Paulo City, Brazil / Alta prevalência de desordem neurocognitiva associada ao HIV (HAND) na Cidade de São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are the subject of many studies, some of them reporting a prevalence of up to 50 percent. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with HIV neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients in São Paulo city, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross-sectional study including 106 HIV-1-infected patients, employing direct interview and neuropsychological tests, applied by trained neuro-psychologists with expertise in the tests. Other, similar assessment tools we used were Brief Neurocognitive Questionnaire, International HIV Dementia Scale, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Social Support Scale for People with HIV/Aids, Assessment of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Questionnaire, and a complex neuropsychological assessment. RESULTS: We included 106 patients from May 2015 to April 2018. We found a high prevalence of HAND in our patients (45%), with 27.5% presenting asymptomatic neurological impairment (ANI) and 17.5% mild neurological dysfunction (MND); only one patient presented HIV-associated dementia (HAD) (0.9%). Women were more likely to have MND (52.9%) and the only case of HAD was also female. The high prevalence of neurocognitive disorders was independent of the immunological status, use of efavirenz, or virological control. CONCLUSIONS: This study may mirror the national and international scenarios, showing a high prevalence of HAND (45%) and the prevalence of some risk factors, in special among women

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças neurocognitivas associadas ao HIV (HAND), são o assunto de muitos estudos, alguns deles relatando uma prevalência de até 50 por cento. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados aos distúrbios neurocognitivos do HIV (HAND) em uma coorte de pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1 na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal descritivo incluindo 106 pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1, utilizando entrevista direta e testes neuropsicológicos, aplicados por neuropsicólogos treinados com experiência nos testes. Foram utilizados também: Questionário Neurocognitivo Breve, Escala Internacional de Demência do HIV, Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária de Lawton, Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão, Escala de Apoio Social para Pessoas com HIV / Aids, Avaliação da Adesão à Terapia Antiretroviral Questionário e uma bateria de avaliação neuropsicológica complexa. RESULTADOS: Foram avalaidos 106 pacientes de maio de 2015 a abril de 2018. Foi observado uma alta prevalência de HAND em nossos pacientes (45%), com 27,5% apresentando comprometimento neurológico assintomático (ANI) e 17,5% comprometimento cognitive leve (MND); apenas um paciente apresentou demência associada ao HIV (DAH) (0,9%). As mulheres eram mais propensas a ter MND (52,9%) e o único caso de HAD também era do sexo feminino. A alta prevalência de distúrbios neurocognitivos foi independente do estado imunológico, uso de efavirenz ou controle virológico. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo pode espelhar o cenário nacional e internacional, mostrando uma alta prevalência de HAND (45%) e a prevalência de alguns fatores de risco, em especial entre as mulheres

Low bone mineral density among HIV-infected patients in Brazil.

Decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) has been a complication among people living with HIV/AIDS. To investigate the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis among HIV-infected people living in São Paulo city, we studied 108 HIV-infected patients (79 men and 29 women). We extracted data from patients' medical records and BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Median age of participants was 42 years (interquartile range [IQR] 36-48 years), and the median time since HIV diagnosis was 4.01 years (IQR 2-11 years). Patients had acquired HIV primarily by the sexual route (men who have sex with men 44%, heterosexual 49%). Median age, duration of HIV infection, duration of ART and CD4 nadir were similar for men and women. Plasma viral load was undetectable for 53 patients (49%). Median CD4 T cell count was 399 cells/µL (IQR 247 - 568). Twenty five patients (23%) had LBMD, and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women (<-1). The associated risk factors for LBMD were older age (≥ 50 years old) and smoking with a RR of 3.87 and 2.80, respectively. Thus, despite the lack of statistically significant relationship between the use of ART and LBMD or between duration of ART and LBMD, these factors should be addressed in larger studies.

High risk of heterosexual transmission of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection in Brazil.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 is transmitted primarily either through sexual intercourse or from mother to child. The current study investigated sexual transmission and compared the HTLV-1 proviral load between seroconcordant and serodiscordant couples by examining both men and women among the index partners without using subjective criteria to establish the direction of sexual transmission. Between January 2013 and May 2015, 178 HTLV-1-positive patients had spouses, 107 of which had tested partners, thus increasing the initial sample size (46 men and 61 women). Individuals co-infected with HTLV-2 or human immunodeficiency virus were not included in the analysis. From among the included participants, 26 men and 26 women were paired with each other, resulting in 26 seroconcordant couples; 12 seroconcordant couples were formed from another four men and eight women. Forty-three serodiscordant couples were formed from 16 men and 27 women. The rate of seroconcordance was 46.9%. The HTLV-1 proviral load was compared between 19 and 37 seroconcordant and serodiscondant couples, respectively, and the concordant couples showed higher proviral loads (P = 0.03). There were no differences between the groups according to age, relationship length, having a mother or sibling with HTLV-1, race, ethnicity, nationality, education, history of blood transfusion, HAM/TSP, ALT, or hepatitis C virus status. In multivariate analysis, relationship time was shown associated with ocurrence of seroconcordance status. The apparent association between high circulating levels of provirus and seroconcordance rate among couples suggests that proviral loads contribute markedly to the risk of sexual transmission, regardless of gender index.

High specific immune response to a bivalent anti-HPV vaccine in HIV-1-infected men in São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reported as one of the most prevalent agent sexually transmitted diseases, but its true prevalence in men is not precisely known, mainly due to the near absence of symptoms. Moreover, few studies evaluating the post-vaccination immune response have been performed to date in men, hence the hypotheses tested in this study can be important to enable a better understanding of both the immunopathogenesis and the response to vaccination in HIV-infected patients, and to help in the elaboration of strategies of vaccination against HPV in the HIV-infected population. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the specific response to antigens of HPV vaccine in HIV-infected men. METHODS: A total of 25 HIV-infected male patients who met the inclusion criteria during the data collection period were vaccinated; however, six (30%) had anti-HPV at baseline, and were not considered further in the analysis. Therefore, 19 HIV-infected individuals were included in the study, along with five healthy, HPV-seronegative controls. RESULTS: Patients infected with HIV-1 were subdivided into two groups, A and B, according to their T CD4 cells count at the time of vaccination, namely: Group A: CD4>500; Group B: CD4<500. The proportion of seroconversion after immunization with three doses of a bivalent anti-HPV vaccine was 92%. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected patients as well as HIV negative controls responded to anti-HPV vaccination, regardless of their T CD4 cells count and HIV plasma viral load. These results demonstrate that anti-HPV immunization in HIV-infected males is effective and should be encouraged, thus helping to decrease the risk of infection, mortality and morbidity of diseases associated with HPV in men.

Human papillomavirus infection in oral fluids of HIV-1-positive men: prevalence and risk factors.

Human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. The natural history of oral HPV infection is unclear, and its risk factors have not been explored. Immunocompromised individuals, as exemplified by HIV patients, are at high risk for HPV-related diseases. The mean of this study is to determine the prevalence of HPV in the oral tract of HIV-1-positive male subjects and its association with risk factors. A total of 283 oral wash samples from HIV-1-positive men were tested. The oral fluid samples were used for DNA extraction and conventional PCR amplification; HPV genotyping was performed by hybridization. HPV genotyping revealed that nine samples (3.5%) were positive for HPV DNA; the major high-risk HPV types identified were 51 and 66. Worldwide studies have shown a variable prevalence of oral HPV. The diversity of genotypes and the high prevalence of multiple infections in HIV-infected subjects can be better explained by the effects of HIV-induced immunosuppression. The most important risk factors are unprotected sexual intercourse, but other factors for this infection have been described elsewhere including smoking, age and HIV-positive serostatus. In this study, smoking was the most important risk factor for acquiring oral HPV in HIV-1-infected subjects in Brazil.

Proteína C reativa: aplicações clínicas e propostas para utilização racional / C-reactive protein: clinical applications and proposals for a rational use

A proteína C reativa (PCR) é uma das proteínas de fase aguda cuja solicitação tem crescido de forma exponencial em vários países, incluindo o Brasil. Neste estudo, a utilidade da PCR em diversas situações clínicas foi revisada por um grupo de médicos composto por especialistas em Medicina Interna, Emergências Médicas, Terapia Intensiva, Rastreamento e Medicina Laboratorial com o objetivo de analisar a literatura pertinente e propor diretrizes para o uso mais racional desse exame laboratorial. O resultado foi a criação de fluxogramas orientadores da solicitação de PCR adaptados a quatro ambientes assistenciais diferentes, sendo eles unidades de terapia intensiva, pronto-socorro, enfermarias e ambulatórios. Esses fluxogramas e uma discussão mais detalhada sobre as diversas indicações clínicas do exame são apresentados neste estudo.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein whose requests have been growing exponentially in several countries, including Brazil. In this study, the use of CRP in several clinical situations was reviewed by a group of physicians comprised by specialists in internal medicine, medical emergencies, intensive care, screening, and laboratory medicine, aiming to analyze the applicable literature and to propose guidelines for a more rational use of this laboratory test. The result was the creation of flowcharts guiding CRP request, adjusted to four different healthcare environments, namely, intensive care units, emergency room, wards, and outpatient clinics. These flowcharts, as well as a more detailed discussion on several clinical recommendations for the test, are presented in this study.

The Brazilian Family Health Program and secondary stroke and myocardial infarction prevention: a 6-year cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the incidence of recurrent or fatal cardiovascular disease in patients using Brazil's government-run Family Health Program (FHP) with those using non-FHP models of care. METHODS: From 2005 to 2010, we followed outpatients discharged from city public hospitals after a first ever stroke for stroke recurrence and myocardial infarction, using data from all city hospitals, death certificates, and outpatient monitoring in state-run and private units. RESULTS: In the follow-up period, 103 patients in the FHP units and 138 in the non-FHP units had exclusively state-run care. Stroke or myocardial infarction occurred in 30.1% of patients in the FHP group and 36.2% of patients in non-FHP care (rate ratio [RR] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61, 1.18; P = .39); 37.9% of patients in FHP care and 54.3% in non-FHP care (RR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.50, 0.92; P = .01) died. FHP use was associated with lower hazard of death from all causes (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; P = .005) after adjusting for age and stroke severity. The absolute risk reduction for death by all causes was 16.4%. CONCLUSIONS: FHP care is more effective than is non-FHP care at preventing death from secondary stroke and myocardial infarction.