Immune Response to an Inactivated Vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac) in an Indigenous Brazilian Population: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although the adaptive immune responses to the CoronaVac vaccine are known, their dynamics in indigenous communities remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the humoral and cellular immune responses to CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech Life Sciences, 2021 NCT05225285, Beijing, China), in immunized Brazilian indigenous individuals. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on indigenous Brazilian people between February 2021 and June 2021. Analyses of immune responses were carried out before (T1) and after a vaccination schedule was completed (T2). Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: We initially included 328 patients; among them, 120 (36.6%) had no SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 106 patients during follow-up visits, of which 91 samples were analyzed by immunophenotyping assay to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T-cell response. Post-vaccination, the levels of memory B-cells and Natural Killer T-lymphocytes increased. Bororó village residents, females, and Terena ethnic group members had higher levels of anti-spike IgG antibodies post-vaccination, whereas alcohol and tobacco users had lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: To our best knowledge, this was the first comprehensive assessment of antibody and T-cell responses against CoronaVac vaccination in indigenous patients. Our findings showed that antibody response and T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 were present in most patients following the vaccination schedule.

Aprendizaje autónomo en la educación a distancia en estudiantes de Psicopedagogía durante la COVID-19: una revisión sistemática

Introducción: Durante la COVID-19, la educación a distancia fue una oportunidad para el ejercicio del autoaprendizaje en salud mediante el uso de recursos electrónicos, con el dinamismo e impulso del aprendizaje autodidacta mediante el uso de las TIC. Objetivo: Valorar a través de una revisión sistemática el comportamiento del aprendizaje autónomo en estudiantes de Psicopedagogía durante la pandemia por la COVID-19. Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en publicaciones entre los años 2020-2022, donde se identificaron 767 artículos en Scopus, 64 registros en SciELO y 759 en Google Scholar, luego de su procesamiento quedó una muestra de 52 artículos. Fueron recopilados: título, año, tipo de artículo, contexto, revista, indexación, tema, comentario, posible uso en el artículo, referencia bibliográfica y DOI. Las referencias bibliográficas se procesaron mediante el gestor bibliográfico Mendeley. Resultados: Se destacó el creciente acto investigativo acerca de las estrategias metodológicas de la autonomía en los aprendizajes en educación básica y con aspiraciones a efectuar estudios en salud, durante la pandemia por la COVID-19. El país con más producciones académicas sobre aprendizaje autónomo en educación básica fue Perú con cuatro, seguido de Ecuador con tres producciones científicas vinculadas a salud; también se encontraron investigaciones de otras latitudes. Conclusiones: El aprendizaje autónomo es una prioridad de vigencia actual, indispensable para responder a las demandas de una sociedad cambiante y compleja. En los países de Latinoamérica hubo creciente interés investigativo sobre aprendizaje autónomo en educación básica y que aspiraron a efectuar estudios en salud durante la pandemia por la COVID-19.

Introduction: During COVID-19, distance education was an opportunity to practice self-learning in health through the use of electronic resources, with the dynamism and promotion of self-taught learning through the use of ICT. Objective: To assess, through a systematic review, the behavior of autonomous learning in Psychopedagogy students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A systematic review was carried out on publications between the years 2020-2022, where 767 articles were identified in Scopus, 64 records in SciELO and 759 in Google Scholar, after processing a sample of 52 articles remained. The following were collected: title, year, type of article, context, journal, indexing, topic, comment, possible use in the article, bibliographic reference and DOI. Bibliographic references were processed using the Mendeley bibliographic manager. Results: The growing research act was highlighted about the methodological strategies of autonomy in learning in basic education and with aspirations to carry out health studies, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country with the most academic productions on autonomous learning in basic education was Peru with four, followed by Ecuador with three scientific productions linked to health; Research from other latitudes was also found. Conclusions: Autonomous learning is a current priority, essential to respond to the demands of a changing and complex society. In Latin American countries, there was growing research interest in autonomous learning in basic education and they aspired to carry out health studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introdução: Durante a COVID-19, a educação a distância foi uma oportunidade para praticar a autoaprendizagem em saúde através do uso de recursos eletrônicos, com a dinamização e promoção da aprendizagem autodidata através do uso das TIC. Objetivo: Avaliar, por meio de uma revisão sistemática, o comportamento da aprendizagem autônoma em estudantes de Psicopedagogia durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática sobre publicações entre os anos de 2020 a 2022, onde foram identificados 767 artigos na Scopus, 64 registros na SciELO e 759 no Google Acadêmico, após processamento permaneceu uma amostra de 52 artigos. Foram coletados: título, ano, tipo de artigo, contexto, periódico, indexação, tema, comentário, possível uso no artigo, referência bibliográfica e DOI. As referências bibliográficas foram processadas utilizando o gerenciador bibliográfico Mendeley. Resultados: Destacou-se a crescente atuação de pesquisa sobre as estratégias metodológicas de autonomia na aprendizagem na educação básica e com aspirações à realização de estudos em saúde, durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O país com mais produções acadêmicas sobre aprendizagem autônoma na educação básica foi o Peru com quatro, seguido pelo Equador com três produções científicas ligadas à saúde; Pesquisas de outras latitudes também foram encontradas. Conclusões: A aprendizagem autónoma é uma prioridade atual, essencial para responder às exigências de uma sociedade complexa e em mudança. Nos países latino-americanos, havia um crescente interesse de investigação na aprendizagem autónoma no ensino básico e aspiravam a realizar estudos de saúde durante a pandemia da COVID-19.

Revisión documental sobre el software GeoGebra aplicado a la Cultura Física y el deporte

El software GeoGebra es muy útil en las simulaciones de movimientos físicos porque con la ayuda de este el profesional del deporte es capaz de interpretar con valores matemáticos y geométricos la realización de un lanzamiento, una acción que a simple vista es muy difícil descifrar. Sin embargo, a pesar de ser este recurso una vía recurrente para contribuir al desarrollo de la cultura física y el deporte, no ha sido muy generalizado su uso en esta área del conocimiento. Es por ello que los autores de esta investigación se proponen como objetivo: realizar una sistematización documental sobre el software Geogebra enfocado en la cultura Física para que se convierta en un referente a tener en cuenta para futuras innovaciones e investigaciones referente al tema. Con vistas a lograr esta meta consultaron un grupo de artículos en bases de datos de Scopus y Google Académico y publicados en los últimos cinco años referente al uso del Software GeoGebra y se visualizaron las características de este medio y los diversos beneficios que ha ofrecido a través del tiempo. Los artículos hallados se sistematizaron considerando la matriz de análisis, conteniendo aspectos preponderantes en cantidad de publicaciones durante el año 2021 con 12 publicaciones y menor cantidad de publicaciones durante el 2022. Se estudió un prototipo de 29 artículos, en los últimos cinco años referente al uso del Softwares educativos que implican al GeoGebra.

O software GeoGebra é muito útil na simulação de movimentos físicos porque com a ajuda dele o profissional do esporte consegue interpretar com valores matemáticos e geométricos a execução de um arremesso, ação muito difícil de decifrar a olho nu. Contudo, apesar deste recurso ser uma forma recorrente de contribuir para o desenvolvimento da cultura física e do desporto, a sua utilização nesta área do conhecimento não tem sido muito difundida. É por isso que os autores desta pesquisa propõem como objetivo: realizar uma sistematização documental sobre o software Geogebra voltado para a Cultura Física para que ele se torne uma referência a ser levada em conta para futuras inovações e pesquisas sobre o tema. do tempo. Os artigos encontrados foram sistematizados considerando a matriz de análise, contendo aspectos predominantes no número de publicações durante o ano de 2021 com 12 publicações e um menor número de publicações durante 2022. Foi estudado um protótipo de 29 artigos, nos últimos cinco anos quanto ao uso de software educacional que envolve o GeoGebra.

The GeoGebra software is very useful in simulating physical movements because with the help of it the sports professional is able to interpret with mathematical and geometric values the execution of a throw, an action that is very difficult to decipher with the naked eye. However, although this resource is a recurring way to contribute to the development of physical culture and sports, its use in this area of knowledge has not been very widespread. That is why the authors of this research propose as an objective: to carry out a documentary systematization on the Geogebra software focused on Physical culture so that it becomes a reference to be taken into account for future innovations and research on the topic. With a view to achieving this goal, they consulted a group of articles in Scopus and Google Scholar databases and published in the last five years regarding the use of GeoGebra Software and the characteristics of this medium, as well as the various benefits it has offered to users through time were visualized. The articles found were systematized considering the analysis matrix, containing predominant aspects in the number of publications during the year 2021 with 12 publications and a smaller number of publications during 2022. A prototype of 29 articles was studied, in the last five years regarding the use of Educational software that involves GeoGebra.

Immunophenotypic characterization of acute leukemias in Bahia, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the immunophenotypic profile of acute leukemias in the population of the state of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective study. From 2014 to 2018, 796 new cases of acute leukemia were evaluated. The data were obtained from analysis of reports and records of tests performed by flow cytometry immunophenotyping. All individuals of all age groups diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia were included in the study. Demographic variables and expression of leukemia antigens were evaluated. RESULTS: Most cases were diagnosed as acute myeloid leukemia and 42.7% as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Significant differences were found in expression of markers in acute leukemias when age groups were compared, as well as in demographic characteristics. B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was more prevalent than cases of T-cell origin. Assessing the aberrant markers in acute myeloid leukemias, the non-acute promyelocytic leukemia group presented expression of CD7 and CD56 as the most frequent ones. In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most frequent aberrant markers were CD66c, CD13 and CD33. CONCLUSION: Significant differences were found as to several antigens when comparing adults and children, and these findings may contribute to future studies correlating the phenotypic profile to genetic characteristics and therapeutic response, including specific antigen therapies, which may be better targeted.

Determining reference ranges for immunological cells of healthy indigenous individuals from a region in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective The establishment of reference values for a subset of leukocytes is common in clinical practice, and ethnic variations are strongly associated with disease development. In Brazil, indigenous people are vulnerable to infections, and few studies have described the health and disease conditions of this population. This study aimed to provide reference values for immunological cell subsets in indigenous Brazilians living in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Methods Flow cytometry and 4-color combinations of monoclonal antibodies were used to characterize cells. A total of 115 healthy adults, mostly females (72%), were included in the study. The results are presented as mean and median (2.5%-97.5% percentiles) for T and B lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Natural Killer cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells, providing an average immunological profile for the population in question. Results The relative medians of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in women than in men in a healthy indigenous population. Conclusion To our knowledge, cell reference data from indigenous Brazilians are unknown in the literature. The immune cell results presented in this pioneering study will contribute to the clinical and laboratory evaluation of the Brazilian indigenous population, especially given the important differences when compared with other Brazilian ethnic groups.

Immunophenotypic characterization of acute leukemias in Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the immunophenotypic profile of acute leukemias in the population of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Methods This is a descriptive, retrospective study. From 2014 to 2018, 796 new cases of acute leukemia were evaluated. The data were obtained from analysis of reports and records of tests performed by flow cytometry immunophenotyping. All individuals of all age groups diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia were included in the study. Demographic variables and expression of leukemia antigens were evaluated. Results Most cases were diagnosed as acute myeloid leukemia and 42.7% as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Significant differences were found in expression of markers in acute leukemias when age groups were compared, as well as in demographic characteristics. B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was more prevalent than cases of T-cell origin. Assessing the aberrant markers in acute myeloid leukemias, the non-acute promyelocytic leukemia group presented expression of CD7 and CD56 as the most frequent ones. In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most frequent aberrant markers were CD66c, CD13 and CD33. Conclusion Significant differences were found as to several antigens when comparing adults and children, and these findings may contribute to future studies correlating the phenotypic profile to genetic characteristics and therapeutic response, including specific antigen therapies, which may be better targeted.

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in an indigenous population in Brazil: an epidemiological study

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional observational study that describes the epidemiological data of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, aimed to demonstrate the differences between indigenous and non-indigenous populations, characterize confirmed cases of COVID-19 according to risk factors related to ethnicity, comorbidities and their evolution and to verify the challenges in facing the disease in Brazil. SIVEP-Gripe and E-SUS-VE, a nationwide surveillance database in Brazil, from March 2020 to March 2021 in Mato Grosso do Sul state, were used to compare survivors and non-survivors from indigenous and non-indigenous populations and the epidemiological incidence curves of these populations. A total of 176,478, including 5,299 indigenous people, were confirmed. Among the indigenous population, 52.5% (confidence interval [CI] 51.2-53.9) were women, 38% (CI 36.7-39.4) were 20-39 years old, 56.7% were diagnosed by rapid antibody tests, 12.3% (CI 95%:11.5-13.2) had at least one comorbidity, and 5.3% (CI 95%:4.7-5.9) were hospitalized. In the non-indigenous patients, 56.8% were confirmed using RT-PCR, 4.4% (CI 95%:4.3-4.5) had at least one comorbidity, and 8.0% (CI 95%:7.9-8.2) were hospitalized. The majority of non-survivors were ≥60 years old (65.1% indigenous vs. 74.1% non-indigenous). The mortality in indigenous people was more than three times higher (11% vs. 2.9%). Indigenous people had a lower proportion of RT-PCR diagnoses; deaths were more frequent in younger patients and were less likely to be admitted to hospital. Mass vaccination may have controlled the incidence and mortality associated with COVID-19 in this population during the period of increased viral circulation.

Increased expression of CD38 and HLADR in HIV-infected patients with oral lesion.

Persistent immune actiation is associated with innadequate immune recovery in HIV-patients. This study assessed the relationship between frequency of expression of cell activation markers (CD38 and HLADR) and presence of oral lesions in HIV-1 infected patients. Fifty-seven HIV-infected persons, undergoing antiretroviral treatment, were divided into three groups, according to the number of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio: adequate, partial, and inadequate immune restauration. All patients underwent full mouth assessments for saliva flow measurement, oral mucosal lesion, periodontal disease, and severity of periodontitis. Immune activation markers levels were compared according to three groups of periodontal disease ("No periodontal disease," "gingivitis," and "periodontitis"). Oral mucosal lesions (P = 0.03) and peridodontal disease (P = 0.03) were associated with lower CD4+ /CD8+ ratio. Patients with oral mucosal lesions had significantly higher median levels of HLADR and CD38 markers in all T-lymphocytes populations than patients without oral lesions. Patients with gingivitis and with periodontitis presented significantly higher median levels of CD3+ HLADR+ , CD4+ HLADR+ , CD8+ HLADR+ , and CD3+ CD38+ and significantly lower CD4+ /CD8+ ratio than patients with no periodontal disease. Increased levels of HLADR and CD38 expressions in peripheral blood were associated with oral lesions in HIV-positive patients. Periodontal disease was associated with HLADR expression.

A Potential Role for Mononuclear Phagocytes in Cutaneous Ulcer Development in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Leishmania braziliensis Coinfection.

Skin ulcer development in cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis infection is associated with a mononuclear cell infiltrate and high levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Herein, we show that despite the absence of Leishmania-driven TNF, a cutaneous leishmaniasis patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome developed a skin ulcer. The presence of mononuclear phagocytes and high levels of TNF, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and metalloproteinase-9 in tissue are identified as potential contributors to immunopathology observed in L. braziliensis-infected patients.

High degree of concordance between flow cytometry and geno2pheno methods for HIV-1 tropism determination in proviral DNA

Use of CCR5 antagonists requires previous viral tropism determination. The available methods have high cost, are time-consuming, or require highly trained personnel, and sophisticated equipment. We compared a flow cytometry-based tropism assay with geno2pheno method to determine HIV-1 tropism in AIDS patients, in Bahia, Brazil. We tested peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 102 AIDS patients under antiretroviral therapy by using a cytometry-based tropism assay and geno2pheno assay. Cellular membrane receptors were identified by using CXCR4, CCR5 and CD4 monoclonal antibodies, while detection of cytoplasmic mRNAs for gag and pol HIV regions was achieved by using a labeled probe. Genotypic identification of X4 and R5 tropic viruses was attempted by geno2pheno algorithm. There was a high degree of concordance between cytometry-based tropism assay and geno2pheno algorithm in determination of HIV-1 tropism. Cytometry-based tropism assay demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity in comparison to geno2pheno, which was used as a gold-standard. One sample could not be amplified by geno2pheno method, but was classified as duotropic by cytometry-based tropism assay. We did not find any association between CD4+ count or plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load and tropism results. The overall performances of cytometry-based tropism assay and geno2pheno assay were almost identical in determination of HIV-1 tropism.

Establishing the reference range for T lymphocytes subpopulations in adults and children from Brazil.

In Brazil, the existing reference values for T-lymphocytes subsets are based on data originated in other countries. There is no local information on normal variation for these parameters in Brazilian adults and children. We evaluated the normal variation found in blood donors from five large Brazilian cities, in different regions, and in children living in Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro. All samples were processed by flow cytometry. The results were analyzed according to region, gender, and lifestyle of blood donors. A total of 641 adults (63% males), and 280 children (58% males) were involved in the study. The absolute CD3+, and CD4+ cells count were significantly higher for females (adults and children). Higher CD4+ cell count in adults was associated with smoking, while higher CD8+ count was found among female children. Higher counts, for all T-cells subsets, were detected in blood donors from southeast / south regions while those living in the northern region had the lowest values. Individuals from midwestern and northeastern regions had an intermediate count for all these cells subsets. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance. In Brazil, gender and smoking, were the main determinants of differences in T-lymphocytes reference values.

Establishing th reference range for t lymphocyes subpopulations in adults andd children from Brazil / Estabelecimento de valores de referencias para subpopulacoes de linfocitos T em adultos e criancas no Brasil

SUMMARY In Brazil, the existing reference values for T-lymphocytes subsets are based on data originated in other countries. There is no local information on normal variation for these parameters in Brazilian adults and children. We evaluated the normal variation found in blood donors from five large Brazilian cities, in different regions, and in children living in Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro. All samples were processed by flow cytometry. The results were analyzed according to region, gender, and lifestyle of blood donors. A total of 641 adults (63% males), and 280 children (58% males) were involved in the study. The absolute CD3+, and CD4+ cells count were significantly higher for females (adults and children). Higher CD4+ cell count in adults was associated with smoking, while higher CD8+ count was found among female children. Higher counts, for all T-cells subsets, were detected in blood donors from southeast / south regions while those living in the northern region had the lowest values. Individuals from midwestern and northeastern regions had an intermediate count for all these cells subsets. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance. In Brazil, gender and smoking, were the main determinants of differences in T-lymphocytes reference values. .

RESUMO Os valores de referências de linfócitos T existentes no Brasil são baseados em dados originados de outros países. Não existem dados locais da variação normal para estes parâmetros em adultos e crianças brasileiras. Avaliamos a variação normal encontrada em doadores de sangue de cinco grandes cidades brasileiras em diferentes regiões e em crianças residentes em Salvador e Rio de Janeiro. Todas as amostras foram processadas por citometria de fluxo. Os resultados foram analisados de acordo com região, gênero e estilo de vida dos doadores. Um total de 641 adultos (63% homens) e 280 crianças (58% meninos) participaram do estudo. Valores absolutos de CD3+ e CD4+ foram significantemente maiores no gênero feminino (adultos e crianças). Maiores valores de CD4+ em adultos foram associados com tabagismo, enquanto que maiores valores de CD8+ foram encontrados entre crianças do sexo feminino. Adultos das regiões sul e sudeste apresentaram maiores valores absolutos para todas as células T enquanto que adultos da região norte, apresentaram menores valores. Indivíduos residentes no nordeste e centro-oeste obtiveram contagens intermediárias para todas as populações de células T. Entretanto, estas diferenças entre as regiões, não demonstraram diferença estatística. No Brasil, gênero e tabagismo foram os principais determinantes para diferenças em valores de referências de linfócitos T. .

Acute HIV infection with rapid progression to AIDS

Acute HIV infection is rarely recognized as the signs and symptoms are normally unspecific and can persist for days or weeks. The normal HIV course is characterized by a progressive loss of CD4+ cells, which normally leads to severe immunodeficiency after a variable time interval. The mean time from initial infection to development of clinical AIDS is approximately 8-10 years, but it is variable among individuals and depends on a complex interaction between virus and host. Here we describe an extraordinary case of a man who developed Pneumocisits jiroveci pneumonia within one month after sexual exposure to HIV-1, and then presented with 3 consecutive CD4 counts bellow 200 cells/mm³ within 3 months, with no other opportunistic disease. Although antiretroviral therapy (AZT+3TC+ATZ/r) was started, with full adherence of the patient, and genotyping indicating no primary antiretroviral resistance mutations, he required more than six months to have a CD4 restoration to levels above 200 cells/mm³ and 10 months to HIV-RNA to become undetectable.

Ancestry informative markers and complete blood count parameters in Brazilian blood donors / Marcadores informativos de ancestralidade e parâmetros no hemograma de doadores de sangue brasileiros

A complete blood count is very useful in clinical diagnoses when reference ranges are well established for the population. Complete blood counts and allele frequencies of Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) were analyzed in Brazilians with the aim of characterizing the hematological values of an admixed population. Positive associations were observed between gender and neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCHC and platelet counts. No significant differences were found for age, alcohol consumption, educational status, ethnicity, smoking in respect to the complete blood count values. In general, men had higher red blood cell values, while women had higher values for white blood cells and platelets. The study of the population was highly heterogeneous with mean proportions (± SE) of African, European and Amerindian ancestry being 49.0 ± 3.0 percent, 44.0 ± 9.0 percent and 7.0 ± 9.0 percent, respectively. Amerindian ancestry showed limited contribution to the makeup of the population, but estimated ancestral proportions were statistically significant (r = 0.9838; P<0.001). These hematologic values are similar to Afro-Americans, another admixed population.

O hemograma é muito útil no diagnóstico quando o intervalo de referência é adequadamente estabelecido para população. Com o objetivo de verificar os valores hematológicos em população heterogênea foi analisado o hemograma e frequências alélica de marcadores informativos de ancestralidade de brasileiros. Foi observada associação positiva entre sexo e os valores de neutrófilos, monócitos, eosinófilos, eritrócitos, hemoglobina, hematócrito, MCV, MCHC e plaquetas (IC 95 por cento; P<0,05). E não houve diferenças entre idade, consumo de álcool, nível educacional, etnia, tabagismo e os valores do hemograma (IC 95 por cento; P>0,05). Os homens apresentaram valores maiores no eritrograma, enquanto no leucograma e plaquetograma foram as mulheres. Foi observado também que a população é altamente heterogênea e as médias proporcionais (±DP) de ancestralidade Africana, Europeia e Ameríndia estimada foram: 49,0 ± 3,0 por cento, 44,0 ± 9,0 por cento e 7,0 ± 9,0 por cento, respectivamente. A contribuição ancestral ameríndia se demonstrou pequena, mas a estimativa de proporções ancestrais foi estatisticamente significante (r = 0,9838; P<0,001). Os valores hematológicos aqui descritos são parecidos com os descritos em negros americanos, outra população heterogênea.

Evaluating total lymphocyte counts as a substitute for CD4 counts in the follow up of AIDS patients

This study evaluated total lymphocyte count (TLC) as a substitute marker for CD4+ cell counts to identify patients who need prophylaxis against opportunistic infection (CD4 < 200 cells/mm³) and patients with CD4 < 350 cells/mm³ (Brazilian threshold value of CD4 count to define AIDS). We evaluated TLC and CD4+ cells count of 1,174 HIV-infected patients, in Salvador, Brazil, from May 2003 to September 2004. CD4+ cell counts were performed by flow cytometry, and TLC was measured with an automated hematological counter. The mean CD4 count was 430 cells/mm³ (range: 4 to 2,531 cells/mm³). Mean TLC was 1,900 cells/mm³ (range: 300 to 6,200 cells/mm³). Using a threshold value of 1,000 cells/mm³ for TLC, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 77 percent for CD4 < 200 cells/mm³, but the sensitivity was only 29 percent, while the negative predictive value (NPV) was 88 percent, with 98 percent specificity. Similar findings were observed for CD4 count < 350. Using the same threshold value of 1,000 cells/mm³ for TLC, sensitivity was 14 percent, and specificity 99 percent (PPV= 94 percent; NPV=62 percent). In 70/1,510 (5 percent) of the samples the sum of CD4 and CD8 cell counts was greater than the TLC and in 27 percent (419/1,510) this sum was below 65 percent of the TLC. TLC has a high specificity to identify patients for prophylaxis, but a quite low sensitivity. It is not useful as an alternative to CD4+ T-cell counts as a marker in HIV-infected patients.