Home-based interventions to promote physical activity for people living with HIV - a systematic review.

Although physical activity (PA) improves the physical, mental, and social outcomes of people living with HIV (PLH), multiple barriers prevent them from exercising. In this systematic review, we investigated the effect of home-based interventions to promote physical activity (HBI) among PLH. Randomised trials and quasi-experimental studies published in English until March 2020 were sought in five databases. Independent reviewers performed data extraction, risk of bias assessment and pragmatic-explanatory (PRECIS-2) evaluation of study characteristics. Outcomes included engagement in PA, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, metabolic disturbances, and quality of life (QoL). Out of 480 retrieved references, six studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions lasted 12-48 weeks and involved 400 individuals (57.8% women). Ninety-eight (24.5%) participants completed interventions, but dropout rates varied considerably (5.0-54.5%). Resulted showed increased PA (two studies) and improved cardiorespiratory fitness or strength (three and two studies, respectively). Four studies demonstrated reduction of waist circumference and increase in lean body mass. QoL improved in two of three studies. We conclude HBI (aerobic and/or resistance exercises) may contribute to improve PA and/or cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, strength and QoL of PLH. Further investigation using multi-centre standardised protocols is warranted to provide stronger evidence of their effectiveness in health promotion for PLH.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Among Oligo/Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers: Estimating the Impact of Community Transmission.

We evaluated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors among 4987 oligo/asymptomatic healthcare workers; seroprevalence was 14% and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were lower educational level (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.03-3.60), using public transport to work (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.07-2.62), and working in cleaning or security (aOR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03).

Impact of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients followed up at a reference center in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HIV Pre-Exposure Pophylaxis (PrEP) is provided free of charge by the Brazilian national health system. Though effective in preventing HIV infection, little is known about its impact on the health-related Quality of Life (QoL) of users. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at assessing the impact of PrEP on the QoL of its users. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with 114 HIV-negative participants aged 18 years or older. Participants' QoL was assessed before starting PrEP and after 7 months of use, using the self-responsive WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Sociodemographic and behavioral aspects were described and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Improvement was seen in QoL scores for the environment domain (p = 0.02), which addresses feeling of physical safety, access to information and health services, and participation in leisure activities. Furthermore, participants reported improved satisfaction with their sex life, when questioned about the social relationships domain. There was no statistically significant change in the global QoL score, in the global health score, in the physical and psychological domains, nor in the total score for the social relationships domain. As for their socio-demographic profile, most participants were white and highly educated young cisgender men who have sex with men. 76.3% had unprotected sex in the 3 months before starting PrEP. 60.5% had reported substance use: marijuana (42.1%), club drugs (35.1%), and poppers (20.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study unveiled that PrEP benefited our cohort beyond its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, having improved environmental aspects of QoL and self-satisfaction with sex life.

Sexual Dysfunctions Among People Living With HIV With Long-Term Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Sexuality plays an essential role in the psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV) but it is still less assessed by healthcare professionals during treatment. AIM: To investigate the frequency of those screening positive for sexual dysfunction (SD) and associated factors according to gender/sexual orientation in PLHIV under long-term treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: Between September 2013 and October 2016, 234 PLHIV adults in treatment in São Paulo were included. Participants were sexually active, did not present sexual orientation disorder or body dysmorphic disorder, and did not use sexual hormones. We performed clinical interviews and measured levels of depression, anxiety, and levels of sexual hormones. SD was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of participants screening positive for SD in the International Index of Erectile Function, the Index of Premature Ejaculation, and the Female Sexual Function Index. In the regression analyses, the outcome SD considered any SD presented with disregard to gender. RESULTS: 70% of participants reported consistent adherence to ART and 96% had an undetectable viral load. The median (Md) duration of ART was 198 months (inter quartil range, IQR 111.6-230.4) and the median CD4 was 655 cells/mm3 (IQR 443-871). Screening positive for erectile dysfunction was 49.7%, premature ejaculation 16.9%, female sexual dysfunction 27.4% and hypoactive desire 45.1%. Lower testosterone and prolactin levels were associated with erectile dysfunction in heterosexual men (n = 58); lower levels of oestradiol and higher levels of follicle stimulating hormone were associated with female sexual dysfunction and hypoactive desire in female participants (n = 63). The multivariable model used included comorbidities and hormonal abnormality and found that age (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI 1.00-1.08, P = .026) and the presence of depression/anxiety (OR = 2.96; 95%CI 1.52-5.77; P = .001) were associated with SD. Also, men reporting engaging in sex with other men were associated with screening positive for SD (OR 2.66; 95%CI 1.52-5.77, P = .013). During treatment of PLHIV, it is important to evaluate sexual health and symptoms of depression and anxiety specifically. The strength of this study consists in evaluating PLHIV who have been in long-term treatment with ART and analyzing those screening positive for SD and associated factors for each group (heterosexual men, men reporting engaging in sex with other men, and women). Limitation includes the difficulty to generalize the findings of the study, and not exploring women's sexual orientation. CONCLUSION: PLHIV in long-term treatment with ART presented alarming rates of depression/anxiety which in turn is correlated with sexual and physical health problems. Scanavino MDT, Mori E, Nisida VV, et al. Sexual Dysfunctions Among People Living With HIV With Long-Term Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy. Sex Med 2022;10:100542.

Multicomponent physical activity program to prevent body changes and metabolic disturbances associated with antiretroviral therapy and improve quality of life of people living with HIV: a pragmatic trial.

OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLH) includes the promotion of healthier habits, including physical activity (PA). This study aimed to describe a multicomponent pragmatic trial protocol to assess the effect of PA in preventing body changes and metabolic disturbances, improving the quality of life of PLH starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) and present cohort characteristics. METHODS: PLH undergoing ART for ≤4 months were recruited for a randomized trial. The intervention comprised three cardiorespiratory and/or strength training sessions per week at the clinic or in public spaces for 6 months under on-site or remote supervision, and educational sessions. Participants' PA levels, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometric measures, strength, flexibility, quality of life, and laboratory monitoring (blood glucose and lipids, CD4 counts) at baseline and post-intervention will be compared. The pragmatic design aims to enable the assessment of intervention effectiveness in real-life conditions. RESULTS: At baseline, our cohort of 38 recently diagnosed patients (mean time since HIV diagnosis and duration of ART were 3 and 2.58 months, respectively) were predominantly male, young, with high schooling and good immune status (median CD4 count=498 cells/mm3). Twenty-two (57.9%) patients reported a PA below the World Health Organization recommendations. We found baseline normal anthropometric measures and metabolic parameters: below-average trunk flexion and elbow extension strength, poor handgrip strength and flexibility, and high quality of life scores in all except the physical domain. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how effective PA is in preventing body changes and metabolic disturbances, and in improving the quality of PLH starting ART may help establish guidelines to better incorporate PA in HIV care.

Incorporating physical activity in the comprehensive care of people living with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy: Insights from a specialized care setting in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Managing HIV infection as a chronic condition includes encouraging adoption of healthy behaviors and promotion of physical activity (PA). However, people living with HIV (PLH) are often under social and programmatic vulnerability that may compromise behavior change. Understanding such barriers is crucial for successful incorporation of PA in their comprehensive care. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this study, we describe PA, energy intake from diet, and anthropometry of a cohort of PLH starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a Brazilian reference clinic, report how PA was addressed in routine care and investigate association between PA, energy intake and psychosocial constructs that may facilitate PA (social support and self-efficacy for PA). Among 61 PLH (86.9% males, mean age = 32.5 years) anthropometry was normal, but 47.5% reported PA below recommendations. Despite presenting high social support scores, family encouragement for PA was low, and self-efficacy classified as medium. Chart reviews yielded infrequent reports concerning PA. After adjusting for gender and age, we found a negative association between energy intake from diet and self-efficacy, but none between PA and energy intake or between PA and psychosocial constructs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that patients in our cohort were insufficiently active when starting ART, and that PA was poorly addressed by caretakers in routine HIV care. Nevertheless, social support and self-efficacy scores suggest potential for behavioral change. Caregivers should therefore start considering patients' vulnerabilities and establishing strategies to help them overcome barriers to incorporate PA in their comprehensive care effectively.

Disinfection of 3D-printed protective face shield during COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assessed the disinfection using 70% ethanol; H2O2-quaternary ammonium salt mixture; 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and autoclaving of four 3D-printed face shields with different designs, visor materials; and visor thickness (0.5-0.75 mm). We also investigated their clinical suitability by applying a questionnaire to health workers (HW) who used them. Each type of disinfection was done 40 times on each type of mask without physical damage. In contrast, autoclaving led to appreciable damage.

Performance of a qualitative rapid chromatographic immunoassay to diagnose COVID-19 in patients in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated a rapid chromatographic immunoassay (IgG/IgM antibodies) and an ELISA assay to diagnose COVID-19 in patient sat two Brazilian hospitals. METHODS: A total of 122 subjects with COVID-19 were included: 106 SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR-positive patients and 16 RT-PCR-negative patients with symptoms and chest computed tomography (CT) consistent with COVID-19. Ninety-six historical blood donation samples were used as controls. Demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from electronic records. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated, as were their 95% binomial confidence intervals using the Clopper-Pearson method. All analyses were performed in R version 3.6.3. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the chromatographic immunoassay in all RT-PCR-positive patients, irrespective of the timing of symptom onset, was 85.8% (95% binomial CI 77.7% to 91.9%). This increased with time after symptom onset, and at >14 days was 94.9% (85.9% to 98.9%). The specificity was 100% (96.4% to 100%). 15/16 (94%) RT- PCR-negative cases tested positive. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the most frequent symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea. All RT-PCR-negative patients had pneumonia. The most frequent thoracic CT findings were ground glass changes (n = 11, 68%), which were bilateral in 9 (56%) patients, and diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates (n = 5, 31%). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 rapid chromatographic immunoassay evaluated in this study had a high sensitivity and specificity using plasma, particularly after 14 days from symptom onset. ELISA and qualitative rapid chromatographic immunoassays can be used for the diagnosis of RT-PCR-negative patients.

Impact of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients followed up at a reference center in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Background: HIV Pre-Exposure Pophylaxis (PrEP) is provided free of charge by the Brazilian national health system. Though effective in preventing HIV infection, little is known about its impact on the health-related Quality of Life (QoL) of users. Objective: The present study aimed at assessing the impact of PrEP on the QoL of its users. Methods: Prospective cohort study with 114 HIV-negative participants aged 18 years or older. Participants' QoL was assessed before starting PrEP and after 7 months of use, using the self-responsive WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Sociodemographic and behavioral aspects were described and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Improvement was seen in QoL scores for the environment domain (p = 0.02), which addresses feeling of physical safety, access to information and health services, and participation in leisure activities. Furthermore, participants reported improved satisfaction with their sex life, when questioned about the social relationships domain. There was no statistically significant change in the global QoL score, in the global health score, in the physical and psychological domains, nor in the total score for the social relationships domain. As for their sociodemographic profile, most participants were white and highly educated young cisgender men who have sex with men. 76.3% had unprotected sex in the 3 months before starting PrEP. 60.5% had reported substance use: marijuana (42.1%), club drugs (35.1%), and poppers (20.2%). Conclusions: This study unveiled that PrEP benefited our cohort beyond its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, having improved environmental aspects of QoL and self-satisfaction with sex life.

Predictors of Adherence to HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Retention in Care After an Episode of Sexual Violence in Brazil.

Adherence to nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) among sexual violence (SV) victims and their retention in care after SV represent significant challenges. This study aimed at identifying predictors of adherence to nPEP and retention in clinical-laboratory follow-up among SV victims in São Paulo, Brazil. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of SV victims admitted to care and follow-up at the SV unit of the main reference hospital in São Paulo within 72 h following the SV episode. Eligible patients were submitted to a standardized protocol that included nPEP, screening, and management for other sexually transmitted infection as well as emergency contraception. Predictors of adherence to nPEP for 28 days and retention in care until discharge at 180 days after admission were analyzed. A total of 199 SV episodes in 197 victims were recorded from January 2001 to December 2013 (156 months). Of those episodes, 167 were eligible to receive nPEP and 160 (96%) actually received a prescription. Overall 104/160 [65%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 57-72] SV victims, who received nPEP, were fully adherent to nPEP up to 28 days, whereas 89/199 (45%, 95% CI 38-52) were retained in care for 180 days following admission. In multi-variate analysis, patients undergoing at least one psychological consultation (n = 126) were more likely to adhere to nPEP [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 8.32; 95% CI 3.0-23.3] and be retained in care for 6 months (adjOR 40.33; 95% CI 8.33-195.30) compared to patients not receiving psychological support. In contrast, study outcomes were not associated with victims' age and sex and with type of perpetrator. In our cohort, provision of psychological care was shown to be associated with enhanced adherence to nPEP and retention in care.

HIV-infected youths transitioning from pediatric to adult outpatient care in a teaching tertiary care hospital in São Paulo city, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected children surviving until adulthood have been transitioning to adult outpatient health care service in Brazil since the late 2000's. Deterioration of clinical condition is expected during this period, as reported among youths with non-communicable chronic diseases. Despite their young age, they are long-term hosts of the virus, have prolonged exposure to antiretroviral therapy and have suffered from the social determinants and stigma of HIV infection since early childhood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to 1) describe demographic and clinical characteristics at the first appointment at adult care service following pediatric care of a cohort of Brazilian youths living with HIV since childhood; and 2) retrospectively address adherence and clinical variables in the last two years of pediatric follow-up. METHODS: Descriptive study. RESULTS: 41 consecutive patients referred to adult outpatient care from a pediatric HIV unit were enrolled, median age 19 years, and median lifetime CD4+nadir 117 cell/mm3; 89% reported previous AIDS-defining conditions. At first laboratory assessment in adult care, only 46% had undetectable (<400 copies/ml) HIV viral load and the median CD4+count was 250 cell/mm3. CONCLUSION: Youths living with HIV at the transition from pediatric to adult care had poor treatment adherence, low lifetime CD4+cell nadir, low CD4 cell count and detectable HIV viral load. Health care providers should closely monitor these adolescents in a youth friendly environment, prepared for open communication about all aspects of their health.

Hepatitis B viremia in HIV-coinfected individuals under antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased AIDS incidence and mortality, rendering comorbidities, such as hepatitis B more relevant for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since antiretroviral drugs may also inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, analyzing the impact of ART on management of hepatitis B in this population is important. OBJECTIVE: To assess HBV viremia among HIV/HBV coinfected individuals on ART and its associated factors. METHOD: For this cross-sectional study, HIV/HBV-coinfected individuals, aged over 18 years, who were on ART for over six months and receiving care at an outpatient clinic in São Paulo were recruited. Sociodemographic characteristics, information about viral exposure, clinical and laboratory data, including evaluation of liver fibrosis were obtained. Plasma HBV DNA was measured by polymerase chain reaction. Viral genome sequencing was conducted for genotyping and identification of drug resistance-conferring mutations if viral load exceeded 900 IU/mL. RESULTS: Out of 2,946 patients who attended the clinic in 2015, 83 were eligible and 56 evaluated. Plasma HBV DNA was detected in 16 (28.6%) (95% CI: 18.0-41.3%), all on lamivudine and tenofovir treatment. HBV DNA detection was associated with lower education (p = 0.015), higher international normalized ratios (p = 0.045), history of an AIDS-defining illness [OR: 3.43 (95% CI: 1.10-11.50)], and HBeAg detection [OR: 6.60 (95% CI: 1.84-23.6)]. In contrast, a last CD4+ count above 500 cells/mm3 in the year prior to inclusion [OR: 0.18 (95% CI: 0.04-0.71)] and detection of anti-HBe [OR: 0.21 (95% CI: 0.04-0.99)] were negatively associated. Patients with HBV DNA above 900 IU/mL were infected with subgenotypes A1 (n = 3) and D2 (n = 1), and exhibited viral mutations associated with total resistance to lamivudine and partial resistance to entecavir. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being on ART, a significant proportion of HIV/HBV-coinfected individuals present HBV viremia. Characterization of factors that are associated with this finding may help professionals provide better management to these patients.

Zika virus infection among symptomatic patients from two healthcare centers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil: prevalence, clinical characteristics, viral detection in body fluids and serodynamics.

Zika virus (ZIKV) clinical presentation and frequency/duration of shedding need further clarification. Symptomatic ZIKV-infected individuals identified in two hospitals in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were investigated regarding clinical characteristics, shedding in body fluids, and serodynamics. Ninety-four of 235 symptomatic patients (Site A: 58%; Site B: 16%) had Real-Time PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection; fever, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms were less frequent, and rash was more frequent compared to ZIKV-negative patients. Real-Time PCR in serum had worse performance compared to plasma, while urine had the highest sensitivity. Shedding in genital fluids and saliva was rare. IgM positivity was the highest <14 days after the symptoms onset (86%), decreasing >28 days (24%); IgG positivity increased >14 days (96%) remaining positive in 94% of patients >28 days. ZIKV prevalence varied importantly in two neighboring cities during the same transmission season. Urine Real-Time PCR can improve diagnostic sensitivity; serum testing is less useful. Accurate serological tests are needed to improve diagnosis and surveillance.

Absence of Plasmodium falciparum K13 Propeller Domain Polymorphisms among Field Isolates Collected from the Brazilian Amazon Basin between 1984 and 2011.

Artemisinin resistance, presently confined to Southeast Asia and associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum K13 (PfK13) propeller domain, represents a serious threat to global malaria control. This study aimed to provide baseline information for future artemisinin resistance surveillance, by analyzing the PfK13 propeller domain in P. falciparum field isolates collected from the Brazilian Amazon Basin between 1984 and 2011. A total of 152 P. falciparum mono-infections were assessed, of which 118 (78%) were collected before and 34 (22%) after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2006. An 849-base pair fragment encoding the PfK13 propeller was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequenced in both directions. The sequences were compared with the reference sequence of P. falciparum 3D7. All samples showed wild-type sequences, thus, no mutations were observed. The results are in agreement with other recent reports and do not provide evidence for presence of PfK13 propeller domain polymorphisms associated with artemisinin resistance among P. falciparum field isolates in the Brazilian Amazon Basin neither before nor after the implementation of ACT.

Potential effect of Zika virus infection on human male fertility?

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission and prolonged viral shedding in semen have been previously reported, suggesting a strong viral affinity for genital tissues. A transient impact of ZIKV on male fertility was shown in animal and human studies. METHODS: Adult male patients with confirmed ZIKV infection diagnosed in the city of Araraquara, Brazil during the epidemic season of 2016 were invited one year after the acute infection to respond to a questionnaire of genital symptoms and to provide a semen sample for molecular ZIKV testing and spermogram analysis, as well as a serum sample for hormonal testing. RESULTS: 101 of 187 tested patients had positive ZIKV RT-PCR in plasma and/or urine samples (54%, 72 women and 29 men). Of 15 adult male participants for whom telephone contact was successful, 14 responded to the questionnaire of genital symptoms and six consented to provide a semen sample at a median of 12 months after the acute infection. We report abnormal spermogram results from patients one year after confirmed ZIKV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a possible long-term detrimental effect of ZIKV infection on human male fertility that has to be further explored in well-characterized samples from cohort studies conducted in ZIKV-endemic areas.

Gender differences in survival in an HIV/AIDS cohort from São Paulo, Brazil.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy accounted for significant improvement in AIDS prognosis. However, in areas where access to antiretrovirals is universal, the impact of treatment might have been less remarkable among women. To compare survival between men and women living with HIV, we studied a retrospective cohort of 1072 patients who attended a Brazilian reference center. Time to AIDS-related death was the dependent variable. Medical charts were reviewed to obtain sociodemographic data, clinical, and laboratory outcomes. Cumulative survival probability was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and hazard ratios by Cox proportional hazards model. At admission, 55% of men and 38% of women had AIDS. Ninety-one AIDS-related deaths occurred in 6004 person-years of follow-up (PYFU). After adjustment for antiretroviral therapy, predictors of death included: female gender (p = 0.02), age at HIV diagnosis (p = 0.005), lowest CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm(3) (p < 0.001) and highest viral load greater than 100,000 copies per milliliter during follow-up (p = 0.007), having an AIDS-defining illness before admission or during follow-up (p < 0.001). We provide evidence that women have benefited less from care, though admitted to the clinic at earlier stages of HIV disease and offered standardised therapeutic interventions. However, the reasons for such gender differences in survival still remain unclear. Further studies are thus warranted to help recognize factors associated to a higher vulnerability in care among women, what may help establish strategies to enhance care for all people living with HIV and for women, in particular.

[Gender differences among persons with HIV admitted to a university reference center in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Diferenças de gênero ao acolhimento de pessoas vivendo com HIV em serviço universitário de referência de São Paulo, Brasil.

The number of women living with HIV has increased in Brazil, demanding special attention to women's needs. To evaluate gender differences at an HIV reference center in São Paulo, 1,072 patient medical records from 1998 and 2002 were reviewed. As compared to male counterparts, women tended to be younger and have less schooling, and higher proportions of women were married and heterosexual. Thirty-six percent of women had undergone HIV testing because of an HIV+ partner. In contrast, 43% of men had undergone testing because of AIDS symptoms. At admission, 55% of men and 38% of women had an AIDS diagnosis. Women presented higher CD4+ cell counts and a higher proportion of undetectable HIV viral loads. No difference in access to antiretroviral therapy was seen after stratification for clinical status. Although the observed gender differences in socio-demographic characteristics emphasize women's social vulnerability to HIV, as compared to men, women in this cohort sought specialized care at earlier stages of infection. Knowledge about particular gender characteristics at admission to a reference center may contribute to organizing services delivery, improving care, and maximizing benefits.

Non-radioisotope detection of pol sequences of HTLV-1 proviral DNA: Standardisation and sensitivity analysis.

Proviral DNA amplification methods may be used for identification of HTLV-1 infection or in basic virology research. Published standardised methods in this regard usually depend on hybridisation of PCR products with radioisotope-labelled probes. However, this procedure has limited use in routine testing, due to environmental and health risks. The aim was to assess the feasibility of routine use and the accuracy of an alternative detection system that employs an HTLV-1-specific enzyme-labelled probe. For this purpose DNA was extracted from MT-2 cells, quantified and submitted to serial dilution (1:10), starting from 1.2 microg of genomic DNA. Primary and nested PCR amplifications of pol sequences of the HTLV-1 genome were carried out with standardised primers (SK110/111 and POL1.1/3.1). After Southern blotting, two different detection systems were compared, consisting of hybridisation with either 32P- or alkaline phosphatase-labelled SK112 probes. Both detection systems yielded similar results, detecting PCR products generated from 120 pg of DNA (genomic DNA amount equivalent to 20 diploid human cells) after primary and nested PCR. The alkaline phosphatase-labelled detection technique was feasible for the diagnosis of HTLV-1 with the advantage of precluding the handling of radioisotopes.

Low prevalence of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus and hepatitis C virus among patients with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Brazilian Amazon basin.

Comorbidities in human immunodeficiency virus infection are of great interest due to their association with unfavorable outcomes and failure of antiretroviral therapy. This study evaluated the prevalence of coinfection by human immunodeficiency virus and viral hepatitis in an endemic area for hepatitis B in the Western Amazon basin. Serological markers for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis D virus were tested in a consecutive sample of all patients referred for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The variables sex, age, origin and exposure category were obtained from medical records and from the sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome surveillance database. Among 704 subjects, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B carriage was 6.4% and past infection 40.2%. The presence of hepatitis B was associated with birth in hyperendemic areas of the Amazon basin, male sex and illegal drug use. The overall prevalence of hepatitis C was 5% and was associated with illegal drug use. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C among human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients in the Western Amazon basin was lower than seen elsewhere and is probably associated with the local epidemiology of these viruses and the degree of overlap of their shared risk factors. An opportunity presents itself to evaluate the prevention of hepatitis C through harm reduction policies and hepatitis B through vaccination programs among human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

Multicomponent physical activity program to prevent body changes and metabolic disturbances associated with antiretroviral therapy and improve quality of life of people living with HIV: a pragmatic trial

OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLH) includes the promotion of healthier habits, including physical activity (PA). This study aimed to describe a multicomponent pragmatic trial protocol to assess the effect of PA in preventing body changes and metabolic disturbances, improving the quality of life of PLH starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) and present cohort characteristics. METHODS: PLH undergoing ART for ≤4 months were recruited for a randomized trial. The intervention comprised three cardiorespiratory and/or strength training sessions per week at the clinic or in public spaces for 6 months under on-site or remote supervision, and educational sessions. Participants' PA levels, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometric measures, strength, flexibility, quality of life, and laboratory monitoring (blood glucose and lipids, CD4 counts) at baseline and post-intervention will be compared. The pragmatic design aims to enable the assessment of intervention effectiveness in real-life conditions. RESULTS: At baseline, our cohort of 38 recently diagnosed patients (mean time since HIV diagnosis and duration of ART were 3 and 2.58 months, respectively) were predominantly male, young, with high schooling and good immune status (median CD4 count=498 cells/mm3). Twenty-two (57.9%) patients reported a PA below the World Health Organization recommendations. We found baseline normal anthropometric measures and metabolic parameters: below-average trunk flexion and elbow extension strength, poor handgrip strength and flexibility, and high quality of life scores in all except the physical domain. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how effective PA is in preventing body changes and metabolic disturbances, and in improving the quality of PLH starting ART may help establish guidelines to better incorporate PA in HIV care.