Comparison of two methodologies for CD4⁺ T lymphocytes relative counting on immune monitoring of patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

Considering that counting the percentage of CD4 T lymphocytes can add prognostic information regarding patients infected with HIV, the aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage values of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes from 81 patients determined by flow cytometry and estimated by flow cytometry in conjunction with a hematology counter. Means were compared through the Student's t-test. Pearson's correlation was determined, and the agreement between results was tested by Bland-Altman. The level of significance was P < 0.05. It was found a significantly higher mean difference between the relative values of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes to the hematologic counter (P < 0.05), for all strata studied. Positive and significant correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the strata CD4 < 200 cells/mL (r = 0.93), between 200 and 500 cells/mL (r = 0.65), and >500 cells/mL (r = 0.81). The limits of agreement were 1.0 ± 3.8% for the stratum of CD4 < 200 cells/mL, approximately 2.2 ± 13.5% for the stratum of CD4 between 200 and 500 cells/mL, and approximately 6.2 ± 20.4% for the stratum > 500 cells/mL. The differences in the percentages of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes obtained by different methodologies could lead to conflict when used in clinical decisions related to the treatment and care of people infected with HIV.

Revisão integrativa: estudos sobre redução de danos voltada para população de mulheres trans e travestis / Integrative review: studies on harm reduction aimed at the population of trans women and transvestites

RESUMO Apresentam-se os achados da pesquisa da dissertação de mestrado com abordagem integrativa que objetivou revisitar as publicações com a temática LGBTQIA+ de periódicos científicos. Ao colocar, como enfoque, a estratégia de Redução de Danos (RD), a presente pesquisa objetivou identificar quais as práticas realizadas para a população trans e contextualizar como a RD pode contribuir para construção de vínculo no cuidado à saúde. Coletaram-se os dados nas bases Lilacs e SciELO. Recuperaram-se 110 artigos publicados, entre 2005 e 2020, em português. Seus resumos foram lidos na íntegra. Identificaramse sete abordagens: RD como estratégia de políticas públicas; violências vivenciadas nas trajetórias de transição percorridas pelas travestis; atendimento à população LGBTQIA+; profissionais de saúde capazes de prestar um cuidado humanizado, verdadeiramente centrado na pessoa, com escuta ativa; o cuidado a saúde e hormonização como processo de construção feminina; movimentos sociais; educação e ações afirmativas para a continuidade do estudo e colocação profissional. Assim, a pesquisa contribui para ampliar o conhecimento e a compreensão sobre a temática LGBTQIA+. As demandas específicas de travestis e transexuais em sua busca por atendimento nos serviços de saúde são explicitadas de modo a compreender como a RD pode ser estratégia de cuidado à saúde da população trans.

ABSTRACT We present the research findings of the master's thesis with an integrative approach, which aimed to revisit publications with an LGBTQIA+ theme in scientific journals. By focusing on the Harm Reduction (HR) strategy, this research aimed to identify the practices conducted for the trans population and contextualize how HR can contribute to building bonds in healthcare. Data were collected in the LILACS and SciELO databases. We retrieved 110 articles published from 2005 to 2020 in Portuguese. Their summaries were read in full. Seven approaches were identified: HR as a public policy strategy; violence experienced in the transition trajectories followed by transvestites; assistance to the LGBTQIA+ population; health professionals can provide truly person-centered, humanized care, with active listening; healthcare and hormonization as a feminine construction process; social movements; education and affirmative actions for continued study and professional placement. Thus, the research contributes to expanding knowledge and understanding about LGBTQIA+ issues. The specific demands of transvestites and transsexuals in their search for care in health services are explained in order to understand how HR can be a health care strategy for the trans population.

Changes of metabolic and inflammatory markers in HIV infection: glucose, lipids, serum Hs-CRP and myeloperoxidase.

OBJECTIVE: HIV infection is exacerbated through additional pro-atherogenic mechanisms related to the processes of immune activation, inflammation, coagulation, and the modification of lipoproteins (e.g., particles of high density lipoprotein), contributing to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the serum concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and other laboratory parameters in HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretroviral drugs compared to non-infected individuals. MATERIALS/METHODS: The study included 154 volunteers: 47 non-infected individuals (control group - CON), 27 infected and untreated individuals (NTARV group) and 80 treated individuals (TARV group). We analyzed the counts of CD4+ lymphocytes and the viral load of the infected patients, along with the blood count, fasting glucose, total serum cholesterol (CHOL), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, MPO and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) of all study participants. RESULTS: There were significant increases in glucose, CHOL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in the TARV group and significant reductions in the levels of HDL cholesterol for the TARV and NTARV groups. Significantly elevated levels of Hs-CRP were observed only in the TARV group, while levels of MPO were significantly higher in the TARV and NTARV groups compared to the control group. A correlation of MPO with Hs-CRP (r=0.21, p=0.032) was observed for HIV-infected patients, but MPO did not correlate significantly with the other analyzed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation of early biomarkers for cardiovascular risk evaluation, such as MPO, contributes to the clinical monitoring of HIV-infected individuals. The serum levels of MPO correlated with Hs-CRP and were high in HIV-infected individuals, indicating a possible predictor of cardiovascular events in these patients.