Living conditions, HIV and gender affirmation care pathways of transgender people living with HIV in France: a nationwide, comprehensive, cross-sectional, community-based research protocol (ANRS Trans&HIV).

INTRODUCTION: Transgender identity is poorly accepted in France, and data on living conditions and the daily difficulties transgender people encounter are scarce. This lack of data reinforces their invisibility in social life, contributes to their stigmatisation and probably increases the burden of HIV infection, especially for HIV-positive transgender people (TRHIV). The main objective of the community-based research study ANRS Trans&HIV is to identify personal and social situations of vulnerability in TRHIV, the obstacles they encounter in terms of access to and retention in medical care, and their gender affirmation and HIV care needs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ANRS Trans&HIV is a national, comprehensive, cross-sectional survey of all TRHIV currently being followed in HIV care units in France. TRHIV women are exclusively included in the quantitative component, and TRHIV men in the qualitative component. Data are collected by community-based interviewers and will be analysed to explore patient care pathways and living conditions in the TRHIV population with regard to gender affirmation and HIV. Data collection began in October 2020 and should be completed in December 2021. The statistical analyses techniques used will be adapted to each of the study's objectives and to the type of data collected (cross-sectional (questionnaires) and retrospective (biographical trajectory)). The study's results will provide a greater understanding of TRHIV health needs in order to suggest possible national recommendations for comprehensive HIV and gender affirmation medical care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: ANRS Trans&HIV was approved by Inserm's Ethical Evaluation Committee (no 20-694 on 12 May 2020) and is registered with the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty under number 2518030720. Potential participants are informed about the study through an information note provided by their attending HIV physician. All results published in peer-reviewed journals will be disseminated to the HIV transgender community, institutional stakeholders and healthcare providers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04849767.

Pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP) among transgender women: 3 years of follow-up in a university hospital in Paris.

OBJECTIVES: The principal outcome was to describe clinical characteristics of a transgender male-to-female (TGW) cohort followed for pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP). INTRODUCTION: Few efforts and preventive interventions have targeted transgender population, despite them being at great risk of HIV infection. METHODS: This was a retrospective transgender male-to-female (TGW) cohort followed for PrEP at Bichat Hospital Sexual Health Clinic between February 2016 and January 2019.The principal outcome was to describe clinical characteristics of this TGW population: modalities of PrEP uptake, treatment adherence and tolerance, sanitary system retention, hormonal therapy and STIs.Data about age, ethnicity, language, sex work and sanitary healthcare insurance coverage were also collected. RESULTS: Forty-nine TGW were included, with a median age of 33 years; 43/49 (87.7%) were from South America and 43/49 (87.7%) were sex workers. Forty-four 44/49 TGW (89.7%) had no regular healthcare insurance coverage. Nineteen out of 49 (38.7%) had a history of STI in the last 12 months. Hormone intake was reported in 16/49 (32.60%). PrEP with oral TDF/FTC was prescribed on a daily basis for 45/49 TG (91.8%). Two TGW discontinued PrEP for gastrointestinal intolerance. No case of renal toxicity or HIV seroconversion has been reported. Retention rate was high (71.4%), but average follow-up was 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a very vulnerable population, with a high proportion of migrants, sex workers and with a low healthcare insurance coverage. Retention rate was high (71.4%). Further multi-component interventions are needed to improve global sex health approach, PreP follow-up and sanitary system retention among TGW population.

Vagino-rectal colonization prevalence by Streptococcus agalactiae and its susceptibility profile in pregnant women attending a third-level hospital / Prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por Streptococcus agalactiae y su perfil de sensibilidad en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae is the main etiological agent causing invasive infection of the newborn with symptoms that may be associated with septicemia, pneumonia or meningitis and prevalences up to 50% worldwide where there is an increase in antibiotic resistance. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vagino-rectal colonization by S. agalactiae and its sensitivity profile in pregnant women attending a third-level hospital. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty one pregnant women were sampled by vaginal and rectal swabs. The cultures were carried out following the methodology recommended by the CDC, and chromID Strepto B agar was added. The suggestive colonies were identified biochemically and the sensitivity profiles according to CLSI were determined. As control, S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and S. agalactiae ATCC 12403 were used. Results: Pregnant colonization prevalence by S. agalactiae was 20.66%, with a total of 40 isolates of which 12.5% were non-sensitivity to penicillin. Sensitivity to levofloxacin, clindamycin and erythromycin was 100%, 92.5% y 87.5%, respectively, with the phenotypes iMLSB (3/40) and M (2/40). No sensitivity to tetracycline was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of vagino-rectal colonization by S. agalactiae in the study population was 20.66%, obtaining isolates not sensitive to penicillin and resistance to macrolides and lincosamidas by the Kirby-Bauer technique, so the importance of carrying out active active in pregnant women colonized by Streptococcus agalactiae and to perform constant epidemiological surveillance to detect changes in the sensitivity profiles of the isolates.

Introducción. Streptococcus agalactiae es el principal agente etiológico causante de infección invasiva del recién nacido con cuadros clínicos que pueden cursar con septicemia, neumonía o meningitis con prevalencias hasta del 50 % a nivel mundial, donde se viene presentando un incremento en su resistencia antibiótica. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por S. agalactiae y su perfil de sensibilidad, en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel. Materiales y métodos. Se muestrearon 121 mujeres gestantes mediante hisopado vaginal y rectal. Los cultivos se desarrollaron siguiendo la metodología recomendada por los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) y se agregó el agar chromID Strepto B. Las colonias sugestivas se identificaron bioquímicamente y se determinaron los perfiles de sensibilidad según el Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Resultados. La prevalencia de colonización por S. agalactiae en las mujeres gestantes fue del 20,66 %. Se obtuvieron 40 aislamientos del total de muestras analizadas, de los cuales, el 12,5 % no presentó sensibilidad a la penicilina. La sensibilidad a la levofloxacina, la clindamicina y la eritromicina fue de 100 %, 92,5 % y 87,5 %, respectivamente; no se encontró sensibilidad a la tetraciclina. El fenotipo iMLSB se encontró en tres y, el M, en dos de los 40 aislamientos. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por S. agalactiae en la población de estudio, fue de 20,66 %. Se obtuvieron aislamientos no sensibles a la penicilina, y con resistencia a los macrólidos y las lincosamidas mediante el método de Kirby-Bauer. Por ello, es importante la búsqueda activa en las mujeres gestantes colonizadas por estreptococos del grupo B y la vigilancia epidemiológica constante para detectar cambios en los perfiles de sensibilidad de los aislamientos.

Prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por Streptococcus agalactiae y su perfil de sensibilidad en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel / Vagino-rectal colonization prevalence by Streptococcus agalactiae and its susceptibility profile in pregnant women attending a third-level hospital

Introducción. Streptococcus agalactiae es el principal agente etiológico causante de infección invasiva del recién nacido con cuadros clínicos que pueden cursar con septicemia, neumonía o meningitis con prevalencias hasta del 50 % a nivel mundial, donde se viene presentando un incremento en su resistencia antibiótica. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por S. agalactiae y su perfil de sensibilidad, en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel. Materiales y métodos. Se muestrearon 121 mujeres gestantes mediante hisopado vaginal y rectal. Los cultivos se desarrollaron siguiendo la metodología recomendada por los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) y se agregó el agar chromID Strepto B. Las colonias sugestivas se identificaron bioquímicamente y se determinaron los perfiles de sensibilidad según el Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Resultados. La prevalencia de colonización por S. agalactiae en las mujeres gestantes fue del 20,66 %. Se obtuvieron 40 aislamientos del total de muestras analizadas, de los cuales, el 12,5 % no presentó sensibilidad a la penicilina. La sensibilidad a la levofloxacina, la clindamicina y la eritromicina fue de 100 %, 92,5 % y 87,5 %, respectivamente; no se encontró sensibilidad a la tetraciclina. El fenotipo iMLSB se encontró en tres y, el M, en dos de los 40 aislamientos. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de colonización vaginorrectal por S. agalactiae en la población de estudio, fue de 20,66 %. Se obtuvieron aislamientos no sensibles a la penicilina, y con resistencia a los macrólidos y las lincosamidas mediante el método de Kirby-Bauer. Por ello, es importante la búsqueda activa en las mujeres gestantes colonizadas por estreptococos del grupo B y la vigilancia epidemiológica constante para detectar cambios en los perfiles de sensibilidad de los aislamientos.

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae is the main etiological agent causing invasive infection of the newborn with symptoms that may be associated with septicemia, pneumonia or meningitis and prevalences up to 50% worldwide where there is an increase in antibiotic resistance. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vagino-rectal colonization by S. agalactiae and its sensitivity profile in pregnant women attending a third-level hospital. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty one pregnant women were sampled by vaginal and rectal swabs. The cultures were carried out following the methodology recommended by the CDC, and chromID Strepto B agar was added. The suggestive colonies were identified biochemically and the sensitivity profiles according to CLSI were determined. As control, S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and S. agalactiae ATCC 12403 were used. Results: Pregnant colonization prevalence by S. agalactiae was 20.66%, with a total of 40 isolates of which 12.5% were non-sensitivity to penicillin. Sensitivity to levofloxacin, clindamycin and erythromycin was 100%, 92.5% y 87.5%, respectively, with the phenotypes iMLSB (3/40) and M (2/40). No sensitivity to tetracycline was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of vagino-rectal colonization by S. agalactiae in the study population was 20.66%, obtaining isolates not sensitive to penicillin and resistance to macrolides and lincosamidas by the Kirby-Bauer technique, so the importance of carrying out active active in pregnant women colonized by Streptococcus agalactiae and to perform constant epidemiological surveillance to detect changes in the sensitivity profiles of the isolates.

Comparison of seven diagnostic tests to detect Trypanosoma cruzi infection in patients in chronic phase of Chagas disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of seven methods to determine Trypanosoma cruzi infection in patients with chronic Chagas disease. METHODS: Analytical study, using the case-control design, which included 205 people (patients with Chagasic cardiomyopathy, n=100; control group, n=105). Three enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, one indirect hemagglutination assay and one immunochromatographic test were assessed. Additionally, DNA amplification was performed via the PCR method using kinetoplast and nuclear DNA as target sequences. For the comparative analysis of diagnostic tests, the parameters used were sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC), positive and negative likelihood ratio, as well as κ quality analysis. RESULTS: The commercial Bioelisa Chagas test showed the highest sensitivity (98%), specificity (100%), and positive and negative predictive values; ​​additionally, it had the highest discriminatory power. Otherwise, the amplification of T. cruzi DNA in blood samples showed low values of sensitivity (kinetoplast DNA = 51%, nuclear DNA = 22%), but high values of specificity (100%), and moderate to low discriminatory ability. CONCLUSION: The comparative analysis among the different methods suggests that the diagnostic strategy of T. cruzi infection in patients with chronic Chagas disease can be performed using ELISA assays based on recombinant proteins and/or synthetic peptides, which show higher diagnosis performance and can confirm and exclude the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. The molecular methods show poor performance when used in the diagnosis of patients with chronic Chagas disease.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la capacidad diagnóstica de siete métodos para determinar infección por Trypanosoma cruzi, en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas crónica. MÉTODOS: Estudio analítico de casos y controles, que incluyó 205 personas (pacientes con miocardiopatía chagásica, n= 100; grupo control, n= 105). Se evaluaron tres inmunoensayos enzimáticos, una hemaglutinación indirecta y una inmunocromatografia. Adicionalmente, se realizó amplificación de ADN de T. cruzi por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa utilizando como secuencias diana ADN de kinetoplasto y nuclear. Para el análisis comparativo de las pruebas diagnósticas, los parámetros utilizados fueron sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivo positivo y negativo, análisis ROC, razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa, así como análisis de calidad κ. RESULTADOS: La prueba de Chagas Bioelisa mostró la mayor sensibilidad (98%), especificidad (100%) y valores predictivos positivo y negativo; además tuvo el mayor poder discriminatorio. En contraste, los ensayos de amplificación de ADN de T. cruzi mostraron baja sensibilidad (ADN de kinetoplasto = 51%, ADN nuclear = 22%), alta especificidad (100%) y de moderada a baja capacidad discriminatoria. CONCLUSIÓN: El análisis comparativo entre los métodos sugiere utilizar como estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes crónicos con enfermedad de Chagas, los ensayos de ELISA con proteínas recombinantes y/o péptidos sintéticos por mostrar un rendimiento diagnóstico superior y tener la capacidad de confirmar y descartar el diagnóstico de infección por T. cruzi. Los métodos moleculares muestran pobre rendimiento para ser utilizados en el diagnóstico de pacientes en fase crónica con enfermedad de Chagas.

Comparison of seven diagnostic tests to detect Trypanosoma cruzi infection in patients in chronic phase of Chagas disease / Comparación de siete pruebas diagnósticas para detectar infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en pacientes en fase crónica de la enfermedad de Chagas

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of seven methods to determine Trypanosoma cruzi infection in patients with chronic Chagas disease. Methods: Analytical study, using the case-control design, which included 205 people (patients with Chagasic cardiomyopathy, n= 100; control group, n= 105). Three enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, one indirect hemagglutination assay and one immunochromatographic test were assessed. Additionally, DNA amplification was performed via the PCR method using kinetoplast and nuclear DNA as target sequences. For the comparative analysis of diagnostic tests, the parameters used were sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC), positive and negative likelihood ratio, as well as κ quality analysis. Results: The commercial Bioelisa Chagas test showed the highest sensitivity (98%), specificity (100%), and positive and negative predictive values; additionally it had the highest discriminatory power. Otherwise, the amplification of T. cruzi DNA in blood samples showed low values of sensitivity (kinetoplast DNA= 51%, nuclear DNA= 22%), but high values of specificity (100%), and moderate to low discriminatory ability. Conclusion: The comparative analysis among the different methods suggests that the diagnostic strategy of T. cruzi infection in patients with chronic Chagas disease can be performed using ELISA assays based on recombinant proteins and/or synthetic peptides, which show higher diagnosis performance and can confirm and exclude the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. The molecular methods show poor performance when used in the diagnosis of patients with chronic Chagas disease.

Objetivo: Comparar la capacidad diagnóstica de siete métodos para determinar infección por Trypanosoma cruzi, en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas crónica. Métodos: Estudio analítico de casos y controles, que incluyó 205 personas (pacientes con miocardiopatía chagásica, n= 100; grupo control, n= 105). Se evaluaron tres inmunoensayos enzimáticos, una hemaglutinación indirecta y una inmunocromatografia. Adicionalmente, se realizó amplificación de ADN de T. cruzi por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa utilizando como secuencias diana ADN de kinetoplasto y nuclear. Para el análisis comparativo de las pruebas diagnósticas, los parámetros utilizados fueron sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivo positivo y negativo, análisis ROC, razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa, así como análisis de calidad κ. Resultados: La prueba Bioelisa para Chagas mostró la mayor sensibilidad (98%), especificidad (100%) y valores predictivos positivo y negativo; además ésta tuvo el mayor poder discriminatorio. En contraste, los ensayos de amplificación de ADN de T. cruzi mostraron baja sensibilidad (ADN de kinetoplasto= 51%, ADN nuclear= 22%), alta especificidad (100%) y de moderada a baja capacidad discriminatoria. Conclusión: El análisis comparativo entre los métodos sugiere utilizar como estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes crónicos con enfermedad de Chagas, los ensayos de ELISA con proteínas recombinantes y/o péptidos sintéticos por mostrar un rendimiento diagnóstico superior y tener la capacidad de confirmar y descartar el diagnóstico de infección por T. cruzi. Los métodos moleculares muestran pobre rendimiento para ser utilizados en el diagnóstico de pacientes en fase crónica con enfermedad de Chagas.

First report of plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone efflux pump QepA in Escherichia coli clinical isolate ST68, in South America.

This is the first report of the presence of qepA1 efflux pump gene in Escherichia coli clinical isolate from Argentina, which was associated to other plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants, such as aac(6')-Ib-cr and qnrB10 and also quinolone resistance determining regions mutations.

Valoración de una dieta hipercalórica en el desarrollo de osteoporosis en ratas Sprague-Dawley gonadectomizadas / Hypercalorific diet evaluation in the development of osteoporosis in gonadectomized Sprague-Dawley rats

El trabajo se inició con 34 ratas Sprague-Dawley de siete semanas de edad, de las cuales 26 se sometieron a gonadectomía bilateral para inducirles la menopausia. El grupo control quedó constituido por las restantes 8 ratas no gonadectomizadas. Para evaluar la influencia de la dieta hipercalórica en el desarrollo de osteoporosis, a 13 ratas gonadectomizadas se les suministró una dieta rica en grasa (grupo A), mientras que las otras 13 ratas (grupo B) y el grupo controlk recibieron una dieta regular. Cinco meses después de la ovariectomía, la dieta hipercalórica causó la disminución del contenido de calcio en vértebras lumbares (L3, L4 y L5), mostrándose el efecto de la dieta en cuanto a que, bajo la ingesta de los demás nutrientes, se modificó su utilización, causando una desnutrición generalizada y cooperando así con el proceso de génesis de la osteoporosis. La ovariectomía indujo cambios hormonales que favorecieron el proceso de desmineralización condicionante de osteoporosis, validándose así el modelo experimental