Interest in event-driven PrEP among men who have sex with men using daily PrEP in Mexico in 2019-2020: a cross-sectional assessment in a large-scale demonstration project.

This study aimed to evaluate the interest in event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) using daily PrEP in Mexico's PrEP demonstration project between 2019 and 2020. We compared participants interested or not in ED-PrEP during their first-month visit and identified associated factors. Of 1,021 MSM attending their first-month visit, 7% had previous knowledge of ED-PrEP, but 40% were interested in ED-PrEP. However, over 50% perceived the scheme as less protective than daily PrEP. Having doubts about ED-PrEP's level of protection was related to less interest in the scheme (aOR = 0.11; CI = 0.07-0.18), just like reporting perceived barriers such as having frequent sex (aOR = 0.06; CI = 0.03-0.14), unplanned sex (aOR = 0.17; CI = 0.11-0.27), forgetting the medicine (aOR = 0.06; CI = 0.03-0.12), or difficulty carrying the medicine (aOR = 0.13; CI = 0.07-0.25). Finally, reporting not taking PrEP for >20 days in the last month (aOR = 0.05; CI = 0.01-0.27) diminished interest in ED-PrEP. In conclusion, few MSM daily PrEP users knew about ED-PrEP yet many were interested in it, suggesting the importance of awareness campaigns regarding ED-PrEP's effectiveness. The lack of interest in ED-PrEP among participants with poor adherence to daily PrEP indicates that they might prefer long-acting PrEP or HIV prevention strategies without medication.

Prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B susceptibility among men who sex with men on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Northeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study conducted between September 2021 and June 2023. Participants underwent structured interviews to collect sociodemographic and clinical information, including hepatitis B vaccination history, HIV PrEP use and sexual health history. Blood samples were collected for hepatitis B serologic testing: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV surface antibody (anti-HBs), total and IgM HBV core antibody (anti-HBc). HBV susceptibility was defined as nonreactive results for all these serological markers. RESULTS: A total of 287 participants were enrolled into the study. The median age of the individuals was 31 years (interquartile range: 27; 36). HBV susceptibility was found in 58 out 286 individuals (20.3%; 95% CI: 15.9-25.2). Seventy-six percent of the participants reported completing the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine schedule. Susceptibility was significantly associated with a monthly income ≤ 5 minimum wages (PR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.01-4.05), lack of complete hepatitis B vaccination schedule (PR: 4.52; 95% CI: 2.89-7.06), initiation of HIV PrEP (PR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.21-3.94), duration of six months of HIV PrEP (PR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.19-3.91), absence of tattoos (PR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.00-2.40) and no history of sexually transmitted infections (PR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.07-2.54). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the significant burden of HBV susceptibility among MSM on HIV PrEP in Northeastern Brazil. Socioeconomic factors, vaccination status, PrEP use and sexual health behaviors play critical roles in determining susceptibility to HBV. Integrating hepatitis B screening and vaccination into PrEP services is critical for identifying and addressing HBV susceptibility among MSM. Interventions aimed at increasing vaccination coverage and promoting safer sexual practices are essential for mitigating the burden of HBV infection in this population.

Coformulated Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide for Postexposure Prophylaxis After Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Real-World Study.

We report the experience of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis in sexual assault cases. Between June 2021 and October 2023, 39 individuals completed the 28-day follow-up; 41% experienced some side effects, and 1 person discontinued the drug because of a rash. No individuals seroconverted to HIV during the follow-up period.

Implementing an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in an Oncology Center in Lima, Peru: A Model for Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Our center launched the first antimicrobial stewardship program in Peru. From 2016 to 2023, the proportion of antimicrobial prescriptions audited increased from 60% to 95%, and 65% to 95% of recommendations were accepted. Vancomycin and meropenem use dropped by 95% and 84%, respectively. The proportion of recommendations for surgical prophylaxis exceeded 90%.

Incentivizing adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: a randomized pilot trial among male sex workers in Mexico.

Low adherence to preventative medications against life-long health conditions is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. We implemented a pilot randomized controlled trial in Mexico to measure the extent to which conditional economic incentives help male sex workers increase their adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. We followed n = 110 male sex workers over 6 months. At each quarterly visit (at months 0, 3, and 6), all workers received a $10 transport reimbursement, a free 3-month PrEP supply, and completed socio-behavioral surveys. The primary outcome was an objective biomarker of medication adherence based on tenofovir (TFV) drug concentration levels in hair collected at each visit. Individuals randomized to the intervention received incentives based on a grading system as a function of PrEP adherence: those with high (> 0.043 ng/mg TFV concentration), medium (0.011 to 0.042 ng/mg), or low (< 0.011 ng/mg) adherence received $20, $10, or $0, respectively. Six-month pooled effects of incentives on PrEP adherence were analyzed using population-averaged gamma generalized estimating equation models. We estimated heterogeneous treatment effects by sex worker characteristics. The incentive intervention led to a 28.7% increase in hair antiretroviral concentration levels over 6 months consistent with increased PrEP adherence (p = 0.05). The effect of incentives on PrEP adherence was greater for male sex workers who were street-based (vs. internet) workers (p < 0.10). These pilot findings suggest that modest conditional economic incentives could be effective, at scale, for improving PrEP adherence among male sex workers, and should be tested in larger implementation trials. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03674983.

Outcomes of kidney transplant recipients exposed to Chagas disease under Benznidazole prophylaxis. A single center 10-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (ChD) is endemic in many parts of the world and can be transmitted through organ transplantation or reactivated by immunosuppression. Organs from infected donors are occasionally used for transplantation, and the best way of managing the recipients remains a subject of debate. METHODS: We present a single-center cohort study describing a 10-year experience of kidney transplantation in patients at risk of donor-derived ChD and or reactivation. Patients received prophylactic treatment with Benznidazole and were monitored for transmission or reactivation. Monitoring included assessing direct parasitemia, serology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Fifty-seven kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) were enrolled in the study. Forty-four patients (77.2%) were at risk of primary ChD infection, nine patients (15.8%) were at risk of disease reactivation, and four patients (7.0%) were at risk of both. All patients received Benznidazole prophylaxis, starting on the first day after transplantation. Parasitemia was assessed in 51 patients (89.5%), serology also in 51 patients (89.5%), and PCR in 40 patients (70.2%). None of the patients exhibited clinically or laboratory-detectable signs of disease. A single patient experienced a significant side effect, a cutaneous rash with intense pruritus. At 1-year post-transplantation, the patient and graft survival rates were 96.5% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, no donor-derived or reactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection occurred in KTRs receiving Benznidazole prophylaxis.

Oral Mucositis and Nutritional Status in Children Who Underwent Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Comparison Between Nonmalignant and Malignant Primary Diseases.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of studies analyzing the association between oral mucositis (OM) and nutritional imbalance in children during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors for OM and nutritional imbalance during HSCT in pediatric patients with nonmalignant diseases (NMD) and malignant diseases (MD). METHODS: Data on age, sex, primary disease, transplantation type, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, gastrointestinal toxicity, OM, percent body weight loss or gain, nutritional repositioning, and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively collected from the 132 medical records. The data were then compared between patients with NMD (n = 70) and MD (n = 62). RESULTS: OM had a similar severity between the groups. The primary risk factor for OM in the NMD group was the conditioning regimen with busulfan, while in the MD group it was GVHD prophylaxis with cyclosporin and methotrexate. OM did not have an impact on body weight loss or gain in any of the groups. In the NMD, body weight gain due to fluid overload was more pronounced and associated with a lower age range. OS was similar between the groups and was not affected by OM. CONCLUSIONS: OM pattern was similar in pediatric patients with or without MD, but the factors that determined these oral lesions were different. There were disparities in body weight changes between the two groups, and these changes were not associated to OM.

The rising tide of HIV among young men who have sex with men in Brazil: insights from the Conectad@s study.

Background: Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Latin America experience disproportionately high rates of HIV. While new case numbers have stabilised in other demographics, the incidence of HIV in this particular group continues to rise. We estimated the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and identified correlates of new HIV diagnoses among YMSM in Brazil. Methods: Conectad@s was a respondent-driven sampling-based study to recruit and engage YMSM in HIV prevention and treatment services in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (November 2021-October 2022). Eligibility criteria were age 18-24 years and self-identification as MSM (cis/trans) or non-binary person who have sex with men. Participants underwent HIV/STI testing and completed a socio-behavioural questionnaire. We described baseline characteristics by HIV status and used logistic regression models to identify correlates of new HIV diagnoses. Trial ID: DERR1-10.2196/34885. Findings: Among 409 participants, 370 (90.5%) self-identified as cisgender men, nine (2.2%) transgender men, and 30 (7.3%) non-binary. Median age was 21 years (IQR: 20-23), with 80 (19.6%) aged 18-19 years. Most self-identified as Black or Pardo (70.6%); 109 (26.7%) never tested for HIV. HIV prevalence was 9.8%; 50% (n = 20/40) were newly diagnosed with HIV. Only nine participants ever used PrEP and three were currently using it. Overall, 133 (32.5%) reported sexual violence in their lifetime and 102 (24.9%) reported a suicide attempt. Prevalence of active syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea were 14.4%, 15.9%, and 14.7%, respectively. New HIV diagnoses were positively associated with engaging in high-risk behaviour (aOR 4.88 [95% CI: 1.88-13.40]) and anxiety (aOR 2.67 [95% CI: 1.01-7.70]), and negatively associated with ever disclosing sexual orientation (aOR 0.19 [95% CI: 0.04-0.92]) and HIV knowledge (aOR 0.77 [95% CI: 0.59-1.01]). Interpretation: High prevalence of HIV coupled with a high proportion of new HIV diagnoses underscore a potentially growing HIV epidemic among YMSM in Brazil. Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Ministry of Health of Brazil.

Examining the Interplay Between Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Gender-Related Stigmas as Barriers for PrEP Uptake Among Transgender Women in Tijuana, Mexico: A Mixed-Methods Study.

HIV prevalence among transgender women (TW) in Tijuana, Mexico is estimated at 22%. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by > 90%, though uptake in Tijuana has been low due to limited availability. The interplay between PrEP and gender stigmas may also serve as a barrier to PrEP uptake among TW in Tijuana. Experiences of gender- and PrEP- stigmas were assessed quantitatively (Quan) among 110 HIV-negative TW and qualitatively (Qual) among 17 TW through semi-structured interviews guide by the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. Qual findings were triangulated with Quant data to identify factors that may support gender affirmation and reduce PrEP stigma in an explanatory sequential Quan → Qual fashion. Most participants were < 40 years of age (80%), while approximately half had at least a high school education (48.2%) and were accessing gender-affirming hormone therapy (56.4%). Mean expectations of gender stigma were greatest for endorsing negative future expectations from others (M = 17.69; possible range 0-36). PrEP stigma was prominent among those who associated negative stereotypes with PrEP users, such as poor judgment (M = 45.91; possible range 14-70) and high personal risk attributes (M = 28.61; possible range 12-60). While PrEP knowledge was low among the qualitative sample, participants identified gender-, PrEP-, and intersectional- stigmas as potential barriers to PrEP uptake. Participants suggested that resilience strategies used to combat gender stigma could also mitigate PrEP stigma. Enhancing resilience skills at the intersection of gender and PrEP stigma may reduce these barriers, facilitating greater PrEP uptake as it becomes more available in Mexico.

Supportive periodontal care with or without subgingival instrumentation: Microbiological results of a 2-year randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the subgingival microbiota of patients receiving supportive periodontal care (SPC) with and without subgingival instrumentation, over 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial that included 62 participants (50.97 ± 9.26 years old; 40 females) who completed non-surgical periodontal therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive oral prophylaxis with oral hygiene instructions alone (test) or in combination with subgingival instrumentation (control) during SPC. Pooled subgingival biofilm samples were obtained from four sites per patient at SPC baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for absolute quantification of Eubacteria and the target bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Data were analysed using generalized estimating equations, taking into consideration the clustering of observations within individuals. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the experimental groups regarding the mean counts of Eubacteria and target bacteria, as well as the periodontal parameters at the sampled sites. Although significant variability in bacterial counts was present during SPC, all counts after 2 years were not statistically different from those at baseline. Bacterial counts were associated with the presence of plaque, bleeding on probing, mean probing depth ≥3 mm, and follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: SPC with or without subgingival instrumentation can result in comparable subgingival microbiological outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01598155 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01598155?intr=supragingival%20control&rank=4#study-record-dates).

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.

Behind Prep Decisions: Understanding User Patterns and Discontinuation Factors in Real-World.

This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological aspects of PrEP use and barriers to accessing this prophylaxis. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2021 and April 2022, encompassing 140 PrEP users treated at the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with PrEP discontinuation were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Most PrEP users were cisgender men (92.00%), predominantly white (51.00%), over 30 years of age (56.50%), homosexual-oriented (76.50%), and had a minimum of 12 years of education (77.50%). Approximately 60.00% admitted to inconsistent condom use in recent sexual encounters, primarily involving anal intercourse. Approximately 88.00% perceived themselves as at risk of contracting STIs in the upcoming year. Regarding new presentation forms, 54.00% indicated a willingness to use "on-demand PrEP," and 92.00% expressed interest in using "injectable PrEP." After 6 months of follow-up, 43.60% (95.00% CI: 35.50-52.00) discontinued PrEP use, primarily due to changes in sexual behavior (38.30%) and difficulties accessing healthcare services (21.28%). This study underscores the need to involve diverse key populations and highlights the significance of PrEP as an ongoing monitoring strategy for HIV/STI prevention in addition to the importance of incorporating new formulations such as daily oral PrEP into the Brazilian National Health System (SUS).

Telemedicine in Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to Biological Material During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on Care and Outcome Indicators.

Introduction: The restrictions on face-to-face care for exposure to biological material during the COVID-19 pandemic required alternatives to maintain outpatient assistance. This study evaluated the impact of telemedicine on care and outcome indicators of a reference service for exposure to biological material during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This pre- and post-study compared the effectiveness of telemedicine in the Hospital Correia Picanço in Recife (Pernambuco, Brazil) before (August 2018 to January 2019 [P1]) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (August 2020 to January 2021 [P2]). Individuals above 18 years old exposed to biological material who sought the service during P1 or P2 were included in the study. Results: A total of 4,494 cases were assessed (1,997 in P1 and 2,497 in P2), mostly because of sexual exposure (62.3%). The mean age was 32.2 ± 9.2 years, most individuals were male (64.9%), originated from Recife (56.6%), and the education level was up to 12 years (53.7%). P2 presented 43% more attendances and shorter intervals between the exposure and first attendance (51%), first testing (28%), and discharge (10%) than P1 (p < 0.05), and cases had no difference in discharge rate (p = 0.339). Cases of sexual exposure had the highest dropout rate in both periods. Conclusion: Telemedicine maintained similar outcomes to face-to-face care and improved the indicators, increasing the mean monthly attendance and reducing the time between exposure and follow-up.

Concepciones de usuarios sobre nuevas vías de administración de profilaxis pre-exposición para el VIH / Users' expectations of the new pre-exposure prophylaxis for the HIV modalities

Resumen Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir las concepciones de los Hombres Gay, Hombres Bisexuales y una Mujer Transgénero que usan o quieren usar profilaxis previa a la exposición por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana oral (PrEP) sobre nuevas vías de administración. Fueron entrevistados 17 usuarios del BCN Checkpoint. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas en audio, sometidas a análisis categorial temático teniendo en cuenta la perspectiva praxeográfica. Todos están adaptados al uso de la PrEP diaria y a demanda. En relación con las nuevas vías de administración (PrEP inyección intramuscular cada dos meses; pastilla mensual; inyección subcutánea cada seis meses) todos son muy receptivos a esas posibilidades, pero les falta información sobre las especificidades de cada una de ellas y una evaluación específica de sus necesidades. Tanto la satisfacción con el uso de PrEP oral, como las expectativas sobre las nuevas vías de administración son positivas. Sin embargo, lo más importante para los/a entrevistados/a es la garantía de que tendrán seguimiento para continuar cuidando de la salud afectivo-sexual, lo que no depende del tipo de vía de administración.

Abstract This article aims to discuss the expectations of Homosexual Men, Bisexual Men and a Transgender Woman, who use or want to use an oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) about PrEP modalities. Sixteen PrEP users, who are followed up in the BCN Checkpoint, were interviewed,. The interviews were audio-recorded, subjected to thematic categorical analysis within the theoretical framework from the praxiographic perspective. They are all adapted to the use of daily oral and event-based PrEP. In relation to the new PrEP modalities (monthly pill; intramuscular injection every two months; subcutaneous injection every six months), they are all very receptive to these possibilities, but they lack information on the specificities of each and specific assessment of their needs. Comments about the use of oral PrEP are positive, and expectations regarding the new PrEP modalities are visibly high. However, the most important thing for the interviewees is the guarantee that they will have follow-up appointments to continue taking care of their affective-sexual health, which is not dependent on the type of PrEP modalities.

Navigating the controversy regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in acute variceal bleeding.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding is part of the standard of care according to most clinical guidelines. However, with recent evidence arguing against antibiotic prophylaxis, the role of this intervention has become less clear.

Community-Based Intervention for Active Detection and Provision of Single-Dose Rifampicin Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to Household Contacts of Leprosy in Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: To achieve zero leprosy cases in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, we designed a community-based active detection and provision of single-dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) to household contacts with new leprosy patients. METHODS: From July to August 2021, we assessed the current knowledge, attitude, and practices through structured interviews and focus group discussions with community representatives and health staff. This was followed by sensitization sessions, the training of health staff, and the reinforcement of referral mechanisms. Teams, including health staff and community volunteers, visited all new leprosy patients detected in 2021-2023 and household contacts. RESULTS: Among 115 community representatives, knowledge about leprosy etiology was attributed to non-biological factors (74%); fear accounted for 77%, and access to care was perceived as weak (74%), but the outlook was improved by SDR-PEP (80%). Among the 217 health staff interviewed, the programmatic barriers identified were a lack of referral feedback (67%), limited supplies for diagnosis and prevention, and ineffective training (64%). We visited 70 new patients and 258 household contacts. The median age in household contacts was 25 years old; 49% were women, 98% were eligible for SDR-PEP, and all who were eligible accepted it. Those who were non-eligible included one tuberculosis patient and six newly detected leprosy patients (23‱). CONCLUSIONS: A community-based intervention was successful in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Misbeliefs and a lack of knowledge were identified as barriers. Programmatic components should be reinforced for SDR-PEP extension.

Foregoing Preoperative Antibiotics in Clean, Implant-Based Hand Surgery Does Not Increase Postoperative Infectious Risks.

Purpose: Although data support foregoing preoperative antibiotics for outpatient, soft-tissue procedures, there is a paucity of evidence regarding antibiotics for implant-based hand procedures. The purpose of this investigation was to assess early postoperative infectious concerns for patients undergoing implant-based hand surgery, regardless of preoperative antibiotic use. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed consisting of all patients undergoing implant-based hand procedures between January 2015 and October 2021. Primary outcomes included antibiotic prescription or reoperation for infection within 90 days of surgery. Demographics (age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, and smoking status) and hand surgery procedure type were recorded. To account for differences in baseline characteristics between patients who did and did not receive preoperative antibiotics, covariate balancing was performed with subsequent weighted logistic regression models constructed to estimate the effect of no receipt of preoperative antibiotics on the need for postoperative antibiotics. In a separate logistic regression analysis, patients' baseline characteristics were evaluated together as predictors of postoperative antibiotic prescription. Results: One thousand eight hundred sixty-two unique procedures were reviewed with 1,394 meeting criteria. Two hundred thirty-six patients (16.9%) were not prescribed preoperative antibiotics. Overall, 54 (3.87%) and 69 (4.95%) patients received antibiotics within 30 and 90 days of surgery, respectively. One patient (0.07%) underwent reoperation. There were no differences in the rates of 30- and 90-day postoperative antibiotic prescriptions between the two groups. After covariant balancing of risk factors, patients not prescribed preoperative antibiotics did not display significantly higher odds of requiring postoperative antibiotics at 30 or 90 days. Logistic regression models showed male gender, temporary Kirschner wire fixation, and elevated body mass index were associated with increased postoperative antibiotics at 30 and 90 days. Conclusions: For implant-based hand procedures, there was no increased risk in postoperative antibiotic prescription or reoperation for patients who did not receive preoperative antibiotics. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Effectiveness of the pharmacological therapy to prevent post ERCP acute pancreatitis: a network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the different pharmacological agents in preventing post-ERCP acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We included clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for prophylaxis of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis. The event evaluated was acute pancreatitis. We conducted a search strategy in MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to nowadays. We reported the information in terms of relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval. We assessed the heterogeneity using the I2 test. RESULTS: We included 84 studies for analysis (30,463 patients). The mean age was 59.3 years (SD ± 7.01). Heterogeneity between studies was low (I2 = 34.4%) with no inconsistencies (p = 0.2567). Post ERCP pancreatitis was less in prophylaxis with NSAIDs (RR 0.65 95% CI [0.52 to 0.80]), aggressive hydration with Lactate Ringer (RR 0.32 95% CI [0.12-0.86]), NSAIDs + isosorbide dinitrate (RR 0.28 95% CI [0.11-0.71]) and somatostatin and analogues (RR 0.54 [0.43 to 0.68]) compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs, the Combination of NSAIDs + isosorbide dinitrate, somatostatin and analogues, and aggressive hydration with lactate ringer are pharmacological strategies that can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis when compared to placebo. More clinical trials are required to determine the effectiveness of these drugs.

Evaluating antibiotic prophylaxis adherence: Implications for surgical site infections and wound care management.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate adherence to an antibiotic prophylaxis protocol and its impact on incidence of surgical site infection (SSI). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at a teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, from September to November 2015. The population were adults who underwent surgery with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. The main outcomes measured were incidence of SSI at 30-days postoperatively, protocol adherence and surgical wound complications. STROBE guidelines were followed. RESULTS: Among the 527 participants recruited, a 30-day follow-up was completed by 78.7 % (n = 415). Within this cohort, 57.6 % were females aged over 60 years (36.4 %). The incidence of SSI stood at 9.4 % (n = 39), with dehiscence being the most prevalent complication at 64.1 % (n = 25), followed by increased exudate at 51.3 % (n = 20). Notably, full adherence to the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol was low at 1.7 % (n = 7). The study observed a 60 % increased risk of SSI for every protocol mistake made. Alarmingly, 17.8 % (n = 74) of participants received antibiotic treatment exceeding the stipulated protocol duration. The overall mortality rate stood at 13.5 % (n = 56), with 1 % (n = 4) of these deaths attributed to SSI. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing global necessity to enhance antibiotic management, as underscored by this study's revelation of low adherence to the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol. This lack of adherence correlated with a notable incidence of SSI and subsequent wound complications. Nearly 20 % of participants received prolonged antibiotic treatment. Adhering strictly to the protocol could substantially impact SSI-related outcomes and enhance global antibiotic management.

Demographic, socioeconomic, and health structure factors associated with the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Brazil: A nationwide ecological study.

Aims: To assess the cumulative rate of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Brazil since its 2018 implementation and to analyze the association between PrEP usage and state-level structural factors. Methods: A nationwide ecological study from 2018 to 2022 was conducted, examining the 5-year cumulative rate of PrEP users in relation to demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare infrastructure variables. Multiple linear regression analysis identified significant predictors of PrEP utilization. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 124,796 individuals used PrEP, with a cumulative rate of 61.5 per 100,000 population. The highest usage was in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina, while the lowest was in Distrito Federal, Maranhão, and Alagoas. Regression analysis showed that higher PrEP usage was associated with lower population density, a younger median age, a lower male to female ratio, and reduced social vulnerability. Additionally, PrEP usage was positively associated with the density of medical doctors and the number of dispensing units. Conclusions: The study reveals significant regional disparities in PrEP usage across Brazil, influenced by socioeconomic and healthcare factors. It highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to enhance PrEP access and uptake, especially in socially vulnerable regions.