Trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis in HIV-infected patients.

Five cases of Trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis in HIV-infected patients are reported. All patients presented with mass lesions on head computed tomographic scan, trypanosomes in the cerebrospinal fluid and failure to respond to antitoxoplasmosis therapy. Benznidazole therapy was associated with clinical improvement in 1 patient. Another 4 patients had T cruzi identified in a peripheral smear. T cruzi needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected patients with central nervous system mass lesions if they have a history of appropriate exposure.

Sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence as predictors of HIV-related sexual risk during adulthood among female sexual partners of injection drug users.

PIP: This study explores the relationship of sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence with HIV-related sexual risk behaviors during adulthood among female sexual partners of injection drug users. It analyzed data that was gathered between 1990 and 1993, which included a sample of 2794 women from the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. 6 HIV-related sexual risk behaviors that occurred during the month prior to interview were examined; namely, number of sexual partners, number of drug-injecting sexual partners, number of sexual intercourse while high on alcohol and/or other drugs, number of times trading sex for drugs and/or money, proportion of all sexual acts involving protection, and overall HIV-related sexual risk. The results showed that more than one-third of the women (36.3%) experienced some form of sexual abuse during childhood, whereas 34.4% reported that they had been abused sexually during adolescence; 1 in 5 women (18.4%) stated being abused during both periods. The results further indicate that there is a strong link between sexual abuse victimization early in life and involvement later in life in HIV-related sexual risk behaviors. It was found out that certain forms of sexual abuse, such as forced exposure and touching of one's sexual parts were more strongly related than other forms of sexual abuse to subsequent involvement in HIV-related sexual behaviors.^ieng

[The social and economic integration of Portuguese immigrants in Brazil at the end of the nineteenth century and in the twentieth century]. / A integracao social e economica dos imigrantes portugueses no Brasil no fim do seculo XIX e no seculo XX.

"This survey of Portuguese migration to Brazil analyses the Portuguese and Brazilian statistics to determine the volume, timing and quality of Portuguese immigrants to Brazil as well as the importance of Brazil in the overall Portuguese emigration. The patterns of geographic and economic mobility for the Brazilian resident Portuguese is examined, especially for the period since 1900." The analysis suggests that "though their rapid integration into the Brazilian economy may explain their very low rates of return migration--the lowest of the major European immigrants--they were also the most endogamous of the European migrants, having relatively low rates of intermarriage with native Brazilians and other immigrants." (SUMMARY IN ENG)