Seroprevalence of viral transfusion transmissible infections (HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, Syphilis) and coinfection among healthy volunteer blood donors during 5-years in Luanda, Angola.

BACKGROUND: The transmission of diseases by blood products continues to be a worldwide health problem, especially in Africa. Seroprevalence rates of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis, and Coinfection in Angola are poorly documented. This study aims to identify the seroprevalence of markers with positive results for Hepatitis B, C, HIV, Syphilis, and Coinfection in blood donors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using a database of positive serological markers for these infections and coinfection in 2734 blood donors traced from 2011 to 2016 in Luanda, Angola. The Chi-Square test (χ2) or Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate serological positivity and donors' characteristics. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 2734 blood donors aged 18 to 64 (median age 32 ± 9) were screened from 2011 to 2016. 73.9 % of the donors were positive for one Transfusion-Transmitted Infection (TTI), and 5.9 % showed evidence of multiple infections. The overall seroprevalence rate was 50.2 % (1373) for HBV, 20 % (436) for Syphilis, 7 % (191) for HIV, 5.1 % (140) for HCV, and 5.8 % for coinfected donors. 2467 (90 %) were men, and 267 (10 %) were women. We identified 118 (5.8 %) coinfected donors. Of those, 40 (33.9 %) simultaneously presented Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)/Syphilis, 24 (20.3 %) HBsAg/HIV, 22 (18.6 %) HBsAg/HCV, 20 (16.9 %) HIV/Syphilis, 8 (6.8 %) HCV/Syphilis, and 4 (3.4 %) HIV/HCV. CONCLUSION: A high transfusion-transmissible infection prevalence was found compared to some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, intensifying the screening for these transfusion-transmitted infections in blood donors is critical to ensure blood safety.

Seroprevalence of viral transfusion transmissible infections (HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, Syphilis) and coinfection among healthy volunteer blood donors during 5-years in Luanda, Angola

Abstract Background The transmission of diseases by blood products continues to be a worldwide health problem, especially in Africa. Seroprevalence rates of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis, and Coinfection in Angola are poorly documented. This study aims to identify the seroprevalence of markers with positive results for Hepatitis B, C, HIV, Syphilis, and Coinfection in blood donors. Material and methods A retrospective study was conducted using a database of positive serological markers for these infections and coinfection in 2734 blood donors traced from 2011 to 2016 in Luanda, Angola. The Chi-Square test (χ2) or Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate serological positivity and donors' characteristics. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 2734 blood donors aged 18 to 64 (median age 32 ± 9) were screened from 2011 to 2016. 73.9 % of the donors were positive for one Transfusion-Transmitted Infection (TTI), and 5.9 % showed evidence of multiple infections. The overall seroprevalence rate was 50.2 % (1373) for HBV, 20 % (436) for Syphilis, 7 % (191) for HIV, 5.1 % (140) for HCV, and 5.8 % for coinfected donors. 2467 (90 %) were men, and 267 (10 %) were women. We identified 118 (5.8 %) coinfected donors. Of those, 40 (33.9 %) simultaneously presented Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)/Syphilis, 24 (20.3 %) HBsAg/HIV, 22 (18.6 %) HBsAg/HCV, 20 (16.9 %) HIV/Syphilis, 8 (6.8 %) HCV/Syphilis, and 4 (3.4 %) HIV/HCV. Conclusion A high transfusion-transmissible infection prevalence was found compared to some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, intensifying the screening for these transfusion-transmitted infections in blood donors is critical to ensure blood safety.

Criptococosis meníngea en anciana con sida: presentación de caso / Meningeal cryptococcosis: presentation of a case

Fundamento: La criptococosis meníngea es una enfermedad oportunista que resurge en las últimas décadas, asociada a la inmunodepresión. Esta patología puede ser ignorada y no diagnosticarse si no existe el conocimiento y la sospecha de su presencia, y debido a esto confundirse con otras causas de meningoencefalitis lo que favorece errores de terapéutica, impide la curación, y provoca complicaciones o la muerte en los casos más severos. Presentación de caso: Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 75 años, de raza negra, con antecedentes de paludismo que acude a consulta por pérdida de la sensibilidad y la motilidad y cefalea. Se le diagnosticó criptococosis meníngea y sida con el estudio del líquido cefalorraquídeo y las diferentes pruebas para VIH. Recibió tratamiento médico con antimicóticos y antirretrovirales Conclusiones: El diagnóstico certero más la combinación de medicamentos antimicóticos y antirretrovirales fueron la base del éxito para salvar la vida de esta paciente y la regresión de la mayoría de los síntomas neurológicos(AU)

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic disease that re-emerged in recent decades, associated with immunosuppression. This disease can be ignored and undiagnosed if one does not have the knowledge and suspicion of its presence, a situation that causes confusion with other causes of meningitis and brings about therapeutic errors, prevents healing and causes complications or death in severe cases. Case presentation: A female black patient 75 year-old patient with a history of malaria comes to consultation due to loss of sensitivity and motility, and headache. She had diagnoses of AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis through the study of cerebrospinal fluid and various tests to detect HIV. Treatment with antifungal and antiretroviral drugs was prescribed. Conclusions: An accurate diagnosis and the combination of antifungal and antiretroviral drugs were effective in saving the patients life and regressing most of her neurological symptoms(AU)