The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers and socio-demographic risk factors in HIV-infected patients in Southern Brazil

Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are two of the world's most important infectious diseases. Our objective was to determine the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) prevalences among adult HIV-infected patients and identify the associations between socio-demographic variables and these HBV infection markers. Methods This study was performed from October 2012 to March 2013. Three hundred HIV-seropositive patients were monitored by the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of Professor Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago University Hospital, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The blood tests included HBsAg, anti-HBc immunoglobulin M (IgM) and total anti-HBc. Patients reported their HIV viral loads and CD4+ T-cell counts using a questionnaire designed to collect sociodemographic data. Results The mean patient age was 44.6 years, the mean CD4 T-cell count was 525/mm3, the mean time since beginning antiretroviral therapy was 7.6 years, and the mean time since HIV diagnosis was 9.6 years. The overall prevalences of HBsAg and total anti-HBc were 2.3% and 29.3%, respectively. Among the individuals analyzed, 0.3% were positive for HBsAg, 27.3% were positive for total anti-HBc, and 2.0% were positive either for HBsAg or total anti-HBc and were classified as chronically HBV-infected. Furthermore, 70.3% of the patients were classified as never having been infected. Male gender, age >40 years and Caucasian ethnicity were associated with an anti-HBc positive test. Conclusions The results showed an intermediate prevalence of HBsAg among the studied patients. Moreover, the associations between the anti-HBc marker and socio-demographic factors suggest a need for HBV immunization among these HIV-positive individuals, who are likely to have HIV/HBV coinfection. .

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies in blood donors in southern, Brazil / Soroprevalência de anticorpos contra citomegalovírus em doadores de sangue do Sul do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a matter of concern for blood bank professionals and blood transfusion recipients, especially in cases of transfusions to neonates and immunocompromised patients. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CMV IgG and IgM antibodies among blood donors in the city of Lages, in the mountain region of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and to investigate possible associations between the socioeconomic characteristics of donors and CMV serological status. METHODS: A seroepidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,045 blood samples from donors that were used in serological screening over a one-year investigation. All the analyses were conducted using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay with Biokit® reagents (Barcelona, Spain), in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: Anti-CMV IgG seroprevalence in the sample studied was 96.4 percent (95 percent CI: 95.23 - 97.50) and that of anti-CMV IgM was 2.3 percent (95 percent CI: 1.39 - 3.20). There were no statistically significant associations between the presence of antibodies and the socioeconomic characteristics of donors. CONCLUSIONS: The blood donors in the study region had high seroprevalence of anti-CMV IgG. Thus, blood component screening strategies and careful indication for blood transfusions require special attention among healthcare professionals as part of the actions for prevention and reduction of primary infections caused by CMV.

INTRODUÇÃO: A infecção pelo citomegalovírus representa uma preocupação para os profissionais de bancos de sangue e para receptores de transfusões sanguíneas, especialmente em casos de transfusões para neonatos e pacientes imunocomprometidos. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência de anticorpos IgG e IgM contra CMV em doadores de sangue da Cidade de Lages, Região Serrana de Santa Catarina, Sul do Brazil e investigar possíveis associações entre as características socioeconômicas dos doadores e a sorologia para CMV. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo soroepidemiológico, transversal, conduzido com 1.045 amostras de sangue de doadores utilizadas na triagem sorológica durante um ano de investigação. Todas as análises foram conduzidas em ensaio imunoenzimático de micropartículas com reagentes Biokit® (Barcelona, Espanha), de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. RESULTADOS: A soroprevalência de IgG antiCMV na amostra estudada foi de 96,4 por cento (IC 95 por cento 95,23 - 97,50) e de IgM antiCMV foi de 2,3 por cento (IC 95 por cento 1,39 - 3,20). Não houve associação significativa entre a presença de anticorpos e as características socioeconômicas dos doadores. CONCLUSÕES: Os doadores de sangue da região estudada apresentaram uma alta soroprevalência de IgG antiCMV, e assim, estratégias de triagem de hemocomponentes e a indicação criteriosa de transfusões sanguíneas requerem atenção especial dos profissionais da saúde como parte das ações de prevenção e redução da infecção primária pelo CMV.