High rates of serum selenium deficiency among HIV- and HCV-infected and uninfected drug users in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of low serum Se and determine whether HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or the types of drugs used are associated with serum Se in a cohort of infected and uninfected drug users. DESIGN: Independent correlates of low serum Se levels based on data collected from food recalls, physical examinations and clinical questionnaires were identified using multivariate regression analysis. SETTING: Buenos Aires, Argentina SUBJECTS: A total of 205 (twenty-five female and 180 male) former and current drug users. RESULTS: Drug users had an average serum Se level of 69·8 (sd 32·8) µg/d, [corrected] and 82 % were considered deficient (<85 µg/l). [corrected] Multivariate analyses found that HIV- and/or HCV-infected individuals had lower mean Se compared with healthy, uninfected drug users (HIV/HCV co-infection: -25·3 µg/l (se 7·6), P = 0·001; HIV alone: -28·9 µg/l (se 6·9), P < 0·001; HCV alone: -19·4 µg/l (se 7·1), P = 0·006). Current and previous drug use was associated with higher serum Se. Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were not found to be associated with Se status. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum Se levels are highly prevalent among drug users in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se supplementation and/or dietary interventions may be warranted in drug users who are at high risk for HIV and/or HCV infection.

Sexual behavior and HBV infection among noninjecting cocaine users (NICUs).

The aim is to estimate HBV prevalence and the associated risks among noninjecting cocaine users (NICUs). In 2002-2003, a total of 824 NICUs from Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Serologic tests were carried out for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), syphilis, and others. The population was divided into two serologic groups: HBV-infected and seronegative group. Univariate and binary logistic model were developed. The results seem to indicate that, among NICUs, HBV is transmitted through sexual contact. Prevention measures, including vaccine, are needed in order to control and minimize risks. The study's limitations are noted.

Multiple infections and associated risk factors among non-injecting cocaine users in Argentina.

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV, core antibody), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections and analyze associated risk factors among 504 non-injecting cocaine users (NICU) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participants were interviewed in face-to-face sessions through a short structured questionnaire. Using venipuncture, 10 mL of blood was collected. Seroprevalence rates were: HIV (6.3%), HBV (9%), HCV (7.5%), and VDRL (4.2%). The risk of being infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV was significantly associated with having had a sex partner who was either a drug injector or who was known to be HIV positive. HIV and HCV infections were associated with former imprisonment, and HCV was associated with having been tattooed. Because of the rising number of NICU and the multiple infections detected, it is essential to implement prevention strategies focused on this population.

Cholesterol Levels in HIV- and/or HCV-Infected Drug Users Living in Argentina.

Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons in Argentina will guide optimal antiretroviral therapy. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Argentina to describe associations between HIV, HCV, and cholesterol. Of the 202 participants, 21 were HIV infected, 15 were HCV infected, 46 were HIV/HCV coinfected, and 120 were HIV/HCV uninfected. HIV/HCV-uninfected participants had the highest total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Multivariate modeling revealed that HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had the lowest TC levels (-28.7 mg/dL, P < .001) compared to the HIV/HCV-uninfected reference group. Hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV coinfection were associated with lower LDL levels (-21.4 mg/dL, P = .001 and -20.3 mg/dL, P < .0001, respectively). HIV and HIV/HCV coinfection, but not HCV alone, were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels (-9.1 mg/dL, P = .0008 and -6.8 mg/dL, P = .0006, respectively). Further study is needed to examine whether the more favorable lipid profile observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

[Echocardiographic detection of heart valvular disease in cocaine addict patients]. / Detección ecocardiográfica de alteraciones valvulares cardíacas en pacientes adictos a cocaína.

Intravenous drug-addiction is one of the susceptible factors for the development of infectious endocarditis and cocaine, especially when administered intravenously, can produce damage at the level of the valvular endothelium. We have studied a group of cocaine addicts to evaluate the possible existence of valvular alterations. Ninety-eight patients, addicts to intravenous injection and/or nasal insufflation, have been studied with Doppler and echocardiography and they were compared with a non-addict group of fifty persons. Valvular lesions were defined as valvular enlarging and "beaded appearance" lesions. The average age of drug-addicts was 29.1 years (SD 8.31) with a maximum of 66 year and a minimum of 14 years. Ninety-three of them were males and forty-five of them admitted to be intravenous addicts. Twenty cases showed positive serology for HIV. All of them, except one, recognized having used the intravenous route. The control group was 27.78 years old (SD 3.49) and 96% were males. Valvular lesions were found in 22.45% of addicts while no one in the control group showed any lesion (p = 0.0007). Lesions were significantly larger in the tricuspid valve (p = 0.0004). No valvular dysfunction was detected in any of the studied cases. No differences have been noticed in valvular alterations among HIV infected patients with and without reactivity to the treatment. The prevalence of valvular affection considering the way of drug administration was significantly higher in patients with intravenous addiction compared to nasal insufflation addicts, 40% versus 7.5% (p = 0.0001). A percentage of cocaine addicts here studied presented valvular alterations research being the tricuspid valve the most frequently involved. No significant valvular failure has been detected. The observed lesions could correspond to the anatomic substratum of an endocardiac infection, frequently observed in intravenous drug-addicts with lesions, usually located in the tricuspid valve.

[Clinical problems in medical mycology: Problem number 47]. / Problemas clínicos en micología médica: problema número 47.

A 66 year-old man, who had lived in Paraguay and was a rural worker, was admitted to Infectious Diseases Hospital F. J. Muñiz in Buenos Aires. He presented fever, loss of body weight, cough, mucopurulent expectoration, wide perianal ulceration, paresthesia and paresis of both legs as well as vesical and anal sphincter dysfunction. He was a heavy smoker and drinker. Thorax X-ray examination showed bilateral micronodular interstitial lesions. With a NMR of the dorsolumbar spine region a nodular lesion outside the spinal cord (which produced compression of this organ) was shown. The diagnosis of disseminated paracoccidiodomycosis was based on the finding of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in the skin ulcer in histopathology and mycology studies, and on the positive results of serologic tests with paracoccidioidin antigen. The patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with good clinical outcome.

Hepatitis C virus among non-injecting cocaine users (NICUs) in South America: can injectors be a bridge?

AIM: To investigate the factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among non-injecting cocaine users (NICUs) and to compare practices associated with HCV and HIV infection. DESIGN: An intercountry cross-sectional study. Setting Buenos Aires and Montevideo metropolitan areas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 871 NICUs. MEASUREMENTS: NICUs were interviewed and their blood was drawn and used for HCV, HIV, HBV surface antigen (HbsAg), HB-anticore and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VRDL) antibody assays. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses included comparisons of HCV and HIV mono-infected participants with HCV-HIV seronegatives. FINDINGS: Prevalence rates were 8.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.9-10.8) for HCV and 7.9 (95% CI: 6.1-9.7) for HIV. HCV-infected NICUs were twice as likely as HCV-HIV seronegatives to have shared straws for cocaine snorting or sniffing, even when adjusted for other variables. HCV prevalence rates ranged from 3.6% among NICUs who denied sharing straws and having had an injection drug user (IDU) or an HIV-positive sexual partner to 12.6% among participants who reported ever having shared straws or having had either an IDU- or HIV-positive sexual partner (χ(2) (trend) = 6.56, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Non-injecting cocaine users from South America are vulnerable to multiple infections and HCV infection appears to occur through the sharing of straws. HCV infection is associated with intimate relationships with IDUs or HIV-seropositive partners, supporting the hypothesis that HCV risk may be due primarily to risk-taking behaviour associated with drugs in this population.

Infecciones y otros problemas de salud en usuarios de pasta base de cocaina en un centro asistencial de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Infections and other health problems among coca paste users at a drug treatment center in Buenos Aires, Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: la pasta base de cocaína (PBC) es una forma fumable de cocaína de creciente utilización entre los jóvenes. OBJETIVO: describir el patrón de consumo de drogas, las seroprevalencias de VIH, hepatitis B (VHB), hepatitis C (VHC), sífilis y otrosproblemas de salud en usuarios de PBC en un centro asistencial de Argentina. MÉTODO: se incluyeron voluntarios mayores de 18 años, asistidos en el Centro Nacional de Reeducación Social (CENARESO)en el período 2006-2007, que consumieron PBC en los 6 meses anteriores a la entrevista y que nunca utilizaron drogas inyectables. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado, se tomó una muestra de sangre para serología de VIH, VHB, VHC y sífilis, y se analizó una sub-muestra de radiografías de tórax. RESULTADOS: más de la mitad de los 146 voluntarios manifestó haber fumado PBC varias veces por semana. Los participantes eran también consumidores frecuentes de cocaína en polvo (64%), cannabis (80,8%) y tranquilizantes (44,5%). Los principales problemas de salud auto-percibidos como consecuencia del consumo de PBC fueron las lesiones orales y la pérdida de peso. El 4,3% de los voluntarios resultó VIH-positivo. Las prevalencias de infección por sífilis, VHB y VHC fueron 2,7%, 5,5%, y 5,5%, respectivamente. El 16% estaba coinfectado con uno o más de los agentes estudiados. DISCUSIÓN: la prevalencia de infecciones, unida a otros problemas de salud de los usuarios de PBC, indica la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones a fin de diseñar intervenciones preventivas y terapéuticas apropiadas

INTRODUCTION: cocaine paste is a smokable form of cocaine increasingly used among young people. OBJECTIVE:to describe patterns of drugs, seroprevalences of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis and other health problems among coca paste users assisted at a drug treatment center in Argentina. METHOD: volunteers, eighteen-year-old and olderassisted at the National Center for Social Re-education (CENARESO)during 2006-2007, who had consumed coca paste over the past 6 months previous to the interview and had never injected drugs, were selected. A structured questionnaire wasused and blood was drawn to test HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis. A sub-sample of thorax X-rays was analyzed. RESULTS: morethan half of the 146 volunteers had smoked coca paste severaltimes a week. The use of other drugs was frequently associated: sniffed cocaine 64%, cannabis 80,8%, and tranquilizers 44,5. Oral lesions and lost of weight were referred as health problems stemming from coca paste use. Out of the 146 volunteers, 4.3%resulted HIV-positive. Prevalences of infection for syphilis, HBV, and HCV were 2,7%, 5,5% and 5,5%, respectively. 16% wasco-infected with one or more infectious agents. DISCUSSION: the prevalence of infections detected, along with other clinical problems found among this coca paste users, show the need for further research, in order to design proper preventive and therapeutic interventions

Multiple infections and associated risk factors among non-injecting cocaine users in Argentina

El propósito de este estudio era estimar los índices de seroprevalencia del virus de inmunodeficiencia humano (VIH), virus de la hepatitis B (VHB, anticuerpo core), virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) e infecciones de sífilis y analizar factores de riesgo asociados entre 504 usuarios de cocaína no inyectable (UCNI) en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se entrevistó a los participantes en sesiones cara a cara a través de un cuestionario estructurado corto. Usando el método de la venipunción se recogieron 10mL de sangre. Las tasas de seroprevalencia fueron: VIH (6,3 por ciento), VHB (9 por ciento), VHC (7,5 por ciento), y VDRL (4,2 por ciento). El riesgo de infección por VIH, VHB, y VHC se asoció significativamente a mantener relaciones sexuales con un compañero/a que era consumidor de la droga inyectada o que era conocido por ser VIH positivo. Las infecciones de VIH y de VHC se asociaron a haber estado encarcelado anteriormente, y la de VHC se asoció también a haber sido tatuado. Debido al número creciente de UCNI y a las infecciones múltiples detectadas, es esencial implementar estrategias de prevención centradas en esta población.

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV, core antibody), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections and analyze associated risk factors among 504 non-injecting cocaine users (NICU) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participants were interviewed in face-to-face sessions through a short structured questionnaire. Using venipuncture, 10mL of blood was collected. Seroprevalence rates were: HIV (6.3 percent), HBV (9 percent), HCV (7.5 percent), and VDRL (4.2 percent). The risk of being infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV was significantly associated with having had a sex partner who was either a drug injector or who was known to be HIV positive. HIV and HCV infections were associated with former imprisonment, and HCV was associated with having been tattooed. Because of the rising number of NICU and the multiple infections detected, it is essential to implement prevention strategies focused on this population.

Deteccion ecocardiografica de alteraciones valvulares cardiacas en pacientes adictos a cocaina / Echocardiographic detection of heart valvular disease in cocaine addict patients

La drogadicción endovenosa es un factor predisponente para el desarrollo de endocarditis infecciosa y la cocaína, en especial la administrada por vía endovenosa, puede producir daño a nivel del endotelio valvular que favorecería el desarrollo de la misma. Estudiamos un grupo de adictos a la cocaína para evaluar la posibleexistencia de alteraciones valvulares. Se estudiaron, con ecocardiografía y Doppler, a 98 pacientes adictos a lacocaína, por vía endovenosa y/o inhalatoria y se comparó con un grupo de 50 personas no drogadictas. Se definieronlas lesiones valvulares como engrosamiento valvular y lesiones del tipo ôarrosariadoö. La edad promedio de losdrogadictos fue de 29.1 años (DS 8.31) con un máximo de 66 y mínimo de 14 años; 93 eran de sexo masculino y 45admitieron adicción endovenosa. Veinte casos tuvieron serología positiva para virus HIV, de los cuales todos excepto uno, reconocieron utilizar la vía endovenosa. El grupo control tuvo una edad promedio de 26.78 años (DS 3.49) y 96% eran de sexo masculino. No hubo diferencias significativas en edad ni sexo entre los dos grupos. El 22.45% de los adictos presentaron lesiones valvulares mientras que no la presentó ninguno del grupo control (p=0.0007). La incidencia de lesiones fue significativamente mayor en la válvula tricúspide (p=0.0004). No se detectó disfunción valvular en ninguno de los casos estudiados, ni se halló diferencia en la presencia de alteraciones valvulares entre los pacientes con y sin reactividad para infección HIV. La prevalencia de afectación valvular en función de la vía de administración de la droga fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con adicción endovenosa en relación con la vía inhalatoria, 40% versus 7.5% (p= 0.0001). En el presente estudio hemos observado que un porcentaje de adictos a la cocaína presentaba alteraciones valvulares, siendo la tricúspide la más comprometida y en ningún caso hemos encontrado insuficiencia valvular significativa. Las lesiones halladas podrían ser el sustrato anatómico de la infección endocárdica observada frecuentemente en drogadictos endovenosos, que se localiza predominantemente sobre la válvula tricúspide.