Gender differences in tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As the leading infectious killer of youths and adults, tuberculosis (TB) kills more women than all other causes of maternal mortality combined. The aim of this study is to investigate gender differences in the reported cases in Rio de Janeiro from January 1995 to December 1999. There were 18,428 females and 36,830 males, with a female:male ratio of 0.5; 30.8% (5676) of the female cases reported had had previous close contact with a tuberculosis case compared to 23.1% (8510) of the males. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis occurred in 3966 (21.5%) and 6521 (17.7%) women and men, respectively. Genitourinary tuberculosis had the highest female:male ratio.     

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a context of universal access, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Adherence is integral to improving and maintaining the health and quality of life of people living with HIV. Two-hundred HIV-positive adults recruited from teaching hospitals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rio de Janeiro City were assessed on socio-demographic factors, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and psychosocial factors hypothesized to be associated with ART. Predictors of non-adherence were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Self-reported medication adherence was high (82% had adherence >90%). Non-adherence was associated with personal factors (i.e. sexual orientation, self-efficacy), physical factors (i.e. loss of appetite) and interpersonal factors (i.e. doctor-patient relationship). Adherence in Brazil is as good, if not better, than that seen in the US and western Europe, which is noteworthy since the sample was derived predominantly from public healthcare settings. It is possible that the connection to NGOs in Rio de Janeiro City played a helpful role in achieving high levels of adherence in this sample of people living with HIV and AIDS. Recommendations, based on study findings, include enhancing and sustaining supportive services for NGOs, promoting patient self-efficacy and behavioral skills for adherence, increasing social network support and having healthcare providers directly address patients' medication beliefs, attitudes and experience with side effects.     

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction among syphilis patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a syndrome observed after antimicrobial treatment of some infectious diseases. The syndrome has clinical characteristics of an inflammatory reaction to antibiotic treatment. A prospective study of patients with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of syphilis was conducted at a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients were treated with benzathine penicillin and observed for the JHR. A total of 115 patients were included in this study. Fifty-one patients (44%) had secondary syphilis; 37 (32%), primary; 26 (23%), latent; and one (1%), tertiary syphilis. Ten patients (9%) developed the JHR. All JHRs occurred in patients with secondary and latent syphilis. No patients experienced an allergic reaction to penicillin. The JHR occurred less frequently than in previous studies. It is important that health-care professionals recognize the clinical characteristics of the JHR so that it is not misinterpreted as an allergic reaction to penicillin.     

Safe sexual behaviour among female partners of HIV-infected men in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was designed to assess safe sexual behaviour among heterosexual couples after the woman learned of her partner's infection with HIV. Female partners who had known their partners' serostatus for at least 4 weeks were eligible for participation. Couples were interviewed separately and independent predictors of safe sexual behaviour were identified using multiple logistic regression. Safe sexual behaviour was defined as no unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse. Of 328 women, 197 (60%) reported safe sexual behaviour since learning of their partners' infection. Significant independent predictors of safe sexual behaviour included older women (>30 years old) (odds ratio [OR]=1.89; 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.01-3.51), current negative HIV serostatus (OR=2.72; 95% CI=1.50-4.94), advanced clinical stage of the index case (OR=1.96; 95% CI=1.07-3.59), longer duration of relationship (10+ years) (OR= 2.35; 95% CI=1.15-4.82), fewer sex contacts (<100) (OR=2.01; 95% CI=1.14-3.56), only one lifetime partner (OR=2.29; 95% CI=1.26-4.17), non-smoking (OR=2.67; 95% CI=1.43-4.99), not practising oral sex (OR=3.35; 95% CI=1.82-6.19) and previous HIV testing (OR=2.11; 95% CI=1.09-4.07). In addition, women who had known their partner's infection for longer were less likely to report safe sexual behaviour (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that among female partners of HIV-positive Brazilian men, learning of their partner's infection does not uniformly result in safe sexual behaviour. Counselling must emphasize disclosure of serostatus to female partners and target couples with short-term relationships, as well as those where the woman has known about her male partner's infection for a long time, because these are the least likely to maintain safe sexual behaviour.     

Clinical and diagnostic aspects of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The objectives of this study were to determine both the prevalence of microsporidial intestinal infection and the clinical outcome of the disease in a cohort of 40 HIV-infected patients presenting with chronic diarrhea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each patient, after clinical evaluation, had stools and intestinal fragments examined for viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Microsporidia were found in 11 patients (27.5%) either in stools or in duodenal or ileal biopsies. Microsporidial spores were found more frequently in stools than in biopsy fragments. Samples examined using transmission electron microscopy (n=3) or polymerase chain reaction (n=6) confirmed Enterocytozoon bieneusi as the causative agent. Microsporidia were the only potential enteric pathogens found in 5 of the 11 patients. Other pathogens were also detected in the intestinal tract of 21 patients, but diarrhea remained unexplained in 8. We concluded that microsporidial infection is frequently found in HIV infected persons in Rio de Janeiro, and it seems to be a marker of advanced stage of AIDS.     

Estimating the extent of underreporting of mortality among HIV-infected individuals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Non-HIV-related causes of death have been increasing after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Underlying and contributing causes of death were assessed in respect to the presence/absence of HIV/AIDS among HIV-infected/AIDS patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, and schooling) and CD4?cell counts closest to death were assessed through logistic regression models comparing those who did not have with those who had HIV/AIDS mentioned on the death certificate. The linkage with the two cohorts identified 1249 records, of which 370 (29.6%) did not have HIV/AIDS listed on any field of the death certificate [77 (20.8%) attributed to undefined and 72 (19.5%) to external causes]. After excluding external causes, 25.3% still did not have HIV/AIDS listed on the death certificate. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age >40 years (OR?=?2.09; 95%CI?=?1.49-2.93; p?相似文献   

Factors associated with viral load suppression in HIV-infected pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Viral load (VL) near delivery is a determinant of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. To evaluate factors associated with an undetectable VL near delivery in HIV-infected pregnant women receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and non-HAART regimens, HIV-infected pregnant women with a detectable VL at entry and having used antiretrovirals for ≥4 weeks before delivery were selected. Multivariate analysis was employed using binary logistic unconditional models; the dependent variable was having a VL <400 copies/mL near delivery. VL suppression was achieved in 403/707 women (57%): 65.4% in the HAART group, but only 26% in the non-HAART group P = 0.001. Duration of HAART was correlated with VL suppression, with maximum benefit seen after ≥12 weeks of therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72-3.65). CD4+ cell count near delivery (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.06-2.20) and baseline VL (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.94) were also independently associated with VL suppression. Overall MTCT rate was 1.6%. HAART for ≥12 weeks, baseline VL and CD4 cell count near delivery were independently associated with viral suppression near delivery.     

Physician adherence to guidelines for tuberculosis and HIV care in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

BackgroundTuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection among HIV-infected patients in Brazil. Brazil's national policy for HIV care recommends screening for latent tuberculosis (TB) and implementing isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT).ObjectivesWe compared physician adherence to TB screening and other prevention and care policies among HIV primary care clinics in Rio de Janeiro City.MethodsData on performance of CD4 counts, viral load testing, tuberculin skin testing (TST) and IPT were abstracted from patient charts at 29 HIV clinics in Rio de Janeiro as part of the TB/HIV in Rio (THRio) study. Data on use of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis were also abstracted from a convenience sample of 150 patient charts at 10 HIV clinics. Comparisons were made between rates of adherence to TB guidelines and other HIV care guidelines.ResultsAmong the subset of 150 patients with confirmed HIV infection in 2003, 96% had at least one reported CD4 counts result; 93% had at least one viral load result reported; and, PCP prophylaxis was prescribed for 97% of patients with CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm3 or when clinically indicated. In contrast, 67 patients (45%) had a TST performed (all eligible); and only 11% (17) of eligible patients started IPT. Among 12,027 THRio cohort participants between 2003 and 2005, the mean number of CD4 counts and viral load counts was 2.5 and 1.9, respectively, per patient per year. In contrast, 49% of 8,703 eligible patients in THRio had a TST ever performed and only 53% of eligible patients started IPT.ConclusionPhysicians are substantially more compliant with HIV monitoring and PCP prophylaxis than with TB prophylaxis guidelines. Efforts to improve TB control in HIV patients are badly needed.     

Vertical transmission of HIV in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

A cohort of 297 HIV-infected pregnant women was followed from January 1996 to December 2001. The overall transmission rate was 3.57% and remained constant over time. Low birth-weight was independently associated with a higher risk of vertical transmission (P=0.0072), whereas a longer duration of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy was independently associated with a lower risk of transmission (P=0.0084). Further decreases in transmission should be obtained by initiating prophylaxis earlier in pregnancy.     

Completion of isoniazid preventive therapy among HIV-infected patients in Tanzania

SETTING: Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) has not been widely implemented due to questions about acceptance, adherence and side effects. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors related to completion of IPT among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected subjects in Tanzania. DESIGN: HIV-infected subjects in the DarDar TB vaccine trial with CD4 cell counts >or=200 cells/mm(3) and a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) were counseled, offered IPT for 6 months and seen monthly. RESULTS: Among 1932 subjects, TST results were positive in 631 (33%): 568 (90%) were offered IPT, 565 (99%) accepted and three (<1%) refused. Of the 565 subjects who accepted IPT, 493 (87%) completed treatment and 72 (13%) did not. Non-completion was physician-initiated in 24 (33%, due to active TB or side effects), patient-initiated in 42 (58%, due to self-cessation or loss to follow-up) and due to death in 6 (8%, unrelated to IPT). Interviews were conducted among 109 completers and 20 non-completers (12 physician- and 8 patient-initiated). Completers were motivated by fear of TB (44%), understanding the importance of IPT (32%) and counseling (22%). Patient-initiated non-completers were dissuaded by stigma (58%), side effects (14%) and travel distance (1%). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected subjects provided with counseling, monthly follow-up and travel reimbursement have high rates of IPT completion with minimal side effects.     

Outcomes in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy with tuberculosis

HIV-infected patients with active tuberculosis (TB) having CD4 counts < 100/mm3 and who were antiretroviral therapy (ART) na?ve were reviewed retrospectively to determine the outcomes of their tuberculosis infection. All patients received ART at or after receiving anti-TB treatment. Clinical manifestations, treatment regimens and outcomes were analyzed. Of 101 patients, 62 (61.4%) completed TB treatment. Of these, 53.2% were treated with a 6-month standard TB regimen, while the rest were treated with prolonged TB regimens. The median interval between anti-TB treatment and ART was 68 days (range: 0-381). Among the clinically cured patients 66.1% received rifampin concomitantly with nevirapine, and 32.3% received rifampin concomitantly with efavirenz. The treatment success rate was 75.6%, with a mortality rate of 6.1%. The risk factors for death were resistant TB (p = 0.03) and poor compliance (p < 0.05). Seven point nine percent had multi-drug resistant TB. Possible or probable immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) was seen in 15 cases (14.9%). No life-threatening IRIS was reported, and it did not affect disease outcome (p = 0.5). A shorter time between anti-TB treatment and ART onset was associated with the occurrence of IRIS (31 days vs 90 days; p < 0.05). Regarding adverse drug effects, 44.6% had side effects due either to anti-TB drugs or ART. Sixty-six point one percent of them occurred within the first 2 months of TB treatment, and 43 (76.8%) had to stop or change either anti-TB treatment or ART. The mortality rate with TB and HIV on ART was low and the occurrence of IRIS did not carry any additional mortality.     

Latent tuberculosis infection among undergraduate medical students in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

SETTING: Five medical schools in three cities with different tuberculosis (TB) incidence rates in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of and associated factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among medical students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students in pre-clinical, early and late clinical years from schools in cities with low (28/100,000), intermediate (63/100,000) and high (114/100,000) TB incidence rates. Information on socio-demographic profile, previous BCG vaccination, potential TB exposure, co-morbidity and use of respiratory protective masks was obtained. A tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed using the Mantoux technique by an experienced professional. A positive TST, defined as induration > or = 10 mm, was considered LTBI. RESULTS: LTBI prevalence was 6.9% (95%CI 5.4-8.6). In multivariate analysis, male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.0), late clinical years (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.01-3.5), intermediate TB incidence (aOR 4.3; 95% CI 1.3-14.6) and high TB incidence in the city of medical school (aOR 5.1; 95% CI 1.6-16.8) were significantly associated with LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: The higher prevalence of LTBI in late clinical years suggests that medical students are at increased risk for nosocomial Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The implementation of a TB control program may be necessary in medical schools, particularly in cities with higher TB incidence.     

Prevalence, incidence and mortality associated with tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce the burden of TB, but to what extent is unknown. METHODS: In a study of 1044 adults who initiated home-based ART in Tororo, Uganda between 1 May 2003 and 30 June 2005, participants were screened for active TB at baseline and then monitored at weekly home visits. Participants with TB at baseline or follow-up were compared with those without TB to determine factors associated with mortality in those with TB. RESULTS: At baseline, 75 (7.2%) subjects had TB and a total of 53 (5.5%) were diagnosed with TB over a median of 1.4 years of follow-up (3.90 cases/100 person years). Cumulative mortality was 17.9/100 person-years for those with TB and 3.8/100 person-years for those without TB (P < 0.001). Mortality was associated with low baseline CD4 cell counts [relative hazard (RH), 0.99 per 1 cell/microl increase; P = 0.03] and marginally associated with a body mass index 相似文献   

Morbidity and survival in advanced AIDS in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Opportunistic diseases (OD) are the most common cause of death in AIDS patients. To access the incidence of OD and survival in advanced immunodeficiency, we included 79 patients with AIDS treated at Hospital Evandro Chagas (FIOCRUZ) from September 1997 to December 1999 with at least one CD4 count 相似文献