Seroprevalence and factors associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 among HIV-negative high-risk men who have sex with men from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Background  

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the leading cause of genital ulcer disease in developing countries, including Brazil, and is especially prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). HSV-2 infection represents a risk factor for the acquisition and transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases. The goal of the present cross-sectional study was to estimate HSV-2 seroprevalence and to determine the factors associated with HSV-2 seropositivity in HIV-negative high-risk MSM from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Performance by cytology and hybrid capture II in screening for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in women with HIV

HIV-infected women are at increased risk of developing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), the precursor lesions for cervical cancer. This study estimated and compared the performance of cytology and hybrid capture II in screening for precursor lesions of cervical cancer among HIV-infected women. The study population consisted of women from the open prospective cohort at the Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IPEC/Fiocruz). Colposcopy and histology were considered jointly in defining the gold standard. Cytology showed 31.8% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity, while hybrid capture II showed higher sensitivity (100%) and lower specificity (52%). The positive likelihood ratio was 7.1 for cytology and 2.1 for hybrid capture II, while the negative likelihood ratio was 0.7 for cytology and 0.0 for hybrid capture II.     

Relationship between Dietary Fatty Acid Intake with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in People with HIV

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between food intake of lipids with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and/or liver fibrosis in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In this cross-sectional study, transient elastography was used to detect the presence of NAFLD and/or liver fibrosis. The dietary intake of fats and fatty acids (FA) were assessed by two 24 h dietary recalls (24-HDR) (n = 451). Multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Participants with higher intake of total fat were associated with higher odds for NAFLD compared to those with lower consumption [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.91 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06–3.44)]. Furthermore, participants with intermediate intake of n6-PUFA (n6-poly-unsaturated FA) and lauric FA had lower odds for NAFLD, respectively aOR = 0.54 (95% CI 0.3–0.98) and aOR = 0.42 (95% CI 0.22–0.78). Additionally, a higher intake of myristoleic FA (fourth quartile) was a significant protective factor for NAFLD [aOR = 0.56 (95% CI 0.32–0.99)]. Participants with higher intake of lauric FA [0.38 (95% CI 0.18–0.80)], myristic FA [0.38 (0.17–0.89)], palmitoleic FA [0.40 (0.19–0.82)] and oleic FA [0.35 (0.16–0.79)] had positively less odds of having liver fibrosis. On the other hand, higher intake of n-6 PUFA was significantly associated with fibrosis [aOR = 2.45 (95% CI 1.12–5.32)]. Dietary assessment of total fat and FA should be incorporated into HIV care as a tool for preventing NAFLD and fibrosis in PLWHA.