ABSTRACT Background: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (WLWH) are more likely to be infected with the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). We assessed the prevalence of high-risk (HR) (16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68/73/82), probable high-risk (pHR) (26/53/66), and low-risk (LR) (6/11/40/42/43/44/54/61/70) HPV types and their associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study of WLWH aged 18-64 years included one laboratory and eight HIV-specialty healthcare facilities in the pilot network. Descriptive statistics were used to assess sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Adjusted analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors associated with HR and/or pHR HPV infection in WLWH. Results: From May/2021 to May/2022, 1,914 (92.5%) WLWH participated in the pilot study and had valid HPV-DNA results of self-collected vaginal samples. The median age of the participants was 45 years, 60.1% had ≥ 9 years of schooling, 80.5% were ≤ 18 years at first sexual intercourse, and 51.7% had > 4 sexual partners throughout life. The prevalence of any HPV type, HR HPV, pHR HPV, and LR HPV was 65.8%, 49.6%, 16.7%, and 40.0%, respectively. Age was inversely associated with pHR and/or HR-HPV (p < 0.001), and education level was inversely associated with HR-HPV (p = 0.003) types. Any HR or pHR was associated with being single (p = 0.029) and exchanging sex for drugs (p = 0.037). Conclusions: The prevalence of HPV, especially HR HPV, among WLWH is high in Brazil, highlighting the need for HPV screening in this population. Self-collection of vaginal samples is an important strategy for increasing testing access.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are an important public health problem in all countries. Knowledge of their relationship with the various socioeconomic levels is necessary for an understanding of their epidemiology and behavior in society. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and to correlate education with history of sexually transmitted diseases, especially for syphilis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 2010 and July 2018 were assessed. These patients were attended at the specialized assistance service for HIV/AIDS) of the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD/AIDS) of the city of Juiz de Fora. In total, 335 patients were selected. RESULTS: In our sample, 73.13% were male; 57.36% were aged between 25 and 45 years and 24.23% were over 45 years of age. Regarding sexual orientation, 61.78% were homosexual. Regarding education, 52.88% had “unskilled education”, while 47.12% had “qualified education”. Analysis on the relationship between schooling and syphilis, a positive relationship between qualified schooling and syphilis was observed: odds ratio = 3.588; 95% confidence interval: 1.090-11.808. CONCLUSION: Homosexual male patients are most affected by HIV. Furthermore, this disease is not limited only to individuals with low education. Syphilis should be suspected in all individuals.

Objetivo: analisar, retrospectivamente, a relação tempo de atendimento aliado a possíveis complicações pós-apendicectomia com a presteza de transferência de pacientes atendidos em Unidades de Pronto Atendimento (UPA) para hospital de emergência.Métodos: foram analisados, no período de janeiro a julho de 2012, pacientes com diagnóstico pré-operatório de apendicite aguda, submetidos à apendicectomia. Os pacientes foram distribuídos em dois grupos conforme o local do primeiro atendimento. O grupo A incluiu os pacientes que receberam primeiro atendimento diretamente no setor de emergência do Hospital Municipal Lourenço Jorge (HMLJ) e o grupo B, constituiu-se de pacientes atendidos nas UPA e encaminhados para o HMLJ a fim de serem submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico.Resultado: o tempo médio decorrido entre o atendimento inicial e a cirurgia, no grupo A, foi 29 horas (DP=21,95) e de 54 horas no grupo B (DP=54,5). Considerando o início dos sintomas, os pacientes do grupo A demoraram, em média, 67 horas para serem operados (DP=42,55), enquanto os do grupo B, 90 horas (DP=59,58). Após a operação, os pacientes do grupo A ficaram internados, em média, 94 horas (DP=73,53) e os do grupo B, 129 horas (DP=193,42).Conclusão: após análise dos resultados, concluiu-se que não houve diferença significativa no tempo decorrido entre o início dos sintomas, o atendimento inicial e o início do tratamento cirúrgico, nem no tempo decorrido entre o tratamento cirúrgico e a alta hospitalar.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the relationship of time of care, combined with possible post-appendectomy complications, with the promptness of transfer of patients seen in Emergency Care Units (UPA) to the emergency hospital.Methods: We analyzed patients with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis undergoing appendectomy from January to July 2012. Patients were divided into two groups according to the site of the first care. Group A included patients who received initial care directly in the emergency department of the Lourenço Jorge County Hospital (HMLJ) and group B consisted of patients seen in the UPA and forwarded to HMLJ to undergo surgical treatment.Results: the average time between initial treatment and surgery in group A was 29 hours (SD = 21.95) and 54 hours in group B (SD = 54.5). Considering the onset of symptoms, the patients in group A were operated on average 67 hours after (SD = 42.55), while group B, 90 hours (SD = 59.58). After the operation, patients in group A were hospitalized, on average, for 94 hours (SD = 73.53) and group B, 129 hours (SD = 193.42).Conclusion: there was no significant difference in the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms, initial treatment and early surgical treatment, or time elapsed between surgery and discharge.

The primary culture of intestinal epithelial cells from domestic cats is an efficient cellular model to study the enteric cycle of Toxoplasma gondii in a definitive host. The parasite-host cell ratio can be pointed out as a decisive factor that determines the intracellular fate of bradyzoites forms. The development of the syncytial-like forms of T. gondii was observed using the 1:20 bradyzoite-host cell ratio, resulting in similar forms described in in vivo systems. This alternative study potentially opens up the field for investigation into the molecular aspects of this interaction. This can contribute to the development of new strategies for intervention of a main route by which toxoplasmosis spreads.