ABSTRACT Monkeypox (MPX) transmission outside non-endemic countries has been reported since May 2022, rapidly evolving into a multi-country outbreak. A potential role of sexual contact in transmission dynamics, as well as a predominance of anogenitallesions, are remarkable features of current cases. Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) plays an important role in the evaluation of patients with suspected MPX infection. Herein we report the first case of a patient diagnosed with both MPX and acute HIV infection in Latin America. He had no major complications during his clinical course, and antiretroviral therapy was promptly initiated. Diagnosis of acute HIV requires a high level of suspicion and appropriate laboratory investigation. Health practitioners need to consider this diagnosis while evaluating patients with suspected MPX with a recent unprotected sexual contact.

BACKGROUND According to the last 2023 Monkeypox (Mpox) Outbreak Global Map from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 countries with no Mpox infection report cases. Brazil stands out in this group and is the second country with the highest number of cases in the last outbreak. OBJECTIVE To contribute to knowledge of the virus infection effects in a cellular model, which is important for diagnosis infections not yet included in a provider´s differential diagnosis and for developing viral inhibition strategies. METHODS We describe a virus isolation protocol for a human clinical sample from a patient from Brazil, the viral growth in a cell model through plaque forming units (PFU) assay, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FINDINGS We follow the viral isolation in Vero cell culture from a Mpox positive clinically diagnosed sample and show the infection effects on cellular structures using a TEM. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Understanding the impact of viral growth on cellular structures and its replication kinetics may offer better strategies for the development of new drugs with antiviral properties.

Resumo: Os autores avaliaram as proporções de subnotificação de óbitos e fatores associados em pessoas vivendo com HIV (PVHIV) no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2014 e 2019. Variáveis demográficas, menção de tuberculose (TB) e contagem de células CD4 mais próxima ao óbito foram utilizadas para comparar indivíduos que tiveram códigos para HIV/aids mencionados na declaração de óbito (HMDO) àqueles que não apresentaram tal menção. Entre 10.698 certidões de óbito, 2.863 (26.8%) não citaram HIV/aids. Entre estes, 412 (14,4%) apresentaram causas externas como a causa subjacente. Depois de excluir as causas externas, 24% das certidões não mencionaram HIV/aids. Idade acima de 40 anos (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raça/etnicidade não branca (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), sexo masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), contagem de CD4 mais alta próximo ao óbito (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), não ter TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29) e morte extra-hospitalar (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95) mostraram associação com aumento de probabilidade de não apresentar HMDO. A proporção de certidões de óbito que não citavam HIV/aids aumentou de 18,7% para 35,1% entre 2014 e 2019. A alta proporção de óbitos subnotificados no Rio de Janeiro indica a possível subestimação dos coeficientes de mortalidade por HIV/aids no estado. A mudança nos padrões de mortalidade em PVHIV desafia tanto os médicos, no sentido de considerar o espectro clínico mais amplo na infecção pelo HIV, quanto os especialistas em vigilância, no sentido de aprimorar o monitoramento da mortalidade.

Abstract: We assessed the proportions and causes of the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. Demographic variables, mention of tuberculosis (TB), and CD4 cell counts closest to death were used to compare those who had HIV/AIDS mentioned on their death certificate (HMDC) to those who did not. Out of 10,698 deaths, 2,863 (26.8%) had no HMDC, from which 412 (14.4%) had external underlying cause. After excluding deaths from external causes, we found that 24% still had no HMDC. Age ≥ 40 years (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.52-2.01), non-white race/ethnicity (OR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.02-1.31), the male gender (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.11-1.42), higher CD4 cell counts closest to death (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.12-1.16), absence of TB (OR = 4.86; 95%CI: 3.76-6.29) and not dying within a hospital (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.31-2.95) were associated with increased probabilities of not having HMDC. The proportion of deaths with no HMDC increased from 18.7% to 35.1% between 2014 and 2019. The high proportion of underreported deaths in Rio de Janeiro indicates that HIV/AIDS mortality coefficients in the state may be underestimated. With the changing patterns of mortality of PLHIV, physicians are advised to consider the broader clinical spectrum of HIV infection, and surveillance officers should improve death monitoring.

Resumen: Evaluamos los porcentajes y factores asociados con el subregistro de muertes entre personas afectadas por VIH (PLHIV) en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, desde 2014 a 2019. Se utilizaron variables demográficas, mención de tuberculosis (TB) y recuentos de células CD4 más cercanos al fallecimiento, para comparar a quienes tenían VIH/SIDA reflejado en el certificado de defunción (HMDC), con quienes no lo tenían. De las 10.698 muertes, 2.863 (26,8%) no tuvieron HMDC. De entre ellos, 412 (14,4%) tenían causas externas como causa subyacente. Tras excluir las causas externas, un 24% no tuvieron HMDC. Edad ≥ 40 años (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raza no blanca raza/etnicidad (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), género masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), recuentos de células CD4 más altos más cercanos a la muerte (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), que no tenían TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29), y que no murieron en un hospital (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95), estuvieron asociados con probabilidades crecientes de no tener HMDC. La proporción de muertes que no tenían HMDC aumentó de un 18,7% a un 35,1% entre 2014 y 2019. La alta proporción de muertes subregistradas en Río de Janeiro indican que los coeficientes de mortalidad VIH/SIDA en el estado quizás estaban subestimados. Los patrones cambiantes de mortalidad suponen un desafío para las PLHIV, así como para los médicos, a la hora de considerar infección por VIH dentro de un espectro clínico más amplio, al igual que para los agentes de supervisión, con el fin de mejorar el monitoreo de muertes.

Resumo: Os autores avaliaram as proporções de subnotificação de óbitos e fatores associados em pessoas vivendo com HIV (PVHIV) no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2014 e 2019. Variáveis demográficas, menção de tuberculose (TB) e contagem de células CD4 mais próxima ao óbito foram utilizadas para comparar indivíduos que tiveram códigos para HIV/aids mencionados na declaração de óbito (HMDO) àqueles que não apresentaram tal menção. Entre 10.698 certidões de óbito, 2.863 (26.8%) não citaram HIV/aids. Entre estes, 412 (14,4%) apresentaram causas externas como a causa subjacente. Depois de excluir as causas externas, 24% das certidões não mencionaram HIV/aids. Idade acima de 40 anos (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raça/etnicidade não branca (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), sexo masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), contagem de CD4 mais alta próximo ao óbito (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), não ter TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29) e morte extra-hospitalar (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95) mostraram associação com aumento de probabilidade de não apresentar HMDO. A proporção de certidões de óbito que não citavam HIV/aids aumentou de 18,7% para 35,1% entre 2014 e 2019. A alta proporção de óbitos subnotificados no Rio de Janeiro indica a possível subestimação dos coeficientes de mortalidade por HIV/aids no estado. A mudança nos padrões de mortalidade em PVHIV desafia tanto os médicos, no sentido de considerar o espectro clínico mais amplo na infecção pelo HIV, quanto os especialistas em vigilância, no sentido de aprimorar o monitoramento da mortalidade.

Abstract: We assessed the proportions and causes of the underreporting of deaths among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. Demographic variables, mention of tuberculosis (TB), and CD4 cell counts closest to death were used to compare those who had HIV/AIDS mentioned on their death certificate (HMDC) to those who did not. Out of 10,698 deaths, 2,863 (26.8%) had no HMDC, from which 412 (14.4%) had external underlying cause. After excluding deaths from external causes, we found that 24% still had no HMDC. Age ≥ 40 years (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.52-2.01), non-white race/ethnicity (OR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.02-1.31), the male gender (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.11-1.42), higher CD4 cell counts closest to death (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.12-1.16), absence of TB (OR = 4.86; 95%CI: 3.76-6.29) and not dying within a hospital (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.31-2.95) were associated with increased probabilities of not having HMDC. The proportion of deaths with no HMDC increased from 18.7% to 35.1% between 2014 and 2019. The high proportion of underreported deaths in Rio de Janeiro indicates that HIV/AIDS mortality coefficients in the state may be underestimated. With the changing patterns of mortality of PLHIV, physicians are advised to consider the broader clinical spectrum of HIV infection, and surveillance officers should improve death monitoring.

Resumen: Evaluamos los porcentajes y factores asociados con el subregistro de muertes entre personas afectadas por VIH (PLHIV) en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, desde 2014 a 2019. Se utilizaron variables demográficas, mención de tuberculosis (TB) y recuentos de células CD4 más cercanos al fallecimiento, para comparar a quienes tenían VIH/SIDA reflejado en el certificado de defunción (HMDC), con quienes no lo tenían. De las 10.698 muertes, 2.863 (26,8%) no tuvieron HMDC. De entre ellos, 412 (14,4%) tenían causas externas como causa subyacente. Tras excluir las causas externas, un 24% no tuvieron HMDC. Edad ≥ 40 años (OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,52-2,01), raza no blanca raza/etnicidad (OR = 1,16; IC95%: 1,02-1,31), género masculino (OR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,11-1,42), recuentos de células CD4 más altos más cercanos a la muerte (OR = 1,14; IC95%: 1,12-1,16), que no tenían TB (OR = 4,86; IC95%: 3,76-6,29), y que no murieron en un hospital (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 2,31-2,95), estuvieron asociados con probabilidades crecientes de no tener HMDC. La proporción de muertes que no tenían HMDC aumentó de un 18,7% a un 35,1% entre 2014 y 2019. La alta proporción de muertes subregistradas en Río de Janeiro indican que los coeficientes de mortalidad VIH/SIDA en el estado quizás estaban subestimados. Los patrones cambiantes de mortalidad suponen un desafío para las PLHIV, así como para los médicos, a la hora de considerar infección por VIH dentro de un espectro clínico más amplio, al igual que para los agentes de supervisión, con el fin de mejorar el monitoreo de muertes.

Background: In Brazil, mathematical models for deriving estimates and projections of COVID-19 cases have been developed without data on asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We estimated the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: Data were collected on 2,857 blood donors from April 14 to 27, 2020. We report the crude prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the weighted prevalence by the total state population, and adjusted prevalence estimates for test sensitivity and specificity. To establish the correlates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, we used logistic regression models. The analysis included period and site of blood collection, sociodemographic characteristics, and place of residence. Results: The proportion of SARS-Cov-2 positive tests without any adjustment was 4.0% (95% CI 3.3-4.7%), and the weighted prevalence was 3.8% (95% CI 3.1-4.5%). Further adjustment by test sensitivity and specificity produced lower estimates, 3.6% (95% CI 2.7-4.4%) and 3.3% (95% CI 2.6-4.1%), respectively. The variable most significantly associated with the crude prevalence was the period of blood collection: the later the period, the higher the prevalence. Regarding socio-demographic characteristics, the younger the blood donors, the higher the prevalence, and the lower the educational level, the higher the odds of a positive SARS-Cov-2 antibody. Similar results were found for the weighted prevalence. Discussion: Although our findings resulted from a convenience sample, they match some basic premises: the increasing trend over time, since the epidemic curve in the state is still on the rise; the higher prevalence among the youngest who are more likely to circulate; and the higher prevalence among the less educated as they have more difficulties in following the social distancing recommendations. Despite the study limitations, it is possible to infer that protective levels of natural herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are far from being reached in Rio de Janeiro.

RESUMO: Introdução: A aparente estabilidade da mortalidade por aids no país na última década encobre uma gama de cenários, com dois terços dos estados apresentando taxa padronizada de mortalidade por aids (TPMA) significativamente acima da média nacional e/ou em tendência ascendente. No Rio de Janeiro, a TPMA vem mantendo-se alta e estável ao longo dos anos; atualmente o estado ocupa a segunda posição no ranking nacional desse indicador. Objetivo: Examinar tendências temporais em causas de óbito na busca de padrões diferenciais que contribuam para o entendimento da mortalidade por aids no estado. Metodologia: Foram analisadas causas de óbito em qualquer campo das declarações de óbito constantes do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) entre 1999 e 2015 para indivíduos ≥ 15 anos. Doenças cardiovasculares, malignidades não relacionadas à aids, causas externas, diabetes melito e tuberculose foram estabelecidas pela menção ou não de seus códigos conforme a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados com a Saúde (CID-10) nas declarações de óbito. Modelos lineares generalizados com efeitos mistos foram usados para descrever odds ratios relativas a 1999 e variações anuais médias ajustadas. Resultados: Verificaram-se o aumento proporcional em causas externas e doenças geniturinárias e, sobretudo, o persistente papel desempenhado pela tuberculose, impactando diferencialmente a mortalidade por aids no estado, em um cenário de alta mortalidade por doenças infecciosas. Conclusão: Os achados reforçam a manutenção da tuberculose na mortalidade de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) no Rio de Janeiro e chamam a atenção para a necessidade de avaliar determinantes individuais atuando na redução da sobrevida desses pacientes, de forma a aprimorar o programa de controle do HIV/aids no estado.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The trend toward stabilization regarding the AIDS epidemic in Brazil over the past decade hides a very complex scenario, where two-thirds of the Brazilian federative units exhibit AIDS standardized mortality rates (ASMR) significantly above the national average and/or in upward tendency. ASMR in Rio de Janeiro State remains virtually unchanged over the years; the state currently occupies the second position in the national ranking of this indicator. Objective: To assess temporal trends in causes of death searching for differential profiles that could be useful for understanding mortality among patients with HIV in the state. Methodology: Causes of death were analyzed in any field of the death certificates from the Mortality Information System between 1999 and 2015 for individuals ≥ 15 years of age. Cardiovascular diseases, non-AIDS-related cancers, external causes, diabetes mellitus, and tuberculosis were established by the mention or not of their codes according to the 10th edition of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) in death certificates. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to describe odds ratios in relation to 1999 and adjusted mean annual variations. Results: The results point to the emerging role of external causes and genitourinary diseases and the persistent role played by tuberculosis, differentially affecting AIDS mortality in the state, in a scenario of high mortality due to infectious diseases. Conclusion: These data suggest that tuberculosis remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the need for studies that identify individual-level factors impacting their survival, thus improving local HIV/AIDS control measures.

RESUMO: Introdução: A aparente estabilidade da mortalidade por aids no país na última década encobre uma gama de cenários, com dois terços dos estados apresentando taxa padronizada de mortalidade por aids (TPMA) significativamente acima da média nacional e/ou em tendência ascendente. No Rio de Janeiro, a TPMA vem mantendo-se alta e estável ao longo dos anos; atualmente o estado ocupa a segunda posição no ranking nacional desse indicador. Objetivo: Examinar tendências temporais em causas de óbito na busca de padrões diferenciais que contribuam para o entendimento da mortalidade por aids no estado. Metodologia: Foram analisadas causas de óbito em qualquer campo das declarações de óbito constantes do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) entre 1999 e 2015 para indivíduos ≥ 15 anos. Doenças cardiovasculares, malignidades não relacionadas à aids, causas externas, diabetes melito e tuberculose foram estabelecidas pela menção ou não de seus códigos conforme a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados com a Saúde (CID-10) nas declarações de óbito. Modelos lineares generalizados com efeitos mistos foram usados para descrever odds ratios relativas a 1999 e variações anuais médias ajustadas. Resultados: Verificaram-se o aumento proporcional em causas externas e doenças geniturinárias e, sobretudo, o persistente papel desempenhado pela tuberculose, impactando diferencialmente a mortalidade por aids no estado, em um cenário de alta mortalidade por doenças infecciosas. Conclusão: Os achados reforçam a manutenção da tuberculose na mortalidade de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) no Rio de Janeiro e chamam a atenção para a necessidade de avaliar determinantes individuais atuando na redução da sobrevida desses pacientes, de forma a aprimorar o programa de controle do HIV/aids no estado.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The trend toward stabilization regarding the AIDS epidemic in Brazil over the past decade hides a very complex scenario, where two-thirds of the Brazilian federative units exhibit AIDS standardized mortality rates (ASMR) significantly above the national average and/or in upward tendency. ASMR in Rio de Janeiro State remains virtually unchanged over the years; the state currently occupies the second position in the national ranking of this indicator. Objective: To assess temporal trends in causes of death searching for differential profiles that could be useful for understanding mortality among patients with HIV in the state. Methodology: Causes of death were analyzed in any field of the death certificates from the Mortality Information System between 1999 and 2015 for individuals ≥ 15 years of age. Cardiovascular diseases, non-AIDS-related cancers, external causes, diabetes mellitus, and tuberculosis were established by the mention or not of their codes according to the 10th edition of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) in death certificates. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to describe odds ratios in relation to 1999 and adjusted mean annual variations. Results: The results point to the emerging role of external causes and genitourinary diseases and the persistent role played by tuberculosis, differentially affecting AIDS mortality in the state, in a scenario of high mortality due to infectious diseases. Conclusion: These data suggest that tuberculosis remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the need for studies that identify individual-level factors impacting their survival, thus improving local HIV/AIDS control measures.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS Data were collected on 2,857 blood donors from April 14 to 27, 2020. This study reports crude prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, population weighted prevalence for the state, and prevalence adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity. Logistic regression models were used to establish the correlates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. For the analysis, we considered collection period and site, sociodemographic characteristics, and place of residence. RESULTS The proportion of positive tests for SARS-Cov-2, without any adjustment, was 4.0% (95%CI 3.3–4.7%), and the weighted prevalence was 3.8% (95%CI 3.1–4.5%). We found lower estimates after adjusting for test sensitivity and specificity: 3.6% (95%CI 2.7–4.4%) for the non-weighted prevalence, and 3.3% (95%CI 2.6–4.1%) for the weighted prevalence. Collection period was the variable most significantly associated with crude prevalence: the later the period, the higher the prevalence. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, the younger the blood donor, the higher the prevalence, and the lower the education level, the higher the odds of testing positive for SARS-Cov-2 antibody. We found similar results for weighted prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings comply with some basic premises: the increasing trend over time, as the epidemic curve in the state is still on the rise; and the higher prevalence among both the youngest, for moving around more than older age groups, and the less educated, for encountering more difficulties in following social distancing recommendations. Despite the study limitations, we may infer that Rio de Janeiro is far from reaching the required levels of herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS Data were collected on 2,857 blood donors from April 14 to 27, 2020. This study reports crude prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, population weighted prevalence for the state, and prevalence adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity. Logistic regression models were used to establish the correlates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. For the analysis, we considered collection period and site, sociodemographic characteristics, and place of residence. RESULTS The proportion of positive tests for SARS-Cov-2, without any adjustment, was 4.0% (95%CI 3.3–4.7%), and the weighted prevalence was 3.8% (95%CI 3.1–4.5%). We found lower estimates after adjusting for test sensitivity and specificity: 3.6% (95%CI 2.7–4.4%) for the non-weighted prevalence, and 3.3% (95%CI 2.6–4.1%) for the weighted prevalence. Collection period was the variable most significantly associated with crude prevalence: the later the period, the higher the prevalence. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, the younger the blood donor, the higher the prevalence, and the lower the education level, the higher the odds of testing positive for SARS-Cov-2 antibody. We found similar results for weighted prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings comply with some basic premises: the increasing trend over time, as the epidemic curve in the state is still on the rise; and the higher prevalence among both the youngest, for moving around more than older age groups, and the less educated, for encountering more difficulties in following social distancing recommendations. Despite the study limitations, we may infer that Rio de Janeiro is far from reaching the required levels of herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cervical cancer remains an important burden for HIV-infected women in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. Recommendations for cervical screening in these women diverge and may include high-risk HPV (HRHPV) testing. We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a single HRHPV testing for cervical screening of HIV-infected women. Methods: 723 HIV-infected women from a Brazilian prospective cohort were included between 1996 and 2012. Inclusion criteria were: normal cervical cytology at baseline and having a HRHPV-test at baseline. We calculated incidence rates of any squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and high grade SIL+ (HSIL+) and negative predictive values (NPV) within 12 and 36 months. Hazard Ratios were obtained using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Incidence rate for both outcomes was low (9.9 cases per 100 PY [95% CI 8.8–11.0] for any SIL and 1.3 cases per 100 PY [95% IC 0.9–1.8] for HSIL+). Women with a HRHPV positive status at baseline had 1.7-fold (95% CI 1.3–2.2) and 3.2-fold (95% CI 1.5–7.1) increased risk of presenting any SIL and HSIL+, respectively, during follow-up. Negative-HRHPV test presented high NPV for both periods and outcomes (any SIL: 92.4% [95% CI 89.7–94.6] for 12 months and 80.9% [95% CI 77.2–84.3] for 36 months; and HSIL+: 99.8% [95% CI 98.9–100.0] for 12 months and 99.0 [95% CI 97.6–99.7] for 36 months). Conclusions: Incidence of any and high grade cytological abnormality was significantly higher among HIV-infected women with positive-HRHPV test. A single negative-HRHPV test helped reassure follow-up free of cytological abnormalities through three years of follow-up in HIV-infected women with negative cytology.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains an important cause of new HIV infections worldwide, especially in low and middle-resource limited countries. Safety data from studies involving pregnant women and prenatal antiretroviral (ARV) exposure are still needed once these studies are often small and with a limited duration to assess adverse drug reactions (ADR). The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of ADR related to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnant women in two referral centers in Rio de Janeiro State. A prospective study was carried out from February 2005 to May 2006. Women were classified according to their ART status during pregnancy diagnosis: ARV-experienced (ARTexp) or ARV-naïve (ARTn). Two hundred fourteen HIV-infected pregnant women were included: 36 ARTexp and 178 ARTn. ARTexp women have not experienced ADR. Among ARTn, 20.2% presented ADR. Incidence rate of ADR was 70.8 per 1000 person-months and the most common ADRs observed were: gastrointestinal (belly or abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomit) in 16.3%, cutaneous (pruritus and rash) in 6.2%, anemia (2.2%) and hepatitis (1.7%). The frequency of obstetrical complications, pre-term delivery, low birth weight and birth abnormalities was low in this population. ADRs ranged from mild to moderate intensity, none of them being potentially fatal. Only in a few cases it was necessary to discontinue ART. In conclusion, the high effectiveness of ARV for HIV prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) overcomes the risk of ADR.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the access to the interventions for the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) mother to child transmission and mother to child transmission rates in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, from 1999 to 2009.METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Prevention of HIV mother to child transmission interventions were accessed and mother to child transmission rates were calculated.RESULTS: The study population is young (median: 26 years; interquartile range: 22.0-31.0), with low monthly family income (40.4% up to one Brazilian minimum wage) and schooling (62.1% less than 8 years). Only 47.1% (n = 469) knew the HIV status of their partner; of these women, 39.9% had an HIV-seronegative partner. Among the 1259 newborns evaluated, access to the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum prevention of HIV mother to child transmission components occurred in 59.2%, 74.2%, and 97.5% respectively; 91.0% of the newborns were not breastfed. Overall 52.7% of the newborns have benefited from all the recommended interventions. In subsequent pregnancies (n = 289), 67.8% of the newborns received the full package of interventions. The overall rate of HIV vertical transmission was 4.7% and the highest annual rate occurred in 2005 (7.4%), with no definite trend in the period.CONCLUSIONS: Access to the full package of interventions for the prevention of HIV vertical transmission was low, with no significant trend of improvement over the years. The vertical transmission rates observed were higher than those found in reference services in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro and in the richest regions of the country.

BACKGROUND:The natural history of HIV infection has changed dramatically after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Currently, opportunistic illnesses still represent a major cause of death and hospitalization in this population. In this study, we review the trends in opportunistic illnesses incidence rates and compare the results observed in high-income settings with that for low/middle-income settings, with special attention given to studies from Brazil.METHODS:We systematically searched Pubmed, Web of Science, Lilacs and Google scholar for publications on HIV associated opportunistic illness. Studies reporting rates based on person-time for all opportunistic illnesses and/or the three opportunistic infections of interest, namely,Pneumocystis cariniipneumonia, cerebral toxoplasmosis, and Mycobacterium aviumcomplex were included.RESULTS:Significant reductions in the incidence rates were demonstrated for opportunistic illnesses overall and also for the specific opportunistic infections included in the present study, both in high and low/middle-income settings. Out of the 37 studies included in the present review, almost 70% were from high-income settings. All the studies conducted in low/middle-income settings were single center studies and four were from Brazil. We found no study from Brazil reporting annual incidence rates of opportunistic illnesses.CONCLUSIONS:Opportunistic illnesses remain an important public health problem. To better guide health policies in low/middle-income settings, multicenter cohort studies should be encouraged. Studies from Brazil are urgently needed to assess the current burden of opportunistic illnesses in our population and to support the planning of HIV/AIDS health care services organization.

The worldwide elderly population is expected to grow by an additional 694 million people by 2025. By that time, there will be approximately two billion elderly people in the world, most of whom (80%) will be living in developing countries. Based on recent estimates, this population will number over 40 million in 2030 in Brazil and a consequent increase in governmental spending for this population can be expected. Since highly active antiretroviral therapy became available in the mid-1990s, the life expectancy of people living with HIV has increased significantly. Approximately 12 million life years were added to the world between 1996 and 2008 as a consequence of wider access to highly active antiretroviral therapy. In Brazil, the incidence of AIDS among the population aged >50 years doubled between 1996 and 2006. The development of antiretroviral therapy has allowed individuals diagnosed at a younger age to live longer, which partially explains the aging tendency associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is estimated that by 2015, subjects aged >50 years will represent 50% of the people living with HIV undergoing clinical treatment. This scenario presents some challenges, including the fact that the diagnosis of HIV tends to be delayed in older patients compared to younger patients because the symptoms of HIV can be confused with those of other common diseases among the elderly and also because healthcare professionals do not consider this population to be at high risk for HIV infection. In regard to the individuals diagnosed with HIV, a further challenge is presented by the morbidity normally associated with aging. Finally, the elderly also exhibit higher susceptibility to the toxic effects and pharmacological interactions of medications. The present article reviews the literature regarding the profile of HIV infection among individuals aged >50 years focusing on practical features related to the clinical approach and long-term follow-up of this population.

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy during the 1990s was crucial to the decline in the rates of morbidity and death related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection into a chronic condition. Consequently, the HIV/AIDS population is becoming older. The aim of this study was to describe the immunological, clinical and comorbidity profile of an urban cohort of patients with HIV/AIDS followed up at Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Retrospective data from 2307 patients during January 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2008 were collected. For continuous variables, Cuzick's non-parametric test was used. For categorical variables, the Cochran-Armitage non-parametric test for tendency was used. For all tests, the threshold for statistical significance was set at 5%. In 2008, 1023 (44.3%), 823 (35.7%), 352 (15.3%) and 109 (4.7%) were aged 18-39, 40-49, 50-59 and >60 years-old, respectively. Older and elderly patients (>40 years) were more likely to have viral suppression than younger patients (18-39 years) (p 0.001). No significant difference in the latest CD4+ T lymphocyte count in the different age strata was observed, although elderly patients (> 50 years) had lower CD4+ T lymphocyte nadir (p 0.02). The number of comorbidities increased with age and the same pattern was observed for the majority of the comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction, HCV, renal dysfunction and also for non-AIDSrelated cancers (p 0.001). With the survival increase associated to successful antiretroviral therapy and with the increasing new infections among elderly group, the burden associated to the diagnosis and treatment of the non-AIDS related HIV comorbidities will grow. Longitudinal studies on the impact of aging on the HIV/AIDS population are still necessary, especially in resource-limited countries.