SUMMARY Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) may affect the clinical course of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV1). Both infections are common in endemic areas because these viruses share similar routes of transmission. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HTLV1/2 in a population of HIV1-infected patients in the state of Goiás, Midwestern Brazil. Of the 505 studied patients, four (0.79%) were positive for anti-HTLV1/2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with HTLV1 infection confirmed by line immunoassay (LIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all of the ELISA-positive samples. No cases of HTLV2 infection were observed. The prevalence of HTLV1/HIV1 coinfection was 0.79% (4/505; 95% CI: 0.25-2.16). All the coinfected patients reported sexual risk behaviors and only one reported intravenous drug use. Sequencing of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) region and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the four HTLV1 isolates belonged to the Transcontinental a subgroup of the Cosmopolitan (1a) subtype, the most frequent subgroup detected in Brazil. This study shows a low prevalence of HTLV1/2 in HIV1-infected patients in Midwestern Brazil.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) may impact the clinical course of tuberculosis (TB). Both infections are highly endemic in Brazil. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in TB patients in Central-West Brazil and to perform a genetic characterisation of the respective isolates. Of the 402 patients, six (1.49%) were positive for anti-HTLV and five (1.24%; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-3.05) were infected with HTLV-1/2. Genetic characterisation demonstrated that the four HTLV-1 isolates belonged to the Transcontinental subgroup A of the Cosmopolitan subtype a and that the HTLV-2 isolate belonged to subtype a (HTLV-2a/c). The prevalence of HTLV infection observed in this study is higher than that observed in local blood donors and the HTLV-1 and 2 subtypes identified are consistent with those circulating in Brazil.

Introduction: The collection of recyclable waste materials is a widespread activity among the urban poor. Today, this occupation attracts an increasingly large number of individuals. Despite its economic and environmental importance, this activity is associated with unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a population of recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil. Methods: Recyclable waste collectors from all 15 recycling cooperatives in Goiânia City were invited to participate in the study. The participants (n = 431) were interviewed and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg- and anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for HBV DNA and genotyped. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV infection (HBsAg- and/or anti-HBc-positive) was 12.8%. An age over 40 years and illicit drug use were associated with HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 2/3 HBsAg-positive samples and in 1/52 anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative samples (an occult HBV infection rate of 1.9%), in which the genotypes/subgenotypes A/A1, D/D3 and F/F2 were identified. Only 12.3% of the recyclable waste collectors had serological evidence of previous HBV vaccination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the vulnerability of recyclable waste collectors to HBV infection and reinforce the importance of public health policies that address the health and safety of this socially vulnerable population.

Para avaliar os fatores de predição da não adesão à vacina contra o vírus da hepatite B (VHB) em adolescentes escolares de baixa renda da Região Metropolitana de Goiânia, Goiás, 304 indivíduos suscetíveis ao VHB, matriculados em duas escolas, foram entrevistados e a vacina contra hepatite foi oferecida. Somente 195 (64%) adolescentes aceitaram a primeira dose da vacina. Por outro lado, 182/195 (93,3%) receberam o esquema completo. Verificou-se que fatores escolares exerceram um papel na aceitação da vacina, uma vez que a escola B e turno noturno foram independentemente associados à não adesão à vacina. Os achados deste estudo ratificam a baixa aceitação da vacina contra hepatite B em adolescentes e evidenciam a necessidade de programas de educação em saúde para sensibilização desse grupo em relação à vacinação, e reforçam a importância de estratégias de imunização na escola para o cumprimento do esquema completo da vacina contra o VHB nesta população-alvo.

To evaluate the predictor factors for non-acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine among low-income adolescent students in the Goiânia Metropolitan Region, Goiás State, Brazil. In this study, 304 HBV-susceptible individuals enrolled in two schools were interviewed, and the HBV vaccine was offered. Only 195 (64%) of adolescents accepted the first dose of vaccine. On the other hand, 182/195 (93.3%) received the full HBV vaccine scheme. School factors played a role in vaccine acceptance, as School B and night classes were independently associated with non-acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination. The findings of this study ratify the low acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine among adolescents, highlighting the need for health education programs aiming at this group for hepatitis B vaccinations, while buttressing the importance of school-based vaccination strategies for attaining full HBV immunization of this target population.

Para avaliar os fatores de predição da não adesão à vacina contra o vírus da hepatite B (VHB) em adolescentes escolares de baixa renda da Região Metropolitana de Goiânia, Goiás, 304 indivíduos suscetíveis ao VHB, matriculados em duas escolas, foram entrevistados e a vacina contra hepatite foi oferecida. Somente 195 (64%) adolescentes aceitaram a primeira dose da vacina. Por outro lado, 182/195 (93,3%) receberam o esquema completo. Verificou-se que fatores escolares exerceram um papel na aceitação da vacina, uma vez que a escola B e turno noturno foram independentemente associados à não adesão à vacina. Os achados deste estudo ratificam a baixa aceitação da vacina contra hepatite B em adolescentes e evidenciam a necessidade de programas de educação em saúde para sensibilização desse grupo em relação à vacinação, e reforçam a importância de estratégias de imunização na escola para o cumprimento do esquema completo da vacina contra o VHB nesta população-alvo.

To evaluate the predictor factors for non-acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine among low-income adolescent students in the Goiânia Metropolitan Region, Goiás State, Brazil. In this study, 304 HBV-susceptible individuals enrolled in two schools were interviewed, and the HBV vaccine was offered. Only 195 (64%) of adolescents accepted the first dose of vaccine. On the other hand, 182/195 (93.3%) received the full HBV vaccine scheme. School factors played a role in vaccine acceptance, as School B and night classes were independently associated with non-acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination. The findings of this study ratify the low acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine among adolescents, highlighting the need for health education programs aiming at this group for hepatitis B vaccinations, while buttressing the importance of school-based vaccination strategies for attaining full HBV immunization of this target population.