scholarly journals Parasitic and Vector-Borne Infections in HIV-Positive Patients in Slovakia—Evidence of an Unexpectedly High Occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1557
Author(s):  
Katarína Šimeková ◽  
Ľubomír Soják ◽  
Bronislava Víchová ◽  
Lenka Balogová ◽  
Júlia Jarošová ◽  
...  

In HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infected people, the immunodeficiency caused by a reduced level of CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) T-lymphocytes increases the risk of infectious diseases. Additionally, in individuals with immunologically compromising conditions, tick-borne or some parasitic pathogens may cause chronic, debilitating opportunistic infections and even death. The study aimed at determining the IgG seropositivity of HIV-infected patients to Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara spp., Echinococcus multilocularis, and E. granulosus s.l. and performing the molecular identification of T. gondii and some tick-borne pathogens, namely, Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., and Bartonella spp. Out of 89 HIV-positive patients, specific IgG antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 17 (19.1%) and to Borrelia spp. in 12 (13.5%) individuals. Seropositivity to Toxocara spp., E. multilocularis, and E. granulosus s.l. was not recorded. Molecular approaches showed positivity to T. gondii in two (2.2%) patients, and 11 (12.4%) individuals had positive PCR signal for the msp2 gene of A. phagocytophilum. Relatively high prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in HIV-positive patients suggests that these people are more susceptible to some vector-borne pathogens. The presence of opportunistic infections may pose a health risk for patients with weakened immune systems, and should not be neglected during the regular monitoring of the patient’s health status.

Author(s):  
I.V. Balaniuk ◽  
M.O. Andrushchak ◽  
Yu.І. Boyko ◽  
I.B. Horbatiuk ◽  
I.B. Horbatiuk

A decrease in the number of CD4 + lymphocytes in HIV infection is known to increase the risk of opportunistic infections, malignancies and other diseases classified as diagnostic criteria for AIDS. The purpose of this work is to analyze the main groups of opportunistic infections and infectious lesions commonly affecting the gastrointestinal tract in HIV-positive patients. Up to 90% of deaths from HIV infection are directly or indirectly caused by opportunistic infections that emphasize the importance of further research aimed at their prevention and management. A progressive decline in the number of CD4 + lymphocytes due to their non-stop destruction and insufficient replenishment from progenitor cells underlies the development of immunodeficiency in HIV infection. Pathological changes in the gastric mucosa may be associated with Mycobacterium avium complex. Cryptosporidosis is an opportunistic infection reported as common among immuno-suppressed patients. It occurs as a long-term, mild infection without severe clinical symptoms. In recent decades, opportunistic infections have become a medical and social challenge due to their spread and significant impact on the quality of life of HIV-positive people. It should be also noted that the presence of opportunistic infection has little effect on the characteristics of the microbial picture in the intestine. But, at the same time, it can deteriorate metabolic processes in the intestinal epithelium, proliferation and maintenance of its resistance to aggressive factors. Therefore, the issue of detection and timely treatment of opportunistic infections is of a great medical and social importance. Conclusions: Early diagnosis, prevention and management of opportunistic infections play an essential role in increasing the life expectancy of HIV-positive people and improving the course of the disease.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0227900
Author(s):  
Milagros Pérez-Quintanilla ◽  
Rocío Méndez-Martínez ◽  
Salvador Vázquez-Vega ◽  
Raquel Espinosa-Romero ◽  
Rita Sotelo-Regil ◽  
...  

Acta Tropica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 105058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Otranto ◽  
Roberta Iatta ◽  
Gad Baneth ◽  
Maria Alfonsa Cavalera ◽  
Angelica Bianco ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Benjamin Nogueda-Torres ◽  
Oziel D Montañez-Valdez ◽  
J G Michel-Parra ◽  
Diana M Martínez-Grant ◽  
J Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra

Abstract Chagas disease is a very important vector-borne disease in México, and Triatoma dimidiata sensu stricto (Latreille) is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, mainly in southern and central states. In the Pacific Coast states with the highest prevalence of human T. cruzi infection, T. dimidiata s. s. is considered as a secondary vector. However, the vectorial capacity of those populations has not been studied. Therefore, the vector characteristics of three populations of T. dimidiata s. s. in western México were evaluated in this study. The populations were maintained in the laboratory at 27 ± 1°C and 75% ± 5% RH with a 12:12 h (light:dark) regime, fed on rabbits in a fortnight basis. The development times were short (172–238 d), and the number of bloodmeals to molt was low (11). Mortality was moderate (36–45%), the onset of feeding was relatively rapid (0.5–1.7 min), and feedings were extended (>15 min). More than 40% of individuals in most instars defecated in one of three categories: <1 min when feeding (5–37.9%), immediately after feeding (9–28.6%), or in <1 min post feeding (7–25.8%). The median number of laid eggs was high (over 2.5) in the three populations, as were the egg eclosion rates (>86%). Thus, the T. dimidiata s. s. in the three populations are potentially efficient vectors of T. cruzi and could contribute to the high prevalence of infection in human populations in western México.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Tu ◽  
Yu-Ye Li ◽  
Yi-Qun Kuang ◽  
Rong-Hui Xie ◽  
Xing-Qi Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in the country. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms. Methods We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and HSV-2 tests were also performed. Results Among 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STI was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in ART individuals, respectively. Testing frequency was 11.6% (11.8% vs 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, chlamydia, gonorrhoeae and genitalium. Percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in ART participants. Females, age between 18 to 35 years, ever injected drugs, homosexual or bisexual, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptom was not eliminating of having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. Conclusions STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs 49.0%), HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found high prevalence (6.4%) of Mycoplasma genitalium in ART-naive individuals. ART can reduce the diversity of STI-HIV coinfection but not the prevalence. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or maybe hide their genital tract discomfort, thus we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals whether they describe genital tract discomfort or not.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1570-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Jiwatram-Negrón ◽  
Nabila El-Bassel ◽  
Sholpan Primbetova ◽  
Assel Terlikbayeva

This article examines the prevalence and associated multilevel risk and protective factors of intimate and nonintimate partner violence among a sample of 249 HIV-positive women in Kazakhstan. We found high prevalence of both lifetime intimate partner violence (52%) and nonintimate partner violence (30%). Together, nearly 60% experienced at least one incident of violence by either an intimate or nonintimate partner (gender-based violence [GBV]). In the multivariate analyses, we found associations between several individual, interpersonal, and socio-structural risk factors and GBV. Findings provide direction for practice, policy, and future research to address the intersection of GBV and HIV in Kazakhstan.


2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio S. Aguiar ◽  
Daniella P. Lopes ◽  
Anna Ricordi Bazin ◽  
Sérgio Setúbal ◽  
Bernard J. Cohen ◽  
...  

Parvovirus B19 infects predominantly erythroid cells, leading to transient inhibition of erythropoiesis. Immunocompromised patients may be unable to produce neutralizing antibodies and may develop severe chronic anemia. Epidemiological studies done on Niterói population showed that B19 infection occurs periodically in late spring and summer. We report a study from 55 HIV infected patients attending an infectious diseases outpatient clinic in this city during a 5-month period in which B19 circulation was well documented. All patients were under anti-retroviral therapy. No anti-B19 IgM was found, but a high prevalence of IgG anti-B19 (91%) was observed. In six patients, B19 DNA was found by dot-blot hybridization techniques, but this was not confirmed by PCR. None of these 6 patients manifested anemia and only one had CD4 cell count below 200 x 10(7)/L. We conclude that persistent infection causing anemia is an infrequent finding in our HIV positive patients under drug therapy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-124
Author(s):  
Clara Maria Schutte

Background. South Africa (SA) has a high prevalence of HIV infection with almost 11% of the population aged >2 years living with HIV. At the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, the Neurology Department has seen a steady increase in HIV-related neurology patients.Objective. To evaluate the mortality data of this unit as it relates to HIV infection.Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of records. Patient mortality statistics for 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 were analysed regarding cause of death, sex, age and HIV status.Results. During 2006, 85 patients died: 33% were HIV-positive, 13% were HIV-negative and 54% had not tested for HIV. By 2010, these figures were 50%, 22% and 28%, respectively, changing little in 2012 (48%, 28% and 24%, respectively). Causes of death in the HIV-positive group were meningitis in 58% – with tuberculous meningitis the most common aetiology – followed by strokes (14%), space-occupying lesions (8%) and status epilepticus (7%). Among HIV-positive patients aged 20 - 30 years, a larger proportion of young women died than men. In the combined untested and HIV-negative group, strokes accounted for the vast majority of deaths.Conclusion. Neurological complications of HIV remain common in SA and contribute significantly to the overall mortality in our tertiary neurology unit, with TB posing a serious threat. A strong corps of clinical neurologists with training in infective neurology is needed urgently in the coming years to care for this growing number of patients. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-69
Author(s):  
Najmeh Parhizgari ◽  
Norair Piazak ◽  
Ehsan Mostafavi

Vector-borne diseases have become a global health concern in recent decades as a result of global warming, globalization, growth in international trade and travel, use of insecticide and drug resistance. This review study addressed the key vector-borne diseases and their current status in Iran to emphasize the requirements for further research on vector-borne diseases. The dispersion patterns of these diseases differ in various regions. Some of them such as Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Q fever are distributed all across Iran, whereas some others such as plague, leishmaniasis, tularemia, and malaria are restricted to specific areas. The high prevalence of vectors throughout the country necessitates enhancing the monitoring and surveillance of emerging and reemerging vector-borne diseases and their potential vectors.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Linda L. Pifer ◽  
Walter T. Hughes ◽  
Sergio Stagno ◽  
Diane Woods

Using Pneumocystis carinii organisms propagated through three passages in embryonic chick epithelial lung cultures, specific antigens and antisera were prepared for use in counterimmunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescent antibody techniques. These methods proved to be specific and sensitive for the detection of P. carinii antigen and antibody, respectively, in sera, and were applied to the study of cancer patients with P. carinii pneumonitis (PCP), cancer patients without pneumonitis, and normal children. Antigenemia was detected in 95% of patients with PCP, in 15% of cancer patients without pneumonitis, and in none of the normal children tested. In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of normal infants and children, acquisition of serum antibody to P. carinii was demonstrated to occur progressively with increase in age. By 4 years of age two thirds of the normal children were found to have antibody to P. carinii in titers of 1:16 or greater. These studies indicate that subclinical P. carinii infection is highly prevalent in normal children, analogous to other opportunistic infections where active disease is manifest predominantly in the compromised host.


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