Association of seasonality and serum albumin concentration with vitamin D deficiency in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection living in a sunny country.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the season when the blood sample was obtained from subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration <50 nmol/l, based on the values set forth by the Endocrine Society guideline for higher-risk populations.

Chronic alcohol abuse and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus.

Spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an uncommon occurrence in the course of chronic infection. We reported a rare case of a 41-year-old male patient infected with HCV genotype 3a who presented spontaneous viral elimination after increasing his daily consumption of alcoholic beverage. In this short review, we overview how modulation of the hepatic inflammatory response could have a role in the viral elimination process.

Individual factors associated with time to non-adherence to ART pick-up within HIV care and treatment services in three health facilities of Zambézia Province, Mozambique.

Introduction: Mozambique has made significant gains in addressing its HIV epidemic, yet adherence to visit schedules remains a challenge. HIV programmatic gains to date could be impaired if adherence and retention to ART remains low. We investigate individual factors associated with non-adherence to ART pick-up in Mozambique.

Previous hepatitis E virus infection, cirrhosis and insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients with pre-existing liver disease has shown high morbidity and lethality. The consequences of HEV superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the presence of anti-HEV antibodies, liver cirrhosis, and insulin resistance.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem. Based on results of a serosurvey, global prevalence is estimated to be 2,5%, and women account for about 35.8% of the cases.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in chronic hepatitis C in Brazil.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis E virus infection in patients with underlying chronic liver disease is associated with liver decompensation and increased lethality. The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Brazil is unknown. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to describe associated risk factors.

A randomized controlled trial to assess safety, tolerability, and antepartum viral load with increased lopinavir/ritonavir dosage in pregnancy.

HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is significantly reduced if antepartum viral load (apVL) is<50 copies/mL. Pharmacokinetic studies suggest increasing the dosage of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in pregnancy. It is important to assess tolerance, safety, and rate of patients presenting a apVL<50 copies/mL when treating with increased dose of LPV/r during pregnancy.

The management of HIV-infected pregnant women.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this article is to update the current practice in the management of HIV-infected pregnant women and present evidence-based recommendations for the reduction of mother-to-child transmission.

Recent Findings: Early and sustained control of HIV viral replication is associated with decreasing residual risk of transmission and favors initiating antiretroviral drugs sufficiently early in naive women to suppress viral replication by the third trimester; however, this potential benefit must be balanced against the unknown long-term outcome of first-trimester drug exposure. Efavirenz should whenever possible be avoided in the first trimester of gestation, but its use seems well tolerated for 39 days after last menstrual period when the neural tube closes.

[Factors associated with virological response in women receiving highly-active antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission].

Introduction: Pregnancy is the only circumstance in HIV infection requiring urgent virological response to the antiviral approach because of the influence of plasma viral load (VL) on mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of the disease. This study analyzes factors related to the time needed to reach VL < 400 copies/mL during antiretroviral prophylaxis for MCT.

Methods: The study included a cohort of HIV-1 infected pregnant women enrolled between 2000 and 2005 with baseline CD4+ lymphocyte count > 300 cells/microL, highly-active antiretroviral prophylaxis for at least 4 weeks, antiretroviral interruption after delivery, and available laboratory data.

HIV-infected pregnant women have greater adherence with antiretroviral drugs than non-pregnant women.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on the level of adherence with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, in a prospective cohort of 72 pregnant women and 79 non-pregnant women. Adherence was measured by pill counting and self-reporting. Women were deemed adherent if 95% or more of all ARV had been taken as prescribed, in two occasions.