Genetic Variants of HIV Type 1 in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Russia.

The men who have sex with men (MSM) population infected with HIV is poorly studied in Russia because of stigma and discrimination. In the first years of the HIV epidemic, the only HIV genetic variant that circulated among MSM was subtype B, usually acquired abroad. Meanwhile, the massive epidemic of HIV in Russia was caused by a highly homogenic subtype A variant, A (A6), and spread mainly among drug users.

[Mechanisms of cerebral damage in patients with HIV-infection].

Mechanisms of HIV transportation through blood-brain barrier, vascular plexus and interaction with cerebral cells having CD-4-receptors, CCR-5- and CXCR-4-coreceptors were studied. Cerebral damage developed through latent and acute periods also known as HIV-encephalopathy, HIV-associated neurocognitive dysfunction etc. Cerebral lesions are caused by a variety of chemical agents from pro-inflammatory cytokines to toxic HIV-proteins resulting in development of HIV-dementia through several years.

[Otoendoscopy for the diagnosis of chronic middle ear diseases].

The objective of the present work was to evaluate potential of otoendoscopy for the diagnosis of chronic middle ear diseases. A total of 195 patients (274 ears) with this pathology were examined. The group included 87 men (114 ears) and 108 women (160 ears) aged from 16 to 72 (mean 43.