Evaluation of HBsAg and anti-HBc assays in saliva and dried blood spot samples according HIV status.

Influence of HIV status in HBV markers detection in saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) was not well established. This study aims to evaluate the performance of optimized commercial immunoassay for identifying HBsAg and anti-HBc in saliva and DBS according HIV status. A sum of 535 individuals grouped as HIV, HBV, HIV/HBV and HIV/HBV- were recruited where 347 and 188 were included for HBsAg and anti-HBc evaluation, respectively.

Performance of ANTI-HCV testing in dried blood spots and saliva according to HIV status.

The use of saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) could increase access to HCV diagnosis for high-risk populations, such as HIV-infected individuals, but the performance of these assays has not been well established in this group. This study aims to evaluate HIV status, particularly TCD4 cell count and viral load, in the performance of anti-HCV testing using DBS and saliva. A total of 961 individuals classified as HCV+, HIV+, or HIV/HCV+, as well as negative controls, donated serum, DBS, and saliva samples for anti-HCV testing using a commercial enzyme immunoassay.

Low rates of sustained virologic response with peginterferon plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in HIV infected patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: The standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-infected subjects is the combination of alfapeginterferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin. We designed this study to evaluate the rate of SVR and predictors of SVR in a public health setting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of HCV/HIV co-infected patients treated with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin from 2004 to 2011 in 3 outpatient units in Rio de Janeiro.

Temporal changes in causes of death among HIV-infected patients in the HAART era in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: The widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to marked decreases in death rates in Brazil in HIV-infected individuals. Nonetheless, there are scarce data on specific causes of death.

Methods: Death rates from a cohort of HIV-infected patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed in 2-year periods, from 1997 to 2006.