Assessment of Syphilitic Optic Neuropathy: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical features of syphilis optic neuropathy (SON) and explore its underlying pathogenesis by measuring the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL).

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Syphilitics, regardless of ocular complaints, in the ophthalmology department in 2020 were screened for SON, which was defined as isolated optic neuropathy without overt signs of syphilitic uveitis.

Hepatitis C therapy with interferon-α and ribavirin reduces the CD4 cell count and the total, 2LTR circular and integrated HIV-1 DNA in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

This study investigated whether treatment with IFN-α and ribavirin (RBV) reduces 2LTR circular HIV DNA in addition to the total and integrated HIV DNA. Two groups of patients were enrolled. Group 1 comprised HIV/HCV co-infected patients who were treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), IFN-α and RBV for 48 weeks.