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El virus de hepatitis B es un virus ADN de doble cadena, cuya infección es silenciosa en la mayor parte de los casos, sin síntomas, y que puede pasarse a otras personas en la misma forma. Su infección crónica afecta más de 350 millones de personas a nivel mundial. La transmisión materno infantil es la causa más frecuente de transmisión, en especial en el momento del parto y si la carga viral materna es alta. Por lo tanto, se debe incentivar que, a toda paciente embarazada se le realice el tamizaje de serología con HBsAg en su primera consulta prenatal para detectar de forma precoz la enfermedad, y así reducir las consecuencias a largo plazo como la hepatitis crónica, cirrosis, falla hepática y carcinoma hepatocelular; estas aumentan en forma precoz si la infección se da al inicio de la vida. Esta infección requiere manejo especializado durante y posterior al embarazo, ya que la terapia antiviral en mujeres embarazadas con alta virulencia puede reducir significativamente la transmisión vertical si se inicia en el tercer trimestre, siendo actualmente el tenofovir el primer tratamiento de elección, en vez de lamivudina, porque su uso se ha visto limitado por presentar altos niveles de resistencia. De igual forma, se recomienda que todo recién nacido de madres con hepatitis B crónica debe recibir inmunoglobulinas y la primera dosis de la vacuna de hepatitis B, en las primeras 12 horas después del parto y no está contraindicada la lactancia materna.

Introduction: The vertical transmission rate (VTR) of HIV has decreased to less than 2% in high-income countries, in spite of which perinatal infections continue to occur. We present data from the national cohort of pregnant women living with HIV and their children in Spain. The objectives were to describe the characteristics of this population, evaluate the VTR of HIV, the safety of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the prevalence of coinfection., Patients and Methods: Multicentre prospective, observational and descriptive study with participation of 62 hospitals. The sample included pegnant women living with HIV whose children were born between January 2020 and December 2022. We collected prospective data on the characteristics of mothers and children using an online questionnaire (REDCap web application)., Results: The study included 414 mother-child dyads. Most mothers were immigrants (227/349; 65.1%). The main route of HIV infection was heterosexual transmission (160/402; 39.8%), followed by vertical transmission (44/402; 10.9%). The diagnosis was made before conception in 313/389 women (80.4%), 394/402 (98%) received ART during pregnancy and 356/402 (89.3%) had an undetectable viral load at the time of delivery. The delivery was vaginal in 230/388 children (59.3%). The proportion of preterm birth was 11.1%. The most frequent neonatal prophylaxis approach was monotherapy with zidovudine (358/414; 86.5%). There were 3 cases of vertical transmission of HIV (95% CI, 0%-1.54%). Only one newborn was breastfed., Conclusions: At present, most women living with HIV in Spain receive the diagnosis before conception, are of foreign ancestry and achieve good control of the infection. Although the VTR is very low in Spain, there are still infections that could be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment., (Copyright © 2024 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

El artículo discute las especificidades del proceso de iniciación sexual (IS) de las jóvenes viviendo con HIV infectadas por transmisión vertical (TV) a partir de un estudio transversal, con muestreo probabilístico, conducido en el municipio de São Paulo entre 2013 y 2014. Se compararon las medias de la edad de la primera relación sexual de las jóvenes de 18 a 24 años, segmentadas entre infectadas por TV, infectadas por otras vías y aquellas que no viven con HIV/SIDA. Se observó asociación entre el aplazamiento de la primera relación sexual y la infección por TV, tener filiación religiosa, tener al menos la enseñanza media completa, no haber hecho uso de drogas en la vida y haber tenido la primera relación con pareja más joven o hasta dos años más viejo. La infección por el HIV confiere complejidad a los procesos de socialización para la sexualidad y, consecuentemente, de transición a la vida adulta. Los resultados indican que diferentes vías de infección por el HIV aparecen asociadas a modos peculiares de vivir la sexualidad.

A mathematical model for dengue fever transmission is analyzed, which incorporates relevant biological and ecological factors: vertical transmission and seasonality in the interaction between the vector (Aedes aegypti females) and the host (human). The existence and uniqueness of a positive disease-free periodic solution is proved; the global stability of the disease-free solution and the effect of periodic migrations of mosquitoes carrying the virus on the transmission of dengue are analyzed utilizing the mathematical definition of the Basic Reproductive Number in periodic environments; finally, it is numerically corroborated with the help of the Basic Reproductive Number that dengue cannot invade the disease-free state if it is less than one and can invade if it is greater than one, however, in both threshold conditions when vertical transmission occurs, the number of infected people and carrier vectors rises, representing a mechanism for the persistence of dengue cases in a community throughout a natural year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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La infección oculta por el virus de la hepatitis B (IOB), se caracteriza por la presencia en suero o plasma del genoma viral (ADN-VHB) y anticuerpos contra la proteína de la cápside (anti-HBc) en ausencia del antígeno de superficie (HBsAg), marcador que tradicionalmente se emplea para identificar la presencia del virus. Con el objetivo de caracterizar la presencia de IOB en hijos de madres positivas al HBsAg, se estudiaron 291 muestras séricas de niños con la condición de ser HBsAg (-) y anticuerpos anti-HBsAg (anti-HBs) menores de 50 UI/L, conservadas en la seroteca del Laboratorio de Referencia Nacional de Hepatitis Virales. Se realizaron ensayos para determinar la exposición al virus (anti-HBc), a los sueros anti-HBc (+) se les realizó Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa en Tiempo Real (RCP-TR) para determinar y cuantificar el ADN-VHB. La prevalencia de exposición al VHB (anti-HBc) fue 16,8% (49/291). El ADN viral se cuantificó en el 14% (6/43) de los casos anti-HBc (+), observándose cargas virales que oscilaban entre 2,15 x 101 hasta 3,42 x 101 UI/mL. La prevalencia de la IOB para el total de los pacientes analizados fue 2,1% (6/291), considerada relativamente baja. No se encontró asociación significativa entre las variables sociodemográficas analizadas tales como: edad, sexo y provincia de procedencia. La IOB está presente en hijos de madres positivas al HBsAg, a pesar de la profilaxis contra la hepatitis B. Por lo tanto, se requiere de pesquisajes adecuados para detectar dicha entidad. Las implicaciones clínicas y epidemiológicas de la misma, requieren de un estrecho monitoreo y atención de estos pacientes. Este estudio se realiza por primera vez en Cuba y aporta conocimientos útiles para el diagnóstico, prevención y control de esta enfermedad en niños.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the main mode of HIV-1 acquisition among young children worldwide. The goals of this study were to estimate the proportion of HIV MTCT and to identify factors associated with transmission. We reviewed data for HIV-infected pregnant women that had been reported to the National Information on Reportable Diseases System (SINAN) in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, between January 2007 and December 2012. HIV cases in children were followed until age 18 months. The proportion of women who transmitted HIV to their babies was 14% (95% CI 11-17%). In a multivariate logistic regression model, pregnant women who had lower than primary school education (OR 2.74; 95% CI 1.31-5.71), had 2 or more pregnancies during the study period (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.07-4.84), had emergency cesarean delivery (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.57-11.9), and did not receive antiretroviral therapy during prenatal care (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.09-5.31) had higher odds of HIV MTCT. Effort should be made to encourage health care workers and pregnant women to use services for the prevention of MTCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La caries dental es una de las enfermedades más comunes en la infancia y las personas continúan siendo susceptible a través de la vida. Aunque actualmente puede ser detenida y potencialmente revertida en etapas tempranas, no es autolimitada, progresa en forma crónica si no existe un cuidado y control de los factores que la producen, llegando a la destrucción de dientes, dolor, alteraciones funcionales, sistémicas y consecuencias en la calidad de vida de las personas. La caries temprana de infancia, de inicio precoz en niños, es causada en forma frecuente por hábitos alimenticios inapropiados y la adquisición temprana de microorganismos como Streptococcus mutans. Se ha sugerido una transmisión vertical de madre a hijo como la vía principal de adquisición de Streptococcus mutans, y también se ha demostrado en la literatura, que existiría una transmisión horizontal entre niños y sus cuidadores, compañeros de jardín infantil y colegios. Por esta razón durante muchos años se ha definido la enfermedad caries como infecciosa y transmisible. Nuevos avances en técnicas moleculares han dado evidencia acerca de la microflora autóctona y cómo la placa dental o biofilm funciona como un sistema ecológico dinámico y complejo. Existe evidencia que la caries dental no es una enfermedad infecciosa clásica, como se creía hace unos años, por el contrario, esta enfermedad es el resultado de un cambio ecológico en la biopelícula adquirida en la superficie dental. Además la transmisión de Streptococcus mutans de la madre hacia el hijo no implica que la enfermedad se desarrolle, por el contrario, la caries dental hoy se describe como una enfermedad común, compleja y multifactorial, donde interactúan varios factores de riesgo, entre los más destacados conductuales, ambientales y genéticos.

Antecedentes: En embarazadas seropositivas sin profilaxis antirretroviral la transmisión vertical (TV) del VIH es de 30%, cifra que disminuye bajo al 2% con un manejo integral de prevención. Objetivo: Conocer el comportamiento epidemiológico de la TV en Chile desde la creación del programa nacional de prevención. Método: Datos aportados por el Departamento de Epidemiología del MINSAL y CONASIDA (1984-2006). Estudió de situación VIH/SIDA por año, regiones, grupo etario y sexo, con especial énfasis en TV. Resultados: Se notificaron 9.317 casos de VIH y 7.886 casos de SIDA (1984-2006), prevalencia en aumento hasta el 2003 con tendencia descendente posteriormente. La razón actual de VIH entre hombres y mujeres es de 4:1, con clara tendencia al aumento de notificación en mujeres. La principal vía de exposición sigue siendo la vía sexual (93,4%). El grupo más afectado está entre los 20-39 años (73,1% para VIH y 63,1% para SIDA), cabe destacar que entre 0-9 años se encuentra el 1,1% de los afectados por VIH y el 1,4% por SIDA, todos infectados por TV. Conclusiones: La transmisión vertical de VIH en Chile es responsable de un bajo porcentaje de las personas notificadas de VIH/SIDA, pero es la causa de la totalidad de los niños afectados por la infección en nuestro país. Se observa una importante reducción de la TV, llegando a niveles muy cercanos a los objetivos ministeriales.Background: The risk of transmitting HIV from mother to unborn child, without any antiretroviral prophylaxis, reaches 30%. It can be reduced to less than 2% by implementing integral preventive strategies. Objective: To assess the epidemiological profile of HIV vertical transmission in Chile since the implementation of the national AIDS transmission prevention program. Method: Data from the Epidemiology Department of the Health Ministry and the National Commission for AIDS grouped by year, location, ageandgender. Withspecial emphasis on vertical transmission. Results: 9317 cases of HIV infection and 7886 cases of AIDS have been reported in Chile (1984-2006), with a decreasing tendency since 2003. Sexual exposure continues to be the primary route with 93.4% of the cases. The male/female ratio for case notif¡cation is 4:1, with a rising tendency among women. The most affected is between 20-39 years old (73% HIV notification and 63.1% for AIDS). Among children between 0-9 years of age is 1.1% of the HIV and 1.4% of AIDS notifications, all of them for vertical transmission. Conclusions: HIV vertical transmission in Chile is responsible for a small percentage of HIV/AIDS notifications, but it accounts for all of the infected children. There's been an important reduction in this transmission route, reaching prevalence close to the aimed rates, which can explained by the expanding prevention programs of the health policies implemented by the Health Ministry.

Debido a la rara presentación simultánea entre cáncer y embarazo y a que la afectación de la unidad fetoplacentaria por dicha patología es aún más exótica, la presente revisión busca lograr un mejor entendimiento sobre la afectación placentaria y fetal por patologías malignas que pueden comprometer el embarazo. Se realizó una búsqueda en diferentes bases de datos electrónicas como Pubmed, Ovid, Elsevier, Cochrane y libros de texto impresos. Los hallazgos en la literatura médica son bastante limitados y básicamente se trata de reportes de casos o series de casos, encontrados mediante búsqueda bibliográfica. Desde el primer reporte de metástasis de carcinoma hepático a placenta y feto, descrito en 1866, se han documentado solamente 14 casos de metástasis transplacentaria materno-fetal y poco más de 50 casos de enfermedades malignas maternas con metástasis a placenta.Due to the rare simultaneous presentation of cancer during pregnancy and a fetoplacental unit being affected by such pathology is even rarer then this present review sought for better understanding regarding placental and foetal units being affected by malign pathologies which could compromise pregnancy. Different databases were searched (i.e. Pubmed, Ovid, Elsevier and Cochrane) as were medical texts and books. Findings in the medical literature were extremely limited, basically dealing with case-reports and case series found by a bibliographic search. Only 14 cases of maternal-foetal trans-placenta metastasis have been documented since the first report of hepatic carcinoma metastasis of the placenta and foetus described in 1866 and only just over 50 cases of malign maternal diseases involving metastasis of the placenta.

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Copyright of Medicina (Buenos Aires) is the property of Medicina (Buenos Aires) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objetivos: Identificar y describir los factores que han hecho posible la existencia de nuevas infecciones de VIH por transmisión vertical desde la implementación del tratamiento antirretroviral en la gestante seropositiva (1997-2001) en Cataluña. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de casos identificados en servicios de pediatría de todos los hospitales de Cataluña. Resultados: Se identificaron 28 casos de infección pediátrica por VIH: 9, 9, 8, 2 y 0 por año de nacimiento de 1997 a 2001, respectivamente. De 16 madres con diagnóstico de infección por VIH conocido antes o durante el embarazo, 9 realizaron profilaxis antirretroviral durante éste (5 con buena adhesión, uno desconocido y el resto con mala adhesión) y 7 no realizaron profilaxis (6 por rechazo y uno no se conoce). De 12 diagnosticadas después del parto, 5 fueron embarazos no controlados y el resto poco o bien controlados. De estos últimos, en 6 no se practicó serología para VIH y en uno fue negativa en el primer trimestre. Conclusiones: La transmisión vertical del VIH en Cataluña ha disminuido en los últimos años, pero se han producido infecciones por la mala implementación en algún caso de las medidas preventivas conocidas. Debería ofrecerse la prueba diagnóstica para VIH a toda gestante no sólo en el primer trimestre de embarazo sino también al final, si se sospecha exposición al virus, y en caso de gestaciones no controladas hay que usar pruebas diagnósticas de lectura rápida en la sala de partos.Objectives: To identify and describe the factors that have led to new cases of HIV infection through mother-to-child transmission since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-seropositive pregnant women (1997-2001) in Catalonia. Methods: Systematic review of cases identified in the pediatric services of all the hospitals in Catalonia. Results: Twenty-eight cases of pediatric HIV infection were identified: 9, 9, 8, 2 and 0 per year of birth from 1997 to 2001, respectively. Of 16 mothers with a diagnosis of known HIV infection before or during pregnancy, nine underwent antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy (compliance was good in five, unknown in one and poor in one) and seven did not undergo prophylaxis (six refused it and no information was available in one). Of 12 mothers diagnosed after delivery, pregnancy was not monitored in five and was little or well-monitored in the remaining seven. Of mothers with well-monitored pregnancy, a serological HIV test was not performed in six and was negative in the first trimester in one. Conclusions: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV has decreased in the last few years in Catalonia, but infections have sometimes occurred through poor implementation of preventive measures. Pregnant women should be offered an HIV diagnostic test not only in the first trimester but also at the end of pregnancy if HIV exposure is suspected. In women with unmonitored pregnancies, rapid diagnostic tests for HIV should be used in the delivery room.

Neste estudo, buscamos investigar o conhecimento que gestantes possuem sobre a transmissão vertical, o comprometimento do feto e o significado do resultado soropositivo que a identifica como infectada pelo HIV. A pesquisa exploratória, de natureza qualitativa, foi desenvolvida em Unidades Sanitárias de São Leopoldo/RS. A análise permitiu captar a percepção de 63 gestantes entre 16 e 40 anos sobre os motivos e os significados para realização do teste, os conhecimentos e vivências do cotidiano e as perspectivas e cuidados com o bebê. Os resultados trazem um alerta aos profissionais que atuam no pré-natal, visto que necessitam atender uma complexidade de situações que emergem quando se vincula gestação e AIDS.

Objetivos: Identificar y describir los factores que han hecho posible la existencia de nuevas infecciones de VIH por transmisión vertical desde la implementación del tratamiento antirretroviral en la gestante seropositiva (1997-2001) en Cataluña. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de casos identificados en servicios de pediatría de todos los hospitales de Cataluña. Resultados: Se identificaron 28 casos de infección pediátrica por VIH: 9, 9, 8, 2 y 0 por año de nacimiento de 1997 a 2001, respectivamente. De 16 madres con diagnóstico de infección por VIH conocido antes o durante el embarazo, 9 realizaron profilaxis antirretroviral durante éste (5 con buena adhesión, uno desconocido y el resto con mala adhesión) y 7 no realizaron profilaxis (6 por rechazo y uno no se conoce). De 12 diagnosticadas después del parto, 5 fueron embarazos no controlados y el resto poco o bien controlados. De estos últimos, en 6 no se practicó serología para VIH y en uno fue negativa en el primer trimestre. Conclusiones: La transmisión vertical del VIH en Cataluña ha disminuido en los últimos años, pero se han producido infecciones por la mala implementación en algún caso de las medidas preventivas conocidas. Debería ofrecerse la prueba diagnóstica para VIH a toda gestante no sólo en el primer trimestre de embarazo sino también al final, si se sospecha exposición al virus, y en caso de gestaciones no controladas hay que usar pruebas diagnósticas de lectura rápida en la sala de partos.

Introduction: Although infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) is mainly considered a sexually transmitted disease, newborns exposed to the virus in the perinatal period can also be infected through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. The aim of our study was to increase our understanding of neonatal oropharyngeal infection by HPV, trying to establish its frequency, mechanisms of infection and persistence through age 2 years., Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational and descriptive study in a cohort of neonates born vaginally whose mothers carried HPV in the lower genital tract at the time of delivery. Tests for detection of HPV in amniotic fluid, venous cord blood and oropharyngeal secretions were performed in every neonate, and we conducted microbiological follow-up of infants colonized by HPV up to age 2 years., Results: The prevalence of oropharyngeal colonization at birth was 58.24%. In the 24-month follow-up, the proportions of clearance and persistence of HPV in the oropharynx were 94.34% and 5.66%, respectively., Conclusions: The results of this case series suggest that neonatal oropharyngeal colonization by HPV, while frequent in the postpartum period, is usually a self-limited process, and the main mechanism of infection transvaginal intrapartum vertical transmission. Although colonization in most neonates is transient and asymptomatic, the clinical significance of persistent carriage remains unknown., (Copyright © 2022 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Copyright of Medicina (Buenos Aires) is the property of Medicina (Buenos Aires) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To investigate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation among pregnant women and the optimum model of service delivery for integrating HAART services into antenatal care. Methods We analysed clinic records to reconstruct a cohort of all HIV-infected pregnant women eligible for HAART at four antenatal clinics representing three service delivery models in Cape Town, South Africa. To assess HAART coverage, records of women determined to be eligible for HAART in pregnancy were reviewed at corresponding HIV treatment services. Results Of 13 208 pregnant women tested for HIV, 26% were HIV-infected and 15% were HAART-eligible based on a CD4 cell count of ≤ 200 cells/μl. Among eligible women, 51% initiated HAART before delivery, 27% received another prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) intervention and 22% did not receive any antiretroviral intervention before delivery. The proportions of women initiating HAART between the different service delivery models were comparable. The median gestational age at first presentation was 26 weeks, and early gestational age at first presentation was the strongest predictor of being on HAART by delivery. Of the women who did not initiate HAART in pregnancy, 24% started treatment within 2 years postpartum. Conclusions In this setting with clear PMTCT and HAART protocols, services failed to prioritize and initiate a high proportion of eligible pregnant women on HAART. The initiation of HAART in pregnancy requires strengthened antenatal and HIV services that target women with advanced stage disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Prior exposure to intrapartum/neonatal nevirapine (NVP) is associated with compromised virologic treatment outcomes once non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)–based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is initiated. We examined the longer-term clinical outcomes in a programmatic setting. Methods We compared post-12 month mortality and clinical treatment failure (defined by WHO clinical and immunologic criteria) among women with and without prior NVP exposure in Lusaka, Zambia. Results Between April 2004 and July 2006, 6740 women initiated an NNRTI-containing regimen. At 12 months, 5172 (78%) remained active and were included in this analysis. Of these, 596 (12%) reported prior NVP exposure, whose time from exposure to ART initiation was: <6 months for 11%, 6–12 months for 13%, >12 months for 37%, unknown for 39%. Overall, women with prior NVP exposure trended towards increased survival (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27–1.06, P = 0.07) and towards increased hazard of clinical treatment failure (AHR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.95–1.47, P = 0.14), particularly those with exposure for <6 months (AHR: 1.52; 95% CI: 0.94–2.45, P = 0.09). Conclusions Prior NVP exposure appeared to increase risk for clinical treatment failure after 12 months of follow-up, but this finding did not reach statistical significance. With growing evidence linking recent NVP exposure to virologic failure, optimized monitoring algorithms should be considered for women with starting NNRTI-based ART. The association between prior NVP exposure and improved survival has not been previously shown and may be a result of residual confounding around health-seeking behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the risk factors of congenital Chagas disease and the consequences of the disease in newborns. Methods Study of 2712 pregnant women and 2742 newborns in Yacuiba, south Bolivia. Chagas infection was determined serologically in mothers and parasitologically in newborns. Consequences of congenital Chagas disease were assessed clinically. Results The prevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women was 42.2%. Congenital transmission was estimated at 6% of infected mothers leading to an incidence rate of 2.6% among newborns. Main risk factors of congenital transmission were mothers’ seropositivity and maternal Trypanosoma cruzi parasitaemia. Parity was higher in infected than in non-infected mothers, but it was not associated with the risk of congenital transmission. The rate of congenital infection was significantly higher in newborns from multiple pregnancies than in singletons. However, we did not observe statistically significant consequences of Chagas disease in newborns from single pregnancies or among twins. Conclusions The main risk factors for congenital transmission were infection and parasitaemia of mothers. Consequences of the disease seemed mild in newborns from single pregnancies and perhaps more important in multiple births. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breastfeeding, particularly for the first 6 months of life, is unquestionably the ideal way to feed most infants. However, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has caused debate and confusion about the best way for HIV-positive mothers to feed their children. This review provides recent key findings and opinions around making breastfeeding safer for HIV-positive women, and argues for preservation of breastfeeding, as opposed to complete avoidance of breastfeeding for all HIV-positive women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid, point-of-care human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing has the potential to enhance strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV infection. Rapid tests need minimal laboratory infrastructure and can be performed by health workers with minimal training. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize the overall diagnostic accuracy of rapid HIV tests in pregnancy, and outcomes such as acceptability, patient preference, feasibility and impact of rapid testing. We searched four major databases, identified and screened 1377 citations, and included 17 studies that met our eligibility criteria. Analyses of these studies suggested that the overall sensitivity and specificity of blood-based rapid tests was high compared with oral rapid tests. A two-step testing strategy, particularly parallel testing, was found to be superior to single-test strategy in labour and delivery settings. Acceptability of rapid tests and patient preference was variable across studies. Overall, rapid HIV testing was highly accurate compared with conventional tests and offer a clear advantage of enabling the implementation of timely interventions to reduce MTCT of HIV. To improve diagnostic accuracy and to reduce false-positive results, it may be necessary to use two rapid tests during labour and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the relationships between maternal knowledge and concern about HIV status, adoption of preventive practices and risk of acquiring HIV in Zimbabwe. Methods Knowledge and behavioural data were collected via interview from 2595 mothers enrolled in ZVITAMBO, a randomized trial of postpartum vitamin A supplementation that also offered education on safer infant feeding and sexual practices. Mothers were tested for HIV at delivery; those uninfected at baseline were retested during study follow-up. Logistic regression methods were used to identify variables associated with adoption of preventive behaviours and, for HIV-negative mothers, their relationship to risk of acquiring HIV post-delivery. Results A total of 518 mothers (20%) reported practicing safer sex and 289 mothers (11%) reported modifying their feeding behaviour because of HIV. Fear of transmitting HIV (50.4%) and protecting the baby's health (30.9%) were the most frequently cited reasons for behaviour change. Forty-nine HIV-negative mothers acquired HIV during the first postpartum year. After taking into account other significant covariates, mothers who were concerned about their own HIV status were 1.9 times more likely (95% CI: 1.05–3.52; P = 0.03), and those reporting safer sex practices were 58% less likely to become infected (adjusted odds ratio: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.17–1.04; P = 0.06). Married women who reported practicing abstinence to prevent HIV were 3.2 times more likely to become infected than non-abstaining mothers ( P = 0.01), while there were no new HIV infections among abstaining single mothers. Conclusions Greater emphasis should be given to safer sex practices among women who test negative in mother-to-child HIV prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: On January 7 th , 2020, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified, as responsible for a new human disease: COVID-19. Given its recent appearance, our current knowledge about the possible influence that this disease can exert on pregnancy is very limited. One of the unknowns to be solved is whether there is a vertical transmission of the infection during pregnancy., Patients and Methods: Using the Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids, the possible presence of this germ in vaginal discharge and amniotic fluid was investigated in four pregnant Caucasian patients affected by mild acute symptoms of COVID-19 during the second trimester of pregnancy., Results: There is no laboratory evidence to suggest a possible passage of SARS-CoV-2 from the infected mother to the amniotic fluid., Conclusions: It is necessary to expand the investigation of COVID-19 cases diagnosed during pregnancy to clarify the real influence that SARS-CoV-2 has on pregnant women and their offspring, as well as those factors that modulate the disease., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI). All rights reserved.)

Background: Assessing the role of HIV and non-HIV related factors is essential for a better understanding of the neurocognitive outcomes in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) young people. The aim of our study was to assess cognition and quality of life (QoL) of a PHIV+ cohort of young people and to compare it with a control group., Methods: Thirty PHIV+ and 30 HIV(-) healthy young adults matched by age, sex and socioeconomic status completed a protocol that included neurocognitive tests, a psychosocial semi-structured interview and a QoL questionnaire (PedsQL). Neurocognitive domain-specific and domain-general (NPZ-5) Z-scores were calculated. CDC AIDS-defining category C or not C (PHIV+/C, PHIV+/noC) was considered to evaluate differences within the PHIV+ group. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed., Results: Sixty patients were included; 67% were female; median age (IQR) 19 years (18-21). Regarding PHIV+ young people, 27% showed CDC C category (none encephalopathy), 93% were on ART and 77% had undetectable viral load. No differences regarding occupation were found, although the HIV(-) group repeated less grades (p=0.028) and had a higher education level (p=0.021). No differences were found between PHIV+/noC and HIV(-) participants. However, the PHIV+/C group showed poorer performance than PHIV+/noC (NPZ-5, p=0.037) and HIV(-) subjects (crystallised intelligence, p=0.025; intelligence quotient, p=0.016). Higher nadir CD4+ T-cell count was related to better Z-score in memory (p=0.007) and NPZ-5 (p=0.025). Earlier and longer exposure to ART resulted in better performance in memory (p=0.004) and executive functions (p=0.015), respectively., Conclusions: No significant differences were found in the neurocognitive profile nor QoL between PHIV+/noC and HIV(-) adolescents; however, PHIV+/C participants obtained lower scores. The use of longer and earlier ART seems to have a beneficial effect., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)

RESUMEN Cerca de 38% de embarazos no planeados se dan por necesidades insatisfechas en anticoncepción. En las mujeres positivas al VIH, las cifras se triplican, un fenómeno explicado por determinantes sociales como la pobreza, el acceso a los servicios de salud, la violencia y el desplazamiento forzoso, todos ellos elementos propios de la vida de estas mujeres. Los embarazos no planeados representan una carga psicológica vinculada con el temor de transmitir la infección a sus hijos, la orfandad y el asumir los riesgos durante el embarazo, a lo cual se añaden las consecuencias familiares y sociales que se manifiestan en baja asistencia al control prenatal, descuido de la salud y aumento de la posibilidad de transmisión vertical. El asesoramiento en anticoncepción diferencial e integrado a los servicios de atención y control del VIH es básico para lograr la eliminación de la transmisión vertical del VIH a corto y medio plazo. Reconocer que estas mujeres tienen características diferentes a las de la población general, como expresan su vida reproductiva, sus deseos e intenciones sobre la maternidad y que los embarazos no planeados representan una carga psicológica, social y económica adicional a la de las demás mujeres permitiría que el asesoramiento en anticoncepción se proporcionara en los programas de atención y seguimiento del VIH, en el mismo lugar y momento, con personal capacitado, capaz de comprender y atender sus necesidades reproductivas dentro de un marco de derechos, logrando que los sistemas de salud, basados en la responsabilidad que tienen con la sociedad, fueran capaces de ofrecer un asesoramiento en reproducción de calidad y dirigido a satisfacer las necesidades específicas de estas mujeres.

Introduction: In recent years, sufficient evidence has accumulated concerning the vertical transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV); however, so far the exact transmission route and infection rate remained controversial. However, in Colombia, and specifically in the city of Cali, there has been no study conducted to evaluate this problem in our population. This is despite a high prevalence of cervical infection that occurs. Therefore, the present study was proposed to address this issue. Objectives: To determine the presence of HPV DNA in 289 placentas of women who had their first apparently healthy child and come from Cali between 2010 and 2011. Methodology: Placental DNA was extracted and tested by amplification of the β-globin gene. The presence of HPV DNA was detected by means of nested amplification of a fragment of the L1 gene using the external primers of the MY09/MY11 pair, and using the GP5 + /GP6+ pair as internal primers. Results: HPV DNA was detected in 8.9% (25/289) of the placental samples, which is twice the frequency reported by Syrjanen S et al. (4.2%) in the city of Turku, finland. Conclusion: Our results are supported by the high prevalence of the infection in the city, and could support the hypothesis of a possible transmission route of intrauterine infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is relevant in the global epidemiology of human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as it represents the main route of infection in children. The study objectives were to determine the rate of HIV-MTCT and its epidemiological trend between the Spanish-born and immigrant population in Catalonia in the period 2000-2014., Methods: A prospective observational study of mother-child pairs exposed to HIV, treated in 12 hospitals in Catalonia in the period 2000-2014. HIV-MTCT rate was estimated using a Bayesian logistic regression model. R and WinBUGS statistical software were used., Results: The analysis included 909 pregnant women, 1,009 pregnancies, and 1,032 children. Data on maternal origin was obtained in 79.4% of women, of whom 32.7% were immigrants, with 53.0% of these from sub-Saharan Africa. The overall HIV-MTCT rate was 1.4% (14/1,023; 95% CI; 0.8-2.3). The risk of MTCT-HIV was 10-fold lower in women with good virological control (P=.01), which was achieved by two-thirds of them. The proportion of immigrants was significantly higher in the period 2008-2014 (P<.0001), for the HIV-diagnosis (P<.0001), and antiretroviral administration (P=.02) during pregnancy, and for undetectable viral load next to delivery (P<.001). There were no differences in the rate of MTCT-HIV among Spanish-born and immigrant women (P=.6)., Conclusions: There is a gradual increase in HIV pregnant immigrants in Catalonia. Although most immigrant women were diagnosed during pregnancy, the rate of MTCT-HIV was no different from the Spanish-born women., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)