Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is necessary for the development of precursor lesions and cervical cancer. HPV infection among women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) occurs more frequently, presents a higher rate of persistent infections and an earlier progression to cancer. We aimed to evaluate HR-HPV prevalence, incidence and clearance, and its association with HIV viral suppression, immunological response and other risk factors among WLHA followed at an STD/HIV reference center. This was a cohort study conducted at a reference center for STD/AIDS in Northeastern Brazil from September 2013 to September 2015. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 and 12 months after enrolment, where socio-epidemiological data were obtained. Cervical samples were collected for conventional cytology and HPV DNA research (PCR COBAS® Roche) in addition to blood samples for CD4+ T lymphocyte count and HIV viral load. We prospectively evaluated 333 women. HR-HPV DNA prevalence was 33.3% at baseline. HPV-16 was present in 5.1%, HPV-18 in 3.9% and 29.4% WLHA had other HR-HPV (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68). The HR-HPV incidence during the follow-up was 10.8%, at the 6-month visit was 7.7% and at the 12-month visit was 3.7%. Variables associated with HR-HPV incidence were: nulliparity, combined oral contraceptive use and detectable HIV viral load. The HR-HPV clearance rate was 41.7% and was associated with age >30 years and lymphocyte T CD4 count >500 cells/mm3 at enrolment. These findings contribute to the knowledge about a group of women that need more careful HPV screening and describe the association between an efficient immunological response and HIV viral suppression with lower incidence and increased clearance of HR-HPV.

Scientific information on the impact of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on the health of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns is considered of limited confidence, lacking good-quality evidence, and drawing biased conclusions. As a matter of fact, the initial impressions that the evolution of COVID-19 was no different between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and that SARS-CoV-2 was not vertically transmitted, are confronted by the documentation of worsening of the disease during pregnancy, poor obstetric outcomes, and the possibility of vertical transmission. The present article aims to compile the data available on the association of COVID-19 and reproductive events, from conception to birth.

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(63.4%) men who have sex with men only; 34 (8.2%) men who have sex with both men and women. Among the women: 74 (73.3%) African-American; 18 (17.8%) White; 6 (5.9%) women who have sex with women only; 8 (7.9%) women who have sex with women and men. Among men, the prevalence of CT was 10.7% (2.7% throat, 5.8% rectal and 3.4% urine); for GC 8.5% (6.5% throat, 3.4% rectal and 1.2% urine). Among women, the prevalence of CT 12.9% (4.9% throat, 8.9% rectal and 8.9% urine); GC 3.0% (1.0% throat, 3.0% rectal and 1.0% urine). 95.9% of the individuals reported high acceptance of self-testing with 97.6% willing to do repeat testing and 96.7% to recommend self-testing to someone else. Conclusion HIV-negative, asymptomatic adults testing for HIV are infected with other STIs. Self-testing for CT and GC was implemented successfully among men and women. Self-testing can mitigate HIV infection by increasing detection and treatment of STIs amongst those seeking HIV testing only. Background Within the BORDERNETwork-project a biobehavioural sentinel surveillance was established in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia in 2010-12. The objectives were to record lab-confirmed STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV) in clinical settings and merge them with demographic and behavioural data to assess migration aspects, vulnerable groups and risk factors and recognise necessity for targeted interventions. Methods On a monthly base, physicians reported aggregated STI testing data. Individual data was provided for each positive patient including demographics, re-and co-infections and assumed risk behaviour. Via patient questionnaires, information on socio-demographics, way of transmission and sexual behaviour was collected. All questionnaires were sent via regional to coordinating partners for merging and analysis. Results Overall, 467797 tests were performed in 45 sentinel sites (Austria 13, Slovakia 14, Romania 13, Bulgaria 5). The countries varied in the number of STI tests (range: 6071 -298645), positivity rate (range: 2-13%), patient characteristics and sexual behaviour. 75% of all women with an STI in Austria were sexworkers, compared to 5% and 8% in Bulgaria and Romania. 34% of all men with an STI in Slovakia had sex with men, compared to 4% in Romania. STI patients, especially women had a migration background in 79% in Austria, but less than 7% in the other three countries. Casual partners were the presumed cause of infection in the majority of MSM in all countries, whereas condom use in the last 6 months with these partners varied significantly between the 4 countries. Conclusions Although not representative, sentinel surveillance gathers useful information on groups most at risk and can be compared between countries when using the same instruments. Legal and social issues can hinder disclosure of sexual preferences and practises and hamper targeted prevention. Enhancement of condom use with casual partners in MSM seems to be crucial, particularly in the East. Results Among 18-35 years old, with singleton births, 2.7% were rep...