BackgroundImprovements in life expectancy and quality of life for HIV-positive women coupled with reduced vertical transmission will likely lead numerous HIV-positive women to consider becoming pregnant. In order to clarify the demand, and aid with appropriate health services planning for this population, our study aims to assess the fertility desires and intentions of HIV-positive women of reproductive age living in Ontario, Canada.Methodology/Principal FindingsA cross-sectional study with recruitment stratified to match the geographic distribution of HIV-positive women of reproductive age (18–52) living in Ontario was carried out. Women were recruited from 38 sites between October 2007 and April 2009 and invited to complete a 189-item self-administered survey entitled “The HIV Pregnancy Planning Questionnaire” designed to assess fertility desires, intentions and actions. Logistic regression models were fit to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of significant predictors of fertility intentions. The median age of the 490 participating HIV-positive women was 38 (IQR, 32–43) and 61%, 52%, 47% and 74% were born outside of Canada, living in Toronto, of African ethnicity and currently on antiretroviral therapy, respectively. Of total respondents, 69% (95% CI, 64%–73%) desired to give birth and 57% (95% CI, 53%–62%) intended to give birth in the future. In the multivariable model, the significant predictors of fertility intentions were: younger age (age<40) (p<0.0001), African ethnicity (p<0.0001), living in Toronto (p = 0.002), and a lower number of lifetime births (p = 0.02).Conclusions/SignificanceThe proportions of HIV-positive women of reproductive age living in Ontario desiring and intending pregnancy were higher than reported in earlier North American studies. Proportions were more similar to those reported from African populations. Healthcare providers and policy makers need to consider increasing services and support for pregnancy planning for HIV-positive women. This may be particularly significant in jurisdictions with high levels of African immigration.

To assess the efficacy of supervised disulfiram as an adjunct to out-patient treatment of alcoholics, a randomised, partially blind, six-month follow-up study was conducted in which 126 patients received 200 mg disulfiram or 100 mg vitamin C under the supervision of a nominated informant. In the opinion of the (blinded) independent assessor, patients on disulfiram increased average total abstinent days by 100 and patients on vitamin C by 69, thus enhancing by one-third this measure of treatment outcome. Mean weekly alcohol consumption was reduced by 162 units with disulfiram, compared with 105 units with vitamin C, and the disulfiram patients reduced their total six-month alcohol consumption by 2572 units compared with an average reduction of 1448 units in the vitamin C group. Serum gamma-GT showed a mean fall of 21 IU/I in patients on disulfiram but rose by a mean of 13 IU/I with vitamin C. Unwanted effects in the disulfiram group led to a dose reduction in seven patients and to treatment withdrawal in four (and in one vitamin C patient). Two-thirds of the disulfiram group asked to continue the treatment at the end of the study. There were no medically serious adverse reactions.

The Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS) is an observational, open dynamic cohort of people who are receiving medical care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Ontario, Canada. Established in the mid-1990s, the OCS has its roots in AIDS activists' demands for research that would improve the quality of life of people living with HIV while respecting their privacy. It is a collaborative and community-driven study, including a Governance Committee made up of people with HIV and other stakeholders that evaluates analysis project proposals for community relevance and ethics. From 1995 to 2010, a total of 5644 participants were enrolled and 27,720 person-years of observation were accumulated; follow-up will continue until at least 2015. In the initial years of study, the focus was on clinical data from medical chart reviews. It has since evolved into a comprehensive study that collects extensive de-identified information on clinical, laboratory and psychosocial and behavioural measures based on medical chart abstractions, interviews using a standardized questionnaire and linkage with external administrative health databases in Ontario. Interested collaborators are encouraged to submit analysis project proposals as instructed on the study website (www.ohtncohortstudy.ca).

ObjectivesDespite the recent publication of case reports describing various manifestations of tenofovir-related nephrotoxicity, data regarding the incidence of and risk factors for this adverse effect are currently lacking. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of patients from four centres in Toronto, Canada, enrolled in the tenofovir expanded access programme with a minimum of 3 months follow up, was carried out. ResultsA total of 172 patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for a median of 16 months (range 3-25 months) were included in the study. Seven (4%) patients developed grade 1 (444 mmol/ L from baseline) increases in serum creatinine (SCr) during follow up; no patient developed grade 2 or higher nephrotoxicity. Fifteen (8.7%) patients had an increase in SCr of greater than 1.5 times baseline values during follow up. Four (2.3%) patients discontinued TDF because of an increase in SCr and/or abnormal urinalysis. Of 62 patients with a urinalysis, grade 1 or higher proteinuria (o 3 g/L) was observed in 27 (43%) patients. Only baseline SCr [odds ratio (OR) 5 0.51 per 10 mmol/L increase; P 5 0.0005] and baseline creatinine clearance (1.26 per 10 mL/min increase; P 5 0.01) were significantly associated with ever having a 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine. Twenty-eight (16%) and 11 (6%) patients developed grade 1 (serum phosphorus 0.71 mmol/L) and grade 2 (serum phosphorus 0.61 mmol/L) hypophosphataemia during follow-up, respectively. ConclusionsAlthough slight increases in SCr did occur after starting TDF, clinically significant nephrotoxicity was rare. The clinical significance of TDF-related hypophosphataemia and proteinuria requires further study.Keywords: adverse effects, anti-HIV agents, creatinine, kidney, tenofovir IntroductionTenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is the only nucleotide analogue currently available for the management of HIV infection. The efficacy of TDF was initially established in two clinical trials with antiretroviral (ARV)-experienced patients, in which the addition of TDF to stable background therapy resulted in a significant decrease in viral load relative to placebo, with a similar incidence of adverse effects [1]. In addition, study GS-903 established TDF as a comparable alternative to stavudine when used in combination with lamivudine and efavirenz in ARV-naive patients, while eliciting less mitochondrial and metabolic toxicity [2]. The convenience of once-daily administration coupled with a favourable toxicity profile has rendered TDF a welcome addition to the ARV arsenal. Importantly, unlike structurally related nucleotide analogues such as cidofovir and adefovir, clinically significant nephrotoxicity did not emerge as a treatment-limiting adverse effect of TDF in the clinical trials. Furthermore, the renal safety profile of TDF was similar to that of stavudine over 144 weeks of followup in study However, post-marketing experience with TDF has raised the possibility that nephrotoxicity may be an uncommon but important adverse effect of this agent. Several c...

E. histolytica can be transmitted by heterosexual activity as well as male and female homosexual activity. Patients with amebiasis should be counselled about possible sexual transmission.