Introduction. Human immunodeficiency virus infection is a disease of the modern era and it is estimated that there are more than 30 million infected individuals worldwide. Although the major cause is still unclear, patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus are at higher risk of ardiovascular diseases by 61% compared to general population. Material and Methods. This study included 111 male patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Novi Sad, Serbia from January 2008 to December 2018. Five cardiovascular risk scores were used: Data Collection on Adverse Events of Antihuman immunodeficiency virus Drugs, Framingham 10-year Heart Score, Framingham 5-year Heart Score, prediction algorithm for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk estimator, at the beginning of the treatment, whereas cardiovascular events were recorded during the following 10 years. Results. Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-human immunodeficiency virus Drugs, Framingham 10-year Heart Score, Framingham 5-year Heart Score, and prediction algorithm for cardiovascular disease are tools that can identify individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus at cardiovascular risk with statistical significance. The prediction algorithm for cardiovascular disease provides superior risk estimation compared to other scores. The atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk estimator did not show to be a marker of cardiovascular risk prediction among this population of patients. Conlusion. The above mentioned cardiovascular risk prediction algorithms, developed for general population, and Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-human immunodeficiency virus Drugs score, specific for population infected with human immunodeficiency virus, allow accurate cardiovascular risk estimation. Until the development of more specific algorithms, these scores are adequate tools for identification of patients at risk, providing prevention measures and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Introduction. Sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented, but it is necessary to know how the infection is transmitted and be aware of the possibility of infection that will lead to change in behavior. Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections is also of crucial importance to prevent its further spread and the development of complications of the infection. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of risky behaviors in the population of men who have sex with men, their self-assessment of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as the incidence of testing for these infections. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in the territory of the City of Novi Sad in the population of 185 men who have sex with men. The research method was an anonymous online survey that respondents filled out on a voluntary basis, with previously provided information about the research. Results. Of the total number of respondents, 39% claimed that they had unprotected sex with at least one partner in the previous year. Among the respondents who had unprotected sex in the past year, only 12% believe that they are at high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and 42% of them have not been tested for sexually transmitted diseases in the past year. Conclusion. In conclusion, a large number of untested people practice risky sex and have a poor perception of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The common reason for not getting tested is fear or lack of information about testing.

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Introduction. A proliferation-inducing ligand is a membrane binding protein that represents one of the main survival factors for immature, naive and activated B-cells, and is involved in the global immune response. The objective of this study was to determine whether plasma levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand may be used to assess the proliferation of B-lymphocytes in patients with bacterial infections, B-cell malignancies and autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Material and Methods. The study included 91 patients divided into three groups and 30 blood donors assigned to the control group. Group 1 included 34 patients with bacterial infections confirmed by microbiology and/or radiology diagnostic tests; group 2 included 32 patients with B-cell malignancies; and group 3 included 25 patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases. All plasma samples were assayed for a proliferation-inducing ligand using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The differences between groups were examined by one-way analysis of variance test and post hoc analysis. Results. One way analysis of variance test showed a statistically significant difference in concentrations of a proliferation-inducing ligand in the examined groups. The highest mean value of a proliferation-inducing ligand was found in patients with established bacterial infections (x? = 8,294 ng/ml). Post hoc analysis showed that a proliferation-inducing ligand levels in the plasma samples of patients with bacterial infections were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and patients with hematological and autoimmune diseases, respectively. Conclusion. B-cell proliferation was increased in patients with bacterial infections in regard to patients with other disorders. Therefore, a proliferation inducing ligand can be used to differentiate bacterial infections from other inflammatory disorders and may be helpful in decision making whether to start antibiotic treatment or not. <br><br><font color="red"><b> This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/MPNS1912362E">10.2298/MPNS1912362E</a><u></b></font>

Introduction. Even in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, the mortality rate in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection remains high, especially with a contributing diagnosis of a malignant disease, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Given the previous, the goal of this research was to establish the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients, as well as to determine their clinical characteristics and mortality in regard to patients with human immunodeficiency virus only. Material and Methods. The retrospective study included 396 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. Medical records were reviewed to analyze the average age, duration of infection, average duration of therapy, nCD4+ T-cell count, human immunodeficiency virus viral load, as well as the number and types of malignant diseases. Results. The average age of the patients was 44.2 years; the average nCD4+ T-cell count was 296.94 cells/?L, while the mortality rate was 14.65%. The leading causes of death were non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The most frequently diagnosed malignancy was non-Hodgkin lymphoma, where the average count of nCD4+ T-cells was 162.29 cells/?L. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus and non-Hodgkin lymphoma had significantly lower nCD4+ T-cell count, in regard to patients with human immunodeficiency virus only, and the mortality rate in this group of patients was 85%. Conclusion. The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients represents a growing threat, given the exceptionally high mortality. The nCD4+ T-cell count may indicate acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and late diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus together are predictors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its poor outcome. It points to the importance of increasing the scope of human immunodeficiency virus testing, as well as finding a better treatment approach.

With people living with HIV (PLWH) reaching senium, the importance of aging-related comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MS) becomes increasingly important. The aim of this study was to determine the additive effect of MS on brain atrophy in PLWH. This prospective study included 43 PLWH, average age 43.02 ± 10.93 years and 24 healthy controls, average age 36.87 ± 8.89 years. PLWH were divided into two subgroups: without MS and with MS, according to NCEP-ATP-III criteria. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance (MR)imaging on 3T clinical scanner with MR volumetry, used for defining volumes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces and white and grey matter structures, including basal ganglia. ANOVA was used to determine differences in brain volumes between subject subgroups. Binary classification was performed to determine sensitivity and specificity of volumetry findings and cut-off values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. PLWH presented with significantly lower volumes of gray matter, putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus and nc. accumbens compared to healthy controls; cut-off values were: for gray matter 738.130 cm3, putamen 8.535cm3, thalamus 11.895 cm3, globus pallidus 2.252 cm3 nc. accumbens 0.715 cm3. Volumes of CSF and lateral ventricles were higher in PLWH with MS compared to those without MS- with specificity of 0.310 and sensitivity of 0.714 it can be assumed that PLWH with CSF volume above 212.83cm3 will also have MS. There seems to be an important connection between MS and brain volume reduction in PLWH with MS, which may add to accurate identification of persons at risk of developing HIV-associated cognitive impairment.