Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected women in Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated risk factors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed for prenatal care in Salvador, Bahia. This was a cross-sectional study of 63 women seeking prenatal care at a reference center. Participants were interviewed regarding socio-epidemiological and clinical history, and were tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti HTLV I/II, VDRL, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, CD4 count, and HIV plasma viral load. The main outcome variable was the presence of any STI. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (16-40 years). 23 (36.5%) were diagnosed with at least one STI. The frequency of diagnoses was: HBV, 3.2%; HCV, 8.1%; HTLV I/II, 3.4%; syphilis, 9.5%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 11.1%; HPV, 15.0%; Mycoplasma hominis, 2.1%, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, 2.1%. No case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was identified. No association was found between socio-epidemiological variables and the presence of an STI. CD4 T lymphocyte < 500 cells/μL (p=0.047) and plasma viral load >1,000 copies (p = 0.027) were associated with the presence of STI. STIs are frequent in pregnant women infected with HIV, and all HIV-infected pregnant women should be screened to decrease transmission of these pathogens and to protect their own health.

History of syphilis in women living with AIDS and associated risk factors in São Paulo, Brazil

“…In the same manner, in Brazil, Travassos et al, 17 found an association between a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm 3 with the presence of STDs in women living with HIV. The fact that their analysis did not specify the STDs in isolation, and considering that syphilis presented the second highest prevalence among bacterial STDs, this may have contributed strongly to this association.…”

“…However, both studies failed to describe the exclusive rate among women. Another study of pregnant women infected with HIV in Bahia, 17 also found a high prevalence of syphilis (9.5%).…”

Adesão à dupla contracepção entre mulheres infectadas pelo HIV

“…Clinicamente, existe o risco de transmissão para parcerias negativas, mas também há a preocupação com a superinfecção entre os casais soroconcordantes, que corrobora maior resistência viral à TARV, e ainda a aquisição de outras DSTs, prejudicando ou interferindo na evolução natural das doenças HIV-relacionadas 12,15,20,21 . O percentual de sexo anal desprotegido é um dado preocupante.…”

“…Na literatura, há uma percepção de que determinados grupos populacionais tenham maior tendência a não aderir às propostas contraceptivas, como adolescentes, usuárias de drogas, pessoas de baixa renda e escolaridade, aquelas com diagnóstico recente para o HIV e aquelas com dificuldades de acesso aos insumos e serviços de saúde 20,21,30 . Grupos de maior vulnerabilidade não foram contemplados nessa amostra, apontando uma necessidade de ampliação de seu acesso ao serviço.…”

Circulation of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Bacteria among Pregnant Women in the 21st Century

“…Therefore, the C. trachomatis infection screening is one of the most important hygiene measures during pregnancy. The variable prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was found in Brazilian pregnant women, as 9.8% to 11.1% for C. trachomatis and 0% to 1.5% for N. Gonorrhoeae [6]. According to recent reports from USA, the high prevalence of C. trachomatis (0-77%) and N. gonorrhoeae (0-35%) were reports in pregnant individuals [7].…”