Multiple Concurrent Infections Research Articles

Superinfection and the hypnozoite reservoir for Plasmodium vivax: a general framework

A characteristic of malaria in all its forms is the potential for superinfection (that is, multiple concurrent blood-stage infections). An additional characteristic of Plasmodium vivax malaria is a reservoir of latent parasites (hypnozoites) within the host liver, which activate to cause (blood-stage) relapses. Here, we present a model of hypnozoite accrual and superinfection for P. vivax. To couple host and vector dynamics for a homogeneously-mixing population, we construct a density-dependent Markov population process with countably many types, for which disease extinction is shown to occur almost surely. We also establish a functional law of large numbers, taking the form of an infinite-dimensional system of ordinary differential equations that can also be recovered by coupling expected host and vector dynamics (i.e. a hybrid approximation) or through a standard compartment modelling approach. Recognising that the subset of these equations that model the infection status of the human hosts has precisely the same form as the Kolmogorov forward equations for a Markovian network of infinite server queues with an inhomogeneous batch arrival process, we use physical insight into the evolution of the latter process to write down a time-dependent multivariate generating function for the solution. We use this characterisation to collapse the infinite-compartment model into a single integrodifferential equation (IDE) governing the intensity of mosquito-to-human transmission. Through a steady state analysis, we recover a threshold phenomenon for this IDE in terms of a parameter R_0 expressible in terms of the primitives of the model, with the disease-free equilibrium shown to be uniformly asymptotically stable if R_0<1 and an endemic equilibrium solution emerging if R_0>1. Our work provides a theoretical basis to explore the epidemiology of P. vivax, and introduces a strategy for constructing tractable population-level models of malarial superinfection that can be generalised to allow for greater biological realism in a number of directions.

A multimorbidity model for estimating health outcomes from the syndemic of injection drug use and associated infections in the United States

BackgroundFatal drug overdoses and serious injection-related infections are rising in the US. Multiple concurrent infections in people who inject drugs (PWID) exacerbate poor health outcomes, but little is known about how the synergy among infections compounds clinical outcomes and costs. Injection drug use (IDU) converges multiple epidemics into a syndemic in the US, including opioid use and HIV. Estimated rates of new injection-related infections in the US are limited due to widely varying estimates of the number of PWID in the US, and in the absence of clinical trials and nationally representative longitudinal observational studies of PWID, simulation models provide important insights to policymakers for informed decisions.MethodsWe developed and validated a MultimorbiditY model to Reduce Infections Associated with Drug use (MYRIAD). This microsimulation model of drug use and associated infections (HIV, hepatitis C virus [HCV], and severe bacterial infections) uses inputs derived from published data to estimate national level trends in the US. We used Latin hypercube sampling to calibrate model output against published data from 2015 to 2019 for fatal opioid overdose rates. We internally validated the model for HIV and HCV incidence and bacterial infection hospitalization rates among PWID. We identified best fitting parameter sets that met pre-established goodness-of-fit targets using the Pearson’s chi-square test. We externally validated the model by comparing model output to published fatal opioid overdose rates from 2020.ResultsOut of 100 sample parameter sets for opioid use, the model produced 3 sets with well-fitting results to key calibration targets for fatal opioid overdose rates with Pearson’s chi-square test ranging from 1.56E-5 to 2.65E-5, and 2 sets that met validation targets. The model produced well-fitting results within validation targets for HIV and HCV incidence and serious bacterial infection hospitalization rates. From 2015 to 2019, the model estimated 120,000 injection-related overdose deaths, 17,000 new HIV infections, and 144,000 new HCV infections among PWID.ConclusionsThis multimorbidity microsimulation model, populated with data from national surveillance data and published literature, accurately replicated fatal opioid overdose, incidence of HIV and HCV, and serious bacterial infections hospitalization rates. The MYRIAD model of IDU could be an important tool to assess clinical and economic outcomes related to IDU behavior and infections with serious morbidity and mortality for PWID.

In Vitro and In Vivo Coinfection and Superinfection Dynamics of Mayaro and Zika Viruses in Mosquito and Vertebrate Backgrounds.

Globalization and climate change have contributed to the simultaneous increase and spread of arboviral diseases. Cocirculation of several arboviruses in the same geographic region provides an impetus to study the impacts of multiple concurrent infections within an individual vector mosquito. Here, we describe coinfection and superinfection with the Mayaro virus (Togaviridae, Alphavirus) and Zika virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) in vertebrate and mosquito cells, as well as Aedes aegypti adult mosquitoes, to understand the interaction dynamics of these pathogens and effects on viral infection, dissemination, and transmission. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were able to be infected with and transmit both pathogens simultaneously. However, whereas Mayaro virus was largely unaffected by coinfection, it had a negative impact on infection and dissemination rates for Zika virus compared to single infection scenarios. Superinfection of Mayaro virus atop a previous Zika virus infection resulted in increased Mayaro virus infection rates. At the cellular level, we found that mosquito and vertebrate cells were also capable of being simultaneously infected with both pathogens. Similar to our findings in vivo, Mayaro virus negatively affected Zika virus replication in vertebrate cells, displaying complete blocking under certain conditions. Viral interference did not occur in mosquito cells. IMPORTANCE Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that multiple arboviruses are cocirculating in human populations, leading to some individuals carrying more than one arbovirus at the same time. In turn, mosquitoes can become infected with multiple pathogens simultaneously (coinfection) or sequentially (superinfection). Coinfection and superinfection can have synergistic, neutral, or antagonistic effects on viral infection dynamics and ultimately have impacts on human health. Here we investigate the interaction between Zika virus and Mayaro virus, two emerging mosquito-borne pathogens currently circulating together in Latin America and the Caribbean. We find a major mosquito vector of these viruses-Aedes aegypti-can carry and transmit both arboviruses at the same time. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering co- and superinfection dynamics during vector-pathogen interaction studies, surveillance programs, and risk assessment efforts in epidemic areas.

Patterns of enteric infections in a population-wide cohort study of sequelae, British Columbia, Canada.

We assessed patterns of enteric infections caused by 14 pathogens, in a longitudinal cohort study of sequelae in British Columbia (BC) Canada, 2005-2014. Our population cohort of 5.8 million individuals was followed for an average of 7.5 years/person; during this time, 40 523 individuals experienced 42 308 incident laboratory-confirmed, provincially reported enteric infections (96.4 incident infections per 100 000 person-years). Most individuals (38 882/40 523; 96%) had only one, but 4% had multiple concurrent infections or more than one infection across the study. Among individuals with more than one infection, the pathogens and combinations occurring most frequently per individual matched the pathogens occurring most frequently in the BC population. An additional 298 557 new fee-for-service physician visits and hospitalisations for enteric infections, that did not coincide with a reported enteric infection, also occurred, and some may be potentially unreported enteric infections. Our findings demonstrate that sequelae risk analyses should explore the possible impacts of multiple infections, and that estimating risk for individuals who may have had a potentially unreported enteric infection is warranted.

1364. Microbiology of Sepsis in a Combat-Trauma Military Population

Abstract Background There are limited data on sepsis in combat casualties. We examined characteristics of sepsis, specific infections, and associated microbiology in a complex combat trauma population. Methods The Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study collected infection-related data from military personnel wounded during deployment (2009-2014). Medevac patients transferred to participating US military hospitals with sepsis or septic shock based on the Sepsis-1 SIRS criteria were analyzed for associated potential sources and infection-associated clinical microbiology. Results Prevalence of sepsis was 24.7% (667 of 2699 patients) with 93 (14%) patients meeting septic shock criteria. There were 1013 sepsis/shock episodes (SSE) among 667 subjects. Infections attributed to SSE were identified in 996 (98.3%) of 1013 episodes, primarily being bloodstream infections (BSI) +/- other infections (29.5%), skin and soft tissue (SSTI)/osteomyelitis (35.3%), pneumonia (12.1%), and multiple concurrent infections (14.2%). At least 1 organism was identified in 96% of SSE and 53% were polymicrobial. Gram-positive organisms (GP) were identified in 54% of SSE: 16% with multiple GP, of monomicrobial infections 4.1% were S. aureus, 15.8% other staphylococci, and 13% Enterococcus spp. Gram-negative bacilli (GN) were identified from 74.5% of SSE: 34% with multiple GN, of monomicrobial infections 11% were Pseudomonas spp., 8% E. coli, 6% Enterobacter spp., and 6% Acinetobacter spp. Mycobacterial species were uncommon (0.9%). Yeast, mold, and anaerobes were identified from 19%, 22%, and 12.5% of SSE, respectively. Compared to sepsis, septic shock infections were more often polymicrobial (p&amp;lt; 0.001), and had more infections with ESKAPEE pathogens, only Mucor spp., and only Bacteroides (p&amp;lt; 0.05). More infections with only Pseudomonas spp. and only non-lugdunensis coagulase-negative Staphylococci were identified among sepsis patients (p&amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion Sepsis rates, using the Sepsis-1 criteria are sensitive but lack specificity supporting reclassification using updated Sepsis-3 criteria. In a complex trauma population, sepsis is common with most frequent infections related to SSTI/osteomyelitis, as well as BSI and multiple concurrent infections with a diverse spectrum of microbiology. Disclosures Dana M. Blyth, MD, Nothing to disclose

The impact of concurrent HPV infections on the presentation of high grade cervical intraepithelial lesions.

We investigate how concurrent high-risk (hr) HPV (human papillomavirus) genotypes affect CIN2-3 risk and evaluate the relationship of different genotype combinations with cervical epithelial lesions. This study included HPV positive patients between the ages of 30 and 60 who underwent liquid-based cervical smears and HPV screening through community-based, cervical cancer screening programs between June 2015 and June 2017. The impact of the increase in hrHPV types was calculated by estimating how it changed the odds ratio of CIN2-3 risk. The rate of multiple concurrent HPV infections was 48.7% in the CIN2-3 group and 58.4% in the CIN1 group. Among patients in the CIN2-3 and CIN1 groups, the most common HPV coinfection was respectively HPV 16+31 and HPV 16+51. The HPV 51 ratio in CIN1 patients was 28.9% and the HPV 51 ratio in the CIN2-3 patient was 6.6%. With every increase in the number of hrHPV infection types, the frequency of CIN2-3 decreased [OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.95]. For all hrHPV combinations, the addition of HPV 16 was associated with a higher risk of CIN2-3. An increase in number of hrHPV types is associated with lower CIN2-3 risk. Further cohort studies with larger samples are needed to clarify this relationship. The available evidence suggests that HPV 16 genotype plays an important role in patients with high-grade cervical lesions and has a negative impact on the cervix in concurrent multiple HPV infections.

1660 Malakoplakia of the Rectum Masquerading as a Tumor: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Malakoplakia is a rare inflammatory disorder that occurs in the clinical setting of persistent infections, immunosuppression and tumors. The most common sites of involvement are the urinary, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, skin, brain and lymph nodes where they can mimic malignancies. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 60-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis and stage IV metastatic thymoma (status-post resection and chemo-radiation) presented with persistent weight loss, bloating, nausea, tenesmus and hematochezia. Her recent history included treatment-resistant Giardia lambia infection for one year as well as recently diagnosed Norovirus and Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, diagnosed by stool pathogen PCR testing. On colonoscopy, the rectum contained a 7 cm region of polypoid, non-circumferential, non-obstructing nodules (Figure 1) which were highly suspicious for tumor. Microscopically, biopsies revealed rectal lamina propria infiltration by epithelioid cells with small central nuclei, eosinophilic cytoplasm (Figure 2) and lamellated cytoplasmic calcifications (Figure 3). The cells expressed cytoplasmic CD68 (Figure 2) and Von Kossa stain highlighted the calcifications, consistent with Michaelis-Gutmann bodies (Figure 3). Immunostain for pancytokeratin and Ziehl-Neelsen and Gomori's methenamine silver stains were negative. The final diagnosis was malakoplakia. A re-biopsy of the lesion showed positivity for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunostain and high levels of CMV viremia (1010IU/mL), for which she was treated with Gancyclovir. DISCUSSION: Malakoplakia is a rare gastrointestinal disorder without specific symptoms, endoscopic features or gross findings and tends to masquerade as a tumor. As illustrated herein, it is often an unexpected diagnosis that depends on pathological recognition of characteristic microscopic features. The correct diagnosis is critical to avoid inappropriate radical treatment. Various micro-organisms have been implicated in its development including bacteria, most commonly E. coli, viruses, fungi and even protozoa such as Taeniaspecies and it is characterized by defective bactericidal activity of the macrophages. Pathologists should be aware that malakoplakia can coexist with malignancy and tuberculosis, therefore, thorough sampling of mass lesions and appropriate adjunctive stains are advisable. Risk factors in our case included an immunocompromised state, multiple concurrent infections, and advanced malignancy, although no malignancy was identified in the biopsies.

Human papillomavirus clustering patterns among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adolescent females in South Africa.

The global burden of disease caused by both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) is the greatest in the developing world, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. South African women not only have high rates of infection with HPV, but also have high rates of multiple concurrent infections with two or more HPV genotypes, and are among the world’s most vulnerable to developing invasive cervical cancer. HIV co-infection increases these risks. Understanding clustering patterns of concurrent HPV infections in this population has important implications for HPV screening and will help define vaccination strategies in the future as vaccines continue to be developed to target more HPV genotypes. Latent class analysis was used to identify four distinct patterns of HPV co-infection: individuals with at least one low risk HPV genotype, but no high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections; individuals with a disperse pattern of HR-HPV infections; individuals infected with members of the alpha-7 group, but not HPV-18; and individuals infected with HPV-16, but not HPV-18. In this analysis, although alpha-7 HPV infections were more prevalent among HIV-infected adolescents than their HIV-uninfected counterparts, overall clustering patterns were not different based on HIV status.

Multitype Infections With Human Papillomavirus: Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection predisposes women to genital coinfection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Concurrent infection with multiple HPV types has been documented, but its frequency, correlates, and impact on development of precancer are poorly defined in HIV-seropositive women. Human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women and -seronegative comparison women were enrolled in a cohort study and followed every 6 months from 1994 to 2006. Cervicovaginal lavage samples were tested for HPV types using polymerase chain reaction amplification with MY09/MY11 consensus primers followed by hybridization with consensus and HPV type-specific probes. Analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations. Multitype HPV infections were found in 594 (23%) of 2543 HIV-seropositive women and 49 (5%) of 895 HIV-seronegative women (P < 0.0001). Compared with HPV uninfected women, those with multiple concurrent HPV infections were more likely to be younger, nonwhite, and current smokers, with lower CD4 counts and HIV RNA levels. The average proportion of women with multitype HPV infections across visits was 21% in HIV-seropositive women and 3% in HIV-seronegative women (P <0.0001). Compared with infection with 1 oncogenic HPV type, multitype concurrent infection with at least 1 other HPV type at baseline did not measurably increase the risk of ever having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3+ detected during follow-up (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-2.03, P = 0.65). Concurrent multitype HPV infection is common in HIV-seropositive women and frequency rises as CD4 count declines, but multitype infection does not increase precancer risk.

Cumulative Impact of HIV and Multiple Concurrent Human Papillomavirus Infections on the Risk of Cervical Dysplasia.

Infection with HIV is known to increase the risk of cervical cancer. In addition, evidence suggests that concurrent infection with multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes increases the risk of cervical dysplasia more than infection with a single HPV genotype. However, the impact of the combination of HIV coinfection and presence of multiple concurrent HPV infections on the risk of cervical dysplasia is uncertain. We compared the results of HPV testing and Pap smears between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected young women to assess the cumulative impact of these two conditions. We found that both HIV and the presence of multiple concurrent HPV infections are associated with increased risk of associated Pap smear abnormality and that the impact of these two risk factors may be additive.

S17.2 Hpv infection, genital inflammation, and hiv risk in the caprisa 004 trial

There is a growing body of data demonstrating an increased risk for HIV acquisition in the presence of HPV infection, but the mechanism of this relationship is unclear. This study investigated the impact of HPV infection on both genital inflammation and HIV risk in the CAPRISA 004 1% TFV gel trial. Baseline cervicovaginal lavage specimens collected from 737 HIV-uninfected women were analysed to determine the prevalence of HPV infection. Clinical, reproductive, demographic and behavioral data were captured. The presence of DNA from 37 HPV genotypes was assessed using Linear Array, and the concentrations of 48 relevant cytokines were quantified by multiplexed ELISA assays. The presence of HIV was measured monthly using two rapid tests and confirmed by western blot and PCR. Of the 737 eligible participants, 74% had prevalent HPV-infection (95% CI: 71–77%). Participants with prevalent HPV infection were 2.8 times more likely to acquire HIV infection compared to those with no HPV infection (95% CI: 1.3–5.9; p = 0.007). HIV risk was independent of the oncogenicity of HPV strains at baseline [(HPV oncogenic strains HR 2.5 (95% CI 1.0–6.2) vs non-oncogenic strains HR 2.1 (95% CI 0.9–5.1)], and was also increased in the presence of multiple concurrent infections (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4–6.8). No cytokine signatures were associated with prevalent HPV infection. The use of tenofovir gel did not prevent HPV infection. These data confirm a relationship between HPV infection and increased risk for HIV acquisition, and underscores the need to define the underlying biological mechanisms to inform targeted interventions in settings that bear a high burden of both infections.

Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) in HIV Infection in the Era of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in India: Development of a Simple Diagnostic Algorithm

Objective: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a challenging problem among people living with HIV (PLHIV). With increasing access to Anti-retroviral treatment (ART), the spectrum of causes of FUO has evolved in the developed world. This study evaluated the etiology of FUO among PLHIV in the era of ART in India. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary-care institution in New Delhi, India. Sixty four PLHIV with a diagnosis of FUO were assessed by detailed clinical evaluation and immunological assessment. Specific investigations to identify the etiology of fever: microbiological and radiological investigations, bone marrow and histopathological examination of biopsies were performed. A simple diagnostic algorithm for FUO was developed based on the findings. Original Research Article Anuradha et al.; BJMMR, 7(10): 839-846, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.396 840 Results: Sixty five episodes of FUO were studied. Seventy percent of subjects were men, 76% were <40 years of age, and 39% were receiving ART. The mean CD4 count was 156.57±178.43 cells/mm (5 to 1144 cells /mm) and 23% patients had CD4 counts <50 cells/mm. The mean duration of fever was 11.26±8.54 weeks. Infections were the most common cause for FUO, with Tuberculosis the most common (61.54%), particularly disseminated tuberculosis (41.54%). Cryptococcal meningitis (7.69%), bacterial pneumonia (4.62%), pyogenic abscesses (4.62%), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) (3.08%), visceral leishmaniasis (3.08%) were other infections observed. Non-infectious etiologies including lymphoma (4.62%) and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PMLE) (3.08%) were also seen. The etiology remained undiagnosed in 6.15% episodes. Importantly, two or more concurrent etiologies of fever were seen in 60% of patients. Conclusion: Infections especially Tuberculosis remain the most common cause of FUO in PLHIV even in the era of ART in developing countries like India. Multiple concurrent infections and a rising trend to non-infectious causes are being observed. A simple diagnostic algorithm will help diagnose majority of FUO even at the peripheral centers.

Impact of risk factors on prevalence of anal HPV infection in women with simultaneous cervical lesion

The aim of our study was to determine the risk factors associated with anal HPV infection in HIV-negative women with high-grade cervical lesion. The study group included 172 "high-risk" women who underwent conization for high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesion or microinvasive cervical cancer (CIN 2+). The control group consisted of 100 "low-risk" women with non-neoplastic gynecologic diseases. All participants completed aquestionnaire detailing medical history and sexual risk factors and were subjected to anal and cervical HPV genotyping. Concurrent cervical and anal HPV infections were detected in 42.4% (73/172) women of the study group, and in 8.0% (8/100) of women in the control group, respectively. The subgroup with concurrent HPV infections (n=73) dominated women with CIN 3 and microinvasive cancer and anal HPV 16 infections (n=53). Women with concurrent infections more frequently reported any type of sexual contact with the anus including non-penetrative anal sex (OR 2.62, p=0.008). Reporting >5 lifetime sexual partners (OR 2.43, p=0.041), smoking > 60 cigarettes per week (OR 2.33, p=0.048), and ahistory of penetrative anal intercourse (OR 3.87, p=0.002) were observed as the significant risk factors in women with multiple concurrent HPV infections. Our data support anal HPV testing and anal Pap smear screening in all women with severe cervical lesions caused by HPV 16 and ahistory of any sexual contact with the anus, heavy smoking and/or more than 5 lifetime sexual partners. anal cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, HPV, risk factor.

Genotypes and prevalence of HPV single and multiple concurrent infections in women with HSIL

The contribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types to the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer has been established for a long time. However, the role of phylogenetically related and rare variants remains uncertain, as well as the influence of concurrent multiple HPV genotypes infection. We aimed at studying the prevalence of several HPV genotypes infecting women with single versus concurrent multiple HPV genotypes infection with a HSIL diagnosis in a cervical cytology. We conducted a cross-sectional study using Thin-Prep(®) liquid-based cervical cytology specimens with the diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), in which HPV genotype was sequentially tested. Genotypes were determined with a PapilloCheck(®) system, a DNA-Chip for the type-specific identification of 18 high-risk and six low-risk types of HPV. Of the total study population, 176 cases had a diagnosis of HSIL and positive HPV genotyping result, being HPV16 the most prevalent genotype (48.86%; 95%CI: 41.58-56.19) followed by HPV31 (14.20%; 95%CI: 9.75-20.18). Concurrent multiple HPV genotypes were detected in 36.93% (95%CI: 30.15-44.27) of the patients. The prevalence of the 10 most common HPV genotypes detected varied significantly according to the presence of single vs. concurrent multiple HPV genotypes (P = 0.022). Moreover, women with concurrent multiple HPV genotypes were on average 3.53 (95%CI: 0.43-6.64) years younger than women with single genotype infection. Our results suggest that women with multiple genotype HPV infection differ in terms of age and distribution of the most prevalent HPV genotypes. Additionally, we provide further evidence of the predominance of HPV16 in HSIL lesions of the uterine cervix.

Cervical Dysplasia and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections among HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Adolescent Females in South Africa

Background. HIV-infected adolescents may be at higher risk for high-grade cervical lesions than HIV-uninfected adolescents. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections and Pap smear abnormalities between these two groups. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the HPV DNA and Pap smear results between 35 HIV-infected and 50 HIV-uninfected adolescents in order to determine the prevalence of HR-HPV genotypes and cervical cytological abnormalities. Comparisons were made using Pearson χ 2 and independent-samples t-tests analyses, and associations between demographic and behavioral characteristics and HPV infections were examined. Results. HIV-infected participants were more likely to be infected with any HPV (88.6% versus 48.0%; P < 0.001) and with at least one HR-HPV (60.0% versus 24.0%; P = 0.001), and to have multiple concurrent HPV infections (68.6% versus 22.0%; P < 0.001). HPV 16 and 18 were relatively underrepresented among HR-HPV infections. Abnormal Pap test results were more common among HIV-infected participants (28.8% versus 12.0%; P = 0.054). A history of smoking was associated with HR-HPV infection. Conclusions. HIV-infected adolescents have an increased risk of infection with HR-HPV and of Pap test abnormalities. The majority of HR-HPV infections among our participants would not be prevented by the currently available vaccinations against HPV.

English

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges, particularly in lowand middle-income countries.HIV affects the immune system. Its effects are seen in all the systems of the body. These manifestations may be due to HIV infection itself or due to opportunistic infections or malignancies. The clinical and pathologic findings in various organ systems including the pulmonary, skin, gastrointestinal, hematological and nervous systems have been well described in the young adult population. The present study was undertaken to study the presentation of HIV/AIDS infection. OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the clinical profile of HIV positive patients.2. To study about the hematological manifestations in HIV positive patients.3. To study the pattern of opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients. DESIGN: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conductedover a period of 2 years from September 2011 to September 2013.SETTING: ESIC Medical College & Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Science &Research Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. METHODS: This study was conducted in Department of General medicine, ESIC-MC & PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bangalore. 100 HIV positive patients were included in the study. RESULTS: In this study, out of 100 HIV positive patients, 62% ofpatients were males and 38% females. 56%patients were in the age group of 31-40 years. 61% of patients presented with fever as main symptom followed by weight loss as the next most common mode of presentation.38% belonged to tuberculosis group (both pulmonary and extra pulmonary) and 68% to the nontuberculosis group. Among the tuberculosis group, 16% of patients had pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). 8% of the patients had tubercular lymphadenopathy. 10% of patients had abdominal tuberculosis and 4% had tubercular meningitis.60% patients had absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) of 1000/mm3. 46% patients had CD4 count of less than 200/mm3and 54% patients had >200/mm3.CD4 count is significantly correlated with ALC with a P value = 0.023*.CONCLUSION: Majority of HIV positive patients presented with increased incidence of fever, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, cough and oral candidiasis. Most of the adults with HIV presented with AIDS defining illnesses and most of them presented with multiple concurrent opportunistic infections. Categorically most of them presented with WHO stage 3 or stage 4 illnesses.

Multiple human papillomavirus infections and HIV seropositivity as risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology among female sex workers in Nairobi

We estimated type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and examined risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology among 296 female sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya. Over half (54%) were infected with a high-risk (HR) HPV type, of which HPV16 and 52 were the most common types. HIV-1 prevalence was 23% and HIV-1 sero-positivity was associated with high-grade cervical lesions, particularly among women with CD4 count less than 500 cells/mm(3) (odds ratio [OR] = 6.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-24.9). Among women who had normal cytology at the time of entry into the study, the risk of having an abnormal Pap smear within one year was significantly elevated for women with multiple HPV types at study entry (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.0; 95% CI: 2.3-15.7) and with a subset of HR HPV types (aOR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.6-11.2). Detection of multiple concurrent HPV infections may be a useful marker to identify women at risk of developing precancerous lesions in populations of high HPV prevalence.

High Rate of Multiple Concurrent Human Papillomavirus Infections among HIV-Uninfected South African Adolescents

The epidemiology and impact of multiple concurrent Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections on the natural history of cervical disease is uncertain, but could have significant implications for cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination strategies. A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted to determine the overall prevalence of HPV and the rate of multiple concurrent HPV infections, in a cohort of sexually active HIV-uninfected South African adolescents. HPV genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction. Overall prevalence of HPV was 64.1%. Multiple concurrent HPV infections were found in 43.6% of participants and 68% of HPV-infected participants. Non-vaccine high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes were found much more often than vaccine types (HPV16 and HPV18). Our cohort of young South African females was found to have a high overall prevalence of HPV and multiple concurrent HPV infections. Most HR-HPV infections found were genotypes other than HPV16 or HPV18.

Human papillomavirus genotype attribution and estimation of preventable fraction of anal intraepithelial neoplasia cases among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

The prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced anal cancer in high-risk populations such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) remains an urgent priority, given rising incidence rates despite widespread antiretroviral therapy use. HPV genotypes and anal disease prevalence, by cytology and histopathologic findings, were evaluated among 363 HIV-infected MSM. We modeled fractions of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) attributable to individual carcinogenic HPV genotypes and estimated the range of the proportion of HGAIN cases potentially preventable by prophylactic HPV vaccines. HPV16 was the most common genotype overall (26.4% of cases) and among HGAIN cases (55%). Prevalence of multiple (≥ 2) carcinogenic HPV genotypes increased from 30.9% in cases of AIN grade <1 to 76.3% in cases of AIN grade 3 (P(trend) < .001). The fractions of HGAIN cases attributable to carcinogenic HPV16/18 targeted by currently licensed bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines ranged from 12% to 61.5%, and the fractions attributable to carcinogenic HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58 targeted by an investigational nonavalent HPV vaccine ranged from 39% to 89.4%. Our analytical framework allows estimation of HGAIN cases attributable to individual HPV genotypes in the context of multiple concurrent HPV infections, which are very common among HIV-infected MSM. Our results suggest that licensed and investigational HPV prophylactic vaccines have the potential to prevent a substantial proportion of HGAIN cases in this population.

Detection of concurrent infection of dairy cattle with Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Enterocytozoon by molecular and microscopic methods

Of fecal specimens examined from 47 dairy cattle ranging in age from neonates to multiparous cows, 9, 10, 24, and 17 were positive for Blastocystis spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, respectively, as determined by PCR. Eight 3- to 5-month-old cattle were concurrently infected with three or four of these parasites. This is the first report to identify multiple concurrent infections with these four potentially zoonotic protist pathogens in cattle. None of the cattle exhibited signs of illness or effects of infection on growth and are regarded as healthy carriers. A commercially available immunofluorescence (IFA) microscopic test confirmed six of seven available PCR-positive Blastocystis specimens and identified one IFA-positive cow that was PCR negative.