Seropositive Pregnant Women Research Articles

Global, regional, and country seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women: a systematic review, modelling and meta-analysis

Efficient health-care for pregnant women require accurate data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy at global, regional, and country levels. In this systematic review with meta- and modelling-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Global Index Medicus, and Africa Journal Online to identify studies that reported enough data to compute the immunoglobulins (Ig) M or G seroprevalence estimates of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women up to December 31st, 2018, without any language restriction. The global and regional estimates were done using a random-effects meta-analysis. We included 250 studies with 723,655 pregnant women. The global IgM seroprevalence was 1.9% (95%CI: 1.7–2.3). At the regional level, Eastern Mediterranean had the highest IgM seroprevalence (4.1%, 95%CI: 2.8–5.5) and The Americas, the lowest (1.1%, 0.8–1.4), with a statistically significant difference between WHO regions (p < 0.0001). The global IgG seroprevalence was 32.9% (95%CI: 29.4–36.4). Among WHO regions, The Americas had the highest prevalence (45.2%, 95%CI: 33.4–53.4) and Western Pacific the lowest (11.2%, 7.8–15.1), with a statistically significant difference between regions (p < 0.0001). This study presents a high toxoplasma seropositivity in pregnant women at global, regional and country levels, with a consequential high risk of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis.

A decreasing trend in toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Romania - results of a large scale study.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). T. gondii infection is a cause of congenital infection worldwide. Primary infection or the reactivation of latent infection during pregnancy may lead to fetal infection and to congenital toxoplasmosis syndrome. Seropositive pregnant women are generally protected from maternal-fetal transmission of T. gondii, although exceptions exist. The aim of our study was to analyze the dynamics of T. gondii seroprevalence during a 10-year period and to correlate it with age and demographic features of pregnant women. We tested 6,889 pregnant women in Timisoara, Romania, for IgG-anti-T. gondii antibodies, in two successive periods: i) 2008-2010 (group 1: 1,457 participants); and ii) 2015-2018 (group 2: 5,432 participants). For each participant, data on age and area of residence were collected. Our results showed that in the Western Region of Romania T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women declined from 43.79 to 38.81% in the last ten years. This trend was observed in both urban (40.53 vs. 34.85%) and rural areas (52.22 vs. 46.22%). A higher seroprevalence rate was found in rural than in urban areas. In addition, we found an increasing tendency of seroprevalence related to the age of pregnant women.

Possible Impact of Select Trace Mineral Deficiency in HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women with/without Malaria Co-infection in NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria

Aims: To evaluate the impact of HIV and malaria on serum Zinc (zn), Selenium (se) and Magnesium (mg) in HIV seropositive pregnant women in Nnewi, Nigeria.&#x0D; Study Design: This is a case-control study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Prevention of Mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, (NAUTH), Nigeria, between December, 2017 and April, 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: We included 122 consented female participants; 32 HIV seropositive pregnant women with malaria parasitaemia, 30 HIV seropositive pregnant women without malaria parasitaemia, 30 Malaria infected pregnant women, 30 pregnant women without HIV or malaria parasitaemia, aged between 18 and 42 years. Screening for HIV antibodies and malaria parasite was double screened using National algorithm, rapid detection technique (RDT) and Giemsa staining microscopy technique respectively. Micronutrient levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).&#x0D; Results: When the mean zn, sel and mg levels were compared between the test and control groups, significant decreases in serum zn (37.34 ± 6.7, 36.70 ± 4.39), sel (29.93 ± 6.02, 28.00 ± 5.04) and mg (2.41 ± 0.46, 2.33 ± 0.14) were observed in HIV seropositive pregnant participants with/without malaria co-infection when compared with their corresponding controls Zn (45.1 ± 7.83, 50.36 ± 8.73); Sel (31.46 ± 6.19, 31.96 ± 6.81); Mg (2.62 ± 0.30) and (P &lt; .05 respectively). Body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased while diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly increased in HIV seropositive pregnant women with malaria compared with their seronegative counterparts (P &lt; .05 respectively).&#x0D; Conclusion: The significant loss in BMI with derangement in serum zn, sel and mg levels in HIV seropositive pregnant women with/without malaria co-infection indicates high degree of malnutrition while the increased blood pressure suggests high blood pressure which might predispose the pregnant mothers to pre-eclampsia if not properly managed. Adequate micronutrient supplementation and effective anti malaria agent is strictly advocated in the routine management of HIV infected mothers during pregnancy to reduce the severity of the co-infection and adverse pregnancy complications especially in areas of malaria endemic transmissions.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2016

BackgroundWhen a pregnant woman contracts Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy, it may be vertically transmitted to the foetus. Information on the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) in developing countries is scarce. Most studies focus on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women attending public antenatal care in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2016.MethodsIn this descriptive study, 344 urban pregnant women attending public antenatal care were voluntarily enrolled in the study. Seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was determined by automated immunoassay. Samples with a positive T. gondii IgG result were tested for T. gondii Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and specific IgG avidity by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. A questionnaire captured demographic data and exposure to risk factors. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and R.ResultsAnti-T. gondii IgG was found in nine (2.61%) pregnant women. There was no association of anti-T. gondii IgG with demographic characteristics or exposure to risk factors.Anti-T. gondii IgM was positive in one (0.3%) woman, while three (0.9%) women had borderline anti-T. gondii IgM results. Specific IgG avidity was low, equivocal and high in 0%, 33% and 67% of seropositive pregnant women, respectively.ConclusionSeroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG is much lower in Namibia than is reported in other developing countries. Investigation into specific IgM seropositivity and IgG avidity showed that pregnant women in the central region of Namibia are at low risk of vertical transmission and development of CT.

Práticas de gestantes soropositivas para HIV sobre o autocuidado: Construção de Tecnologia Educacional em Saúde

Objetivo: Construir uma tecnologia educacional em saúde para gestantes soropositivas para HIV. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, do tipo pesquisa participante. Participaram do grupo focal 10 gestantes com HIV. Após a dinâmica do grupo focal, foram analisados os depoimentos das mesmas e construído uma tecnologia educacional contendo os principais questionamentos das participantes e respostas com referencias de estudos realizados pelo Ministério da Saúde. Resultados: Com a metodologia realizada, foi possível construir como produto um vídeo educativo denominado “A gravidez em mulheres com HIV: vamos falar sobre?”. Sobre os questionamentos delas, foi possível destacar que elas não sabiam como realizar o autocuidado de forma correta e que apresentam medo perante o estigma contido na doença. Conclusão: A elaboração de ferramentas educacionais se apresenta como forma de sanear dúvidas e apresenta-se como forma de aumento de vínculo entre o profissional e a usuária.

Detection of Hepatitis C virus and the risk of transmission among pregnant and nursing mothers from rural and urban communities in Kogi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with liver complicated diseases resulting in end-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Although vertical transmission from mother to child serves as one of the routes of HCV acquisition in children, yet HCV infection in pregnant women and children is still underappreciated in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study investigated the burden of HCV, associated risk factors, and viremia among antenatal and postnatal clinic attendees in the rural and urban communities of Kogi State, Nigeria. Atotal of 176 blood samples were collected from 78 (44.32%) consenting breastfeeding (nursing) mothers and 98 (55.8%) pregnant mothers (age ranged 18–47 years) (SD = +12.1; Median = 26.3) and tested for anti-HCV by ELISA technique. All anti-HCV-positive samples were retested by Taq one-step RT-PCR technique for viral RNA (viremia) detection. The bio-socio-demographic variables of the participants were correlated with the test results, using an IBM SPSS version 21 and MEOP 2010. Ameasure of goodness was considered significant at P< 0.05 using a95% confidence interval. This study found an overall rate of 4.6% for HCV and 2.2% (4/176) viremia indicating both active and passive infections. HCV rate was higher among the civil servants (2.3%; CI = −0.25–2.91; P= 0.241) and peaked among the age group 31–35 years (2.3%; CI = 0.183–2.182; P= 0.293). Various risk factors identified included, relatively high HCV rates during first trimester (1.7%; CI = −2.2–3.61; P= .047), ear/nose piercing (4.6%; CI = −46.83–54.82; P= 0.157), seropositivity among the married (3.9%; CI = −3.36–7.3567; P= 0.238) and urban dwellers (2.8%; CI = −8.71–16.71; P= 0.157). None of the bio-socio-demographic variables except the stage of pregnancy as arisk factor (P= 0.041) evaluated significantly influenced either HCV rate or viremia. This study showed arelatively high rate of HCV among the participants and also revealed that risk factors–based testing is not effective in ELISA testing alone for pregnant and nursing mothers in the community. Therefore, all HCV seropositive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers including their babies should be tested using the PCR technique to determine vertical transmission and RNA reevaluated after delivery to assess spontaneous clearance.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected pregnant women in Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Introduction. Toxoplasmosis is a neglected parasitic infection that has economic and epidemiological significance. Data on toxoplasmosis seroprevalence among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected pregnant women may be of obstetric and neonatal concern. Aim. The study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in HIV-positive pregnant women attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Northcentral Nigeria. Material and methods. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 160 HIV seropositive pregnant women were recruited. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Structured questionnaires were used to collate the sociodemographic variables of participants. Results. Out of the 160 of HIV seropositive pregnant women, the seroprevalence anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were 29.4% and 4.4%, respectively. There was no significant association between anti-T. gondii and all sociodemographic variables studied (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion. The overall result of this study revealed that the majority of pregnant women were exposed to toxoplasmosis much earlier in life. Hence, these findings will assist obstetricians and gynecologists in the early diagnosis and management of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women, especially HIV coinfected ones with IgM seropositivity.

Determination of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1&2&O and P24 – antigen in pregnant women in port harcourt Nigeria

ABSTRACTThe need for a cure against HIV infection and a need to improve HIV screening amongst low risk population such as pregnant women have been an issue since the emergence of HIV. Therefore, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was adopted to determine the prevalence of antibodies to HIV-1/2/O and P24 antigen among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Estimating the HIV seropositivity in pregnant women will offer vital information for monitoring the trend of HIV infection in the general population and assist in prevention from mother-to-child transmission. The occurrence of antibodies to HIV type 1/2/O and P24 antigen among the pregnant women was investigated using fourth-generation ELISA. The influence of the women’s age, marital status, occupation, educational status and gestation period on the prevalence of these antibodies against HIV type 1/2/O and P24 antigen was also considered. Of the 86 pregnant women, 14 were found to be HIV-positive with seropositivity rate of 32.6%. Majority of HIV seropositive women (41.2%) were in the age group of 31–42 years. Higher seropositivity was observed among singles (50.0%), those with secondary education (44.7%), unemployed (47.8%) and in those in their third trimester (40.0%). Additionally, this study observed high seropositivity of antibodies to HIV type 1, 2, O and P24 antigen among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and calls for urgent and concerted efforts aimed at promoting behavioral and socio-cultural practices that could change the current high rate of HIV seropositivity amongst pregnant women in Nigeria. A combination of preventive strategies such as the use of condoms, breaking the chain of transmission within sexual networks by prompt treatment and reducing the amount of unsafe sexual behavior, promoting sexual abstinence and behavioral change from high-risk behavior are advocated.

Gebelerdeki HBsAg Taramasının ve Seropozitifliğinin Yıllar İçindeki Değişimi

Gebelerdeki HBsAg Taramasının ve Seropozitifliğinin Yıllar İçindeki Değişimi

417. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) During Pregnancy

BackgroundCongenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is a leading cause of hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although higher rates of CMV acquisition and reinfections with new virus strains are seen in women with STIs, the significance of CMV-STI co-infections during pregnancy and whether co-infections increase intrauterine transmission of CMV remains unclear. Higher rates of CMV genital shedding were seen in mothers of infants with cCMV compared with those with uninfected infants. The objective of this study was to determine the association between CMV seroprevalence and STIs and whether STIs during pregnancy influences CMV genital shedding.MethodsVaginal swabs from a cohort of CMV seropositive women in labor from a multi-center study were analyzed. After DNA extraction from vaginal swabs, PCR was performed for detection of CMV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). The prevalence of STIs in CMV seropositive pregnant women was determined in this cohort and CMV genital shedding rates were compared between groups with and without STIs.ResultsIn this cohort, CMV genital shedding in late pregnancy was detectable in 13% (21/160) of women while rates of detection for MG, GC, CT and TV were 3%, 0.6%, 1.2% and 8%, respectively. CMV-STI co-infections were noted in 2.5% (4/160) of women. CMV genital shedding was documented in only one woman with STIs, compared with 12.5% (20/160) without STIs. Among women shedding CMV in the genital tract, CMV viral load levels ranged from 1.1 × 102 IU/mL to 2.2 × 104 IU/mL.ConclusionIn a cohort of CMV seropositive women, the presence of STIs in late pregnancy did not increase CMV genital shedding. Our preliminary findings suggest CMV shedding is not associated with STIs detected late in pregnancy.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Particularly neglected in countries with other challenges: High Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women in Kabul, Afghanistan, while a low proportion know about the parasite.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of global importance. It is widespread and endemic practically all over the world, with infection prevalence varying by geographic location. The parasite and the disease are neglected, which is illustrated by the lack of baseline information on the prevalence from many regions. Developed, peaceful regions are in better situation to address toxoplasmosis, while the neglected status is particularly pronounced in regions with other challenges. Due to the lack of baseline data, these regions are rarely mentioned in discussions about the neglected status of the disease. A dramatic manifestation of toxoplasmosis, congenital toxoplasmosis, is the dreaded outcome of vertical transmission of the infection from the mother to the unborn child. For this reason, pregnant women are a key target group for primary prevention of T. gondii infections, and baseline data on the prevalence in pregnant women is important. In this cross-sectional seroepidemiological study, we estimated Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and evaluated possible risk factors for seropositivity in pregnant women in Kabul, Afghanistan. Altogether 207 of the 431 women included in the study tested positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. gondii, yielding an apparent seroprevalence estimate of 48.03% (95% CI 43.33–52.75). Based on the final multivariable model for T. gondii seropositivity, non-concrete floor in the house and well or river as water source were identified as risk factors for seropositivity, while residence in rural area was a protective factor. The majority of the participants (72.9%) reported that they did not know about T. gondii. Our study is the first to report an estimate of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women in Afghanistan. The high seroprevalence indicates substantial infection pressure, and the results of the risk factor analysis suggest that the environmental route, infection from oocysts, might be the most relevant to address to prevent the infections in the region. Our results contribute to the global discussion on neglected status of toxoplasmosis.

Perfil epidemiológico de gestantes/puérperas soropositivas para o HIV em uma maternidade de referência em Belém-PA

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico de gestantes/puérperas soropositivas para o HIV atendidas em uma maternidade pública de referência em gestação de alto risco- no município de Belém-Pará. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, observacional de caráter descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. Realizado em uma maternidade de referência em Belém-PA. Resultados: Faixa etária predominante foi de 21 a 25 anos (48,0%), 80% se declarou de cor parda, metade é da região metropolitana de Belém e outra do interior do estado, 70% exercem atividades do lar, 48% tinham o ensino fundamental incompleto, 70% vivem em união estável, e 72% possuem renda familiar de 1 a 3 salários mínimos. Quanto aos hábitos de vida: 12% fumaram, 18 % consumiram bebidas alcóolicas e apenas 4 % usaram drogas ilícitas/injetável nesta gestação. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o perfil das gestantes puérperas soropositivas se assemelha com os descritos na literatura, por vezes existindo peculiaridades da nossa região. Necessidade de ampliação do diagnóstico de infecção para todas as mulheres jovens, de acordo com as políticas de saúde da mulher.

Interleukin-6 gene polymorphism (-174 G/C) association with seropositive Toxoplasma gondii infection patients in Al-Diwaniyah hospital

The present study aims to detection Interleukin-6 gene polymorphism (-174 G/C) from seropositive Toxoplasma gondii pregnant women patients and healthy control from individuals reviewers to AL-Diwaniyah hospital. 80 samples were collected for the period from October 2018- April 2019, including two groups of 30 samples healthy control and 50 samples from pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The results of the present study indicated the presence of IL-6 (-174 G/C) polymorphism in pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii and healthy control. Where was observed that CG genotype more frequent in patients indicating the association of this genotype with the disease compared to the control group where CG genotype appears less. Also, the results of the current study indicate the appearance of allele C more frequently in pregnant women patients compared to healthy control. We can conclude from the present study there association of appearance allele C with Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Congenital transmission of Chagas disease in a non-endemic area, is an early diagnosis possible?

BackgroundChagas disease (CD) is an emergent disease in Europe, due to immigration. The aims of this study are to describe the epidemiological characteristics of a cohort of Chagas infected pregnant women in Spain, to assess the vertical transmission (VT) rate and evaluate the usefulness of the PCR in the diagnosis of congenital infection in the first months of life.MethodsA descriptive, retrospective study including Chagas seropositive pregnant women who were attended at three tertiary hospitals in Madrid, from January 2012 to September 2016. Infants were examined by PCR at birth and 1 month later and serologically studied at 9 months or later. Children were considered infected when the parasite was detected by PCR at any age or when serology remained positive without decline over the age of 9 months.ResultsWe included 122 seropositive-infected pregnant women, 81% were from Bolivia and only 8.2% had been treated before. 125 newborns were studied and finally 109 were included (12.8% lost the follow-up before performing the last serology). The VT rate was 2.75% (95% CI: 0,57–8,8%). Infected infants had positive PCR at birth and 1 month later. All of them were treated successfully with benznidazole (PCR and serology became negative later on). All non-infected children presented negative PCR. The mean age at which uninfected patients had negative serology was 10.5 months.ConclusionsThe VT rate is in keeping with literature and confirms the need to carry out a screening in pregnant women coming from endemic areas. PCR seems to be a useful tool to provide early diagnosis of congenital CD.

Combined antiretroviral therapy for HIV and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A systematic review.

To assess if there is a relationship between use of combined antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women living with HIV and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Due to the heterogeneity of study designs in the literature and the utilization of different outcome measures in regards to assessing the presence of HDP, a systematic review was performed. ClinicalTrials.gov and MEDLINE, via PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, EBSCOHost, DARE, and the Cochrane Library, were queried from January 1997 to October 2017. Studies were included if they reported HDP and focused on pregnant women living with HIV who used combined antiretroviral therapy. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessment of risk of bias and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grading scale were used to assess the studies. Of 1055 abstracts, 28 articles met inclusion criteria. The data are marked by multiple biases and poor study design. All studies demonstrate an increased risk of HDP among pregnant women living with HIV who used combined antiretroviral therapy when compared to seropositive pregnant women not using antiretroviral therapy. Three studies suggest protease inhibitors may be associated with a higher risk of HDP. Despite all studies indicating a higher frequency of HDP among pregnant women living with HIV using combined antiretroviral therapy when compared with seropositive pregnant women not using antiretroviral therapy, the quality of the studies is mixed, necessitating further research.

Antibiotic Drug Resistance in HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women

Background: Vaginal infections are often associated with a significant risk of morbidity especially in pregnant women. These infections if left untreated often result in a long-term sequelae and poses a higher adverse pregnancy outcome especially in immunocompromised women. While HIV infection has been reported to be a high risk of pathogenic bacterial colonization, the misuse of antibiotics is high among women in developing countries. Methodology and results: A high vaginal swab was collected from the posterior fornix from each pregnant women by the attending physician using sterile bivalve speculum and a cotton- tipped applicator. Each sample was cultured and identified using standard bacterlogical methods. Selected pathogens were thereafter tested for their sensitivity to 23 commonly prescribed antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer method. Altogether, 1,156 bacterial isolates were cultured from high vaginal swabs of both 114 HIV seropositive and 126 HIV seronegative pregnant women, averaging 4.81 bacterial per subject each for both cohorts. S. aureus was seen as the single predominant isolate recovered from both groups. In addition, of the 22 S. aureus recovered from HIV infected women, 10 isolates were Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 12 Methicillin sensitive S aureus (MSSA), while, of the 25 S. aureus recovered from HIV seronegative women, 13 isolates were Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 12 Methicillin sensitive S aureus (MSSA). Other gram negative pathogens associated with lower genital infections were also studied. Conclusion: The incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance was high among isolates recovered from both cohorts, which is probably due to uncontrollable ease of access to these antibiotics in the environment where antibiotics restriction/policy is lacking. There is an urgent need for continuous monitoring, health education, drug abuse awareness and implementation of interventions to restrict antibiotic abuse especially among immunocompromised individuals in the study environment.

Bacterial colonization of the vagina, oropharynx, breast milk and anterior nares of neonates among HIV seropositive pregnant women and seronegative pregnant counterparts

Introduction The human Immunodefiency virus acquired immune deficiency syndrome HIV AIDS is a scourge to mankind because the disease has devastated and decimated communities worldwide in the last two or more decades yet there is no cure Incidence of HIV AIDS in Nigeria is high where of the global incidence occurs The study determined the colonization of the vagina oropharynx breast milk and nares of neonates in clinics at Akure South and Ifedore Local Government Area LGA in Ondo State Nigeria from November to December Methodology Two hundred and forty pregnant women aged years were involved in the study HIV seropositive subjects mean age years and HIV seronegative subjects mean age years as controls HIV serostatus of each participant was determined by HIV strip and confirmed by the Abbott enzyme linked immunosorbent assay procedure High vaginal sawbs breast milk samples oropharynx swabs and nares of each neonate were collected using sterile cotton tipped applicator and introducing each into freshly prepared thioglycollate fluid medium for growth Bacterial isolates were charcterised by standard microbiological methods and API kits Results bacterial isolates were recovered from the four study sites HVS oropharynx breast milk samples and anterior nares of neonates Our study showed against compared to and against of the predominant pathogens encountered among HIV seropositive and seroneagtive subjects respectively Conclusion HVS constituted the major isolates oropharynx breast milk and nares of neonates

Risk Factors Associated With the Vertical Transmission of Cytomegalovirus in Seropositive Pregnant Women

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the leading cause of childhood disabilities. More recent data indicates that cCMV following maternal nonprimary infection occurs frequently and can cause similar rates of sequelae as those following maternal primary infection. However, the risks associated with cCMV especially in CMV-seropositive women remain unclear. This review summarizes potential risk factors of cCMV in seropositive women with perspectives on the causal link including sociodemographic factors, virological characteristics, the host immune system, genomics, metabonomics and proteomics. These observations and some new molecular markers, although not yet validated as a reliable tool predictive of cCMV, could be the basis for designing future prospective studies.

Periodontal health status among HIV-seropositive pregnant women.

Routine oral health care is essential for those living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, especially in pregnant women. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, immunosupression in HIV along with bacterial load in periodontal infections strongly influence the pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal health status in HIV seropositive pregnant women in Andhra Pradesh, India. This study includes a sample of 90 divided into three groups; HIV seropositive pregnant women (group PH; n = 30), HIV seropositive nonpregnant women (group H; n = 30), and healthy pregnant women without HIV infection (group P; n = 30). Clinical examination includes the recording of probing depths (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and periodontal screening and recording index (PSR) were assessed in three groups. Statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon paired test using the software SPSS version 17. Clinical parameters do not show any significant variation between the three groups. But slightly higher mean PD and CAL levels was observed in HIV seropositive pregnant and nonpregnant women compared with healthy pregnant women without HIV infection. About 13% of severe gingivitis cases were observed in HIV seropositive pregnant group compared with 6% in HIV seropositive and 3% in healthy pregnant group. Presence of slightly higher percentage of severe gingivitis in HIV seropositive pregnant women strengthens the fact of extra need for preventive oral health services during the prenatal period and provides recommendations for promoting maternal oral health in regional antiretroviral therapy centers in India.

Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalo and Herpes Viral Antibody Level in Patients at National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Kathmandu

The primary infection of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) abbreviated as TORCH has remained a major problem in the women of childbearing age in Nepal. The main objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of TORCH infections among the women of childbearing age visiting the National Public Health laboratory (NPHL), Teku, Kathmandu. A total of 314 blood samples were collected and tested for TORCH infections by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CLIA). Of the total 314 patients, different patterns were observed in the requested test series. Highest number of patients (243) requested for CMV IgM test while only 195 requested for the same for Rubella. The IgM seroprevalence rates were 4.20% (9/214) for Toxoplasma gondii, 5.12% (10/195) for Rubella, 4.91% (12/244) for Cytomegalovirus and 5.56% (13/234) for Herpes Simplex virus. Significant portion of the test exhibited the equivocal result making this latest technology further complicated. Equivocal results were 2.33 % (5/214) for Toxoplasma gondii, 3.58% (7/195) for Rubella, 3.27% (8/244) for Cytomegalovirus and 4.27% (10/234) for Herpes Simplex Virus. The seropositivity rate in pregnant women was 11.97 % (17/142), in which the seropositivity in pregnant women with Bad Obstetric History (BOH) was found to be 12.5% (13/104) and women without BOH was found to be 10.52% (4/38). The statistical association of any one of the TORCH infections with previous obstetric history was significant (p&lt;0.05). The seropositivity rate was the highest for HSV infection followed by Rubella, CMV and T. gondii.