Vertical transmission of HIV is still a growing concern in South Africa. Breastfed infants are still at risk as HIV is present in breast milk, leaving HIV-positive mothers unsure of the best feeding option for their infants. However, there are various infant feeding techniques that HIV-positive mothers can use to supplement breastfeeding and flash-heat is one of them. Flash-heat is heat treating expressed breast milk to deactivate HIV for infant feeding. This study explored the possibility of HIV-positive mothers to practice flash-heating method for their infants exclusively for four months as a strategy to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. A descriptive, explorative and contextual design using a mixed method was used to obtain data from mothers in a post natal ward at Tembisa hospital. The mixed method used was useful in identifying the number of HIV-positive mothers who would adopt the flash-heat technique, the characteristics of mothers whom the technique could be promoted to, the factors that influence/affect the choice of infant feeding for these mothers, as well as their feelings associated with the feeding technique. Most (74%) mothers had a positive response to the flash-heat technique compared to 10% who were uncertain. They believed that heat treating their breast milk would result in their infants being HIV-free. In addition they believed that this method was cheaper than formula feeding and expressed positive feelings about touching their breast milk while expressing with no adverse feelings of expressing into a glass jar. Furthermore, findings of this study indicated that HIV-positive mothers in a public health facility would adopt flash-heat as an alternative infant feeding method. Thus practical guidelines to promote this feeding method were proposed. The proposed draft guidelines which promote the use of the flash-heat infant feeding method for HIV-positive mothers in public sector facilities will be communicated to relevant authorities such as the National Department of Health. These guidelines support the new policy shift to exclusive breastfeeding as a child survival strategy in South Africa. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Background: Non-disclosure of HIV positive status to a partner threatens to reverse gains made in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in resource limited settings. Determining the association between non-disclosure and infant HIV acquisition is important to justify focussing on disclosure as a strategy in PMTCT programmes. Objective: To determine the association between non-disclosure of HIV positive status to a partner and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Methods: Using a matched case-control design, we compared 34 HIV positive infants to 146 HIV negative infants and evaluated whether the mothers had disclosed their HIV status to their partner. Results: Non-disclosure was more frequent among cases (overall, 16.7%; cases, 52.8%; controls 7.6%), p<0.001 and significantly associated with MTCT (aOR 8.9 (3.0-26.3); p<0.0001), with male partner involvement partially mediating the effect of non-disclosure on MTCT. Conclusions: There is a need for PMTCT programs to focus on strategies to improve male partner involvement and partner disclosure without compromising the woman’s safety. / Health Studies / M. (Public Health)

INTRODUÇÃO: A continuidade das elevadas taxas de sífilis congênita (SC) no Brasil é preocupante, apesar do fácil diagnóstico e tratamento. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: descrever características sociodemográficas, clínico-laboratoriais, assistência ao pré-natal e terapêutica específica das gestantes com sífilis; descrever características clínico-laboratoriais, terapêutica específica e desfecho dos recém-nascidos expostos à sífilis; estimar taxa de incidência anual de SC; estimar frequência de SC entre os recém-nascidos e conceptos expostos; identificar fatores associados à ocorrência de SC entre os conceptos e recém-nascidos expostos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 149 gestantes com sífilis e 152 recém-nascidos / conceptos expostos, no município de Itapeva (SP), de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2014. Os casos foram identificados pela Vigilância Epidemiológica (VE) e por busca ativa nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde, Centro Materno Infantil, Serviço de Ambulatório Especializado em Infectologia e Santa Casa de Misericórdia. Foi realizada coleta de dados das fichas de notificação de sífilis em gestante (SG) e SC e de prontuários das gestantes e recém-nascidos. Para avaliar a associação de SC com variáveis de interesse, foram calculadas razões de prevalência (RP) e IC95%. Na análise multivariada foi utilizado modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta com nível de significância de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A média de idade das gestantes foi 24,3 anos. Oito gestantes não fizeram pré-natal, maioria iniciou pré-natal com idade gestacional <= 13 semanas, realizou mais de seis consultas e 97,2% realizou teste não treponêmico; 57% com resultado VDRL > 1:4. O diagnóstico de sífilis foi feito no momento do parto/curetagem em 11,4% das gestantes; no segundo trimestre da gravidez em 20,8% e no terceiro trimestre em 8,7%. Entre as 132 mulheres diagnosticadas durante a gestação, 77,2% recebeu tratamento adequado >= 30 dias antes do parto; 31,7% fizeram o VDRL mensal para controle de cura. Quanto aos parceiros, 48,3% foi tratado inadequadamente ou não tratado. Ocorreram dois abortos e três natimortos. Em relação aos 147 recém-nascidos vivos, 29,9% foram prematuros, 35,4% teve baixo peso e 51% apresentou sinais de SC ao nascer. Somente 132 recém-nascidos realizaram pelo menos um exame VDRL, com resultado positivo em 65,3%; 55,1% dos recém-nascidos receberam tratamento para sífilis, e a maioria (91,4%) iniciou tratamento no dia do nascimento. Ocorreram cinco óbitos por SC. O pesquisador confirmou 101 casos de sífilis congênita, dos quais 62 foram notificados à VE. Dez crianças apresentaram sequelas. As taxas de incidência de SC foram: 15,1/1.000 NV (2010); 12,1/1.000 NV (2011); 15,6/1.000 NV (2012); 9,1/1.000 NV (2013) e 22,3/1000 NV (2014). Na análise bivariada, tabagismo, <6 consultas pré-natal e idade gestacional >=14 semanas ao diagnóstico de sífilis foram associados à ocorrência de SC. No primeiro modelo da análise multivariada, a idade gestacional ao diagnóstico e o tabagismo foram independentemente associados à SC. No segundo modelo, idade gestacional ao diagnóstico, número de consultas no pré-natal e resultado do primeiro VDRL foram independentemente associados à ocorrência de SC. CONCLUSÃO: As taxas de incidência de SC encontradas pelo pesquisado foram maiores que as informadas pela VE. Os resultados sugerem subnotificação de SG e SC / INTRODUCTION: The continuity of high rates of congenital syphilis (CS) in Brazil is worrying, despite simple diagnosis and treatment. This study had the following objectives: To describe socio-demographic characteristics, clinical laboratory results, prenatal assistance and specific therapy of pregnant women with syphilis; To describe clinical-laboratory characteristics, specific therapeutics and outcome of newborns exposed to syphilis; To estimate annual incidence rate of CS; To determine CS frequency among newborns and proved conceptus; and To identify factors associated with the occurrence of CS between the conceptus and exposed newly born. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 149 pregnant women with syphilis and 152 newborns / proved conceptus, in Itapeva (SP), from January 2010 to December 2014. Cases were identified by Epidemiological Surveillance (ES) and by active Basic Health Units, Maternal and Child Center, Specialized Clinic in Infectious Diseases and Santa Casa de Misericórdia. All data were collected from the records of syphilis notification in pregnant women and CS and the records of pregnant women and newborns. To assess the association of CS with variables of interest, prevalence, and 95% confidence interval were calculated. In the multivariate analysis, we used a Poisson Regression Model with robust variance with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of pregnant women was 24.3 years. Eight pregnant women did not get prenatal exams, most started prenatal with gestational age <= 13 weeks, performed more than six medical appointments and 97.2% showed the non-treponemal test; 57% with VDRL result > 1: 4. The diagnosis of syphilis made at the time of childbirth / endometrial curettage was 11.4% of pregnant women; by the second trimester of pregnancy 20.8% and by the third quarter 8.7%. Among the 132 women diagnosed during pregnancy, 77.2% received adequate treatment >= 30 days before delivery; 31.7% did the monthly VDRL for cure control. As for the partners, 48.3% were treated improperly or untreated. There were two miscarriage and three stillbirths. Regarding the 147 live births (LB), 29.9% were premature, 35.4% were underweight, and 51% presented signs of CS at birth. Only 132 newborns performed at least one VDRL test, with a positive result in 65.3%; 55.1% of the newly born received treatment for syphilis, and the majority (91.4%) started treatment on the day of birth. There were five deaths per CS. The investigator confirmed 101 cases of congenital syphilis, of which 62 were notified to the ES. Ten children had sequelae. The incidence rates of CS were: 15.1 / 1000 LB (2010); 12.1 / 1000 LB (2011); 15.6 / 1000 LB (2012); 9.1 / 1000 LB (2013) and 22.3 / 1000 LB (2014). In the bivariate analysis, smoking, = 14 weeks at diagnosis of syphilis was associated with the occurrence of CS. In the first model of multivariate analysis, gestational age at diagnosis and smoking were independently associated with CS. In the second model, gestational age at diagnosis, the number of prenatal appointments, and the outcome of the first VDRL were independently associated with the occurrence of SC. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of CS found by the researcher were higher than those reported by the ES. The results suggest underreporting of syphilis in pregnant women and CS

No description available.

Programa de Apoio aos Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais / The aim was to unveil the meaning of being-a-couple on the lived experience on prophylaxis of HIV vertical transmission. Qualitative and phenomenological inquiry based on theoreticalphilosophical- methodological referential of Martin Heidegger. Subjects of research were couples being health monitored in the Ambulatory of infectious Diseases on pre-natal and childcare of University Hospital of Santa Maria. Data production happened between December 2011 to February 2012 through phenomenological interview, with seven couples. It was developed heideggerian analysis, unveiling that on vague and median comprehension of the couple who experiences of prophylaxis of HIV vertical transmission with health care meaning making everything right since pre-natal care, taking medicine and going to consults, not breast-feeding and giving medicine to the child; not imagining that could be infected, not having guarantee of treatment working and being scared of transmitting HIV to the child; considering that not breast-feeding is sad, new and mourning to the women that doesn t stop being a mother, but it s not complete and that in front of others it s complicated for the couple not to breast-feed. Given this experience, couple is together and takes care of each other, continue to have a normal life, as if they didn t have the disease, however prejudice make them silent about their diagnosis. The couple takes care of the child to be healthy and is involved with him/her. With the child, they become a family and not only a couple. On interpretative comprehension, the woman and the partner show themselves as being-a-couple that is occupied in developing the treatment for prophylaxis. It s on the talk repeating information about care, curious on search for knowledge to simply become conscious about the disease and treatment and ambiguous when states having a normal life in spite of the difference in taking medicines and using condoms. It reveals itself in the decadence. They were afraid of the treatment did not work, were surprised on the facticity of being unable to breastfeed, and fell in front of the impersonality prejudice and discrimination. It has been shown to be as-family. The couple lived in be-revealed that the gain in the prophylaxis of stress as the child has health and family formation. They pointed to the importance of including the partner in care and reproductive care in childcare. Sees the need to promote attention the relationship between being professional and be double that transcends the impersonal dictates what the being-a-couple should be engaged in. / O objetivo foi desvelar o sentido do ser-casal no vivido dos cuidados na profilaxia da transmissão vertical do HIV. Investigação qualitativa, fenomenológica fundamentada no referencial teórico-filosófico-metodológico de Martin Heidegger. Sujeitos da pesquisa foram casais que fazem o acompanhamento de saúde no Ambulatório de infectologia no pré-natal e puericultura do Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria. A produção dos dados ocorreu no período de dezembro 2011 a fevereiro de 2012 por meio de entrevista fenomenológica, com sete casais. Foi desenvolvida análise heideggeriana, desvelando que na compreensão vaga e mediana do casal que vivencia a profilaxia da transmissão vertical do HIV os cuidados com a saúde significam fazer tudo certo desde o pré-natal, tomar remédio e ir nas consultas, não amamentar e dar remédio para o filho; não imaginar que poderiam se infectar, não ter a garantia do tratamento dar certo e ter medo de transmitir HIV para o filho; considerar que não poder amamentar é triste, novidade e luto para a mulher que não deixa de ser mãe, mas não é completo e que diante dos outros é complicado para o casal não amamentar. Diante dessa vivência, o casal está junto e cuidam um do outro, seguem com a vida normal, como se não tivesse a doença, porém o preconceito os faz silenciar sobre seu diagnóstico. O casal cuida do filho para ter saúde e se envolve com ele. Com o filho passam a ser uma família e não mais só o casal. Na compreensão interpretativa, a mulher e o companheiro se mostraram como sercasal, que se ocupa em realizar o tratamento para profilaxia. Está no falatório repetindo informações sobre os cuidados, curioso na busca pelo conhecimento para simplesmente se tornar consciente sobre a doença e o tratamento e ambíguo quando afirma ter uma vida normal apesar da diferença em usar remédios e preservativos. Desvela-se na decadência. Teve medo do tratamento não dar certo, surpreendeu-se diante da facticidade de não poder amamentar e decaiu na impessoalidade frente ao preconceito e à discriminação. Mostrou-se como ser-família. O vivido do ser-casal revelou que o ganho do esforço na profilaxia foi o filho ter saúde e a constituição da família. Apontou para a relevância de incluir o companheiro na assistência reprodutiva e de cuidado na puericultura. Vislumbra-se a necessidade uma atenção que promova a relação entre ser-profissional e ser-casal que transcenda o impessoal que dita com o que o ser-casal deve se ocupar.

Contexte : Notre incapacité à guérir le VIH/SIDA vient au moins en partie du fait que le VIH établit et maintient des réservoirs cellulaires à l'abri des effets de la thérapie antirétrovirale combinée (cART) et de l'immunité de l'hôte. Alors que les composantes des réservoirs sont bien connues chez les adultes, la composition et l'évolution de ces réservoirs chez les enfants infectés verticalement sont moins bien comprises. Notre objectif était d'examiner les effets de l’âge de l’enfant au moment de l’initiation de la cART et de l'obtention d'une suppression virale soutenue (SVS) sur la taille et la nature du réservoir du VIH chez les enfants et les adolescents. Méthodes : À l'aide de la méthode HIV-Flow, la taille et la distribution des sous-types cellulaires du réservoir viral compétent pour la traduction ont été évaluées dans les cellules T CD4+ purifiées obtenues d'enfants et d'adolescents infectés verticalement (n=34) qui participaient à l'étude EPIC4 et qui ont été groupés selon l'âge (0-5, 5-10, 10-18 ans) et l’atteinte de la SVS. Résultats : Les différences de taille de réservoir entre les participants masculins et féminins ou entre les groupes d'âge n'étaient pas statistiquement significatives (p=0.5003, p=0.9410). Les cellules T CD4+ naïves étaient les principales contributrices au réservoir de cellules productrices de p24 dans tous les groupes d'âge, comparé aux cellules à mémoire centrale (CM), à mémoire effectrice (EM) et terminalement différenciées (TD) (p=0.001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001). La forte représentation des cellules T CD4+ naïves dans le pool total de cellules T CD4+ (⁓68% à >80%) peut expliquer cette contribution. Les cellules CM avaient tendance à présenter des fréquences plus élevées de cellules p24+ chez les adolescents par rapport aux groupes d'âge plus jeunes. Une corrélation négative a été observée entre la fréquence des cellules p24+ et la proportion de vie sous SVS (r=-0.3215, p=0.0318) ainsi que la proportion de vie sous cART efficace (r=-0.3197, p=0.0327). Conclusion : Contrairement aux adultes infectés par le VIH, le réservoir cellulaire hébergeant le VIH compétent pour la traduction chez les enfants et les adolescents infectés verticalement est principalement composé de cellules T CD4+ naïves, avec un profil de distribution se rapprochant progressivement avec l’âge de celui des adultes. Ces résultats éclairent et renforcent les orientations fondées sur des données probantes pour la prise en charge clinique et le traitement de l'infection verticale par le VIH. / Background: Our inability to cure HIV/AIDS stems at least in part from the fact that HIV establishes and maintains cellular reservoirs where it shelters from the effects of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and host immunity. Whereas reservoir components are well known in adults, the composition and evolution of these reservoirs in vertically infected children are incompletely understood. Our objective was to examine the effects of the timing of cART initiation and achievement of sustained viral suppression (SVS) on the size and nature of the HIV reservoir in children and adolescents. Methods: Using the HIV-Flow method, size and cell subset distribution of the translation competent viral reservoir were assessed in purified CD4+ T cells from vertically infected children and adolescents (n=34) with and without SVS, who were enrolled in the EPIC4 study and stratified according to age (0-5, 5-10, 10-18 years) and achievement/duration of SVS. Results: Differences in reservoir size between male and female participants or across age groups were not statistically significant (p=0.5003, p=0.9410). Naïve CD4+ T cells were the main contributor to the pool of p24-producing cells in all age groups as compared to central memory (CM), effector memory (EM), and terminally differentiated (TD) (p=0.001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001). The large representation of naïve CD4+ T cells in the total CD4+ T cells pool (⁓68% to >80%) can explain this contribution. CM cells tended to carry higher frequencies of p24+ cells in adolescents compared to younger age groups. A negative correlation was observed between the frequency of p24-positive cells and the proportion of life under SVS (r=-0.3215, p=0.0318) as well as the proportion of life under effective cART (r=-0.3197, p=0.0327). Conclusion: Unlike HIV-infected adults, the cellular reservoir harboring translation competent HIV in vertically infected children and adolescents is mostly comprised of naïve CD4+ T cells, with a distribution profile progressively transitioning to that of adults. These results inform and reinforce evidence-based guidance for the management of vertical HIV infection.

Contexte : La littérature suggère que le virus du papillome humain (VPH) puisse être transmis verticalement. Or, le mécanisme exact de transmission verticale demeure inconnu et les données ne permettent pas de savoir dans quelle mesure la transmission verticale est affectée par le mode d’accouchement. L’objectif de l’étude était de mesurer l’association entre le mode d’accouchement et la détection d’ADN du VPH chez les bébés. Méthode : Nous avons utilisé les données de 1052 femmes enceintes de la cohorte HERITAGE. Des échantillons vaginaux auto-collectés ont été obtenus chez les mères durant la grossesse, et des échantillons des muqueuses de la bouche, la gorge, les yeux et de la région anogénitale ont été collectés chez les bébés à la naissance et à 3 mois. Nous avons inclus les 282 femmes ayant eu un test VPH positif au premier et troisième trimestre de grossesse. Tous les échantillons ont été analysés pour la détection d’ADN du VPH par la méthode de réaction de polymérase en chaîne (PCR) avec le test Linear ArrayMC. Les informations sur l’accouchement ont été collectées dans les dossiers médicaux. L’association entre le mode d’accouchement et la transmission verticale du VPH a été mesurée par régressions logistiques. Résultats : La probabilité de transmission verticale du VPH a été de 8,9% (25/282), soit 3,7% (3/81) pour les césariennes et 10,9% (22/201) pour les accouchements vaginaux. Chez 21 des 25 enfants positifs au VPH (84%), il y avait au moins un génotype concordant avec leur mère, et tous sont nés par accouchement vaginal. Une augmentation significative du risque de transmission verticale du VPH a été observée pour l’accouchement vaginal, en comparaison avec la césarienne (OR ajusté: 3,63, intervalles de confiance à 95% (IC 95%): 1,03-12,82). Nous n’avons pas observé d’association significative entre la césarienne suivant la rupture des membranes et le risque de transmission, lorsque comparé avec la césarienne avec membranes intactes (OR ajusté : 1,31, IC 95% : 0,10-17,76). Il n’y a pas eu d’association entre la durée écoulée entre la rupture des membranes et la naissance (en heures continues) et le risque de transmission verticale (OR : 1,00, IC 95% : 0,97-1,02). Conclusion : L’accouchement par césarienne a été associé à un risque significativement plus faible de transmission du VPH chez les bébés. La transmission verticale du VPH surviendrait principalement lors du passage dans le canal vaginal car très peu d’enfants nés par césarienne ont été infectés au VPH. Puisque la rupture des membranes avant la césarienne et la durée entre la rupture des membranes et la naissance n’ont pas été associées à un risque de transmission du VPH plus élevé, nos résultats suggèrent que la transmission par infection ascendante après rupture des membranes est probablement rare. / Background: The literature suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted vertically. However, the exact mechanism of vertical transmission remains unknown and the data do not allow us to know to what extent vertical transmission is affected by the mode of delivery. The aim of the study was to measure the association between mode of delivery and the detection of HPV DNA in infants. Method: We used data from 1052 pregnant women from the HERITAGE cohort. Self-collected vaginal samples were obtained from mothers during pregnancy, and specimens from the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes and anogenital region were collected from infants at birth and at 3 months. We included 282 women who had both positive HPV tests in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. All samples were analyzed for detection of HPV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with the Linear ArrayTM assay. Information about the delivery was collected from medical records. The association between the mode of delivery and HPV detection in infants was measured using logistic regressions. Results: The probability of transmission of HPV was 8.9% (25/282); 3.7% (3/81) for caesarean sections and 10.9% (22/201) for vaginal deliveries. In 21 of 25 HPV positive infants (84%), there was at least one genotype concordant with their mother, and all were born vaginally. A significant increase in the risk of transmission of HPV was observed for vaginal delivery, compared to caesarean section (adjusted OR: 3.63, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.03-12.82). We found no significant increase in the risk of HPV transmission for caesarean section following rupture of membranes, compared to caesarean section with intact membranes (adjusted OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.10-17.76). There was no association between the time between rupture of membranes and birth (in continuous hours) and the risk of vertical transmission (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.97-1.02). Conclusion: Caesarean delivery is associated with a significantly lower risk of HPV vertical transmission. Vertical transmission is thought to occur mainly during passage through the vaginal canal, because very few infants born by caesarean section have been infected with HPV. Since rupture of membranes before caesarean section and the time between ruptured membranes and birth have not been associated with a higher risk of HPV transmission, our results suggest that transmission by ascending infection after rupture of membranes is unlikely.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a bacterium that is responsible for colibacillosis in birds. However, information about broiler breeder APEC isolates is limited, but the data is critical due to the transfer of this bacteria down the production pyramid to progenies resulting in high mortality. Therefore, we evaluated the phenotypic virulence characteristics of 28 isolates using embryo lethality and day-old chick challenge assays. Also, the in vitro adhesion and invasion potential of selected nine isolates were identified. Results showed more than 1/3rd of the isolates were highly virulent and the virulence increased as the number of virulence-associated genes increased. High adhesion and invasion rates were observed among the isolates. Overall, the study helped us to evaluate the virulence characteristics of APEC from broiler breeders. However, future studies based on whole genome approach would help to identify the specific targets which can be used to develop effective interventions.

No description available.

Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)