Original published work submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Virology. Johannesburg 2017. / Introduction: HIV-infected and HIV-exposed-uninfected children have a heightened susceptibility to some vaccine preventable disease. There is a paucity of data on immunogenicity of vaccines in these children, including HIV-infected children who are initiated on early antiretroviral therapy (ART). We evaluated the effect of maternal HIV-exposure and timing of ART in HIV-infected children on antibody responses to combined diphtheria-toxoid (DT) -tetanus-toxoid (TT)-whole cell pertussis (wP) and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (HibCV); monovalent hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) and live-attenuated measles vaccine (MV). Methods: Samples obtained from children aged 6–12 weeks who had been enrolled into the CIPRA-SA study were analysed. Briefly, HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-uninfected (HIV-unexposed) and HIV-infected mothers (HEU). Additionally, we enrolled perinatally HIV-infected children with CD4+%≥25% randomized to deferred-ART (i.e. initiated when clinically or immunologically indicated per the then WHO recommended treatment criteria; ART-Def) or immediate-ART initiation (i.e. initiated on ART immediately upon confirmation of HIV-infection status at 4-10 weeks of age; ART-Immed). Children enrolled in the ART-Immed arm were further randomized to interrupt ART at one-year (ART/12m) or two-years of age (ART/24m). Additionally, a convenience sample of HIV-infected children with CD4+<25% initiated on immediate-ART was enrolled (ART-CD4+<25%). Children received a primary series of DTwP-HibCV/HepB at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age; and MV at 40 weeks of age. Booster dose of DTwP and MV was given at 15-18 months of age. Sampling time-points were: prior to the first dose of vaccine, four weeks after the third dose (18 weeks age), 24 weeks after the third dose (39.3 weeks of age), at the time of the booster dose (15- 18 months age), two to four weeks after the booster dose and at 24 months of age. Samples were analysed for antibodies for DT, TT, PT, FHA, HepB measured by Luminex microbead-immunoassay; and MV antibodies were quantified by an indirect enzyme immunoassay. Results: Antibody kinetics and response to primary series of DTwP-HibCV/HepB: Pre-vaccination GMCs were higher in HIV-unexposed than HEU children for TT, but lower for HepB, DT and FHA. Post-vaccination, sero-conversion, sero-protection and GMCs were similar in HEU and HIV-unexposed children for all vaccines. Furthermore, GMCs were higher in HIV-unexposed for TT, DT, HepB and FHA than in ART-Immed children; and for TT, HepB and PT than in ART-Def children. Nevertheless, there was no difference in proportion of HIV-unexposed and HIV-infected children who developed sero-protective vaccine-specific antibody levels post-vaccination. The timing of ART initiation generally did not affect immune responses to vaccines between HIV-infected groups. Antibody kinetics and booster responses to DTwP-HibCV/HepB vaccines: Pre-booster GMCs were generally higher in HIV-unexposed than HIV-infected children for all vaccine epitopes. Post-booster and at 24 months of age the ART-Def group had lower GMCs (except to FHA), and were less likely to have sero-protective antibody levels compared to HIV-unexposed group. Also, post-booster and at 24 months of age, GMC were generally higher in HIV-unexposed than ART-Immed children, and a higher percentage of HIV-unexposed than ART-Immed children maintained antibody levels ≥1IU/ml to TT and DT at 24 months of age. The GMCs and percentage of children with sero-protective thresholds were similar pre-booster and at 24 months of age between HIV-unexposed and HEU children. Antibody kinetics and response to measles virus vaccine: At 7.3 weeks of age, the proportion with sero-protective titers was higher in HIV-unexposed (65.2%) compared to any HIV-infected group (range: 16.7% to 41.8%); but dropped to <17% in all Groups at age 19.6 weeks. Twenty-eight weeks following the first measles-vaccine, ART/12m were less likely to have sero-protective titers (79.3%) compared to HIV-unexposed (94.8%; p<0.001), ART-Def (95.7%; p=0.003) or ART/24m (92.1%; p=0.02). Although the proportion with sero-protective levels were similar between groups immediately post-booster dose, this was lower in HEU (79.6%; p=0.002) and ART/12m (80.3%; p=0.01) compared to HIV-unexposed (94.3%) 41-weeks later. Conclusion: Primary vaccination with DTwP-HibCV/HBV of HIV-infected children initiated on early-ART confers similar immunity compared to HIV-unexposed children. HIV-infected children had poor anamnestic responses, if ART was not initiated prior to primary vaccination. In contrast, the memory response and persistence of antibody to most vaccine epitopes were similar between HIV-unexposed and HEU children. Increased waning of vaccine induced immunity over a 24 month period in ART-Def, ART/12m and HEU children following MV booster-dose; indicating the need for further booster doses after two-years of age in these children. I recommend close monitoring of HEU children, as this group makes up most children born to HIV-infected mothers and what facets of the immune system have been impacted by maternal exposure to HIV. / MT2017

Orientador: Helaine Maria Besteti Pires Mayer Milanez / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T14:20:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PinhoNeto_OtavioSoares_D.pdf: 1689484 bytes, checksum: 9ac072f9702d3565268cb5bc1930d222 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: OBJETIVO: Analisar os protocolos de Antirretrovirais em uma coorte de gestantes HIV positivas e recém-natos expostos em seguimento no Serviço de Assistência Especializada (SAE) Familiar/Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley (HULW)/Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) no período de 2005 a 2012. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo, do tipo coorte, retrospectivo, numa abordagem quantitativa, a partir de um grupo de gestantes HIV+ e seus recém-nascidos (RN) expostos, atendidas no SAE Familiar do HULW/UFPB. Os dados foram codificados, digitados e armazenados em um banco de dados criado com esse propósito. Cada par mãe-RN foi identificado com um número. Foi realizada uma análise descritiva das características sociodemográficas da gestante, do acompanhamento pré-natal, do uso de terapia antirretroviral (TARV), do parto e do recém-nascido, através de distribuição percentual ou média. Posteriormente, foi realizada a análise das classes dos antirretrovirais e seus desfechos para a mãe e recém-nascidos expostos. As possíveis associações entre as variáveis categóricas foram testadas através do teste t (dados paramétricos). Não foi possível a realização de análise multivariada devido ao pequeno número de crianças infectadas. RESULTADOS: A taxa de transmissão vertical (TV) no SAE Familiar HULW/UFPB entre 2005 e 2012 foi de 3,9% em uma coorte de 153 gestações analisadas. A média de idade das gestantes foi de 25 anos e a de escolaridade de 7 anos. A maioria era de mulheres negras (78,7%), com união estável (59%), e a principal categoria de exposição foi a sexual (96,5%). Mais de cinquenta por cento já apresentavam diagnóstico do HIV anterior à gravidez estando 41% em uso de TARV. A média de CD4 inicial foi de 440 células/ml e, após uso de TARV de 516,07 células/ml. A média de carga viral (CV) pré uso de TARV foi de 24.022. Mais de 70% apresentaram carga viral indetectável com 34 semanas de gestação. Usaram TARV com IP 92% e 8% um esquema com nevirapina. Não foi utilizada monoterapia com AZT nessa coorte. A média de idade gestacional no parto foi de 36 semanas e em 95% dos casos a via de parto foi cesárea. A grande maioria dos casos (98%) recebeu AZT endovenoso no parto. O peso médio dos recém-nascidos foi de 2,89 gramas e apenas 17,64% tiveram baixo peso. A presença de prematuridade, patologias neonatais e o não uso do AZT intraparto foram fatores que se associaram a um maior risco de transmissão vertical. Não foi possível a realização de análise multivariada devido ao pequeno número de crianças infectadas. Houve poucos efeitos colaterais associados ao uso da TARV na gestação, sendo o mais frequente a presença de anemia materna (58,4%) e de anemia neonatal (21,6%). Não se observaram efeitos adversos graves, tanto na mãe quanto no recém-nascido. CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de TV no serviço universitário de João Pessoa foi de 3,9%, principalmente associada à prematuridade, patologia neonatal e não uso do AZT venoso intraparto. Houve baixa ocorrência de efeitos adversos, sendo mais frequente a anemia, tanto na mãe quanto no recém-nascido / Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To analyze antiretroviral therapy protocols in a cohort of HIV-positive pregnant women and exposed newborns followed at Serviço de Assistência Especializada (SAE) Familiar / Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley (HULW), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), from 2005 to 2012. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective cohort study, using a quantitative approach, conducted on a group of HIV-positive pregnant women and their exposed newborns followed at SAE/HULW. Data were codified, entered and stored in a database created specifically for this purpose. Each mother-child pair was identified by a number. A descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women, prenatal care, use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and delivery and neonate parameters was conducted using percentages or means. An analysis of the classes of antiretroviral drugs and their associated outcomes for mothers and exposed newborns was then conducted. Potential associations between categorical variables were assessed with the t-test (parametric data). Multivariate analysis could not be performed due to the small number of children infected. RESULTS: The mother-to-child transmission rate at SAE/HULW-UFPB between 2005 and 2012 was 3.9%, in a cohort of 153 pregnancies. The mean patient age was 25 years and the mean educational attainment was 7 years of schooling. Most subjects were black women (78.7%), in a stable relationship (59%), and the main risk factor was sexual contact (96.5%). More than 50% already had a diagnosis of HIV infection prior to pregnancy, and 41% were on ART. The mean CD4 count was 440 cells/ml at baseline and 516.07 cells/ml after ART. The median viral load before ART was 24.022. Over 70% had an undetectable viral load at 34 weeks of gestation. Overall, 92% were on PI-containing ART regimens and 8% were on nevirapine-containing regimens. AZT monotherapy was not used in this cohort. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks, and in 95% of cases, the mode of delivery was cesarean. The vast majority of cases (98%) received intrapartum intravenous AZT. The average birth weight of newborns was 2,890 g, and only 17.6% were underweight. Presence of prematurity, neonatal morbidity, and failure to administer intrapartum AZT were factors associated with higher risk of vertical transmission. Multivariate analysis could not be performed due to the small number of infected children. There was a low incidence of side effects associated with ART during pregnancy, the most common being maternal anemia (58.4%) and neonatal anemia (21.6%). No serious adverse effects were observed in either mothers or newborns. CONCLUSION: The rate of mother-to-child transmission at this university-based facility in João Pessoa was 3.9%, and was mainly associated with prematurity, neonatal morbidity, and failure to administer intrapartum intravenous AZT. There was a low rate of adverse effects, the most common being anemia, in both mothers and newborns / Doutorado / Saúde Materna e Perinatal / Doutor em Ciências da Saúde

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2008. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 160 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine, 2000. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 102-123.

Orientadores: Maria Luiza Moretti, Rogerio de Jeus Pedro / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T04:29:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Delgado_AnaCeciliaNastrini_D.pdf: 4216034 bytes, checksum: 9c8e2de690455b1af06e61e9e3ce2bd6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a incidência de colonização oral por Candida spp. em pacientes com HIV em uso de terapia anti-retroviral, comparando os resultados dos grupos de pacientes colonizados e não colonizados, assim como estudar os aspectos microbiológicos das cepas isoladas. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal de pacientes assistidos no HC/Unicamp, de agosto de 2003 a abril de 2004, com coleta única por paciente de swab da cavidade oral. CHROMagar Candida® e ID32C® foram utilizados no cultivo, isolamento e identificação de Candida spp. e Candida Check® na determinação dos sorotipos de C. albicans. C. dubliniensis foi identificada por seqüenciamento no aparelho ABI PRISM 3100® GENETIC ANALYZER. O perfil genômico foi estudado por PFGE, usando o sistema CHEF e a sensibilidade aos azólicos, 5-fluocitosina, anfotericina B e nistatina, baseada na microdiluição em caldo (CLSI). Por meio da revisão dos prontuários foi avaliado: gênero, idade, raça, ano de diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV, tipo de exposição ao HIV, carga viral, contagem de linfócito TCD4+, infecções oportunistas, classificação clínica da infecção pelo HIV, terapia anti-retroviral e terapia antifúngica. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 140/324 pacientes colonizados e 184/324 não colonizados: gênero masculino (63% e 60%), exposição sexual (81,5% e 80,5%) e idade média de 38,9 anos. A presença de colonização/infecção foi significativamente maior em pacientes com carga viral detectável (p=0,002) e CD4+<200/mm3 (p=0,006). Foi evidenciada incidência de candidíase oral (31,2%), tuberculose (20,9%), herpes zoster (16,3%), pneumonia por Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) (15,7%) e toxoplasmose (11,7%), no total de pacientes estudados. Não foi observada diferença significativa de colonização por Candida entre os pacientes em uso de TARV com ou sem IP. O uso prévio de nistatina foi maior no grupo colonizado (p=0,014). Foram isoladas 115/154 C. albicans sorotipo A, 15/154 C. albicans sorotipo B e 24/154 Candida não albicans. Doze pacientes apresentaram colonização mista. O estudo genômico de C. albicans sorotipo A identificou 15 perfis diferentes, com predomínio do A1 (56,5%), que mostrou similaridade de 100% entre o perfil de C. albicans sorotipo B predominante B1 (86,6%). O perfil genômico de C. glabrata mostrou-se heterogêneo. C. albicans sorotipo A e B mostraram-se sensíveis a todos os antifúngicos avaliados. C. glabrata e C. krusei apresentaram S-DD para os azólicos. CONCLUSÃO: O trabalho contribuiu de forma significativa para traçar o perfil epidemiológico/clínico dos pacientes HIV em uso de TARV e verificou que o uso de IP não influenciou na presença ou ausência de colonização oral por Candida / Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Evaluating de incidence of oral colonization by Candida spp. in patients in use of antiretroviral therapy, comparing the results of the groups of patients colonized and non-colonized, as well as study the microbiological aspects of the isolated strains. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was made a cross sectional study assisted at HC/UNICAMP, from August, 2003 to April, 2004, with unique collect of the oral cavity by patient using a swab. CHROMagar Candida® and ID32C® were used in growth, isolation and identification of Candida spp. and Candida Check® for determination of C. albicans sorotypes. C. dubliniensis was identified by sequencing in ABI PRISM 3100® GENETIC ANALYZER device. The genomic profile was studied by PFGE, using the system CHEF and azoles, 5-FC, amphotericin B and nistatine sensibility, based broth microdilution (CLSI). It was evaluated through the review of the prontuaries: genre, age, race, year of HIV infection diagnosis, type of exposition, viral load, TCD4+ linfocyte counting, opportunistic infections, antiretroviral therapy and antifungal therapy. RESULTS: It was identified 140/324 colonized patients and 184/324 non-colonized patients: male gender (63% and 60%), sexual exposition (81,5% and 80,5%) and average age of 39,8 years old. The presence of colonization was significantly greater in patients with detectable viral load (p=0,002) e CD4+<200/mm3 (p=0,006). The incidence of oral candidiasis (31,2%), tuberculosis (20,9%), herpes zoster (16,3%), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) (15,7%) and toxoplasmosis (11,7%) was seen among the total of studied patients. It was not observed a significant difference regarding colonization by Candida among the patients in use of ARVT with or without usage of PI. The early usage of nistatine was bigger in the colonized group (p=0,014). It was isolated 115/154 C. albicans sorotype A, 15/154 C. albicans sorotype B and 24/154 non albicans Candida . Twelve patients presented mixed colonization. The genomic study of C. albicans sorotype A, identified 15 different profiles, with dominance of A1 (56,5%), which shown 100 % similarity between C. albicans sorotype B and predominant B1 (86,6%). The genomic profile of C. glabrata showed heterogeneous. C. albicans serotype A and B showed sensible to all evaluated antifugicals. C. glabrata e C. krusei showed S-DD to azoles. CONCLUSION: This work contributed significantly to trace an epidemiological/clinical profile of the HIV patients in usage of ARV therapy and the lack of influence of IP in the presence or absence of colonization of oral Candida / Doutorado / Ciencias Basicas / Doutor em Clínica Médica

Orientadores: Marcos Tadeu Nolasco da Silva, Adyléia Aparecida Dalbo Contrera Toro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T15:59:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wigman_LilianThais_M.pdf: 2892789 bytes, checksum: 920b6477ff4644fb2fcaeebf84d7fb3a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: A implantação da Terapia Anti-Retroviral de Alta Atividade (HAART), resultou em importantes mudanças no prognóstico da Síndrome de Imunodeficiência Adquirida (Aids) pediátrica. Apesar disso, as doenças respiratórias ainda constituem significativa causa de morbidade e mortalidade entre esses pacientes. A tosse pode ser produzida por quase todas as doenças respiratórias e é um dos sintomas mais comuns na pediatria. Diante disso, os pacientes imunocomprometidos constituem um grupo importante no planejamento da investigação desse sintoma, pois são suscetíveis a doenças de alto risco, tratáveis, se corretamente identificadas. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência da tosse crônica na população de crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV em seguimento no Serviço de Imunodeficiência Secundária Pediátrica do HC - UNICAMP. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, prospectivo, analítico do tipo corte transversal com um componente longitudinal. O grupo de pacientes foi constituído por 118 crianças e adolescentes que apresentaram o diagnóstico de infecção pelo HIV e um grupo controle de 137 crianças em uma escola do município de Campinas. Foi avaliada a presença de tosse crônica e dentre aqueles que apresentavam o sintoma foi aplicado um questionário para sua melhor caracterização. Os pacientes infectados pelo HIV que apresentaram tosse crônica foram seguidos durante um ano. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de tosse crônica (duração maior que 4 semanas) foi de 5,93% no grupo infectado e 5,11% no grupo controle (p = 0,79). Dentre os pacientes com tosse crônica os diagnósticos mais comuns foram rinossinusite, bronquiectasias, rinite alérgica, asma, tuberculose e hipertrofia de adenóides. No grupo infectado pelo HIV, não houve diferenças clínicas, imunológicas ou virológicas entre os pacientes com e sem tosse crônica. CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que, em uma população infectada pelo HIV com acesso ao tratamento antirretroviral, a prevalência de tosse crônica foi semelhante à de um grupo-controle saudável o que reforça a importância de assegurar o acesso ao tratamento, permitindo que as crianças e adolescentes cheguem à idade adulta com a preservação de sua saúde e qualidade de vida / Abstract: BACKGROUND: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) resulted in significant changes in the prognosis of pediatric Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids). However, respiratory tract diseases still represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric Aids patients. Cough is a marker of almost all respiratory diseases, being one of the most common symptoms in pediatrics. Immunossupressed patients are an important group in planning the approach to this symptom, being susceptible to high risk conditions, which are treatable if correctly recognized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic (more than four weeks) cough in the cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents being followed up at the Pediatric Immunodeficiency Clinics of the State University of Campinas Hospital. METHODS: Observational, analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study with a longitudinal arm. Patient group was comprised by 118 HIV-infected children and adolescents, and the control group was constituted by 137 healthy children and teenagers attending a public school. Subjects with chronic cough were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire for better characterization. HIV-infected patients with chronic cough underwent a longitudinal follow-up by a standardized protocol, encompassing a one-year period. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic cough was 5,93% in the HIV-infected group and 5,11% in the control group (p = 0,79). Between HIV-infected patients with chronic cough, the most common diagnoses were rhinosinusitis, bronchiectasies, allergic rhinitis, asthma, tuberculosis and adenoid hyperthrophy. Within the HIV-infected group, no differences were identified in clinical, immunological or virological variables between patients with or without chronic cough. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, in an HIV-infected population with full access to HAART, the prevalence of chronic cough was similar to the one observed in a healthy control group. This finding reinforces the importance of ensuring the access to therapy, allowing current children and adolescents to reach adult life with a good preservation of their health and quality of life / Mestrado / Pediatria / Mestra em Ciências

Background: Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) has reduced the frequency of weight loss/wasting associated with HIV infection. However, weight loss remains a problem, even in the HAART era. Objectives: This study was carried out to assess weight change in a cohort of HIV-infected women on HAART in Rwanda, from 2005 to 2008, and to identify factors that predict weight loss in this cohort. Methods: Data from a cohort of 449 HIV-positive women on HAART enrolled in the Rwanda Women’s Inter-association Study and Assessment (RWISA), starting in May 2005, and followed at six monthly intervals until December 2008, were analysed. The outcome assessed in this study was change in weight, measured in kilograms at 6, 12 and 24 months after HAART initiation. Nutritional status was recorded and laboratory measurements (weight, height and CD4 cell count) were taken prior and after HAART initiation. All covariates were time dependent, except for the history of weight loss which was recorded at baseline only. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) using the linear link (Gaussian [normal]), exchangeable covariance structure and robust standard error was used to assess the factors associated with changes in weight (weight loss or weight gain) and to control for potential confounders. Results: Prior to HAART initiation, the mean weight of the study participants was 53.1 kg (SD 9.5). The mean BMI was 21.3 kg/m2 (SD 3.6) and the mean CD4 cell count was 222.9 cells/μL (SD 120.6) [47.6% had CD4 cell counts <200 cells/μL, 52.2% had CD4 cell counts ≥200 cells/μL]. Overall, the participants gained weight from baseline to 12 months after HAART initiation. The mean weight change was 1.9 kg (SD 7.8) (p<0.001) 6 months after HAART initiation, 2.9 kg (SD 5.9) (p <0.001) 12 months after HAART initiation, and 2.4 kg (SD 6.5) (p <0.001) 24 months after HAART initiation. Six months after HAART initiation, 48.3% of participants had gained weight, and 21.0% had lost weight. Twelve months after HAART initiation, 56.9% had gained weight, and 18.3% had lost weight, Twenty-four months after HAART initiation, 56.6% had gained weight, and 22.6% had lost weight. Participants with CD4 cell counts ≤ 200 cells/μL at baseline gained more weight than those with CD4 cell counts > 200 cells/μL at 6, 12 and 24 months after HAART initiation. Participants who were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) at baseline gained more weight than other participants three months after HAART initiation. Time-dependent diarrhoea for more than two weeks and a CD4 cell count of 200 - 350 cells/μL were significantly associated with weight loss (p≤ 0.05). Others factors, such as time-dependent education level (completion of secondary school), marital status (married legally and status other than married legally or widowed), and increases in CD4 cell counts, were associated with weight gain (p≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Although the majority of participants gained weight during the first 12 months of being on HAART, a significant proportion of participants lost weight while on HAART. The findings on the predictors of weight change in HIV-positive women on HAART can be used to promote weight gain in women who start HAART. Clinicians who take care of HIV-infected patients on HAART should pay attention to those who lose weight, and those who present with diarrhoea or with CD4 cell counts of <350 cells/μL at follow-up visits, since these factors are associated with weight loss in the HAART era.

A adesão do paciente à terapia antirretroviral é essencial para alcançar os objetivos do tratamento. A taxa de adesão do conjunto de pacientes de um serviço pode ser compreendida como medida proxy da qualidade dos serviços. Realizou-se uma pesquisa avaliativa de caráter qualitativo sobre a aplicabilidade do Questionário Qualiaids de Monitoramento da Adesão ao Tratamento Antirretroviral (WebAd-Q) para uso rotineiro nos serviços. Duas dimensões orientaram o delineamento do estudo: Dimensão de Utilização - que se refere à experiência dos profissionais de utilização do WebAd-Q no ambiente de pesquisa; e Dimensão de Utilidade - que se refere à opinião dos profissionais sobre a importância de conhecer a adesão do conjunto de pacientes e a potencialidade do WebAd-Q para auxiliar a gestão dos serviços. Participaram sete serviços: quatro foram classificados como Serviço de Atenção Especializada (SAE); dois são ambulatórios inseridos em grandes hospitais; e o último é um ambulatório que funciona em Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS). Foram entrevistados 22 profissionais que atuam na assistência, além dos sete gerentes dos serviços. Foi utilizado um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado; as entrevistas foram gravadas em áudio, transcritas na íntegra e submetidas à análise temática de conteúdo. Os serviços apresentam diferenças de porte, estrutura e modalidades assistenciais oferecidas, mas são semelhantes na composição das equipes, na organização do trabalho e no modo de gerenciamento. Para os profissionais, a (não) adesão é um problema complexo, multideterminado e de difícil compreensão, cuja solução, muitas vezes, está além das suas possibilidades de intervenção. O WebAd-Q foi avaliado como um questionário simples, simpático, objetivo e de fácil compreensão e manuseio para profissionais e usuários. Além disso, não apresenta dificuldades operacionais para sua implantação. Alguns atributos bastante valorizados são: poder ser respondido anonimamente, combinar linguagens de vídeo e áudio, e ser compreendido por pessoas de todos os níveis de escolaridade. Quanto à utilidade, entendem que sua aplicação pode produzir efeitos importantes: efeito de constatação daquilo que todos sabem e reconhecem como desafio: a insuficiente adesão dos pacientes à terapia antirretroviral; efeito de avaliação da qualidade, pois os profissionais compreendem as medidas de adesão do conjunto de pacientes como um indicador de desempenho do serviço e da importância do monitoramento para melhorar a assistência; efeito demonstrativo, que explicita a necessidade de intervenções mais estruturais que tenham como alvo uma reconceituação dos serviços; e efeito de valorização, referente ao sentimento de \"sentir-se valorizado\" relatado pelos pacientes. Os profissionais se mostraram entusiasmados com as potencialidades do questionário; contudo, não apresentaram proposições tecnológicas e organizacionais concretas para sua utilização, o que pode significar que a plena potencialidade do WebAd-Q como insumo gerencial só será alcançada com o aprimoramento do gerenciamento / Patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy is essential to meet the treatment goals. Adherence rates of a group of patients in a certain service might be considered a measure of quality proxy. A qualitative research study was carried out to assess the feasibility of the Qualiaids Adherence Monitoring Questionnaire in antiretroviral therapy - WebAd-Q as a daily routine. Two dimensions guided the study design: the Application Dimension - about the staff\'s experience in the application of webAD-Q within the research environment; and the and Usefulness Dimension - focusing on the staff\'s opinion on the significance to know the patients\' adherence and the webAD-Q\'s potential to assist them in managing their services. Seven types of service participated in this study. Four of them were ranked as Specialized Care Service (SCS). There were also two clinics located in big hospitals and one clinic which was part of a Basic Health Care Unit (BHU). 22 healh care providers were interviewed, as well as the seven managers of the facilities abovementioned. A semi-structured interview guide was used. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and their content was analyzed. The services differ among themselves in size, structure and type of assistance. On the other hand, they are similar in team composition and how they are managed. For the health care providers, (non) adherence is a complex problem, caused by multiple factors, and difficult to understand. The solution is often beyond their means of intervention. The WebAd-Q was assessed as simple, friendly, straight-to-the-point questionnaire, easy to understand and handle, both by providers and users. Also, its application was did not have any operational difficulties. Some of the questionnaire\'s most valued attributes include allowing for anonymous responses, providing video and audio, and being understood by people of all educational levels. The participants also understand that its application eventually results in substantial effects: the effect of finding out something widely known and recognized as a challenge: the insufficient adherence rates of patients to antiretroviral therapy; the effect of assessing quality, because health care providers understand adherence measures of groups of patients as an indicator of service performance and of the importance of monitoring to improve health care procedures; the effect of demonstration, as it shows the need for more structural interventions aiming at a revision of what their services mean; and the effect of valuation, meant as the feeling of \"feeling valued\", as reported by the patients.The healthcare providers showed enthusiasm with the Questionnaire\'s potential. However, they did not proposed concrete technological and organizational plans for its use. That might mean that the WebAd-Q as a management tool will only reach its full potential if management procedures are improved