title: Quinacrine sterilization for human immunodeficiency virus-positive women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety of nonsurgical quinacrine sterilization for HIV-positive (HIV+) women.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open trial of quinacrine sterilization was carried out in women infected with HIV and women who were HIV negative (HIV-). Comparison of the results with the two groups provided an assessment of the safety and effectiveness of quinacrine sterilization for HIV+ women.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Medical School outpatient services.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 258 women who desired sterilization were offered quinacrine sterilization as a means of limiting family size. Sixty-four were HIV+, and 194 were HIV-. Women who were HIV+ had CD4 counts >200 and were otherwise healthy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified Copper T intrauterine device inserter was used to place 252 mg of quinacrine, divided into seven pellets (36 mg each) into the uterine cavity. Three insertions of this formulation were performed, 1 month apart. Viral load and CD8 and CD4 lymphocytes were measured both before and after quinacrine sterilization and at follow-up visits. Pregnancies and adverse events were recorded carefully. A decrement life table was made to statistically analyze results. RESULT(S) AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): No serious adverse event occurred in any patient in this study. Adverse effects related to quinacrine sterilization were abdominal cramping, vulvar itching, nausea, and vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding was the only short-term side effect noted to occur more frequently in HIV-infected women after quinacrine sterilization. Among HIV+ women, 35.9% had complaints of increased bleeding, whereas only 8.2% of those who were HIV- had such complaints, which probably were insertion related. Viral load and the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte measures displayed no statistically significant difference after quinacrine sterilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quinacrine sterilization is a safe method for the sterilization of HIV-infected women and has no short-term effect on the pathology of the disease.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Déborah Randazzo Barbosa
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: de Magalhães
authors.forename: Cláudia Ramos
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: de Carvalho Ferreira
authors.forename: Estefânia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barbosa Magalhães
authors.forename: Aroldo Fernando
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lippes
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carvalho Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012107:Research Design; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000379:methods; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011796:Quinacrine