title: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected women in Brazil.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated risk factors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed for prenatal care in Salvador, Bahia. This was a cross-sectional study of 63 women seeking prenatal care at a reference center. Participants were interviewed regarding socio-epidemiological and clinical history, and were tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti HTLV I/II, VDRL, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, CD4 count, and HIV plasma viral load. The main outcome variable was the presence of any STI. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (16-40 years). 23 (36.5%) were diagnosed with at least one STI. The frequency of diagnoses was: HBV, 3.2%; HCV, 8.1%; HTLV I/II, 3.4%; syphilis, 9.5%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 11.1%; HPV, 15.0%; Mycoplasma hominis, 2.1%, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, 2.1%. No case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was identified. No association was found between socio-epidemiological variables and the presence of an STI. CD4 T lymphocyte < 500 cells/μL (p=0.047) and plasma viral load >1,000 copies (p = 0.027) were associated with the presence of STI. STIs are frequent in pregnant women infected with HIV, and all HIV-infected pregnant women should be screened to decrease transmission of these pathogens and to protect their own health.
authors.affiliation: Centro Especializado em Diagnóstico, Assistência e Pesquisa, Rua Comendador José Alves Ferreira 240, Salvador, BA, Brazil. ana.gabriela@saude.ba.gov.br
authors.forename: Ana Gabriela Álvares
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Travassos
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brites
authors.forename: Eduardo M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Netto
authors.forename: Sheyla de Almeida
authors.initials: Sde A
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: George W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.forename: Conceição Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Queiroz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D037841:Pregnant People; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult