Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to autophagy in human cells relies on multiple interacting parasite loci

Autophagy is a process used by cells to recycle organelles and macromolecules and to eliminate intracellular pathogens. Previous studies have shown that some stains o

ISG15 connects autophagy and IFN-γ-dependent control of Toxoplasma gondii infection in human cells

The intracellular protozoan parasit

Predictors and Timing of ATT Initiation among HIV-TB Patients at ART Centers of Karnataka, India: Two Year Follow-Up.

In India, TB and HIV co-infection remains as a serious public health problem. From 2006 onwards, the intensified TB-HIV collaborative activities are being jointly implemented by National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Revised National TB Control programme (RNTCP) at high HIV burden states.To determine (a) the predictors of outcome among a cohort of HIV-TB co-infected patients after two years after initiation of ART treatment. (b) prognostic significance of time difference between the initiation of ATT and ART in HIV-TB co-infected patients.Patients registered at sixteen ART centres in Karnataka, from October through December 2009 formed the study cohort and were followed till December 2011.A total of 604 HIV-TB patients were registered. Follow-up (a) at the end of one year had shown 63.6% (377)patients with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes (b) at the end of second year, 55.6% (336)patients were alive on ART treatment. The variables male, smear negative TB, CD4 count less than 50cells per cumm and unfavorable TB outcome were significantly associated with unfavorable ART treatment outcome.The programmes need to review the existing strategies and strengthen HIV-TB collaborative activities for timely treatment initiation with intensive monitoring of HIV-TB patients on treatment

Human papillomavirus infection & anal cytological abnormalities in HIV-positive men in eastern India

Abstract Background Oncogenic Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are closely associated with anal cancer which is high among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected males. There are no data regarding anal HPV infection and cytological abnormalities in HIV positive males receiving free therapy in the national program. Thus, this cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of anal HPV infection and cytological abnormalities in HIV positive males. Methods We screened 126 HIV-positive male patients attending the antiretroviral treatment center (ART) between 2014 and 2015 with anal papanicolaou smear cytology and HPV-DNA testing. HPV-DNA was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with two consensus primer sets E6 and MY09/11 and further analyzed for the presence of various HPV genotype by Sanger sequencing. Risk factors associated with anal cytological abnormalities and HPV infection was analyzed by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results Out of 126, 52 were on antiretroviral therapy. 91% were married to female partners but during the study 48 (38%) gave positive history of anal intercourse with other men. Anal cytology was done in 95 patients, out of which 60 (63.15%) had cytological abnormalities. LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions) was present in 27 (45%), ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) in 31 (52%) and ASC-H (atypical squamous cells cannot exclude a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) in 2 (3.33%). In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for cytological abnormality were presence of history of anal intercourse (OR, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.0–18.7) and WHO stage III & IV (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1–7.5). HPV-DNA was detected in 33/119 (27.73%) patients. The most prevalent HPV type in the study was HPV-16 (10.08%), other HPV types detected were 18,31,35,17,66,72,52,68 and 107 (17.65%). Conclusions High prevalence of anal cytological abnormalities in our study suggests that regular anal Pap smear screening should be done in HIV positive males in the ART center

Characteristics of patients with HIV-TB co-infection, by antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation category.

<p>Characteristics of patients with HIV-TB co-infection, by antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation category.</p

Comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-TB co-infected patients who were included and excluded from the study due to missing data(N = 704).

<p>TB = Tuberculosis; HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus.</p><p>Comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-TB co-infected patients who were included and excluded from the study due to missing data(N = 704).</p

Adjusted OR from forward conditional multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcome among HIV-TB co-infected patients initiated on ART at 16 ART centres in Karnataka registered during Oct-Dec 2009.

<p>CI = Confidence Interval; OR = Odds Ratio; ART = Anti-Retroviral Therapy; TB = Tuberculosis; HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus</p><p>Adjusted OR from forward conditional multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcome among HIV-TB co-infected patients initiated on ART at 16 ART centres in Karnataka registered during Oct-Dec 2009.</p

Cox proportional hazards analysis of all-cause mortality among HIV-TB co-infected patients.

<p>ART = Anti-Retroviral Therapy; TB = Tuberculosis; HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus; ATT = Anti-Tubercular Treatment; HR = Hazards Ratio</p><p>Cox proportional hazards analysis of all-cause mortality among HIV-TB co-infected patients.</p

Characteristics of TB-HIV co-infected patients with favorable and unfavorable ART outcomes registered at 16 ART centres in Karnataka registered during Oct-Dec 2009(N = 604).

<p>ART = Anti-Retroviral Therapy; TB = Tuberculosis; HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus; ATT = Anti-Tubercular Treatment</p><p>Characteristics of TB-HIV co-infected patients with favorable and unfavorable ART outcomes registered at 16 ART centres in Karnataka registered during Oct-Dec 2009(N = 604).</p