BACKGROUND: Serology is an useful tool in the diagnosis of Bartonella spp. infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative patients. The value of this technique in HIV co-infected individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity among intravenous drugs abusers (IDA), both HIV-infected and non-infected. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective seroepidemiological study was carried out among 241 IDA. One hundred and forty-seven of them were infected with HIV type 1. The titer of serum IgG antibodies against Bartonella spp. were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-three (14%) individuals were seropositive for Bartonella spp. Nineteen (13%) seropositive cases were found among HIV carriers and 14 (15%) among HIV uninfected people. No relationship between Bartonella spp. seropositivity and the CD4+ cell counts was found when HIV infected patients were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a similar prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity in HIV-infected and non HIV-infected IDA.
BACKGROUND: Serology is an useful tool in the diagnosis of Bartonella spp. infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative patients. The value of this technique in HIV co-infected individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity among intravenous drugs abusers (IDA), both HIV-infected and non-infected. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective seroepidemiological study was carried out among 241 IDA. One hundred and forty-seven of them were infected with HIV type 1. The titer of serum IgG antibodies against Bartonella spp. were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-three (14%) individuals were seropositive for Bartonella spp. Nineteen (13%) seropositive cases were found among HIV carriers and 14 (15%) among HIV uninfected people. No relationship between Bartonella spp. seropositivity and the CD4+ cell counts was found when HIV infectedpatients were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a similar prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity in HIV-infected and non HIV-infected IDA.
Authors: Tatiana Rozental; Anamaria Szrajbman Vaz da Silva; Renata Carvalho de Oliveira; Alexsandra Rodrigues de Mendonça Favacho; Maria de Lourdes Aguiar Oliveira; Francisco Inácio Bastos; Elba Regina Sampaio de Lemos Journal: Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo Date: 2018-07-19 Impact factor: 1.846