Jorge Benetucci - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jorge Benetucci
Revista Argentina de microbiología
The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation... more The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation are presented. The first viral load studies were performed during 1996 at the National Reference Center for AIDS in Argentina in HIV-1 positive patients derived from different Hospitals in Buenos Aires. The study included 216 HIV-1 positive patients, 49 females and 167 males. Plasma was used for evaluating viral load and a second sample was obtained in 25 of the 216 patients for their monitoring. Viral load was performed using bDNA technique (Quantiplex HIV RNA assay 2.0, Chiron Corporation, USA). Other parameters such as CD4 count determined by flow cytometry and clinical stages according to CDC classification were obtained in order to correlate clinical and immunological status of the patients. When CD4 count was compared with viral load, the results showed a trend of viral RNA increase in plasma along with a decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes. This trend was also observed to correlate with the progression to AIDS disease. In all groups of patients, considering either CD4 counts or clinical status, ranges of viral load values were broad. Thus, as shown by percentiles 25 and 75, patients with CD4 counts < 200/ml, presented viral load values between 18,395 c/ml to 215,425 c/ml and patients with > 200/ml viral RNA showed values from < 10,000 to 35,180 c/ml. Patients with CDC's A and B stages presented values from < 10,000 to 45,160 c/ml and 87,000 c/ml respectively, while patients classified as C had 10,582 to 215,000 c/ml. Results of two consecutive samples in the 25 patients showed the usefulness of this technique for monitoring antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, despite the tendency of viral load to increase along with the progression of the disease, the broad range of values suggested the importance of using both virological and immunological parameters for the management of HIV infected patients.
![Research paper thumbnail of [Effect of age on CD4+ cells regeneration in patients with hiv infection undergoing triple antiretroviral therapy]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/51397451/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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Antiviral therapy, 2005
To assess the rate of protocol-defined treatment failure and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r... more To assess the rate of protocol-defined treatment failure and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and saquinavir/ritonavir (SAQ/r). Open-label, prospective, randomized (1:1), international multi-centre trial. Adult HIV-1-infected patients were assigned LPV/r 400/100 mg twice daily or SAQ/r 1000/100 mg twice daily with two or more nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)/non-NRTIs. All patients, whether on or off the assigned treatment, were followed for 48 weeks. Of 339 randomized patients, 324 initiated assigned treatment (intention-to-treat/exposed [ITT/e] population). At 48 weeks, treatment failure occurred in 29/163 (18%) and 53/161 (33%) of patients in the LPV/r and SAQ/r arms, respectively (ITT/e, P = 0.002, log rank test). In an analysis that also considered those patients who discontinued treatment as having failed treatment (ITT/e/discontinuation = failure), 40/161 (25%) LPV/r-treated individuals versus 63/161 (39%) SAQ/R-treated individuals failed treatment (P ...
Infectious Disease Reports, 2012
In order to determine HIV-1 kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with cry... more In order to determine HIV-1 kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM), we undertook a prospective collection of paired CSF/plasma samples from antiretroviral therapy-free HIV-infected patients with CM. Samples were obtained at baseline (S1) and at the second (S2) and third (S3) weeks of antifungal therapy. HIV-1 CSF concentrations were significantly lower in both S2 and S3 with respect to S1. Plasma concentrations remained stable. HIV-1 concentrations were higher in plasma than CSF in all cases. Patients who survived the episode of CM (but not those who died) showed a decrease in CSF viral load, what suggests different viral kinetics of HIV-1 in the CSF according to the clinical course of this opportunistic disease.
Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2008
Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2009
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2000
A total of 73 patients with baseline CD4+ cell counts &amp;gt;/=350 cells/mm3 who were re... more A total of 73 patients with baseline CD4+ cell counts &amp;gt;/=350 cells/mm3 who were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) were randomized to receive subcutaneous interleukin-2 (IL-2; n=36) in addition to ART or to continue ART alone (n=37). Subcutaneous IL-2 was delivered at 1 of 3 doses (1.5 million international units ¿MIU, 4.5 MIU, and 7.5 MIU per dose) by twice-daily injection for 5 consecutive days every 8 weeks. After 24 weeks, the time-weighted mean change from baseline CD4+ cell count was 210 cells/mm3 for recipients of subcutaneous IL-2, compared with 29 cells/mm3 for recipients of ART alone (P&amp;lt;.001). There were no significant differences between treatment groups for measures of plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA (P=.851). Subcutaneous IL-2 delivered at doses of 4.5 MIU and 7.5 MIU resulted in significant increases in CD4+ cell count (P=.006 and P&amp;lt;.001, respectively), compared with that seen in control patients. These changes were not significant in the 1.5 MIU dose group compared with that in the control patients (P=.105). Side effects that occurred from subcutaneous IL-2 administration were generally low grade, of short duration, and readily managed in an outpatient environment.
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2006
Here we present a survey including 52 drug-naive recently HIV-1 Y infected subjects from Buenos A... more Here we present a survey including 52 drug-naive recently HIV-1 Y infected subjects from Buenos Aires City and province (79%) and 3 other regions in Argentina (21%). Recent infections were established from previous negative serology (32/ 52), indeterminate Western blot (12/52), or acute retroviral syndrome after high-risk HIV exposure (8/52) within 9 months before genotyping (median time, 4.2 months). Genotyping was performed from plasma by sequencing both protease and reverse transcriptase. Phylogenetic analysis combined with bootscanning resulted in 21 subtype B sequences and 31 B/F recombinants (RecBF). On protease, minor resistance-related mutations were found in both subtype B and RecBF with low frequencies. The substitution L89M, recently suggested as a resistance-related mutation in some subtype F viruses, was observed in 1 RecBF. On reverse transcriptase, major resistance-related mutations were found in 4 of 52 (7.7%) patients from different health centers: M41L (subtype B) and K103NTP225H (1 RecBF and 2 subtype B). The greater than 5% resistance threshold found indicates a need for sentinel resistance surveillances calling for an update in the current resistance testing guidelines in Argentina.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2010
Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, 2012
Aim: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) are increased ... more Aim: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) are increased in the circulation of obese persons. Because a direct link between PAI-1 and TNF-a in obesity has been observed, they are candidate genes for the development of obesity. We sought to evaluate the relation between the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the -675 4G/5G PAI-1 and -308 G/A TNF-a polymorphisms and their association with the risk for obesity in an Argentinean population. Methods: A group of 110 consecutive obese persons and a group of 111 lean controls were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the frequency of PAI-1 and TNF-a polymorphisms; serum fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid levels were measured by standard methods. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by using homeostasis model assessment. Results: The -308 TNF-a and -675 4G/ 5G PAI-1 genotype distribution did not significantly differ between the groups (p = 0.544 and p = 0.327, respectively). Homeostasis model assessment was the only positive independent determinant of body mass index (R 2 = 0.493; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The -675 4G/5G PAI-1 and the -308 TNF-a polymorphism variants tested in this study, individually or combined, were not associated with obesity in an Argentinean population.
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2003
In the United States, ∼1 million Americans are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), ... more In the United States, ∼1 million Americans are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and several thousand new infections are reported each year. More than one-third of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are associated with injection drug use. An estimated 1.8 million adults and children are currently living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, and injection drug abuse remains a major factor in initial exposures to HIV in these parts of the world. Although only 3 cases of AIDS related to drug abuse have been reported in Bolivia, a country with a nascent epidemic, 119,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in Argentina and 122,000 in Brazil, with a significant number associated with injection drug use. Extensive epidemiological and clinical research has been conducted in the United States and elsewhere to determine the extent and nature of the problem and to design and develop interventions (prevention and treatment) for drug abusers infected with HIV. The articles in this supplement present a current view of the nature and extent of the bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections in drug abusers and their partners in the Western Hemisphere.
Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 2015
Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons... more Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons in Argentina will guide optimal antiretroviral therapy. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Argentina to describe associations between HIV, HCV, and cholesterol. Of the 202 participants, 21 were HIV infected, 15 were HCV infected, 46 were HIV/HCV coinfected, and 120 were HIV/HCV uninfected. HIV/HCV-uninfected participants had the highest total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Multivariate modeling revealed that HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had the lowest TC levels (-28.7 mg/dL, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) compared to the HIV/HCV-uninfected reference group. Hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV coinfection were associated with lower LDL levels (-21.4 mg/dL, P = .001 and -20.3 mg/dL, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001, respectively). HIV and HIV/HCV coinfection, but not HCV alone, were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels (-9.1 mg/dL, P = .0008 and -6.8 mg/dL, P = .0006, respectively). Further study is needed to examine whether the more favorable lipid profile observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis
Revista Argentina de microbiología
The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation... more The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation are presented. The first viral load studies were performed during 1996 at the National Reference Center for AIDS in Argentina in HIV-1 positive patients derived from different Hospitals in Buenos Aires. The study included 216 HIV-1 positive patients, 49 females and 167 males. Plasma was used for evaluating viral load and a second sample was obtained in 25 of the 216 patients for their monitoring. Viral load was performed using bDNA technique (Quantiplex HIV RNA assay 2.0, Chiron Corporation, USA). Other parameters such as CD4 count determined by flow cytometry and clinical stages according to CDC classification were obtained in order to correlate clinical and immunological status of the patients. When CD4 count was compared with viral load, the results showed a trend of viral RNA increase in plasma along with a decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes. This trend was also observed to correlate with the progression to AIDS disease. In all groups of patients, considering either CD4 counts or clinical status, ranges of viral load values were broad. Thus, as shown by percentiles 25 and 75, patients with CD4 counts < 200/ml, presented viral load values between 18,395 c/ml to 215,425 c/ml and patients with > 200/ml viral RNA showed values from < 10,000 to 35,180 c/ml. Patients with CDC's A and B stages presented values from < 10,000 to 45,160 c/ml and 87,000 c/ml respectively, while patients classified as C had 10,582 to 215,000 c/ml. Results of two consecutive samples in the 25 patients showed the usefulness of this technique for monitoring antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, despite the tendency of viral load to increase along with the progression of the disease, the broad range of values suggested the importance of using both virological and immunological parameters for the management of HIV infected patients.
Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (Chicago, Ill. : 2002)
Revista Argentina de microbiología
Se evaluó la prevalencia de coinfección virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)- Trypanosoma c... more Se evaluó la prevalencia de coinfección virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)- Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) en pacientes atendidos en un centro asistencial de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de 602 individuos VIH positivos. Sólo en el 51,3% de estos pacientes se había investigado la presencia de T. cruzi. La prevalencia global de coinfección fue del 4,2%, siendo más elevada en usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI) (8,9% vs. 2,6%, p<0,05). Sobre la base de estos resultados, concluimos que debería enfatizarse el cumplimiento de la indicación de diagnóstico para la enfermedad de Chagas en pacientes VIH positivos, especialmente en UDI.
![Research paper thumbnail of [Plasma homocysteine in human immunodeficiency virus infected patient]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/51397323/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Medicina, 2003
Weak hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for the development of atherothrombotic vascular compl... more Weak hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for the development of atherothrombotic vascular complication. Their plasma levels are affected by nutritional and pharmacologic factors, tobacco, certain metabolic state and gender. In HIV+ patients, the wasting syndrome or chronic diarrheas could affect the levels of homocysteine (Hcy), as well as some adverse effects of the new antiretroviral therapies (lipodystrophy syndrome: insulin resistance and/or dislypemia). The levels of Hcy were evaluated in 53 HIV+ patients without any treatment and in 75 HIV+ under treatment with and without metabolic disturbances (n = 43; n = 32, respectively). 32 HIV negative individuals. We looked for association with folic acid, vitamin B12, lipids, insulin resistance status, activation platelets (soluble P-selectin) and endothelial injury (soluble trombomodulin) markers; and also their relation with tobacco, disease status and kind of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in the m...
Revista Argentina de microbiología
The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation... more The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation are presented. The first viral load studies were performed during 1996 at the National Reference Center for AIDS in Argentina in HIV-1 positive patients derived from different Hospitals in Buenos Aires. The study included 216 HIV-1 positive patients, 49 females and 167 males. Plasma was used for evaluating viral load and a second sample was obtained in 25 of the 216 patients for their monitoring. Viral load was performed using bDNA technique (Quantiplex HIV RNA assay 2.0, Chiron Corporation, USA). Other parameters such as CD4 count determined by flow cytometry and clinical stages according to CDC classification were obtained in order to correlate clinical and immunological status of the patients. When CD4 count was compared with viral load, the results showed a trend of viral RNA increase in plasma along with a decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes. This trend was also observed to correlate with the progression to AIDS disease. In all groups of patients, considering either CD4 counts or clinical status, ranges of viral load values were broad. Thus, as shown by percentiles 25 and 75, patients with CD4 counts < 200/ml, presented viral load values between 18,395 c/ml to 215,425 c/ml and patients with > 200/ml viral RNA showed values from < 10,000 to 35,180 c/ml. Patients with CDC's A and B stages presented values from < 10,000 to 45,160 c/ml and 87,000 c/ml respectively, while patients classified as C had 10,582 to 215,000 c/ml. Results of two consecutive samples in the 25 patients showed the usefulness of this technique for monitoring antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, despite the tendency of viral load to increase along with the progression of the disease, the broad range of values suggested the importance of using both virological and immunological parameters for the management of HIV infected patients.
Antiviral therapy, 2005
To assess the rate of protocol-defined treatment failure and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r... more To assess the rate of protocol-defined treatment failure and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and saquinavir/ritonavir (SAQ/r). Open-label, prospective, randomized (1:1), international multi-centre trial. Adult HIV-1-infected patients were assigned LPV/r 400/100 mg twice daily or SAQ/r 1000/100 mg twice daily with two or more nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)/non-NRTIs. All patients, whether on or off the assigned treatment, were followed for 48 weeks. Of 339 randomized patients, 324 initiated assigned treatment (intention-to-treat/exposed [ITT/e] population). At 48 weeks, treatment failure occurred in 29/163 (18%) and 53/161 (33%) of patients in the LPV/r and SAQ/r arms, respectively (ITT/e, P = 0.002, log rank test). In an analysis that also considered those patients who discontinued treatment as having failed treatment (ITT/e/discontinuation = failure), 40/161 (25%) LPV/r-treated individuals versus 63/161 (39%) SAQ/R-treated individuals failed treatment (P ...
Infectious Disease Reports, 2012
In order to determine HIV-1 kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with cry... more In order to determine HIV-1 kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM), we undertook a prospective collection of paired CSF/plasma samples from antiretroviral therapy-free HIV-infected patients with CM. Samples were obtained at baseline (S1) and at the second (S2) and third (S3) weeks of antifungal therapy. HIV-1 CSF concentrations were significantly lower in both S2 and S3 with respect to S1. Plasma concentrations remained stable. HIV-1 concentrations were higher in plasma than CSF in all cases. Patients who survived the episode of CM (but not those who died) showed a decrease in CSF viral load, what suggests different viral kinetics of HIV-1 in the CSF according to the clinical course of this opportunistic disease.
Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2008
Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2009
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2000
A total of 73 patients with baseline CD4+ cell counts &amp;gt;/=350 cells/mm3 who were re... more A total of 73 patients with baseline CD4+ cell counts &amp;gt;/=350 cells/mm3 who were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) were randomized to receive subcutaneous interleukin-2 (IL-2; n=36) in addition to ART or to continue ART alone (n=37). Subcutaneous IL-2 was delivered at 1 of 3 doses (1.5 million international units ¿MIU, 4.5 MIU, and 7.5 MIU per dose) by twice-daily injection for 5 consecutive days every 8 weeks. After 24 weeks, the time-weighted mean change from baseline CD4+ cell count was 210 cells/mm3 for recipients of subcutaneous IL-2, compared with 29 cells/mm3 for recipients of ART alone (P&amp;lt;.001). There were no significant differences between treatment groups for measures of plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA (P=.851). Subcutaneous IL-2 delivered at doses of 4.5 MIU and 7.5 MIU resulted in significant increases in CD4+ cell count (P=.006 and P&amp;lt;.001, respectively), compared with that seen in control patients. These changes were not significant in the 1.5 MIU dose group compared with that in the control patients (P=.105). Side effects that occurred from subcutaneous IL-2 administration were generally low grade, of short duration, and readily managed in an outpatient environment.
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2006
Here we present a survey including 52 drug-naive recently HIV-1 Y infected subjects from Buenos A... more Here we present a survey including 52 drug-naive recently HIV-1 Y infected subjects from Buenos Aires City and province (79%) and 3 other regions in Argentina (21%). Recent infections were established from previous negative serology (32/ 52), indeterminate Western blot (12/52), or acute retroviral syndrome after high-risk HIV exposure (8/52) within 9 months before genotyping (median time, 4.2 months). Genotyping was performed from plasma by sequencing both protease and reverse transcriptase. Phylogenetic analysis combined with bootscanning resulted in 21 subtype B sequences and 31 B/F recombinants (RecBF). On protease, minor resistance-related mutations were found in both subtype B and RecBF with low frequencies. The substitution L89M, recently suggested as a resistance-related mutation in some subtype F viruses, was observed in 1 RecBF. On reverse transcriptase, major resistance-related mutations were found in 4 of 52 (7.7%) patients from different health centers: M41L (subtype B) and K103NTP225H (1 RecBF and 2 subtype B). The greater than 5% resistance threshold found indicates a need for sentinel resistance surveillances calling for an update in the current resistance testing guidelines in Argentina.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2010
Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, 2012
Aim: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) are increased ... more Aim: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) are increased in the circulation of obese persons. Because a direct link between PAI-1 and TNF-a in obesity has been observed, they are candidate genes for the development of obesity. We sought to evaluate the relation between the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the -675 4G/5G PAI-1 and -308 G/A TNF-a polymorphisms and their association with the risk for obesity in an Argentinean population. Methods: A group of 110 consecutive obese persons and a group of 111 lean controls were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the frequency of PAI-1 and TNF-a polymorphisms; serum fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid levels were measured by standard methods. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by using homeostasis model assessment. Results: The -308 TNF-a and -675 4G/ 5G PAI-1 genotype distribution did not significantly differ between the groups (p = 0.544 and p = 0.327, respectively). Homeostasis model assessment was the only positive independent determinant of body mass index (R 2 = 0.493; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The -675 4G/5G PAI-1 and the -308 TNF-a polymorphism variants tested in this study, individually or combined, were not associated with obesity in an Argentinean population.
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2003
In the United States, ∼1 million Americans are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), ... more In the United States, ∼1 million Americans are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and several thousand new infections are reported each year. More than one-third of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are associated with injection drug use. An estimated 1.8 million adults and children are currently living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, and injection drug abuse remains a major factor in initial exposures to HIV in these parts of the world. Although only 3 cases of AIDS related to drug abuse have been reported in Bolivia, a country with a nascent epidemic, 119,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in Argentina and 122,000 in Brazil, with a significant number associated with injection drug use. Extensive epidemiological and clinical research has been conducted in the United States and elsewhere to determine the extent and nature of the problem and to design and develop interventions (prevention and treatment) for drug abusers infected with HIV. The articles in this supplement present a current view of the nature and extent of the bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections in drug abusers and their partners in the Western Hemisphere.
Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 2015
Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons... more Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons in Argentina will guide optimal antiretroviral therapy. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Argentina to describe associations between HIV, HCV, and cholesterol. Of the 202 participants, 21 were HIV infected, 15 were HCV infected, 46 were HIV/HCV coinfected, and 120 were HIV/HCV uninfected. HIV/HCV-uninfected participants had the highest total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Multivariate modeling revealed that HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had the lowest TC levels (-28.7 mg/dL, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) compared to the HIV/HCV-uninfected reference group. Hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV coinfection were associated with lower LDL levels (-21.4 mg/dL, P = .001 and -20.3 mg/dL, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001, respectively). HIV and HIV/HCV coinfection, but not HCV alone, were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels (-9.1 mg/dL, P = .0008 and -6.8 mg/dL, P = .0006, respectively). Further study is needed to examine whether the more favorable lipid profile observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis
Revista Argentina de microbiología
The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation... more The evaluation of viral load as virological marker and its clinical and immunological correlation are presented. The first viral load studies were performed during 1996 at the National Reference Center for AIDS in Argentina in HIV-1 positive patients derived from different Hospitals in Buenos Aires. The study included 216 HIV-1 positive patients, 49 females and 167 males. Plasma was used for evaluating viral load and a second sample was obtained in 25 of the 216 patients for their monitoring. Viral load was performed using bDNA technique (Quantiplex HIV RNA assay 2.0, Chiron Corporation, USA). Other parameters such as CD4 count determined by flow cytometry and clinical stages according to CDC classification were obtained in order to correlate clinical and immunological status of the patients. When CD4 count was compared with viral load, the results showed a trend of viral RNA increase in plasma along with a decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes. This trend was also observed to correlate with the progression to AIDS disease. In all groups of patients, considering either CD4 counts or clinical status, ranges of viral load values were broad. Thus, as shown by percentiles 25 and 75, patients with CD4 counts < 200/ml, presented viral load values between 18,395 c/ml to 215,425 c/ml and patients with > 200/ml viral RNA showed values from < 10,000 to 35,180 c/ml. Patients with CDC's A and B stages presented values from < 10,000 to 45,160 c/ml and 87,000 c/ml respectively, while patients classified as C had 10,582 to 215,000 c/ml. Results of two consecutive samples in the 25 patients showed the usefulness of this technique for monitoring antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, despite the tendency of viral load to increase along with the progression of the disease, the broad range of values suggested the importance of using both virological and immunological parameters for the management of HIV infected patients.
Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (Chicago, Ill. : 2002)
Revista Argentina de microbiología
Se evaluó la prevalencia de coinfección virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)- Trypanosoma c... more Se evaluó la prevalencia de coinfección virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)- Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) en pacientes atendidos en un centro asistencial de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de 602 individuos VIH positivos. Sólo en el 51,3% de estos pacientes se había investigado la presencia de T. cruzi. La prevalencia global de coinfección fue del 4,2%, siendo más elevada en usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI) (8,9% vs. 2,6%, p<0,05). Sobre la base de estos resultados, concluimos que debería enfatizarse el cumplimiento de la indicación de diagnóstico para la enfermedad de Chagas en pacientes VIH positivos, especialmente en UDI.
Medicina, 2003
Weak hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for the development of atherothrombotic vascular compl... more Weak hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for the development of atherothrombotic vascular complication. Their plasma levels are affected by nutritional and pharmacologic factors, tobacco, certain metabolic state and gender. In HIV+ patients, the wasting syndrome or chronic diarrheas could affect the levels of homocysteine (Hcy), as well as some adverse effects of the new antiretroviral therapies (lipodystrophy syndrome: insulin resistance and/or dislypemia). The levels of Hcy were evaluated in 53 HIV+ patients without any treatment and in 75 HIV+ under treatment with and without metabolic disturbances (n = 43; n = 32, respectively). 32 HIV negative individuals. We looked for association with folic acid, vitamin B12, lipids, insulin resistance status, activation platelets (soluble P-selectin) and endothelial injury (soluble trombomodulin) markers; and also their relation with tobacco, disease status and kind of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in the m...