Browsing by Author "Pacheco, P, et al."
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- Chronic hepatitis C treatment in HIV co-infection in Portugal: Results from a cohort OF 2133 patients presented by GEPCOI (Portuguese Coinfection Study Group)Publication . Miranda, AC; Mendez J, J; Serrão, R; Vale, F; Manata, MJ; Pinto, S; Gomes, A; Valente, C; Pacheco, P, et al.Direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) have recently changed the paradigm of hepatitis C therapy, significantly improving treatment response rates, patient life expectancy and quality of life. In Portugal, sofosbuvir (SOF) and SOF/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) were fully reimbursed by the National Health System since early 2015 and generalized use of interferon-free DAA based regimens became current practice. During 2016, the remaining DAAs were sequentially added and covered by the same health access policy. The Portuguese Study Group of Hepatitis and HIV Co-infection (GEPCOI) collected data from 15 clinical centres in Portugal, pertaining to the HCV treatment experience with DAA regimens. A cohort of 2133 patients was analysed, representing one of the largest DAA treated HCV/HIV co-infected individuals. The global sustained virologic response (SVR) achieved was 95% in this real-life cohort setting. Linear regression analysis showed significant differences in treatment response rates when using SOF plus ribavirin (RBV) combination in genotype 2 or 3 infected individuals (P < .002) and in those with liver cirrhosis (P < .002). These findings corroborate that early treatment is mandatory in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, as response rates may be negatively influenced by higher fibrosis stages and suboptimal DAA regimens. The current national Portuguese health policy should continue to promote wider treatment access and individualized therapy strategies, aiming at the elimination of HCV infection in this high-risk co-infected population
- HIV-2 infection is associated with preserved GALT homeostasis and epithelial integrity despite ongoing mucosal viral replication.Publication . Fernandes, S; Pires, A; Matoso, P; Ferreira, C; Nunes-Cabaço, H; Correia, L; Valadas, E; Poças, J; Pacheco, P, et al.The mechanisms that enable preservation of gut mucosal integrity during persistent viral replication and inherent inflammation remain unclear. Here, we investigated, for the first time, gut homeostasis in HIV-2 infection, a naturally occurring form of attenuated HIV disease. We found viral replication in both sigmoid and ileum of asymptomatic HIV-2+ patients (range: 240-851 circulating CD4+T-cells per μl) despite their undetectable viremia, accompanied by interferon-γ-producing CD8 T-cell expansion, irrespective of antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, there was no CD4 T-cell depletion, and Foxp3+ and IL-17- or IL-22-producing CD4 T-cell numbers were unaffected. Moreover, IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells and IL-22-induced antimicrobial peptides and mucins were maintained. In agreement, the epithelium histology was preserved, including tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) levels. Furthermore, in vitro infection of colon epithelia with primary isolates revealed no HIV-2 impact on ZO-1 expression. Notably, sigmoid transcriptional levels of CCL20 and CCL28 were significantly increased, in direct correlation with GM-CSF, indicating a local response able to enhance CD4 T-cell recruitment. In conclusion, maintenance of mucosal integrity in HIV-2 infection was associated with T-cell recruitment responses, potentially counteracting CD4 T-cell depletion due to HIV-2 replication. These data have unique implications for the design of therapies targeting gut homeostasis in HIV-1 infection and other chronic inflammatory settings.
- Sarna Crostosa em Doente com Infecção VIHPublication . Trigo, D; Pina, A; Lopes, MJ; Pacheco, P, et al.A infecção pelo VIH predispõe à ocorrência de múltiplas dermatoses que se manifestam frequentemente de forma atípica. Reporta-se o caso de um homem com 57 anos e imunossupressão grave no contexto de infecção pelo VIH que desenvolveu dermatose pruriginosa disseminada aquando de internamento hospitalar prolongado. Tendo por base as características do doente, as queixas e a distribuição corporal das lesões, e apesar de não existirem lesões típicas nem contexto epidemiológico sugestivo, foi admitido o diagnóstico de escabiose, com realização de biópsias cutâneas e dois ciclos de tratamento com benzoato de benzilo, apenas com melhoria transitória. Na repetição de biópsia, viria a confirmar-se hiperinfestação por Sarcoptes scabiei pelo que foi realizado ciclo de tratamento com ivermectina com resolução completa das lesões. A propósito deste caso clínico, os autores revêm aspectos clínicos e o tratamento da sarna crostosa.