ABSTRACT Introduction. Recurrence of HCV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) at the time of liver transplantation is nearly universal and reduces the likelihood of graft and patient survival. Materials and methods. We evaluated outcomes of 17 patients (16 with HCV genotype 1 and 1 with genotype 4) who received up to 12 or 24 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir plus ribavirin prior to or up to the time of liver transplant in the SOLAR-1 and SOLAR-2 trials. In all patients, HCV RNA was < 15 lU/mL prior to transplant. At screening, 6 patients were Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) class B and 11 were CPT class C. Seven patients underwent transplant prior to completing assigned treatment, with 4 treated for < 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was posttransplant virologic response 12 weeks after transplant (pTVRI 2) in patients with HCV RNA < 15 lU/mL at their last measurement prior to transplant. Results. Overall, 94% (16/17) achieved pTVR12. All who achieved pTVR12 received at least 11 weeks of treatment. The single patient who did not achieve pTVRI 2 discontinued study drug on day 21 and underwent liver transplant the following day. The patient had HCV RNA < 15 lU/mL at post-transplant week 2 but died 15 days post-transplant because of multi-organ failure and septic shock. Conclusion. Among a small population of HCV patients with decompensated cirrhosis, virologic response to ledipasvir / sofosbuvir plus ribavirin prior to liver transplantation was maintained after transplantation, even if treatment was stopped early. Administration of ledipasvir / sofosbuvir plus ribavirin before liver transplant can prevent post-transplant HCV recurrence.

Se realizó un estudio con la finalidad de determinar la prevalencia de Eimeria spp. en granjas de gallinas ponedoras ubicadas en los municipios Boconó, Pampán y Carvajal del estado Trujillo, Venezuela. Para ello fue seleccionada una población de 8.500 ponedoras evaluándose una muestra de 382, a través de la técnica de McMaster, obteniéndose una prevalencia de 17,02%. Se reportó la presencia de Ascaridia galli con una prevalencia de 5,24%. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la distribución porcentual de las eimerias en los diferentes Municipios, centrándose el mayor porcentaje en el municipio Pampàn (P = 0,0000). El mayor porcentaje de las muestras positivas presentaron cargas de entre 50 y 200 ooquistes (P = 0,0000). Se evidenciaron las mayores tasas de infección en pisos de tierra (P £ 0,0055) y en la época lluviosa del año (P £ 0,0055)

A study was carried out with the purpose of determining the prevalence of Eimeria spp in farms of egg-laying hens located in the Municipalities of Boconó, Pampán and Carvajal. Trujillo, Venezuela. For an egg-laying hens population of 8,500 it was selected a sample of 382, of which was evaluated through the technique of McMaster. A prevalence of 17.02% was obtained. Significant differences in the percentage distribution of the Eimeria spp. were found in the different Municipalities, being centered the biggest percentage in the Municipality of Pampán (P = 0.0000). The biggest percentage in the positive samples presented loads of between 50 and 200 oocysts per gram of faces (P = 0.0000). The biggest infection rates were evidenced in earth floors (P £ 0.0055) and in the rainy time of the year (P £ 0.0055)

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to describe HIV prevention programs conducted by nongovernmental organizations (NGO) that are meeting this challenge. METHODS: One NGO undertaking HIV prevention programs was evaluated in each of the 23 countries participating in the Global AIDS Intervention Network (GAIN) Project throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. A two-stage selection process was used: (1) a search in databases and other information sources; (2) identification of NGOs that were best established and most actively engaged in HIV prevention activity. Executive directors were questioned about staffing, budget issues, populations served and barriers faced by these entities. RESULTS: The 23 NGOs conducted 58 direct-service programs and had been conducting HIV prevention activities for a mean of 8 years (SD = 4.45; range 1-18 years). Average annual program budget was US$ 205 393 (range: US$ 10 000 to US$ 1 440 000). The NGOs reported a mean of 4.5 full-time employees (range 0-15, SD = 4.7). Many relied on volunteers (median = 10, mean = 51, range 0-700, SD = 150) to conduct HIV prevention activities. The NGOs provided prevention services for the general community (82.6%), children and adolescents (34.8%) and men who have sex with men (30.4%). Activities conducted by NGOs included train-the-trainer activities (43.5%) and face-to-face prevention activities (34.8%). Obstacles cited included lack of funding (60.9%) and HIV-related stigma and discrimination (56.5%). CONCLUSION: The strategies used by NGOs to overcome barriers to prevention are a testament to their ingenuity and commitment, and serve as examples for NGOs in other world regions.

OBJETIVO: Describir los programas de prevención de la infección por VIH y el sida de algunas organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG). MÉTODOS: Estudiamos, en cada una de los 23 países que participan en el proyecto Global AIDS Intervention Network (GAIN) en América Latina y el Caribe, una ONG que lleva a cabo programas de prevención. La muestra se seleccionó mediante un proceso bietápico: 1) una búsqueda en bases de datos y otras fuentes; 2) la identificación de las ONG mejor establecidas y más activas en el campo de la prevención de la infección por VIH, según fuentes autorizadas. A los directores ejecutivos se les hizo preguntas acerca de los programas de prevención, el personal, los presupuestos, las poblaciones con las que trabajaban y las barreras a su trabajo. RESULTADOS: Las 23 ONG llevaban a cabo 58 programas de servicio directo y tenían un promedio de 8 años de estar proveyendo programas de prevención. El promedio anual del presupuesto era de US$ 205 393 (intervalo de US$ 10 000 a US$ 1 440 000), y el número promedio de empleados a tiempo completo era de 4,5 (intervalo de 0-15, DE = 4,7.) Muchas ONG dependían de los voluntarios para los programas de prevención (mediana = 10, promedio = 51, intervalo de 0-700, DE = 150). Las ONG ofrecían programas de prevención dedicados a la comunidad en general (82,6%), a jóvenes y adolescentes (34,8%), y a hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con otros hombres (30,4%). Las actividades de las ONG consistían en entrenar a los entrenadores para todo tipo de actividades (43,5%) y en realizar programas de prevención cara a cara con los participantes (34,8%). Se citaron como obstáculos la falta de fondos (60,9%) y la discriminación y estigma relacionados con la infección por el VIH (56,5%). CONCLUSIONES: Las estrategias que emplean estas ONG para sobrepasar las barreras a la prevención son prueba de su inventiva y dedicación y sirven como ejemplo para las ONG en otras regiones del mundo.

Tem-se estudado a diversidade e a riqueza de larvas de Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) spp. em 22 postos permanentes e temporais em área de 70 km² ao pé da Cordilheira Andina Oriental da Venezuela, em região de malária refratária. Foram identificadas 12 espécies, sendo as mais freqüentes, abundantes e simpátricas as A. triannulatus, A. albitarsis, A. nuñeztovari, A. oswaldoi y A. strodei. Foi maior o número de espécies e de larvas por amostra nos postos permanentes do que nos temporais. A existência das mesmas associações larvais, em postos de outras localidades, ao pé da Cordilheira Andina Oriental da Venezuela, baseia-se no ponto de vista de que é possível fazer-se um mapa ecológico dos criadouros dessas espécies de Anopheles em região de 430 km de extensão.

Studies have been un dertaken into on the diversity and relative abundance of larvae of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) spp. in 22 permanent or temporary pools in an area of 70 km² in the eastern piedmont of the Venezuela Andes, between the mountains and the plains, an area in which malaria is refractory and A. nuñeztovari is present. Twelve species were identified, the most frequent, abundant and sympatric being A. triannulatus, A. albitarsis, A. nuñeztovari, A. oswaldoi and A. strodei. The samples from the permanent pools showed greater diversity of species and greater numbers of larvae than the samples from the temporary pools. The existence of the same larval associations in pools of other localities in the eastern piedmont of the Venezuelan Andes suggests the possibility of the making an ecological map of the breeding sites of A. nuñeztovari and for these anophelines in a region extending for 430 km.

Tem-se estudado a diversidade e a riqueza de larvas de Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) spp. em 22 postos permanentes e temporais em área de 70 km² ao pé da Cordilheira Andina Oriental da Venezuela, em região de malária refratária. Foram identificadas 12 espécies, sendo as mais freqüentes, abundantes e simpátricas as A. triannulatus, A. albitarsis, A. nuñeztovari, A. oswaldoi y A. strodei. Foi maior o número de espécies e de larvas por amostra nos postos permanentes do que nos temporais. A existência das mesmas associações larvais, em postos de outras localidades, ao pé da Cordilheira Andina Oriental da Venezuela, baseia-se no ponto de vista de que é possível fazer-se um mapa ecológico dos criadouros dessas espécies de Anopheles em região de 430 km de extensão.

Studies have been un dertaken into on the diversity and relative abundance of larvae of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) spp. in 22 permanent or temporary pools in an area of 70 km² in the eastern piedmont of the Venezuela Andes, between the mountains and the plains, an area in which malaria is refractory and A. nuñeztovari is present. Twelve species were identified, the most frequent, abundant and sympatric being A. triannulatus, A. albitarsis, A. nuñeztovari, A. oswaldoi and A. strodei. The samples from the permanent pools showed greater diversity of species and greater numbers of larvae than the samples from the temporary pools. The existence of the same larval associations in pools of other localities in the eastern piedmont of the Venezuelan Andes suggests the possibility of the making an ecological map of the breeding sites of A. nuñeztovari and for these anophelines in a region extending for 430 km.