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Context: It has been suggested that coinfected patients HCV/HIV must be treated with pegylated interferon associated to ribavirin (PEG+RBV), because of better taxes of sustained virological response when compared to those treated with conventional interferon associated to ribavirin (IFN+RBV). There are few studies in the literature comparing these two treatments options in this population., Objective: To evaluate the sustained virological response to the treatment with IFN+RBV versus PEG+RBV in coinfected patients HCV/HIV genotype 1, in a public health program., Methods: It is a cohort study, where the data of the coinfected patients treated with IFN+RBV (before 2002) or PEG+RBV (from 2002) during 48 weeks in the Brazilian Health Ministry program were reviewed. Demographic characteristics were evaluated (age, gender and weight), CD4 cell count and histopathology - inflammatory activity (A) and fibrosis grade, by METAVIR classification. The significance level adopted was 5%., Results: Eighty one patients were evaluated, 22 treated with IFN+RBV and 59 treated with PEG+RBV. Both were similar relating to age, gender, weight, CD4 cell count and fibrosis grade. Those treated with IFN+RBV presented a greater proportion of A2+A3 patients than those treated with PEG+RBV (P<0.01). The sustained virological response was 14% versus 23% in those using IFN+RBV or PEG+RBV respectively (P = 0.54). The Odds Ratio was 1.9 (0.5 to 7.3)., Conclusion: Coinfected patients HCV/HIV genotype 1 treated with PEG+RBV presented 1.9 more chance to obtain sustained virological response than those treated with IFN+RBV, however without statistical significance.

Background: Potato contains multiple heat-labile proteins which can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis have been described in association with potato exposure., Objective: A patient with possible airborne facial dermatitis to potato is described., Results: A middle-aged atopic housewife with pre-existent atopic dermatitis suffered from rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, and contact urticaria when pealing raw potatoes, but her main complaint was intense, treatment-resistant dermatitis of the face. The investigations showed a positive prick test, a positive patch test, and positive specific serum IgE to raw potato. Potato avoidance led not only to the resolution of the immediate symptoms, but also of the facial dermatitis, suggesting she had dermatitis due to this vegetable., Conclusions: Potato may induce contact dermatitis with positive immediate and delayed hypersensitivity tests.