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HBV/HCV co-infection is common in HIV-1-infected prisoners. To investigate the characteristics of HIV co-infections, and to evaluate the molecular heterogeneity of HIV, HBV and HCV in prisoners, we carried-out a multicenter cross-sectional study, including 65 HIV-1-infected inmates enrolled in 5 Italian detention centers during the period 2017–2019. HIV-1 subtyping showed that 77.1% of inmates were infected with B subtype and 22.9% with non-B subtypes. Italian nationals were all infected with subtype B (93.1%), except two individuals, one infected with the recombinant form CRF72_BF1, and the other with the HIV-1 sub-subtype A6, both previously not identified in inmates of Italian nationality. Non-Italian nationals were infected with subtype B (52.6%), CRFs (36.8%) and sub-subtypes A1 and A3 (5.2%). HIV variants carrying resistance mutations to NRTI, NNRTI, PI and InSTI were found in 7 inmates, 4 of which were never exposed to the relevant classes of drugs associated with these mutations. HBV and/or HCV co-infections markers were found in 49/65 (75.4%) inmates, while 27/65 (41.5%) showed markers of both HBV and HCV coinfection. Further, Italian nationals showed a significant higher presence of HCV markers as compared to non-Italian nationals (p = 0.0001). Finally, HCV phylogenetic analysis performed in 18 inmates revealed the presence of HCV subtypes 1a, 3a, 4d (66.6%, 16.7% and 16.7%, respectively). Our data suggest the need to monitor HIV, HBV and HCV infections in prisons in order to prevent spreading of these viruses both in jails and in the general population, and to implement effective public health programs that limit the circulation of different genetic forms as well as of viral variants with mutations conferring resistance to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Unilateral renal agenesis is a frequent renal malformation with incidence of 1 per 1000 live born children. There are no statistics nor protocols to manage and follow-up these patients. Usually asymptomatic, it can be early detected by prenatal ultrasound, allowing opportune detection and adequate follow up. The goal is to describe main features found in children with renal agenesis at four ambulatory pediatric nephrology clinics in Cali, Colombia: Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV), Club Noel Children's hospital and the private practice of two pediatric nephrologists. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study in a series of cases with congenital renal agenesis diagnosed between January, 1995 and December 2007, of patients under 18 years of age and based on a review of clinical records. Results: 43 patients were found, 51.2% males, 88% from the department of Valle del Cauca. Prenatal diagnoses were conducted in only 21% of these patients; agenesis was right in 48.8% and left in 51.2%. In 46.5%, association with other pathologies was found: occult spinal bifida, congenital scoliosis, and Klippel-Feil sequence. Compensatory renal hypertrophy was reported in 39.5% of the patients, 42% had episodes of urinary tract infection, 31% vesicoureteral reflux and 10% proteinuria. Four male patients (9.3%) developed renal failure. The average follow-up was 6.6 years. Conclusions: Prenatal diagnose was not very frequent in our set of cases. Urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux were common, increasing the risk of renal deterioration. Prolonged follow up is suggested, with unified protocols to prevent renal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV) at the Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admits intoxicated patients, erroneously medicated by «teguas» or family members with serious aggravation of basic diseases or generating severe intoxications. Absent reports of these practices in Colombia motivated the publication of this case series. Objective: To report a series of pediatric intoxication cases secondary to oral or dermatological application of varied substances by healers («teguas») or family members, leading to admission at the PICU, and to describe complications and hospital costs of these events. Methodology: Clinical charts of patients admitted to the PICU with diagnosis of exogenous intoxication during May 2001 to September 2004, were reviewed. Of 28 registered cases during that time, only 14 clinical charts were recovered. Variables evaluated included: age, gender, proceeding, administered substance, person responsible for the administration, complications, days of mechanical ventilation, total days at the intensive care unit and average costs. Of the 14 medical records with exogenous intoxications only 5 cases were involuntary and 9 were related to the administration of substances by quacks or family members; these are the ones reported in this series. Results: We report a total of 9 intoxicated patients, 5 girls and 4 boys, with an age range from 1 to 24 months, all from Cali. Topical administered substances: alcohol 6/9, vinegar 1/9; oral: aspirin 2/9, paico 1/9, and unidentified herbs 1/9. Administered substances by teguas: 6 patients; 3 by family members. All patients had metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap: 27 in average (range from 21 to 32). All required mechanical ventilation (2 to 32 day range). Average hospital day costs were $6'657,800 pesos (around U$3,000.oo). Three patients died and 4 presented acute renal failure, 2 convulsions, 2 nosocomial infections, 1 subglotic stenosis. Conclusions and recommendations: Those practices are a high risk for children and have high health costs. Mortality and severe complications are high. Educational campaigns should be started in the community to prevent these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]