RICARDO DE PAULA VASCONCELOS
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/52 - Laboratório de Virologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
15 resultados
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- Say it right: measuring the impact of different communication strategies on the decision to get vaccinated(2023) AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian I.; FERREIRA-SILVA, Sofia Natalia; SOARES, Maria Eduarda Muniz; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; FUJITA, Luiz; MEDEIROS, Tainah; BARBIERI, Carolina Luisa Alves; COUTO, Marcia TherezaBackgroundVaccine hesitancy is a concerning menace to the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. Effective health communication could promote an overall understanding of the importance, risks, and benefits of vaccination and reduce vaccine hesitancy.MethodsIn this survey, four fictitious newspaper articles addressing an emerging bogus disease and its vaccine were randomly assigned to participants. The first version focused on information about the disease; the second was akin to the first, including a case description and image. The third version focused on vaccine safety/efficacy; the fourth version was like the third, including a case description and image. After reading a single version of the article, participants responded if they would take the vaccine and if they would vaccinate their children. We used chi-squared tests for comparisons and investigated interactions with vaccine-hesitant attitudes.ResultsWe included 5233 participants between August/2021 and January/2022; 790 were caregivers of a child <= 5 years old, and 15% had prior vaccine hesitancy. Although most declared intention to take the vaccine, the percentage was highest among those exposed to the newspaper article focusing on the vaccine safety/efficacy with the case description and picture (91%; 95% confidence interval 89-92%), and lowest among participants exposed to the article focusing on the disease with no case description (84%; 95% confidence interval 82-86%). Similar trends were observed in the intention of offspring vaccination. We found evidence of effect modification by vaccine-hesitant attitudes, with a higher impact of communication focusing on vaccine safety/efficacy compared to that focusing on disease characteristics among hesitant participants.ConclusionCommunication strategies focusing on different aspects of the disease-vaccine duet may impact vaccine hesitancy, and storytelling/emotive imagery descriptions may improve risk perception and vaccine uptake. Moreover, the effect of message framing strategies may differ according to previous vaccine hesitant attitudes.
- Natural experiment of syphilis treatment with doxycycline or benzathine penicillin in HIV-infected patients(2019) ANTONIO, Marilia B.; CUBA, Gabriel T.; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo P.; ALVES, Ana Paula P. S.; SILVA, Bruna Oliveira da; AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian IidaBackground: Although doxycycline is widely used as an alternative to benzathine penicillin for the treatment of early and late latent syphilis, data on serological response following treatment with doxycycline among HIV-infected patients are limited. Methods: In this study, we analysed serological response to syphilis treatment with doxycycline among HIV-infected patients treated during a benzathine penicillin shortage period and compared with treatment response among patients treated with benzathine penicillin. Cases with neurosyphilis and those treated with suboptimal doses or with concurrent medications in association with benzathine penicillin or doxycycline were excluded. Results: Fifty patients treated with doxycycline from September 2014 to December 2016 were compared with 115 patients treated with benzathine penicillin for early, late latent or latent syphilis of unknown duration. Patients treated with doxycycline were slightly older [(median 49 years old, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 43-56] than those in the penicillin group (median 44 years old, 95% CI 37-50; P = 0.007). Groups had no statistically significant differences regarding sex, HIV suppression under treatment and syphilis stages. Serological response to treatment, defined as a nonreagent Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) or at least a four-fold reduction in VDRL titres measured 6-12 months after treatment, was seen in 72% (95% CI 58-84) of patients treated with doxycycline and 70% (95% CI 60-78) of patients treated with penicillin (P = 0.753). Conclusion: We found no statistically significant differences in serological response to treatment with doxycycline or benzathine penicillin among HIV-infected patients with early, late latent or latent syphilis of unknown duration. Our findings suggest that doxycycline is an acceptable treatment to HIV-infected patients with nontertiary stages of syphilis.
- Attitudes and Knowledge About Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Brazilian Infectious Disease Physicians(2020) CERQUEIRA, Natalia Barros; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; HOJILLA, J. Carlo; KALLAS, Esper Georges; I, Vivian Avelino-SilvaThe objective was to describe levels and predictors of knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Brazilian Infectious Disease (ID) Physicians. The design was a cross-sectional study. We collected information on demographics and attitudes/knowledge about PrEP using an anonymous electronic survey. Willingness to prescribe PrEP, fear of adherence issues, and concerns about risk compensation were addressed in three case vignettes that varied by a single characteristic (i.e., by gender identity, drug use, and socioeconomic status) randomly assigned to physicians. Three hundred seventy ID physicians responded to the survey. Although most identified as informed/well informed about PrEP (75%) and believed PrEP availability to be necessary (38%), concerns with adherence (49%), side effects (38%), risk compensation (28%), and increase in sexually transmitted infection incidence (38%) were raised. We found no statistically significant differences in willingness to prescribe PrEP and concerns around risk compensation across the three case vignettes. ID physicians who declared having a religion reported more concerns about risk compensation compared to those self-identified as atheists (72% vs. 46%,p < .001). Most Brazilian ID physicians reported a positive attitude toward PrEP. Patients' gender identity, drug use, and socioeconomic status were not associated with willingness to prescribe PrEP. However, ID physicians who declared having a religion were more frequently concerned about risk compensation among PrEP users, suggesting that personal beliefs can influence PrEP implementation.
- Predictors of knowledge of and access to biomedical prevention among MSM and transgender men in Latin America: Results from the Latin American internet survey(2022) AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian Iida; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; CERQUEIRA, Natalia B.; MARCUS, Ulrich; SCHMIDT, Axel Jeremias; VERAS, Maria AmeliaIntroduction HIV is still a central public health issue in Latin America, disproportionally affecting key populations. Knowledge and access to biomedical prevention strategies, including treatment as prevention (TASP) or undetectable = untransmissible (U=U), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), are the first steps to increasing uptake. We used data from the Latin American MSM Internet Survey (LAMIS) to describe knowledge and access to biomedical HIV prevention strategies among gay, bisexual, transgender and other men who have sex with men (MSM) living in 18 Latin American countries. Methods We compared LAMIS data across countries and according to age categories using frequencies and percentages. We also used multivariable models to explore whether age, gender identity, sexual identity, steady partnership, HIV status and education were independently associated with outcomes. Results In all, 55 924 participants were included. Most were cisgender (99%) and identified as gay/homosexual (77%) or bisexual (17%). Schooling levels were very high, with 89% reporting highest attained education as tertiary level, university or post-graduation. In total, 16% had been previously diagnosed with HIV; of those, rates of undetectable viral load varied from 60% in Venezuela to 83% in Brazil. Overall, 54%, 54% and 52% of participants already knew about PEP, PrEP and U=U, respectively. Participants from Brazil and those aged between 26 and 55 years, living with diagnosed HIV and having a gay/homosexual identity had greater levels of awareness about biomedical prevention strategies. Conclusions Our study highlights gaps in HIV prevention campaigns directed to MSM in Latin America resulting in low uptake of biomedical prevention methods.
- High pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and early adherence among men who have sex with men and transgender women at risk for HIV Infection: the PrEP Brasil demonstration project(2017) HOAGLAND, Brenda; MOREIRA, Ronaldo I.; BONI, Raquel B. De; KALLAS, Esper G.; MADRUGA, Jose Valdez; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; GOULART, Silvia; TORRES, Thiago S.; MARINS, Luana M. S.; ANDERSON, Peter L.; LUZ, Paula M.; LEITE, Iuri da Costa; LIU, Albert Y.; VELOSO, Valdilea G.; GRINSZTEJN, BeatrizIntroduction: The efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing sexual acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is well established. Little is known about the feasibility of PrEP implementation in middle-income settings with concentrated epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Methods: PrEP Brasil is a prospective, multicentre, open-label demonstration project assessing PrEP delivery in the context of the Brazilian Public Health System. HIV-uninfected MSM and TGW in 3 referral centres in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were evaluated for eligibility and offered 48 weeks of daily emtricitabine/tenofovir for PrEP. Concentrations of tenofovir diphosphate in dried blood spot samples (DBS) at week 4 after enrolment (early adherence) were measured. Predictors of drug levels were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models considering the DBS drug level as a 3 level variable (<350 fmol/punch, >= 350-699 fmol/punch and >= 700 fmol/punch). Results: 1,270 individuals were assessed for participation; n = 738 were potentially eligible and n = 450 were offered PrEP (PrEP uptake was 60.9%). Eligible but not enrolled individuals were younger, had lower HIV risk perception and had lower PrEP awareness. At week 4, 424 participants (of the 450 enrolled) had DBS TFV-DP concentrations, 94.1% in the protective range (>= 350 fmol/punch, consistent with >= 2 pills per week), and 78% were in the highly protective range (>= 700 fmol/punch, >= 4 pills per week). Participants with >= 12 years of schooling had 1.9 times the odds (95% CI 1.10-3.29) of a higher versus lower drug level than participants with <12 years of schooling. Condomless receptive anal intercourse in the prior 3 months was also associated with higher drug levels (adjusted OR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.08-2.94). Conclusions: The high uptake and early adherence indicate that PrEP for high-risk MSM and TGW can be successfully delivered in the context of the Brazilian Public Health System. Interventions to address disparities on PrEP awareness and HIV risk perception among the younger and less educated are urgently needed in order to maximize the impact of this prevention strategy on the reduction of HIV infection among MSM and TGW in Brazil.
- Retention, engagement, and adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis for men who have sex with men and transgender women in PrEP Brasil: 48 week results of a demonstration study(2018) GRINSZTEJN, Beatriz; HOAGLAND, Brenda; MOREIRA, Ronaldo I.; KALLAS, Esper G.; MADRUGA, Jose V.; GOULART, Silvia; LEITE, Iuri C.; FREITAS, Lucilene; MARTINS, Luana M. S.; TORRES, Thiago S.; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; BONI, Raquel B. De; ANDERSON, Peter L.; LIU, Albert; LUZ, Paula M.; VELOSO, Valdilea G.Background PrEP Brasil was a demonstration study to assess feasibility of daily oral tenofovir diphosphate disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine provided at no cost to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women at high risk for HIV within the Brazilian public health system. We report week 48 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) retention, engagement, and adherence, trends in sexual behaviour, and incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in this study cohort. Methods PrEP Brasil was a 48 week, open-label, demonstration study that assessed PrEP delivery at three referral centres for HIV prevention and care in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz), and Sao Paulo, Brazil (Universidade de Sao Paulo and Centro de Referencia e Treinamento em DST e AIDS). Eligible participants were MSM and transgender women who were HIV negative, aged at least 18 years, resident in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, and reported one or more sexual risk criteria in the previous 12 months (eg, condomless anal sex with two or more partners, two or more episodes of anal sex with an HIV-infected partner, or history of sexually transmitted infection [STI] diagnosis). Participants were seen at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 for PrEP provision, clinical and laboratory evaluation, and HIV testing. Computer-assisted self-interviews were also done at study visits 12, 24, 36, and 48, and assessed sexual behaviour and drug use. PrEP retention was defined by attendance at the week 48 visit, PrEP engagement was an ordinal five-level variable combining presence at the study visit and drug concentrations, and PrEP adherence was evaluated by measuring tenofovir diphosphate concentrations in dried blood spots. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of variables with high adherence (>= 4 doses per week). The study is registered with ClinicalTrials. gov, number NCT01989611. Findings Between April 1, 2014, and July 8, 2016, 450 participants initiated PrEP, 375 (83%) of whom were retained until week 48. At week 48, 277 (74%) of 375 participants had protective drug concentrations consistent with at least four doses per week: 183 (82%) of 222 participants from Sao Paulo compared with 94 (63%) of 150 participants from Rio de Janeiro (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.06-3.34); 119 (80%) of 148 participants who reported sex with HIV-infected partners compared with 158 (70%) of 227 participants who did not (1.78, 1.03-3.08); 67 (87%) of 77 participants who used stimulants compared with 210 (71%) of 298 participants who did not (2.23, 1.02-4.92); and 232 (80%) of 289 participants who had protective concentrations of tenofovir disphosphate at week 4 compared with 42 (54%) of 78 participants who did not (3.28, 1.85-5.80). Overall, receptive anal sex with the last three partners increased from 45% at enrolment to 49% at week 48 (p=0.17), and the mean number of sexual partners in the previous 3 months decreased from 11.4 (SD 28.94) at enrolment to 8.3 (19.55) at week 48 (p<0.0013). Two individuals seroconverted during follow-up (HIV incidence 0.51 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 0.13-2.06); both of these patients had undetectable tenofovir concentrations at seroconversion. Interpretation Our results support the effectiveness and feasibility of PrEP in a real-world setting. Offering PrEP at public health-care clinics in a middle-income setting can retain high numbers of participants and achieve high levels of adherence without risk compensation in the investigated populations.
conferenceObject Attitudes and Knowledge About HIV PrEP Among Infectious Diseases Physicians in Brazil(2018) CERQUEIRA, Natalia; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; HOJILLA, Carlo; KALLAS, Esper; AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian- High pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and early adherence among men who have sex with men and trans-gender women at risk for HIV Infection: the PrEP Brasil demonstration project (vol 20, 21472, 2017)(2018) HOAGLAND, Brenda; MOREIRA, Ronaldo I.; BONI, Raquel B. De; KALLAS, Esper G.; MADRUGA, Jose Valdez; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; GOULART, Silvia; TORRES, Thiago S.; MARINS, Luana M. S.; ANDERSON, Peter L.; LUZ, Paula M.; LEITE, Iuri da Costa; LIU, Albert Y.; VELOSO, Valdilea G.; GRINSZTEJN, Beatriz
conferenceObject Number of Sexual Partners Does Not Predict HIV Status in a Brazilian STI Clinic(2018) VASCONCELOS, Ricardo; AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian; ALVES, Ana Paula; NORONHA, Nicole; PICONE, Camila; SILVA, Bruna; SEGURADO, Aluisio- Asymptomatic anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are associated with systemic CD8(+) T-cell activation(2017) VIEIRA, Vinicius A.; AVELINO-SILVA, Vivian I.; CERQUEIRA, Natalia B.; COSTA, Dayane A.; COSTA, Priscilla R.; VASCONCELOS, Ricardo P.; MADRUGA, Valdez R.; MOREIRA, Ronaldo I.; HOAGLAND, Brenda; VELOSO, Valdilea G.; GRINSZTEJN, Beatriz; KALLAS, Esper G.Background: Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been established as a pivotal strategy in HIV prevention. However, bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are also highly prevalent. Although the presence of STI-related mucosal lesions is a known risk factor for HIV acquisition, the potential increase in risk associated with asymptomatic STIs is not completely understood. Recent data demonstrated higher T-cell activation is a risk factor for sexually acquired HIV-1 infection. We examined the effect of asymptomatic C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae anorectal infection on systemic immune activation, potentially increasing the risk of HIV acquisition. Methods: We analyzed samples from participants of PrEP Brasil, a demonstration study of daily oral emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate HIV PrEP among healthy MSM, for T-cell activation by flow cytometry. We included 34 asymptomatic participants with anorectal swab for C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae infection, whereas negative for other STIs, and 35 controls. Results: We found a higher frequency of human leukocyte antigen DR(+)CD3(+)CD8(+)T cells (1.5 vs. 0.9%, P<0.005) and with memory phenotype in the group with asymptomatic C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae infection. Exhaustion and senescence markers were also significant higher in this group. No difference was observed in the soluble CD14 levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest asymptomatic anorectal C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae increase systemic immune activation, potentially increasing the risk of HIV acquisition. Regular screening and treatment of asymptomatic STIs should be explored as adjuvant tools for HIV prevention.