Prevalence of syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and human T-lymphotropic virus infections and coinfections during prenatal screening in an urban Northeastern Brazilian population

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate prevalences of Treponema pallidum, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and coinfections during prenatal screening in an urban Northeastern Brazilian population through a large dataset.

Methods: Secondary data were obtained from the Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil) municipal prenatal screening program from June 2007 to May 2012. Dried blood serum tests from 54,813 pregnant women were examined to determine prevalences of T. pallidum, HIV, HTLV, and HBV infections and coinfections, and the seroconversion rates for syphilis and HIV infection. Socio-demographic variables associated with syphilis and HIV infection were identified.

Results: The prevalences of syphilis, HIV, HTLV, and HBV infections were 2.8%, 0.3%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively. Pregnant women infected with T. pallidum had a 4.62-fold greater risk of HIV coinfection, and pregnant women infected with HIV had a 5.71-fold greater risk of T. pallidum coinfection. Seroconversion for syphilis and HIV during pregnancy occurred in 0.5% and 0.06% of women, respectively. Among the women carrying HTLV, 4.2% also had an HBV infection.

Conclusions: Syphilis was twice as prevalent among pregnant women in Maceió, compared to the national average, and coinfections with syphilis/HIV and HTLV/HBV were significantly associated among these pregnant women.

Keywords: Coinfection; Prenatal diagnosis; STDs; Seroepidemiologic studies.