With people living with HIV (PLWH) reaching the senium, the importance of aging-related comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MS) becomes increasingly important. This study aimed to determine the additive effect of MS on brain atrophy in PLWH. This prospective study included 43 PLWH, average age of 43.02 ± 10.93 years, and 24 healthy controls, average age of 36.87 ± 8.89 years. PLWH were divided into two subgroups: without MS and with MS, according to NCEP ATP III criteria. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3T clinical scanner with MR volumetry, used for defining volumes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces and white and grey matter structures, including basal ganglia. A Student’s t-test was used to determine differences in brain volumes between subject subgroups. The binary classification was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of volumetry findings and cut-off values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. PLWH presented with significantly lower volumes of gray matter, putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus, and nc. accumbens compared to healthy controls; cut-off values were: for gray matter 738.130 cm³, putamen 8.535 cm³, thalamus 11.895 cm³, globus pallidus 2.252 cm³, and nc. accumbens 0.715 cm³. The volumes of CSF and left lateral ventricles were found to be higher in PLWH with MS compared to those without MS, where, with a specificity of 0.310 and sensitivity of 0.714, it can be assumed that PLWH with a CSF volume exceeding 212.83 cm³ are likely to also have MS. This suggests that PLWH with metabolic syndrome may exhibit increased CSF volume above 212.83 cm³ as a consequence of brain atrophy. There seems to be an important connection between MS and brain volume reduction in PLWH with MS, which may add to the accurate identification of persons at risk of developing HIV-associated cognitive impairment.

With people living with HIV (PLWH) reaching senium, the importance of aging-related comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MS) becomes increasingly important. The aim of this study was to determine the additive effect of MS on brain atrophy in PLWH. This prospective study included 43 PLWH, average age 43.02 ± 10.93 years and 24 healthy controls, average age 36.87 ± 8.89 years. PLWH were divided into two subgroups: without MS and with MS, according to NCEP-ATP-III criteria. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance (MR)imaging on 3T clinical scanner with MR volumetry, used for defining volumes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces and white and grey matter structures, including basal ganglia. ANOVA was used to determine differences in brain volumes between subject subgroups. Binary classification was performed to determine sensitivity and specificity of volumetry findings and cut-off values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. PLWH presented with significantly lower volumes of gray matter, putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus and nc. accumbens compared to healthy controls; cut-off values were: for gray matter 738.130 cm³, putamen 8.535cm³, thalamus 11.895 cm³, globus pallidus 2.252 cm³ nc. accumbens 0.715 cm³. Volumes of CSF and lateral ventricles were higher in PLWH with MS compared to those without MS- with specificity of 0.310 and sensitivity of 0.714 it can be assumed that PLWH with CSF volume above 212.83cm³ will also have MS. There seems to be an important connection between MS and brain volume reduction in PLWH with MS, which may add to accurate identification of persons at risk of developing HIV-associated cognitive impairment.

Introduction. Sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented, but it is necessary to know how the infection is transmitted and be aware of the possibility of infection that will lead to change in behavior. Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections is also of crucial importance to prevent its further spread and the development of complications of the infection. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of risky behaviors in the population of men who have sex with men, their self-assessment of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as the incidence of testing for these infections. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in the territory of the City of Novi Sad in the population of 185 men who have sex with men. The research method was an anonymous online survey that respondents filled out on a voluntary basis, with previously provided information about the research. Results. Of the total number of respondents, 39% claimed that they had unprotected sex with at least one partner in the previous year. Among the respondents who had unprotected sex in the past year, only 12% believe that they are at high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and 42% of them have not been tested for sexually transmitted diseases in the past year. Conclusion. In conclusion, a large number of untested people practice risky sex and have a poor perception of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The common reason for not getting tested is fear or lack of information about testing.

Background/Aim. At the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons (HIP) were considered to be at an increased risk of more severe forms of the disease. Although vaccination of HIP is deemed essential, data on the humoral response to both infection and vaccination in this population are inconsistent, particularly when comparing different vaccine types. The aim of this study was to examine factors that could influence severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) anti-spike protein antibody titers in HIP after vaccination and/or exposure to the virus. Methods. The study included all HIP who came for routine check-ups to the Center for HIV/AIDS of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia, from April to December 2022 and who had received at least two doses of the vaccine or had a positive history of COVID-19. Data on age, duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), nadir and current CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts, and type of vaccine were collected from medical records and the national data-base. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were determined in the sera of HIP using the AdviseDx SARS-CoV-2 IgG II assay. Results. The research included 226 HIP with undetectable viremia, in 96.3% of cases, the CD4 T-lymphocyte count was over 350 cells/mm3. Out of 171 HIP who received at least two doses of a vaccine, 64 (37.4%) were both vaccinated and had COVID-19 and 107 (62.6%) were vaccinated and had no evidence of COVID-19. Among the vaccinated participants, 62% received three doses and 38% received two vaccine doses. Regarding the type of vaccine, 59.6% of participants received a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine, 25.1% an inactivated vaccine, and 15.3% received a vector vaccine. A better humoral response was observed in the mRNA compared to the inactivated vaccines and in three compared to two doses in the case of mRNA vaccines. Age and duration of ART negatively correlated with antibody titers, while the number of CD8 T-cells had a positive correlation. Conclusion. The study showed the immunogenicity and safety of full vaccination against COVID-19 in HIP with any of the available vaccines.

Background and Objectives: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disorder characterized by persistent or relapsing fatigue lasting at least six months, not alleviated by rest and not previously present. It is accompanied by post-exertional symptom exacerbation and non-restorative sleep. Fatigue is often disabling and reduces daily activity by more than 50%. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term frequency of somatic and psychiatric disorders in women previously diagnosed with ME/CFS and to describe the long-term clinical course, laboratory findings, and fatigue-related changes during a 16-year follow-up period. Materials and Methods: Sixteen years ago, 40 women diagnosed with ME/CFS according to then-current CDC criteria were enrolled at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and the Center for Laboratory Medicine, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. All participants provided informed consent. After 16 years, 20 women agreed to follow-up evaluation. At both time points, participants underwent structured questionnaires, clinical examination, psychological assessment, and comprehensive laboratory testing, including hematological, biochemical, endocrinological, and virological analyses. Fatigue severity was assessed using the FibroFatigue Scale (FFS) and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale. Results: During follow-up, 15% of participants were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, 10% with cervical or breast cancer, 5% experienced premature myocardial infarction, 5% developed bronchial asthma, and 20% were diagnosed with clinical depression. Progression of ME/CFS was observed in 15%, while 5% reported infertility. Additionally, 15% developed arterial hypertension. Only 15% of participants did not report symptom worsening or new diagnoses. Conclusions: Over the 16-year follow-up, 85% of women with ME/CFS developed significant somatic or psychiatric conditions. These findings suggest that women diagnosed with ME/CFS may experience substantial long-term somatic and psychiatric disease burden, supporting the need for continued clinical monitoring and individualized follow-up.