Background/Objectives: The evaluation of the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised individuals, such as people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), still is of great global importance. The present study aimed to describe the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in PLWH vaccinated and unvaccinated against COVID-19 in the city of Belém, northern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 510 PLWH was conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. Participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and subsequently underwent an anti-SARS-CoV-2 enzyme immunoassay for the detection of IgG antibodies, as well as quantification of CD4+ T lymphocytes and HIV-1 plasma viral load. Results: Most participants were male (70%), aged 25–50 years (72%), single (71.4%), and low-income (50.4%). The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 94.3% (481/510), with most vaccinated individuals having received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. An association was observed between antibody levels and the number of vaccine doses, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio, and HIV-1 viral load. Conclusions: PLWH developed high levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving the vaccine, demonstrating that COVID-19 vaccination is of fundamental importance for the protection against severe COVID-19 in this specific group of immunocompromised individuals.

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health issue, and female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to the etiological agent of this disease. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to Treponema pallidum, as well as the vulnerability factors among FSWs in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 360 FSWs from five cities in Pará was conducted from 2005 to 2007. Blood samples were collected for treponemal and non-treponemal testing, and epidemiological information was obtained through interviews. Results: The exposure rate to T. pallidum was 37.7% (136/360), and the majority of FSWs had serological results indicating past exposure (21.1%). Among the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum, most of them were single, aged 23 to 42 years old, had less than 8 years of schooling, and had a family income of between 1 and 3 minimum wages. They reported using condoms during sexual intercourse and had no history of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Furthermore, many of the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum reported having more than 20 sexual partners per month, and had partners from other Brazilian states, but not from other countries. An age over 42 years and a reduced level of education were factors associated with exposure to T. pallidum. Finally, a high rate of exposure to T. pallidum among FSWs in the Brazilian state of Pará (from 2005 to 2007) was detected. In later years, epidemiological studies conducted with FSWs recorded that this rate remained high. Measures to control, treat, and prevent syphilis among FSWs were necessary between 2005 and 2007, and they are still imperative today. Actions related to educational programs and STI control, treatment, and prevention measures contained in Brazilian policies aimed at women’s health have not changed the vulnerability scenario of FSWs regarding their exposure to T. pallidum, even after 16 years, and must be reviewed and adapted to the conditions of the Brazilian Amazon.

Estimado editor Las mujeres transgénero son las cinco poblaciones más vulnerables para adquirir el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH). Cerca del 2% de la población adulta brasileña está compuesta por personas transgénero y no binarias, es decir, personas que se identifican con un género diferente al que les fue asignado al nacer o que no se perciben como pertenecientes exclusivamente al femenino o al masculino género1. En Brasil, existen pocos estudios sobre la epidemiología de la infección por VIH en mujeres transgénero, la mayoría de los cuales fueron realizados en las regiones Sudeste y Sur y demostraron una alta prevalencia de infección, así como un alto nivel de discriminación social, lo que interfiere directamente buscar servicios de salud pública2. La discriminación por razón de género juega un papel fundamental en la reducción de la accesibilidad de las mujeres transgénero a las consultas médicas y a los servicios de pruebas del VIH, lo que sin duda dificulta el acceso de estas personas a los servicios públicos de salud. Estos datos apuntan a la urgente necesidad de políticas públicas no discriminatorias, basadas en la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos, que puedan favorecer la accesibilidad de las mujeres transgénero a los servicios de salud en Brasil.En Brasil, desde 2004, se celebra anualmente, el 29 de enero, el orgullo, la existencia, la conciencia y la resistencia de la comunidad trans y travesti, dentro del movimiento LGBTQIA+. Con una Política Nacional de Salud Integral LGBTQIA+ instituida casi una década después de 2011, Brasil ha sido el país más violento durante 14 años seguidos con un récord de 133 personas trans asesinadas solo en 2022. Brasil sabe poco sobre quiénes y dónde están estas personas, porque la metodología aplicada en la recolección de datos del censo demográfico, realizado cada 10 años, no incluye preguntas sobre identidad de género, lo que provoca la exclusión de las personas transgénero en el perfil de habitantes de nuestro territorio3.Sobre este tema, aún con el notorio avance brasileño en la incorporación de tecnologías de salud para la prevención combinada, descentralización del diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de las personas que viven con el VIH, se observó que sólo el 6% de los usuarios de Profilaxis Post-Exposición (PEP) identificado como transgénero. De las casi 50.000 personas que usan profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) en el país, el 4,8 % se identifican como personas trans o no binarias, lo que demuestra que la discriminación por motivos de género juega un papel fundamental en la reducción de la accesibilidad del público transgénero a las citas médicas y el VIH servicios de pruebas.4 Estos datos apuntan a la urgente necesidad de políticas públicas no discriminatorias, basadas en la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos, que puedan favorecer la accesibilidad de las mujeres transgénero a los servicios de salud en Brasil5.En la Amazonía brasileña, que está compuesta por siete estados y tiene la mayor extensión territorial del país, no existe información oficial sobre la prevalencia de infección, no solo de VIH sino de otras ITS, en la población de mujeres transgénero. Como resultado, nuestro grupo de investigación llama la atención de las autoridades brasileñas sobre la necesidad de convocatorias públicas de investigación para llenar el vacío en relación con el conocimiento de la epidemiología del VIH en mujeres transgénero, con el fin de subsidiar políticas públicas para enfrentar la epidemia en la región.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally, linked to severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. In the Brazilian Amazon, socioeconomic vulnerability and the absence of screening policies exacerbate risks, particularly among female sex workers (FSWs). Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-C. trachomatis IgG antibodies among FSWs in five municipalities of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon, and identify epidemiological factors associated with infection. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study (2005–2007) included 348 FSWs recruited via convenience sampling. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected through questionnaires, and blood samples were analyzed by ELISA for anti-C. trachomatis IgG. Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact tests, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using SPSS 21.0. Results: Overall seroprevalence was 93.9% (327/348; 95% CI: 83.1–90%). Significant associations included a household income of 1–3 minimum wages (98.4%; p = 0.0002), sexual partners from the same region (98.8%; p = 0.0421), and age >42 years (96.3%). Most reported inconsistent condom use (43.7%), multiple monthly partners (54.6%), and illicit drug use (53.4%). Discussion: The extremely high seroprevalence reflects chronic C. trachomatis exposure, driven by socioeconomic deprivation and limited healthcare access. Comparisons with global data underscore the urgent need for screening policies, absent in Brazil for FSWs, and highlight the vulnerability of this population. Conclusions: The findings reveal an alarming burden of C. trachomatis exposure among Amazonian FSWs. Integrated strategies, including routine screening, sexual health education, and inclusion of FSWs in priority health programs, are critical to reduce transmission and associated complications.