This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of
sexually transmitted infections (
STIs) and associated risk factors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed for
prenatal care in Salvador, Bahia. This was a cross-sectional study of 63 women seeking
prenatal care at a reference center. Participants were interviewed regarding socio-epidemiological and clinical history, and were tested for
HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti HTLV I/II, VDRL, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, CD4 count, and HIV plasma viral load. The main outcome variable was the presence of any
STI. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (16-40 years). 23 (36.5%) were diagnosed with at least one
STI. The frequency of diagnoses was: HBV, 3.2%; HCV, 8.1%; HTLV I/II, 3.4%;
syphilis, 9.5%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 11.1%; HPV, 15.0%; Mycoplasma hominis, 2.1%, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, 2.1%. No case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was identified. No association was found between socio-epidemiological variables and the presence of an
STI. CD4 T lymphocyte < 500 cells/μL (p=0.047) and plasma viral load >1,000 copies (p = 0.027) were associated with the presence of
STI.
STIs are frequent in pregnant women infected with HIV, and all HIV-infected pregnant women should be screened to decrease transmission of these pathogens and to protect their own health.