Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in HIV-infected (HIV+) women is a serious public health problem. However, little is known about the virulence mechanisms of vaginal Candida albicans from HIV+ women in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Here, we report a comparative analysis of the expression of key virulence factors and genetic variability of 26 vaginal C. albicans strains isolated from HIV+ women undergoing HAART and 18 from HIV-uninfected (HIV-) women. In general, we observed that C. albicans from HIV+ women receiving HAART showed lower expression of virulence factors compared with C. albicans from HIV- women, except for the proteinase activity which is highly expressed. The results in HIV-women further suggest that virulence factors appear to be expressed in response to the yeast stress, in the presence of an adequate immune response. Furthermore, the RAPD results showed a high heterogeneity among isolates from both groups of women. These findings in HIV+ women using HAART will help to improve the monitoring of vaginal yeast infections and the quality of life of patients.

NOR was effective for UTI treatment, did not increase the risk of vaginal colonization by Candida or VVC, and did not lead to major disturbances of the vaginal microbiota.

Introduction: The Education of self measurement of blood pressure (ED.A.P.A.) Project is determined the aim to educate the patient to the correct form of measurement Blood Pressure (BP), also evaluating the epidemiology and cardiovascular profiles. Method: The study was held during the complete year 2006: we had meetings with the citizens of Grottaglie (32.000 inhabitants, TA -Italy), illustrating for them the "hypertension problem", explaining the correct technique for self BP measurement using the protocol guidelines and distributing the approved semiautomatic devices (OMRON M6); the data was reported in a journal and in questionnaires. Results: Of almost 3000 citizens interviewed, 370 have agreed to participate in the study (198 M, 172 F) with an average age of 60, hypertensive for almost 10 years, waiting 3 years before beginning therapy, which measure the BP 4 times a month and which 66% carry out only 1 measurement, 29% 2 measurements and only 2.5% 3 measurements on the same sitting. Having as reference the values of BP of 135/85 mmHg we have registered the 28% of normotensive and 72% of hypertensive: of which only 30% has good control, 55% present a scarce control and 15% is not aware of being hypertensive; adding the non treated hyper tense and those treated but not controlled we have registered that 70% was not controlled properly.Among the risk factors a revelation of almost 64% of hypercholesterolaemia; an 18% of smokers; a 35% of hyperglycaemia in the males and 28% in the females, but 63% of the females present a waist line of > 88 cms. 32% consume a lot of alcohol (46% in the males and 15% in the females). 26% of the patients present Metabolic Syndrome characteristics (ATPIII); 12% vascular brain illnesses, 30% artheriopathy peripheral, 35% cardiopathy, 12% nephropathy and 13% diabetes. Conclusions: With the project we have evidenced that with simple devices and low cost its possible to make people understand better the importance of self measurement, whether by practical management of the illness or to follow in time the changes of the blood pressure values and to control the efficiency of the treatment. All of this could reasonably bring a reduction of the expenses in the long-term management of hypertension for a reduction of the inappropriate shift of therapy and as seen, an increased reliability of the data of the self measured pressure values.