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Tetrahydroaminoacridine in HIV infections. The THA Study Group.

On the basis of a similarity between certain neurological symptoms of AIDS and Alzheimer's disease, the authors studied the effects of tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) in 9 patients with HIV infection. After 2 months of treatment, the preliminary results showed a significant increase in CD4 lymphocyte count as well as a decrease in p24 antigen level in 8 patients, of whom 4 became negative for the p24 antigen.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Analysis of HIV-1 load in blood, semen and saliva: evidence for different viral compartments in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the HIV-1 load (measured as copies of viral RNA/ml using competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) in blood, semen and saliva and to look for relationships between the viral burden, the clinical and immunological status and antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Peripheral blood, semen and whole saliva samples were collected from 26 anti-HIV-1-seropositive patients selected for a cross-sectional study. Nine of the 26 patients provided samples of the three biological fluids for a longitudinal study. RESULTS: HIV-1 RNA was detected in 26 out of 26 samples of plasma, in 25 out of 26 samples of semen and in 24 out of 25 samples of saliva. The median number of HIV-1 copies in plasma was 14 817/ml (range: 167-254 880), in semen was 515/ml (range: 0-196 050) and in saliva was 162/ml (range: 0-72 080). The viral load in semen and in saliva was significantly lower than in plasma (P < 0.0001). The HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma and in saliva were correlated (P < 0.05), but levels in semen were not correlated with either plasma or saliva levels. The HIV-1 copy number in plasma was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic subjects (P < 0.05). Plasma and saliva HIV-1 RNA levels were higher in subjects with a CD4+ cell count < 200 x 10(6)/l than in subjects with a CD4+ cell count > 200 x 10(6)/l (P < 0.05). The HIV-1 RNA load in either plasma, semen or saliva is not related to antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a correlation between plasma and semen loads suggests that semen and blood are distinct viral compartments. Viral load in semen is not related to the clinical stage of HIV infection or to the CD4+ lymphocyte count. Consequently, HIV-1-infected subjects are potentially infectious at all stages of immuno-deficiency and adequate precautions must always be taken to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.

Adult↗

Comparison of Ritonavir in a First Choice Three Drug Regimen, After Two Nucleoside Analogues and in Saquinavir Experienced Patients.

Ritonavir is a potent, orally bioavailable inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. Our investigators undertook a retrospective study to compare the effectiveness of ritonavir (600mg twice daily) associated with 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) in 38 patients in 3 situations. Group I patients previously treated with 2 RTIs, Group II treatment-naive patients, and Group III patients previously treated with 2 RTIs and saquinavir. Routine hematological and biochemical studies, HIV-1 viremia, and CD4+ lymphocyte counts were performed before and after ritonavir. In Group I, the median of HIV-1 RNA plasma levels decreased from 4.8 to 3.4 log(10) copies/mL, in Group II from 5.9 to 2.9 log(10) copies/mL, and in Group III from 5.2 to 4.1 log(10) copies/mL. (p=0.003, p=0.014, p=0.002, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The median increases of CD4(+) cells occurred as follows: in Group I from 173 to 282 cells/mm(3), in Group II from 92 to 254 cell/mm(3), and in Group III from 68 to 133 cell/mm(3) (p=0.002, p=0.008, p<0.001, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In Group II the mean weight increased from 55.2 +/-14.3 kg to 59.4+/-15.7 kg and, in Group III, from 62.2+/-10.5 kg to 67.5+/-12 kg (p = 0.026, p = 0.002, respectively, paired T test). Patients in Group I presented no weight gain. Mild reversible hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 6 of 38 patients. The results of this study showed that ritonavir is a good choice for treatment naive patients and as a sequential option, not only after 2 RTIs, but also after a 3 drug regimen with saquinavir.

Journal Article↗

Progression to AIDS in HIV-infected homosexual and bisexual men with hairy leukoplakia and oral candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the significance of HIV-related oral lesions in predicting the rate of progression to AIDS. DESIGN: Cohorts were investigated prospectively, and oral examinations were performed by clinicians trained in the diagnosis of oral lesions. SETTING: We studied three existing cohorts of homosexual and bisexual men in San Francisco, California, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Of the HIV-infected men who received standardized oral examinations (n = 791), 603 were eligible for analysis of baseline examinations and 448 for analysis of follow-up examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We determined time from presence of oral lesion at baseline or follow-up examination, or from participant self-reported history of the lesion, to diagnosis of AIDS. RESULTS: Using proportional hazard regression and stratifying by CD4 lymphocyte count at the time of baseline oral examination, we found that the rate of development of AIDS was increased among men with hairy leukoplakia [relative hazard, 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.7], oral candidiasis (relative hazard, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.1-17.3), and both lesions (relative hazard, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6-6.1) compared with men with normal findings. On follow-up examination, stratifying for CD4 count, the rate of progression to AIDS was similar for those with hairy leukoplakia compared with those with oral candidiasis. The progression rate from oral candidiasis to AIDS was faster from presence on baseline examination than from presence on follow-up examination or from self-reported history of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The presence of oral candidiasis and/or hairy leukoplakia on baseline examination confers independent prognostic information and should be incorporated into HIV-staging schemes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

HIV-1 sensitivity to zidovudine and clinical outcome in children.

In adults with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, long-term monotherapy with zidovudine selects for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains with substantially reduced in-vitro susceptibility to the drug. We have assessed the relation between in-vitro resistance to zidovudine and clinical outcome in children, in whom disease progression is more rapid than in adults. We studied 23 children with symptoms of HIV-1 disease during extended monotherapy with zidovudine. An in-vitro assay was used to determine the concentration of zidovudine required to inhibit by 50% the replication of viral isolates (IC50) obtained after 9 to 39 months of treatment. Viral stocks of high enough titre to yield reproducible results were obtained from 19 of the children. During the following 6 months of therapy, 9 children were stable, 7 deteriorated, and 3 died. There was a highly significant relation between decreased zidovudine susceptibility and poor clinical outcome (p less than 0.001) but no relation between IC50 and age at start of therapy or length of time on treatment. Age-adjusted CD4 lymphocyte counts were lower at the start of treatment (p = 0.02) and at the time of sampling (p = 0.01) in children whose viral isolates had an increased zidovudine IC50. Initial serum p24 antigen levels were not predictive of subsequent emergence of resistant virus, but at the time of sampling for viral sensitivity higher p24 antigen levels were associated with raised IC50 (p = 0.004). The findings suggest that most children who become unresponsive to monotherapy with zidovudine, as judged by clinical criteria, will have changes in in-vitro sensitivity to the drug. In these children, an alternative antiretroviral therapy should be considered.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Contribution of antibody response to recombinant HIV-1 gene-encoded products nef, rev, tat, and protease in predicting development of AIDS in HIV-1-infected individuals.

The relation between antibody-response profiles to Escherichia coli-produced HIV-1 nef, rev, tat, and protease proteins and the risk of developing AIDS was studied using stored serum samples taken sequentially from a cohort of 195 initially symptom-free men who were seropositive for antibodies to HIV-1 structural proteins and 72 men who seroconverted for such antibodies. The AIDS attack rates at 39 months follow-up were significantly higher in the men with negative versus positive antibody profiles to nef, tat, and protease, respectively. [Difference (D) between attack rates = 11.279, 5.884, and 8.322, respectively]. No significant difference was found between men with negative versus positive antibody profiles to rev. The above differences between AIDS attack rates were clearly lower than those reported from the same cohort for men who were serum HIV-1 antigen positive versus negative, and for men with low versus normal CD4+ lymphocyte counts, but with respect to nef antibody-response profiles, resembled the difference reported between anti-HIV-1 core antibody-negative versus antibody-positive men. In the subgroup of men without any of the markers previously found to be predictive of progression to AIDS in the cohort (persistent HIV-1 p24 antigenemia, low anti-HIV-1 anti-core antibody reactivity, and low CD4+ cell counts), antibody profiles to nef, rev, tat, and protease did not contribute to the prediction of outcome of infection. When used in combination with persistent HIV-1 p24 antigenemia and low CD4+ cell counts, negative antibody profiles to nef and protease, respectively, were equally sensitive and specific in predicting progression to AIDS, as was low anti-HIV-1 anti-core antibody reactivity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Serum pancreatic enzymes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. A collaborative study of the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown pancreatic disease in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, but there are very few reports on pediatric patients. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of increased serum pancreatic enzyme levels and their relationship to clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis in HIV-infected children. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive, symptomatic HIV-infected children (24 male; median age, 7.3 years; range, 1-17 years) and 45 sex- and age-matched controls without gastroenterologic disease were enrolled. In all subjects serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase, and lipase were assayed with commercial kits. The following were recorded: disease progression (CDC class), nutritional status (weight Z-score), CD4 lymphocyte count, drug treatment during the previous 12 months, presence of opportunistic infections, clinical evidence of acute pancreatitis (increased serum pancreatic enzymes associated with vomiting, abdominal distention, and intolerance when eating). RESULTS: Ten of 47 HIV patients had increased serum total amylase values; however fewer patients had increased specific pancreatic enzymes: 6 of 47 for pancreatic amylase (range, 1.8- to 19.8-fold normal limit) and 7 of 47 for lipase (range, 1.4- to 4-fold normal limit). Values were normal in all controls. Two HIV patients with increased total amylase had clinically evident parotid inflammation. None of the patients with increased serum pancreatic amylase and/or lipase had clinical symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Regression analysis showed no correlation between increased serum pancreatic enzyme levels and disease progression (CDC class), immunologic status (CD4 count), nutritional status, drug administration, or opportunistic infections. CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen per cent of HIV-infected children had biochemical evidence of pancreatic involvement; however, this condition was unrelated to clinical signs of pancreatitis. Neither drug administration nor opportunistic infections seem to determine the increased serum pancreatic enzyme levels.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Idiopathic Cd4+T-lymphocytopenia--two unusual patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

Idiopathic CD4+T-lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a syndrome characterised by the depletion in the CD4+T-cells but without evidence of HIV infection. Aside from low CD4+lymphocyte counts, the immunologic findings in these patients are distinct from the abnormalities found in HIV infection. There are numerous reports of ICL associated with different diseases and clinical conditions. Opportunistic infections, mostly seen in HIV patients are the most common among them. We describe two patients without risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, each of whom presented with cryptococcal meningitis and was found to have idiopathic CD4+T-lymphocytopenia. One of them also acquired EBV and CMV coinfection of the central nervous system.

Adult↗

Plasma adenosine deaminase2: a marker for human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Plasma concentrations of the two isoenzymes of adenosine deaminase (ADA, E.C. 3.5.4.4), adenosine deaminase1 (ADA1) and adenosine deaminase2 (ADA2), were measured in a cohort of ambulatory patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and controls. A sensitive isoenzyme-specific radioisotopic assay system was developed for these studies. Among 22 HIV-infected patients, plasma ADA2 was significantly elevated as compared with 16 control subjects (p less than 0.01) and 6 uninfected subjects having a risk factor for HIV infection (p less than 0.01). Plasma ADA2 was not associated with the stage of disease as defined by clinical status (p greater than 0.05) or helper (CD4) lymphocyte count (p greater than 0.05). Available evidence suggests that elevated plasma ADA2 could be a useful surrogate marker for HIV infection that occurs early in the disease process.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Invasive pneumococcal disease in patients infected with HIV: still a threat in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We studied all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with invasive pneumococcal disease who received their diagnosis during 1996-2002 to investigate the incidence of this disease in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era and to study the influence of CD4 lymphocyte count on the clinical presentation and outcome of disease. The overall incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease was 11.3 cases per 100,000 person-years in adult patients without known HIV infection and 677 cases per 100,000 person-years in HIV-infected patients. This incidence remained stable over the study period. Clinical presentation, severity of illness, and number of recurrent episodes were similar in patients with CD4+ cell counts of >200 or < or =200 cells/ microL. Patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) were more likely to present with TMP-SMZ-resistant pneumococci than were those who were not receiving this agent (76.7% vs. 43.6%; P=.007). The mortality rate was high (21%).

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Comparison of the efficacy, safety and predictive value of HIV genotyping using distinct ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors.

The pharmacokinetic profile of protease inhibitors (PI) is improved significantly by adding low doses of ritonavir (rit). The use of rit-boosted PI allows the reduction of pill burden, improves dosing schedules and enhances drug exposure, all factors that have been associated with a greater benefit of antiretroviral therapy. All patients receiving rit 100 mg bid together with saquinavir (SQV) soft gel 1000 mg bid, indinavir (IDV) 800 mg bid or lopinavir (LPV) 400 mg bid, as part of a salvage regimen, were retrospectively analyzed in a reference institution. Only subjects who had failed all three antiretroviral drug families in the past were included. A total of 299 patients were included in the study (121 on SQV, 62 on IDV and 116 on LPV). Mean plasma HIV-RNA and CD4 lymphocyte counts at baseline were less favourable in the LPV group (4.4 logs, 275 cells/microl) with respect to SQV (4.3 logs, 355 cells/microl) and IDV (3.7 logs, 409 cells/microl) groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of subjects experiencing virological success (attainment of either < 500 HIV-RNA copies/ml or > 1 log reduction) in an intent-to-treat analysis at 24 weeks was 61% with LPV, 49% with SQV and 48% with IDV. The CD4 count increased 48% with SQV, 45% with IDV and 37% with LPV. The proportion of subjects discontinuing therapy due to adverse events was higher using IDV (27%) than using either SQV (11%) or LPV (6%) (P < 0.05). The presence of < 5 or > 5 PI resistance mutations at baseline discriminated significantly better who would respond to therapy in all instances: 90 vs. 48% with LPV, 95 vs. 21% with SQV and 90 vs. 23% with IDV. The efficacy of rit-boosted PI combinations is greatly influenced by the extent of baseline PI resistance. Differences, not only in potency, but mainly in tolerance may favour the selection of one dual PI combination over others.

Adult↗

Severe hyperglycemia in an HIV clinic: preexisting versus drug-associated diabetes mellitus.

We determined the frequency and clinical nature of severe hyperglycemia in a university clinic for HIV-1-infected patients. The medical records of 1392 adult HIV-infected patients were reviewed for cases of severe hyperglycemia, defined as two or more serum glucose values >250 mg/dl or diabetes treatment during clinic care. Demographic information, family histories of diabetes mellitus, body weights, CD4+ lymphocyte counts, and use of corticosteroids, megestrol acetate, pentamidine, or didanosine were recorded for subjects meeting the case definition. Comparisons were made between preexisting diabetic (group 1) and incident hyperglycemic cases (group 2). Less than 2% of the total clinic population experienced severe hyperglycemia: 12 in group 1 and 13 in group 2. Group 2 had lower body weights (mean, 70.6 kg versus 90.0 kg; p < 0.05) and more advanced HIV disease (mean CD4 count, 79/mm3 versus 550/mm3; p < 0.05) than group 1. Group 2 cases had evidence of drug-associated hyperglycemia; four cases demonstrated hyperglycemia coinciding with large fluctuations in weight during megestrol therapy. Among megestrol recipients, cases did not differ from noncases in demographics, weight, or CD4 count. Severe hyperglycemia is uncommon in adult HIV-infected patients. Approximately one half of these patients have preexisting diabetic conditions; many of the remainder may have drug-induced hyperglycemia, especially as a result of corticosteroids or megestrol acetate.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Nevirapine resistance mutations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 selected during therapy.

Drug susceptibility and mutations in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene were analyzed with 167 virus isolates from 38 patients treated with nevirapine, a potent nonnucleoside inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RT. Resistant isolates emerged quickly and uniformly in all patients administered nevirapine either as monotherapy or in combination with zidovudine (AZT). Resistance developed as early as 1 week, indicating rapid turnover of the virus population. The development of resistance was associated with the loss of antiviral drug activity as measured by CD4 lymphocyte counts and levels of HIV p24 antigen and RNA in serum. In addition to mutations at amino acid residues 103, 106, and 181 that had been identified by selection in cell culture, mutations at residues 108, 188, and 190 were also found in the patient isolates. Sequences from patient clones documented cocirculating mixtures of populations of different mutants. The most common mutation with monotherapy, tyrosine to cysteine at residue 181, was prevented from emerging by coadministration of AZT, which resulted in the selection of alternative mutations. The observations documented that, under selective drug pressure, the circulating virus population can change rapidly, and many alternative mutants can emerge, often in complex mixtures. The addition of a second RT inhibitor, AZT, significantly altered the pattern of mutations in the circulating population of HIV.

Antiviral Agents↗

Effect of stage of disease and drug dose on zidovudine susceptibilities of isolates of human immunodeficiency virus.

Ninety-seven isolates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from 73 individuals were assayed for susceptibility to zidovudine (AZT). All isolates from 41 individuals with no known therapy with zidovudine were uniformly susceptible to the drug in vitro. In contrast to isolates from subjects with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, isolates from subjects with fewer signs and symptoms or high CD4 lymphocyte counts developed reduced susceptibility at slower rates and lower levels of resistance. Patients receiving lower doses of zidovudine at both early and late stages of disease did not develop resistance more readily than patients receiving higher doses of drug.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and serological markers of autoimmunity in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals: a cross-sectional study of 97 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Autommune diseases could constitute one emerging cause of morbidity in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the chronicity of the infection and to the high level of B cell stimulation induced by HIV. We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the clinical and biological signs of autoimmunity in HIV infected patients. METHODS: We studied the following plasma immunological variables: antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens, antiphospholipids, anticardiolipins (aCL), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), rheumatoid factor (RF), cryoglobulinemia, total complement, and C4 factor. HIV-RNA, CD4+ cell count, and serological status for hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) were also studied. Clinical signs of autoimmune diseases were noted. RESULTS: In total, 97 patients were investigated (men 74%). Median age was 38 years (range 20-64). Median CD4+ count and HIV-RNA were 333/mm3 and 1662 copies/ml, respectively. Coinfection by HBV and HCV was present in 7% and 64% of the patients. In patients with HIV only, we detected cryoglobulinemia in 17% of patients, a positive RF in 19%, ANA > 1/100 in 21%, aCL in 51%, and ANCA > 1/20 in 17% (most of them type C by ELISA). There was a trend for a higher level of cryoglobulinemia and aCL in patients having CD4 lymphocyte counts > 350/mm3 than in others (25% vs 11%, p = 0.26, and 63% vs 42%, p = 0.23, respectively). Patients coinfected with HCV had a higher prevalence of cryoglobulinemia than HCV-free patients (42% vs 17%; p = 0.01). Prevalence of other immunological abnormalities was not different between patients with HIV only and HCV coinfected patients. Thirty patients expressed at least one clinical sign compatible with autoimmune disease. Patients with cryoglobulinemia more often had coinfection with HCV (OR 6.64, 95% CI 1.87-23.57) and IgM > 1.9 g/l (OR 6.16, 95% CI 2.15-17.67). CONCLUSION: Humoral immunological abnormalities are frequent in patients with HIV, but are rarely associated with severe clinical signs.

Adult↗

Cervical dysplasia and HIV type 1 infection in African pregnant women: a cross sectional study, Kigali, Rwanda. The Pregnancy and HIV Study Group (EGE).

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and their association with HIV-1 infection and immunodeficiency among pregnant women in Kigali, Rwanda. METHODS: As part of a cohort study on the impact of HIV-1 infection on pregnancy outcome, HIV-1 seropositive (HIV+) and seronegative (HIV-) pregnant women were enrolled during the last trimester of pregnancy at the maternity ward of the Centre Hospitalier de Kigali from July 1992 to August 1993. At inclusion, women were screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)--syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis. CD4+ lymphocyte counts were measured and a Papanicolaou smear performed. RESULTS: Papanicolaou smear was interpretable in 103 HIV+ women and 107 HIV- women. Prevalence of SILs was significantly higher in HIV+ women than in HIV- women: 24.3% v 6.5% (odds ratio = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.8-12.3). SIL+ women (n = 32) tended to have more STDs than SIL- women (n = 178), but this did not reach a statistical difference: 37.5% and 24.7% respectively (p = 0.13). They also had a mean CD4 count significantly lower than SIL- women (623 and 784 CD4+ cells x 10(6)/l, respectively; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: SILs were HIV related and the association with immunosuppression was statistically significant. Prevalence of SILs was high in this population of pregnant women with high HIV/STDs prevalence. Screening policy for STDs and SILs in African women should be assessed in prenatal care.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Recombinant FeLV vaccine: long-term protection and effect on course and outcome of FIV infection.

The efficacy and the long-term protection of a recombinant feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine were determined in 30 specified pathogen free cats for over 3 years. At the same time, in order to specify the effects of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) on the immune system, one half of the cats (n = 15) were previously infected with the Swiss isolate FIV Zurich 2. The second half of the animals (n = 15) served as non-infected controls. Eighteen (nine FIV-negative, nine FIV-positive) vaccinated and 12 (six FIV-negative, six FIV-positive) non-vaccinated cats were intraperitoneally challenged with FeLV A. Seventeen of 18 vaccinated cats were protected against persistent viremia, while ten of 12 non-vaccinated controls became infected. An increase of antibodies against FeLV SU was found in all protected cats after the challenge exposure. No difference in vaccine efficacy was found between FIV-negative and FIV-positive animals. The whole group of cats was observed for over 3 years. There were no further vaccinations during this period. CD4+ and CD8+ cell subsets, clinical outcome and time of survival of the cats were recorded. FIV-negative and FIV-positive animals were kept in two different rooms. However, FeLV-negative and FeLV viremic cats were housed together in both rooms in order to imitate a natural FeLV exposure situation. Anti-recombinant FeLV SU antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Although a continuous decline of antibodies was found in FeLV vaccinated cats, they remained protected against constant FeLV challenge for over 3 years. FIV infection had a stronger effect on the depression of the CD4+:CD8+ ratio than FeLV infection. Within the group of FIV-positive cats, the FeLV-vaccinated animals had significantly better survival rates as well as better clinical and laboratory parameters. FIV- and FeLV-coinfected cats showed the lowest CD4+:CD8+ ratio, mainly caused by decreased CD4+ lymphocyte counts. CD8+ lymphocytes with strong fluorescence (CD8(high)) disappeared and cells with weak fluorescence (CD8(low)) appeared instead. Prevention of coinfection by immunizing FIV-positive cats against FeLV infection improved the clinical outcome and prolonged the cat's life expectancy.

Animals↗

Prolonged hepatitis A infection in an HIV-1 seropositive patient.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a worldwide disease; in most cases, it causes an acute self-limited illness that does not lead to a chronic state. The course of HAV viremia in a homosexual male with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the correlation between HIV and HAV viral load, alanine aminotranferase (ALT) level, and CD4(+) lymphocyte count were investigated during the course of the infection. HAV RNA was detected quantitatively up to 256 days after clinical onset. To our knowledge, this specific case is the first report of a prolonged infection with hepatitis A in a male with HIV-1. The ALT levels decreased gradually; however, 286 days after clinical onset of hepatitis, ALT levels were three times higher than normal values. HIV viral load was not affected by the infection with HAV and CD4(+) cell count was stable during the course of the co-infection. The duration and the high-titer viremia of hepatitis A virus in an immunodeficient patient constitute a serious risk of the spread of hepatitis A within this population. As inactivated HAV vaccine is safe in HIV-positive subjects, it would be wise to establish a strategy of preventive vaccination in this high-risk group.

Adult↗