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Effects of intensive lipid-lowering therapy on the coronary arteries of asymptomatic subjects with elevated apolipoprotein B.

BACKGROUND: Do the benefits of intensive lipid-lowering therapy seen in symptomatic patients extend to high-risk subjects who have never had symptoms? METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 120 men completing the FATS trial, 91 were symptomatic and 29 asymptomatic. All had apolipoprotein B > or = 125 mg/dL, a positive family history, and coronary atherosclerosis. All were counseled in diet and randomized to intensive therapy: colestipol 10 g TID plus either niacin 1 g QID or lovastatin 20 mg BID or to conventional therapy: placebos, or colestipol if low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was elevated. End points included quantitative arteriographic disease change and clinical events over a 2.5-year interval. At baseline, symptomatic and asymptomatic patients had comparable risk profiles, but proximal stenosis severity averaged 36% for symptomatic and 23% for asymptomatic patients (P < .001). Among the 91 symptomatic patients, those in the intensive group experienced definite (> or = 10%S) proximal lesion progression less frequently than conventional (24% of intensive versus 48% of conventional) and definite regression more frequently (36% of intensive versus 15% of conventional) (P = .009). Similarly, among the 29 asymptomatic patients, 19% of intensive versus 38% of conventional had progression and 31% of intensive versus 0% of conventional, regression (P = .04). Ischemia on baseline exercise tolerance testing was associated with significantly greater proximal disease progression among the asymptomatic patients. Clinical cardiovascular events (death, infarction, or revascularization) occurred in 10 of 38 symptomatic patients originally assigned to conventional therapy, compared with 5 of 76 symptomatic patients assigned to intensive (P < .01); no asymptomatic patient had an event. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic subjects with this high-risk profile have less coronary disease at baseline than comparable symptomatic patients, and they have an excellent short-term clinical prognosis. However, asymptomatic subjects are indistinguishable from symptomatic patients in terms of their arterial disease progression with conventional therapy and their regression with intensive. These findings may justify an active treatment strategy in such subjects, particularly those with provokable ischemia.

Adult↗

In acute ischemic stroke, are asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages clinically innocuous?

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages are categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on the presence or absence of a clinically detectable neurological deterioration. Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages are believed by many to be clinically innocuous. We examined whether the occurrence of an asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage affects functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated or not treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). METHODS: We combined data from the NINDS rt-PA Stroke Trial and the ATLANTIS Trials, excluding patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (n=1193). We used generalized estimating equations to test whether asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage altered the likelihood of a normal or near-normal outcome at 90 days, as measured across 4 commonly used functional outcome scales, controlling for other variables that affect outcome. To look at additional outcomes, including the likelihood of disability and death, we used logistic regression equations. Additionally, we systematically reviewed previous studies that assessed the effect of intracranial hemorrhage in AIS. RESULTS: In the combined database, the rate of asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was higher in rt-PA treated than in nontreated patients (9.9% versus 4.2%, P<0.0001). Controlling for other prognostic factors, the odds of a normal or near-normal outcome was lower when a patient had an asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, but this effect did not reach statistical significance (OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.12, P=0.13). Similarly, the odds of not being moderately to severely disabled (modified Rankin Score < or =2) was also lower for patients with asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.08, P=0.09). Despite using a larger sample than any previously published study, the power in our study to detect a 30% decrease in the odds of a good outcome was inadequate ( approximately 32%). CONCLUSIONS: We could not confirm or exclude a clinically significant effect for asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages based either on our analysis or on any previously published trial. Analysis of substantially larger databases are needed to assess the import of this common clinical event.

Aged↗

Carotid stenosis and perioperative stroke risk in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing vascular or coronary surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis found before vascular or coronary surgery is unclear from the literature. We aimed to define the relation of carotid stenosis to perioperative stroke in all patients, symptomatic and asymptomatic, and so determine a policy for the management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis in patients requiring major surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective clinical and Duplex ultrasound study of 358 consecutive noncarotid major vascular or coronary artery bypass operations, with a moratorium on endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis. RESULTS: There were 145 vascular and 213 coronary bypass operations. Ten of the 49 cases with prior symptoms of cerebral ischemia (38 carotid, 11 vertebrobasilar) had symptomatic stenosis of 50% or greater or occlusion, and 3 of these (30%) had ipsilateral perioperative cerebral infarction (95% confidence interval, 6.67% to 65.25%). Two of these occurred ipsilateral to symptomatic carotid occlusions, and 1 occurred ipsilateral to an 80% symptomatic stenosis. One symptomatic patient with bilateral 30% stenosis had a perioperative infarct in the asymptomatic hemisphere. Among the 309 asymptomatic patients, 1 perioperative infarct occurred ipsilateral to carotid stenosis of 30%. In all there were 5 (1.4%) perioperative (within 72 hours) and 2 late (after 18 days) strokes. All strokes were hemisphere infarcts confirmed by computed tomography. There were 53 cases with 50% or greater asymptomatic carotid stenosis or occlusion, including 28 with 80% or greater stenosis or occlusion. None had an ipsilateral perioperative stroke (95% confidence interval, 0% to 6.72%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the risk of perioperative stroke related to symptomatic carotid stenosis may be high, but for asymptomatic carotid stenosis the risk is low and does not justify preoperative prophylactic carotid endarterectomy.

Aged↗

Four-dimensional ultrasonographic characterization of plaque surface motion in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In vitro studies of atherosclerotic plaque fracture mechanics suggest that analysis of local variations in surface deformability may provide information on relative vulnerability to plaque fissuring or rupture. We investigated plaque surface deformations in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease using 4-dimensional ultrasonography and techniques for measuring optical flow. METHODS: Four-dimensional ultrasound examinations of carotid artery plaques were performed in 23 asymptomatic and 22 symptomatic patients with 50% to 90% stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Plaque surface motion during 1 cardiac cycle was computed with a hierarchical model-based motion estimator. Results were compared with plaque echogenicity and surface structure. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients examined, plaque surface motion estimates were obtained for 18 asymptomatic and 13 symptomatic patients. There were no significant differences in echogenicity or surface structure of asymptomatic and symptomatic plaques (P>0.05). Results of motion estimation showed that asymptomatic plaques had surface motion vectors of equal orientation and magnitude to those of the internal carotid artery, whereas symptomatic plaques demonstrated evidence of inherent plaque movement. There was no significant difference in maximal plaque velocity between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques (P<0.14). Maximal discrepant surface velocity (MDSV) in symptomatic plaques was 3.85+/-1.26 mm/s (mean+/-SD), which was significantly higher (P<0.001) than MDSV of asymptomatic plaques with 0.58+/-0.42 mm/s (mean+/-SD). CONCLUSIONS: ++MDSV of carotid artery plaques is significantly different in asymptomatic and symptomatic disease. Further studies are warranted to determine whether plaque surface motion patterns can identify vulnerable plaques in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Aged↗

Quantitative EEG in patients with AIDS and asymptomatic HIV infection.

Although neuropsychiatric abnormalities are common in subjects with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), they are less frequent in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive subjects. In contrast, others have reported high rates of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormality among asymptomatic subjects. Here we report clinical and quantitative EEG findings across all stages of the disease in order to define when during the course of illness abnormalities are detectable. We studied 28 men with AIDS, 32 men with asymptomatic HIV infection, and 56 uninfected controls using clinical and quantitative EEG, measures of immunosuppression, and tests of neuropsychological performance. All were gay or bisexual without other significant risk factors for encephalopathy. We found very low rates of clinical EEG abnormality (less than 7%) among the asymptomatic HIV-infected group, a rate comparable to those of the uninfected group (7.1%). There were no differences between asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects and uninfected controls on quantitative EEG measures. Among AIDS patients 28.6% had abnormal clinical electroencephalograms. On quantitative measures, the greatest differences were found in the 6-10 Hz band, where AIDS patients had consistently increased absolute power, relative power, and coherence compared to the uninfected and asymptomatic seropositive groups. A subgroup (n = 9) of asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects had worsening performance on Trailmaking test, part B, at or after the time of recording. This subgroup had quantitative electroencephalographic measures similar to those of the AIDS patients and different from the remainder of the asymptomatic HIV-seropositive group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose and bone metabolism over time in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical profile of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has shifted from a symptomatic disorder toward a more subtle, asymptomatic state. The lack of knowledge about the natural course of asymptomatic PHPT contributes to the controversy regarding the optimal management of these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the natural course of calcium and glucose metabolism abnormalities, insulin sensitivity, and bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects with asymptomatic PHPT over 18 months. DESIGN: The study was designed as a prospective observational examination of asymptomatic PHPT patients at baseline and at 6-month intervals for 18 months. METHODS: Our study examined 61 patients with asymptomatic PHPT and 80 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index. We evaluated calcium metabolism, glucose metabolism by oral glucose tolerance test, insulin sensitivity by homeostasis model assessment index, and BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at distal radius, lumbar spine, and femur. RESULTS: Although in asymptomatic PHPT patients, homeostasis model assessment index at baseline was slightly higher than in controls (3.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 2.2 +/- 1.3; P = 0.035), the prevalence of preexisting diabetes mellitus (13.1 vs. 11.3%), undiagnosed impaired fasting glucose (34.4 vs. 30%), impaired glucose tolerance (13.1 vs. 18.8%), and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (4.9% vs. 2.5%) was similar. Baseline BMDs (g/cm2) at all three sites were not different between two groups. Six-month interval measurements showed no change in calcium metabolism parameters including serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 24-h calcium excretion. No significant longitudinal adverse changes were noted in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, or BMD at any site over the 18-month observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Our follow-up of patients with asymptomatic PHPT revealed no progression of calcium and glucose metabolism abnormalities, insulin sensitivity, and loss of BMD during the 18-month study period.

Aged↗

Asymptomatic hyperglycemia and atherosclerotic vascular disease in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the relationship between asymptomatic hyperglycemia (IGT or newly diagnosed NIDDM) and atherosclerotic vascular disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--A representative cross-sectional population sample of 1431 subjects (511 men, 920 women; 65-74 yr old). Altogether, 312 men and 515 women had NGT, 84 men and 158 women had IGT, 33 men and 59 women had newly diagnosed NIDDM, and 82 men and 188 women had previously diagnosed NIDDM. Participation rate was 71%. Main outcome measures were prevalence rates of CHD, stroke, and intermittent claudication. RESULTS--There was no difference in the prevalence of definite or possible MI verified at hospital between subjects with asymptomatic hyperglycemia and NGT (15.5 vs. 13.3% in men, 6.3 vs. 5.3% in women). Men with asymptomatic hyperglycemia had 1.5 x higher prevalence of angina pectoris (29.4 vs. 19.3%, P less than 0.05), major Q-QS changes (21.1 vs. 12.0%, P less than 0.05), ischemic ECG changes (59 vs. 45%, P less than 0.05), and silent MI on ECG (14.8 vs. 7.9%, P less than 0.05) compared to men with NGT. Women with asymptomatic hyperglycemia had more often ischemic ECG changes compared to women with NGT (48.3 vs. 39.7%, P less than 0.05). There was no difference (NS) in the prevalence of verified stroke (3.5 vs. 4.6% in men, 2.7 vs. 2.5% in women) or claudication (7.0 vs. 7.7% in men, 4.6 vs. 4.3% in women) between subjects with asymptomatic hyperglycemia and NGT. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the association between risk factors and MI or ischemic ECG changes in subjects with asymptomatic hyperglycemia was not consistent. CONCLUSION--Elderly subjects with asymptomatic hyperglycemia (particularly men) tended to have an increased prevalence of CHD. Thus, asymptomatic hyperglycemia in the elderly is not a benign phenomenon but is associated with cardiovascular morbidity.

Aged↗

[Effects of atherogenic risk factors on asymptomatic brain infarct].

This study was done to clarify the relationship between asymptomatic brain infarcts and risk factors for atherogenis. A total of 312 patients (151 men and 161 women) who had no neurologic deficits were enrolled. Their ages ranged from 41 to 83 years (mean age 63 years). The patients were divided into two groups: 158 patients without asymptomatic brain infarct and 154 patients with at least one asymptomatic brain infarct of at least 5 mm as diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patients with asymptomatic brain infarct were more likely than those without asymptomatic brain infarct to be 65 years old or older, and to have essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or atrial fibrillation. Among patients with hypertension the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertensive ocular findings (Scheie's class H2) was significantly higher in those with asymptomatic brain infarct than in those without asymptomatic brain infarct. These results indicate that aging, essential hypertension (especially with left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertensive ocular findings), diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation are associated with asymptomatic brain infarct.

Adult↗

Quantity of coronary artery calcium detected by electron beam computed tomography in asymptomatic subjects and angiographically studied patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and quantity of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in asymptomatic subjects from the general population, to identify asymptomatic subjects without risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) with CAC scores in the top quartile of the distribution, and to compare CAC scores in patients who underwent angiography with percentiles in asymptomatic subjects of the same age and sex. DESIGN: We studied two samples from Rochester, Minnesota, which consisted of 772 asymptomatic subjects from the general population and 145 patients who underwent angiography, all of whom were 20 to 59 years of age. METHODS: Asymptomatic subjects were classified on the basis of their CAD risk profile. All subjects in both study samples underwent electron beam computed tomography. Age- and sex-specific calcium score percentiles were calculated in the asymptomatic sample. RESULTS: CAC prevalence in the asymptomatic subjects was lower in female than in male subjects and increased with advancing age. Of the asymptomatic sample, 8% had a low-risk profile with calcium scores in the top quartile of the distribution. More patients than expected in the angiography sample had calcium scores above the 50th through 95th score percentiles. CONCLUSION: The quantity of CAC was substantially increased in patients who underwent angiography. Subjects with large amounts of CAC but without known CAD risk factors may be a valuable subset of the population to investigate for previously unidentified CAD risk factors.

Adult↗

The prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial large-vessel occlusive disease: the role of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial stenosis using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with evidence of asymptomatic carotid stenosis. BACKGROUND: Symptomatic atherosclerotic intracranial largeartery stenosis accounts for approximately 10% of ischemic strokes annually. It is unknown whether a significant risk for stroke is associated with asymptomatic intracranial stenosis, especially in patients with known asymptomatic carotid disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Transcutaneous real-time B-mode Doppler ultrasonography was performed on 510 patients referred for the evaluation of asymptomatic carotid bruits. A peak systolic flow velocity > 1.40 m/s indicated carotid stenosis. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was performed to identify intracranial large-artery disease. The peak systolic flow velocity indicating stenosis was > 120 cm/s for anterior circulation and > 100 cm/s for posterior circulation. Demographic and cerebrovascular risk factor information was recorded at the time of examination. Chi-square analysis with Pearson correction was performed to examine the significance of the findings. RESULTS: Five hundred ten patients (252 male, 258 female) aged 71.4 +/- 10.45 years were studied. The laboratory's accuracy was previously established as 93% for each technique for laboratory certification. Two hundred patients (39.2%) were found to have extracranial carotid stenosis, and 66 (12.9%) were found to have intracranial stenosis. Thirty-seven patients (56%, P < .01) were found to have concurrent stenosis. In patients with intracranial stenosis, 19 (28.8%, P < .03) had diabetes, and 26 (39.4%, p < .03) had coronary disease. There was no corresponding correlation with extracranial carotid disease and diabetes or coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of patients with asymptomatic intracranial stenosis with concurrent carotid stenosis was greater than expected. Coexisting diabetes and coronary disease were significant risk factors in this population. Doppler ultrasonography may be a useful technique in delineating asymptomatic intracranial stenosis in those patients with existing carotid stenosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the risk of this population for stroke from asymptomatic intracranial stenosis and to determine optimal therapy.

Adult↗

Asymptomatic carotid artery disease in the elderly. Diagnosis and management strategies.

Carotid atherosclerosis is commonly detected in the asymptomatic elderly and in patients with known vascular disease in other distributions. Although there has been considerable interest in carotid bruits, they are not a reliable indicator of asymptomatic stenosis. In patients with asymptomatic stenosis detected by carotid ultrasound or angiography, the annual risk of ipsilateral infarction is approximately 1% to 2%. If ischemic events occur, they are usually transient ischemic attacks. Stroke risk is higher when there is progressive stenosis, stenosis exceeding 75% to 80%, and, possibly, complicated plaque-morphologic characteristics. The treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis remains controversial. Antiplatelet agents are of unproven value in asymptomatic patients. The role of surgical management is disputed because of uncertainties regarding the natural history of asymptomatic stenosis and the efficacy and complication rates of endarterectomy. Pending results of several ongoing randomized clinical trials, it may be advisable to withhold endarterectomy from those asymptomatic patients with stenosis of less than 75% to 80%. Prophylactic carotid endarterectomy is not necessary in the patient with asymptomatic stenosis who will undergo another operative procedure such as coronary artery bypass.

Aged↗

Frequency of asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus in women with genital herpes.

Twenty-seven women with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection underwent daily home culturing to detect asymptomatic genital herpes simplex virus shedding. Asymptomatic herpes simplex virus shedding was documented on 1% of the days on which cultures were obtained. Asymptomatic shedding from the vulva was as frequent as asymptomatic cervicovaginal shedding, and 45% of asymptomatic episodes were identified only by positive results from vulvar cultures. All women who obtained samples on more than 100 days and 80% of women who obtained samples on more than 50 days had documented asymptomatic viral shedding, compared with only 6% of those who obtained samples for fewer than 25 days. Asymptomatic shedding was not related to contraceptive use or menstrual cycle. These data suggest that all women with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection should be instructed about the possible risk, albeit infrequent, of asymptomatically shedding virus from the genital tract.

Adult↗

Heart rate, magnitude and duration of ST-segment depression in symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes of myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease recorded by Holter.

In the group of 85 patients with coronary artery disease the exercise and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded in order to analyse the frequency of asymptomatic episodes of myocardial ischemia and to determine differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes of myocardial ischemia. All patients had ischemic ST-segment depression (greater than or equal to 1 mm) on the exercise electrocardiogram. During exercise testing, 23 (27%) patients had ST-segment depression without anginal pain or dyspnea. On the 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram transient episodes of myocardial ischemia were found in 50 (58.8%) patients. In 16 patients all episodes were asymptomatic, in 9 all episodes were symptomatic, and in 25 patients some episodes were symptomatic and some asymptomatic. During a 24-hour electrocardiogram in 25 patients with both types of ischemia, 175 transient episodes of myocardial ischemia were recorded. Most of them (125, i.e. 71.4%) were asymptomatic. The heart rate in symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes was similar. The magnitude of ST-segment depression in symptomatic episodes was higher than in asymptomatic episodes (P less than 0.01). There was not significant difference in the duration of the two types of myocardial ischemia. This study suggests: 1. During daily activities, in patients with the positive exercise test, asymptomatic episodes of myocardial ischemia are more frequent than symptomatic episodes. 2. The magnitude of ST-segment depression is the main factor in the determination of the presence of anginal pain.

Angina Pectoris↗

[Incidence of asymptomatic gallstones in hospital patients].

A total of 1512 hospital patients was screened by ultrasound to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones. Before ultrasound examination each patient filled in a form about his or her symptoms. In 1122 subjects no gallstones were found. 134 subjects had been cholecystectomized, 165 subjects had symptomatic and 91 subjects had asymptomatic gallstones, respectively. An asymptomatic gallstone was prospectively defined being "silent" when no abdominal complaints had occurred. Women had gallstones or cholecystectomy twice as often as men. 34% of the gallstones in men and 36% of the gallstones in women being asymptomatic. Seventy nine percent of the subjects with an asymptomatic stone did not know about their gallstones. The fraction of subjects with gallstones or cholecystectomy and the fraction of gallstones being asymptomatic, both increased with age. Nausea occurred in 5% of the subjects with asymptomatic gallstones, but in 39% of those with symptomatic gallstones or cholecystectomy. Subjects with asymptomatic gallstones complained about food intolerance significantly less often than subjects with symptomatic gallstones or subjects after cholecystectomy.

Adolescent↗

Features of thrombi and diagnostic accuracy of impedance plethysmography in symptomatic and asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis.

Impedance plethysmography (IPG) has high sensitivity and specificity in patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while it fails to detect asymptomatic DVT. The aim of this study was to determine whether the features of thrombi such as location, size and occlusiveness could explain the different accuracy of IPG in symptomatic and asymptomatic DVT patients. One-hundred and seventeen consecutive outpatients with a clinical suspicion of DVT and 246 consecutive patients undergoing hip surgery were admitted to the study. In symptomatic patients IPG was performed on the day of referral, followed by venography, while in asymptomatic patients IPG was performed as a surveillance programme, followed by bilateral venography. A venography proved DVT was observed in 37% of the symptomatic patients and 34% of the asymptomatic limbs. A significantly higher proportion of proximal DVTs was found in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (78% vs 46%; p = 0.001). The mean Marder score, taken as an index of thrombus size, was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (19.0 vs 9.6; p = 0.0001). A significantly higher proportion of occlusive DVTs was observed in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients (69% vs 36%; p = 0.001). We conclude that the unsatisfactory diagnostic accuracy of IPG in asymptomatic DVT is due to the high prevalence of distal, small and non occlusive thrombi. Such thrombi are unlikely to cause a critical obstruction of the venous outflow and therefore to produce a positive IPG.

Dermatan Sulfate↗

Comparison of phylogenetic metrics of transmission in symptomatic and asymptomatic tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding drivers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission remains a critical challenge in high-burden settings. Tuberculosis control efforts traditionally target symptomatic individuals, yet the role of asymptomatic cases in sustaining transmission is increasing recognized. METHODS: We conducted a genomic and epidemiological analysis of Mtb isolates collected in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, between 2008 and 2024. From 2017 to 2022, active case finding was performed in three of the state's largest prisons, whereby sputum was collected from individuals irrespective of symptoms and tested by GeneXpert and culture. We evaluated several metrics of recent transmission from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, including phylogenetic clustering, Time-scaled Haplotype Density (THD), Local Branching Index (LBI), and transmission probabilities inferred using the Bayesian Reconstruction and Evolutionary Analysis of Transmission Histories (BREATH). FINDINGS: We sequenced 2,362 Mtb strains, of which 3.5% (115/2,362) were resistant to at least one drug, and 0.6% (16/2,362) were multi-drug resistant. Most strains were lineage 4, and 78.2% of all isolates were part of a genomic cluster. Among 2,362 individuals with tuberculosis, 1,137 were incarcerated at the time of diagnosis. Among these, 505 were identified through active case finding: 277 had symptomatic disease and 228 had asymptomatic tuberculosis. There was no significant difference in phylogenetic clustering proportion (77% vs. 85%; p= 0.816), THD (median 0.50 vs. 0.39; p = 0.120), or LBI (median 0.00863 vs. 0.00871; p = 0.086) between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Bayesian transmission trees revealed no significant difference in the number of secondary infections inferred from symptomatic compared with asymptomatic individuals (p = 0.56). These findings were consistent across genomic clusters and robust to model assumptions. INTERPRETATION: We identified no differences in transmission from symptomatic compared with asymptomatic individuals, using several genomic measures of transmission, underscoring the substantial contribution that asymptomatic tuberculosis makes to transmission at the population level.

Asymptomatic↗

Ophthalmoscopic findings in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. I. Fundus findings in asymptomatic family members.

A neuro-ophthalmological examination was performed on 47 asymptomatic offspring in the female line and 13 offspring in the male line in families with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Fourteen (61%) of the 23 asymptomatic males and nine (38%) of the 24 asymptomatic females in the female line had telangiectatic microangiopathy of the peripapillary arterioles and capillaries. Increased tortuosity of capillaries, medium-sized arterioles, and venules were also seen in the fundi of several asymptomatic family members. The 13 offsprings in the male line did not have microangiopathy. Nerve fiber abnormalities were not seen in asymptomatic persons. The photographically verified findings are described, classified, and discussed. It is suspected that Leber's disease is primarily a microvascular disorder. The vascular abnormalities detected in the asymptomatic family members probably indicate increased risk of Leber's disease developing. During the prospective follow-up of three years, three asymptomatic boys with microangiopathy have experienced Leber's disease.

Adolescent↗

Asymptomatic bacterascites: is it spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Asymptomatic bacterascites is defined as the presence of bacteria in ascitic fluid without clinical features of peritonitis or increased ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cells. Asymptomatic bacterascites is a controversial entity, and little information is available regarding its spontaneous evolution. Clinical features, bacteriological data and outcome in 22 cirrhotic patients with asymptomatic bacterascites are reported and are compared with those of a group of 36 cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Eleven patients had gram-negative bacteria and 11 had one gram-positive bacteria. Only in three patients (13.6%) did peritonitis develop. Twelve patients received no antibiotic therapy, and in none did peritonitis develop. At 1 month, 27% of patients with asymptomatic bacterascites had died. Patients with asymptomatic bacterascites had less-severe liver disease; they more frequently had gram-positive bacteria in ascitic fluid and had a lower 1-mo mortality rate than did patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We conclude that asymptomatic bacterascites is usually the transient residence of bacteria in ascitic fluid. Peritonitis rarely develops in patients with asymptomatic bacterascites and, in most of them, antibiotic therapy is not required.

Adult↗