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Preliminary observations on lymphocyte subpopulations in HIV seropositive & HIV seronegative tuberculosis patients in Pune, India.

CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts were determined in 59 HIV seropositive and 41 HIV seronegative newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in Pune. There were significant differences in the CD4 counts and CD4/CD8 ratios between HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative tuberculosis patients. Majority of the HIV seropositive patients had a CD4 count less than 500 cells/cu.mm, whereas among the HIV seronegative patients, majority had a CD4 count more than 500 cells/cu.mm. In HIV seropositive patients with extrapulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis, the CD4 counts were lower than in those who had only pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. There was no significant differences in the CD8 counts between HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative tuberculosis patients, except for patients with pulmonary cavity, where the CD8 counts were significantly higher in HIV seropositive tuberculosis patients. In HIV seropositive individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis, the CD8 counts in those with pulmonary cavity were higher than in those without any pulmonary cavity. Absence of cavitation and presence of pulmonary with extrapulmonary tuberculosis occurred when immune activation was at a lower level.

Adult↗

Isolation of mycobacteria from stools and intestinal biopsies from HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients with and without diarrhea in Kinshasa, Zaïre. Preliminary results.

To determine the role of mycobacteria as etiologic agent in HIV related enteritis in Africa, the following study was performed in 1986, in the department of Internal Medicine in Mama Yemo Hospital in Kinshasa, Zaire. Stool and intestinal biopsies were obtained from HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients with and without diarrhea. Patients with known Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection were not enrolled. Acid fast bacilli were found in fecal smears of 6 (10%) of 59 HIV seropositive patients and in none of 41 HIV seronegative patients (p = 0.04). Isolation rates of mycobacteria were slightly lower in HIV seropositive patients than in HIV seronegative patients (25% vs 44%, p = 0.08) and significantly lower in patients with diarrhea than in patients without diarrhea (15% vs 44%, p = 0.02). Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare was the species most frequently isolated from stools, in 12% of the HIV seropositive and in 22% of the HIV seronegative patients. Mycobacteria were not isolated from any of the intestinal biopsies obtained in 17 HIV seropositive patients with persistent diarrhea and any of these biopsies showed histological evidence of a mycobacterial infection. This study suggests that mycobacteria do not seem to play a major role in causing diarrhea in HIV seropositive patients.

Adult↗

Clinical features of HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis in Dar es Salaam.

SETTING: The medical wards of a referral hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of HIV infection on clinical features in tuberculous lymphadenitis. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study of HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients with lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Of 128 patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy, 24 had no tuberculosis (TB) and in 10 patients TB was found only in other organs. The remaining 94 patients, of whom 76% were HIV seropositive, formed our study population. TB lymphadenitis was considered proven in 89 and probable in 5 patients. Disseminated TB (both TB adenitis and TB in other organs) was diagnosed more often in HIV seropositive than in HIV seronegative patients (52% versus 26%, P < 0.03). 59% of the 71 HIV-infected patients compared to only 4% of the 23 patients without HIV infection were over 30 years of age (P < 0.02). The following clinical features were significantly associated with HIV infection: dyspnoea, respiratory rate > 20/min, low motility score (bedridden), neurological abnormalities, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymph node size < 2.5 cm, negative PPD skin test, lymphopenia (< 1000/cm3) and presence of pleural fluid. CONCLUSION: Co-infection with HIV influences several clinical and laboratory features in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Adult↗

A comparative study of clinico-radiological spectrum of tuberculosis among HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients.

BACKGROUND: A study to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among tuberculosis patients and to compare the clinico-radiological spectrum of tuberculosis among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients was carried out in the Department of TB and Chest Diseases, CSM Medical University, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India. METHODS: A total of 1105 radiologically and/or bacteriologically confirmed patients of tuberculosis were screened for HIV infection during the years 1995 to 1997 and from 2000-2001. RESULTS: Out of a total 1105 patients screened, 31(2.8%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Tuberculin positivity was less among HIV seropositive patients as compared to HIV seronegative patients (22.6% vs 76.4%; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients. Among HIV seropositive patients, mid and lower zone involvement, exudative lesions and mediastinal lymphadenopathy was more common as compared to the seronegative patients. CONCLUSION: HIV seropositivity rates among tuberculosis patients was 2.8 percent. The presentation of tuberculosis was more often atypical among these patients.

Adolescent↗

Correlates of HIV seropositivity and HIV testing among out-of-treatment drug users.

This study: 1) examined the rate and correlates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity; and 2) assessed whether self-selection in HIV testing influenced the rate and correlates of HIV seropositivity in a group of out-of-treatment drug users. Data were collected from 856 out-of-treatment drug users in Philadelphia between January 1993 and August 1994. Seventy-four percent of the sample elected to take an HIV test that was included in the project in which the drug users were enrolled, and of these, 11% were HIV positive. Multivariate analyses indicated that those who were younger, those who had an injection-drug-using sex partner, and those who reported no recent sexual activity were more likely to be HIV positive. An examination of the multivariate correlates of HIV testing indicated that subjects who took an HIV test had higher rates of participation in some risk behaviors than did subjects who did not take an HIV test, but lower rates for other risk behaviors. None of the correlates of HIV seropositivity were correlates of HIV testing. Although the generalizability of the HIV seroprevalence rate is unclear, it is probable that the correlates of HIV seropositivity are generalizable to the total sample. The results of this study indicate the importance of interventions that target sexual risk behavior among out-of-treatment drug users, and of assessing the impact of self-selection bias whenever the rate and correlates of HIV seropositivity are examined.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Prevalence of HTLV-I/II antibodies in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative STD patients in Vellore region in southern India.

This retrospective study was designed to determine the relationship between human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type-I/II infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among sexually promiscuous persons in southern India. Stored sera collected between 1986 and 1993 from 822 male and 488 female patients attending clinics for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), for the purpose of HIV serosurveillance, were used. They comprised 376 HIV-positive sera and 934 HIV-negative sera. They were screened for HTLV-I/II antibody by a particle agglutination test and repeatedly reactive sera were confirmed by an immunofluorescence test and a western blot test. Five (2.4%) of 212 HIV-seropositive men were confirmed positive for HTLV-I/II antibody, while none of the 610 HIV-seronegative men were positive; the difference in prevalence between HIV-seropositive and seronegative men was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Nine (5.5%) of 164 HIV-seropositive women and 3 (0.9%) of 324 HIV-seronegative women were positive for HLTV-I/II antibody (p < 0.005). All HIV-seropositives taken together, had a significantly higher prevalence of HTLV-I/II (3.7%; 14/376) compared with HIV seronegatives (0.3%; 3/934; p < 0.001). Thus, in southern India, HTLV infection, like HIV infection, is sexually transmitted, though less effectively.

Adolescent↗

Angiogenesis in squamous intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix in HIV-seropositive women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to quantify angiogenesis in squamous intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix in seropositive HIV patients as well as to establish a relationship between vascular density and variations in the CD4+ lymphocyte titer and the viral load of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: 125 patients, 55 HIV seropositive and 70 seronegative, were allocated with respect to grade of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). The obtained samples were stained with an immunohistochemical marker for CD34 antigen and vessel counts were performed in ten consecutive fields at 400x magnification. The seropositive HIV patients were distributed into groups according to the CD4+ index and HIV viral load. RESULTS: Seropositive HIV patients presented a higher mean vascular density (MVD) than the control group, even in the absence of cervical intraepithelial lesions. High- and low-grade lesions in the presence of HIV seropositivity presented higher MVD than that found in seronegative HIV patients. There was no significant variation in the MVD and CD4+ count ratio or viral RNA-HIV load, except for high-grade (H)SIL. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with HIV influenced angiogenesis of uterine cervix in the presence of squamous intraepithelial lesions and more significantly in HSIL.

Adolescent↗

Platelet-derived growth factor expression in primary pulmonary hypertension: comparison of HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is characterized by intimal fibrosis and cell proliferation (including fibroblasts, smooth muscle and endothelial cells) in the distal pulmonary arterial tree. Considerable interest has been generated by recent reports of PPH in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected individuals. Although the lack of evidence for a pulmonary artery infection has suggested that in such cases HIV may act through mediator release rather than by direct endothelial infection, the mechanisms underlying HIV-associated PPH remain poorly defined. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has the ability to induce smooth muscle cell and fibroblast proliferation and migration. Given these considerations, we have attempted to document a possible role for PDGF in PPH occurring in HIV seropositive and seronegative patients. Using semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PDGF A-chain messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was analysed in surgical lung biopsies from 13 HIV seronegative patients and one HIV seropositive patient, all displaying severe PPH. In parallel, lung samples from two patients with HIV-1-associated PPH were studied by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results were compared to those obtained in three HIV-1-infected individuals with no pulmonary complication (as demonstrated by clinical, radiological, bacteriological, and necropsy findings) and five control lung biopsies. As compared to controls, PDGF A-chain mRNA expression is elevated in lung biopsies from patients displaying PPH (p=0.029). In HIV-1-associated PPH, interstitial perivascular cells expressing PDGF A-chain mRNA and protein could be detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Platelet-derived growth factor expression is elevated in lung biopsies of patients displaying primary pulmonary hypertension. Growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor may play a part in the initiation and/or progression of primary pulmonary hypertension.

Adult↗

The prevalence of hairy leukoplakia in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative immunocompromised patients.

The prevalence of hairy leukoplakia was determined among 176 symptomatic HIV seropositive patients seen at the outpatient department of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. Moreover, systematic tongue biopsies were performed during postmortem examination of 21 patients with AIDS, 100 HIV seronegative immunocompromised patients with haematologic or other malignancies and 100 HIV seronegative non-immunocompromised patients who died at the University Hospital Antwerp. Hairy leukoplakia was observed in 52 (29.5%) of the outpatients, but only in one (5%) of the AIDS patients in the postmortem study (P = 0.03). An explanation for this difference may be that significantly more AIDS patients who died had received either acyclovir or ganciclovir during the 3 months prior to the postmortem examination than the HIV seropositive outpatients during the 3 months prior to examination. Hairy leukoplakia occurred more often in Caucasian homosexual men with HIV infection (38%) than among heterosexual Africans with HIV infection (17%) (P = 0.06). Hairy leukoplakia was observed in none of the HIV seronegative patients.

Belgium↗

Long-term immunogenicity of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative hemophiliacs.

Short-term studies indicate that hepatitis B vaccines are safe and satisfactorily immunogenic in hemophiliacs. The duration of immunity in these immunocompromised patients, however, is not known. To determine this, we studied 78 hemophiliacs prospectively 2, 3, and 4 years after the initial vaccination with a plasma-derived vaccine given as three monthly injections followed by a fourth booster injection at month 14. The duration of immunity clearly depended on whether the patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In HIV seronegative hemophiliacs (n = 67), there was a progressive decline in titers of antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), but antibody was still detectable 4 years later in all of them. From the curves of decline of antibody titers, it appears that there is no need to revaccinate patients for at least 5 to 6 years. The HIV seropositive hemophiliacs (n = 11) not only started from much lower anti-HBs titers, but 5 of 11 lost anti-HBs. None of the 45 patients treated with concentrates during the postvaccination period developed serologic signs of hepatitis B, even though 6 of them had come into contact with live or inactivated hepatitis B virus as shown by the occurrence of spontaneous anamnestic antibody responses. This vaccine and schedule of vaccination afford a prolonged duration of immunity in HIV seronegative hemophiliacs, but HIV seropositive hemophiliacs have a risk of losing immunity early.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of major depression in HIV-seropositive men. HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center Group.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine plus group psychotherapy versus group psychotherapy alone in HIV-seropositive men (based on 1986 CDC classes II, III, and IV.C.2) who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (DSM-III-R). METHOD: During a 7-week trial, patients were treated with fluoxetine 20-60 mg or placebo 1-3 capsules per day and were seen in weekly supportive group psychotherapy. In addition, subjects were rated on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17), Clinical Global Impressions scales for Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity of Illness (CGI-S), and the short version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13). Of the 47 patients enrolled in the study, 25 were administered fluoxetine and 22 were given placebo. RESULTS: Subjects who received fluoxetine began to show significantly more improvement than patients who received placebo on both self- and observer-rated scales by the end of the first week of treatment. By endpoint, patients treated with fluoxetine experienced greater mean changes from baseline compared with placebo-treated patients on the HAM-D-17 (12.1 vs. 6.6; F = 6.53, df = 1,45; p < .05) and BDI-13 (5.9 vs. 1.2; F = 5.73, df = 1,45; p < .05), and a greater percentage of fluoxetine-treated patients experienced a > or = 50% in HAM-D-17 scores (64% vs. 23%; chi2= 8.60, df = 1, p < .01). Differences were particularly apparent in subjects whose initial depressive episodes were rated as severe (i.e., HAM-D-17 score > or = 24). Severely depressed patients treated with fluoxetine had an endpoint CGI-I of 1.4 compared with an endpoint CGI-I of 2.7 for patients treated with placebo (F = 6.02, df = 1,11; p < .05). Further, side effects were generally mild and transient. The most frequently noted effects reported by subjects treated with fluoxetine were nausea, dry mouth, headache, and diarrhea, in decreasing order of frequency. CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine over and above group psychotherapy for the treatment of HIV-associated major depression.

Adult↗

Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and microbiological data, and the hospital course and outcome of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative adults with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia. DESIGN: Retrospective observation study conducted over a 2-year period. SETTING: Academic teaching hospital attached to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia were identified on the basis of positive blood culture results. INTERVENTIONS: All available demographic, clinical, routine laboratory, radiographic, and microbiological data were recorded retrospectively for each of the patients, and the combined data for the HIV-seropositive patients were compared with those of the HIV-seronegative patients. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: A total of 112 patients (31 HIV-seropositive and 81 HIV-seronegative patients) were entered into the study. The HIV-seropositive patients were significantly younger than the HIV-seronegative patients (32.8 vs 39.6 years old) and had lower admission hemoglobin (11.8 vs 13.4 g/dL), WBC count (10.3 vs 14.3 x 10(9)/L), serum albumin (31 vs 36 g/L), sodium (129 vs 132 mmol/L), and potassium (3.0 vs 3.5 mmol/L), respectively. Although the HIV-seropositive patients appeared to have more multilobar pulmonary consolidation on the chest radiograph than the HIV-seronegative patients (60% vs 34%), this did not quite reach statistical significance. In addition, the HIV-seropositive patients had significantly more infections (48.4% vs 20.8%) with pneumococcal serogroups/serotypes (serogroups 6, 19, 23, and serotype 14) that are found more commonly in children, and they also had more penicillin-resistant isolates (13% vs 2.5%) than the HIV-seronegative patients, respectively. Similarly, it was noted that when these data were analyzed according to gender (irrespective of HIV status), women had significantly more infections than men (47% vs 21%) with serogroups/serotypes that are usually found in children, more penicillin-resistant isolates (15% vs 1%), and more co-trimoxazole-resistant isolates (21% vs 5%), respectively. There were no differences noted in any of the other parameters, including initial APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score, PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, duration of temperature, duration of IV therapy, duration of hospitalization, complications, and outcome, when comparing HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients. Two patients in each group died. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia are similar in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients. Although differences are noted in various laboratory and microbiological parameters, they do not appear to have an impact on outcome.

APACHE↗

Longitudinal neurological follow-up of a group of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs: results from the hemophilia growth and development study.

BACKGROUND: Boys and young men with hemophilia treated with factor infusions before 1985 had a substantial risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This study was designed to assess the effects of HIV and hemophilia per se on neurological function in a large cohort of subjects with hemophilia, and to investigate the relationships between neurological disease and death during follow-up. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-three boys and young men (207 HIV seropositive and 126 HIV seronegative) were evaluated longitudinally in a multicenter, multidisciplinary study. Neurological history and examination were conducted at baseline and annually for 4 years. The relationship between neurological variables, HIV serostatus, CD4+ cell counts, and vital status at the conclusion of the study was examined using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The risks of nonhemophilia-associated muscle atrophy, behavior change, and gait disturbance increased with time in immune compromised HIV-seropositive subjects compared with HIV seronegative or immunologically stable HIV-seropositive subjects. The risk of behavior change in immune compromised HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs, for example, rose to 60% by year 4 versus 10% to 17% for the other study groups. Forty-five subjects (13.5%), all of whom were HIV seropositive, died by year 4. Subjects who died had had increased risks of hyperreflexia, nonhemophilia-associated muscle atrophy, and behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that immune compromised, HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs have high rates of neurological abnormalities over time and that neurological abnormalities were common among subjects who later died. By contrast, immunologically stable HIV-seropositive subjects did not differ from the HIV-seronegative participants. Hemophilia per se was associated with progressive abnormalities of gait, coordination, and motor function.

Adolescent↗

Increased mortality and tuberculosis treatment failure rate among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive compared with HIV seronegative patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated with "standard" chemotherapy in Kinshasa, Zaire.

To evaluate their treatment outcomes 170 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and 597 HIV seronegative patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) treated for 1 yr with "standard" chemotherapy, including streptomycin, isoniazid, and, in most cases, thiacetazone, were traced at completion of therapy. All 582 survivors were invited for reevaluation, and 385 patients, of whom 82 (21.3%) were HIV seropositive, were evaluated. Of those, 325 consenting patients, of whom 67 (20.6%) were HIV seropositive, were followed for 12 months. One year after TB had been diagnosed 47 (31.3%) of the 150 HIV seropositive and 22 (4.4%) of the 501 HIV seronegative patients traced had died (p = 10(-6]. During the subsequent year the mortality of 67 HIV seropositive patients (26.3/100 patient-years) was higher than that of the 303 HIV seronegative patients (2.2/100 patients-years, p = 10(-6]. HIV seropositive patients had a higher overall TB therapy failure rate 24 months after the diagnosis of TB than did HIV seronegative patients (21.1/100 patient-years versus 8.1/100 patient-years, p = 0.002), mainly because their relapse rate of pulmonary TB (18.1/100 patient-years) was higher than that of HIV seronegative patients (6.0/100 patient-years, p = 0.03). Given their higher relapse rate after 1 yr of "standard" chemotherapy, the public health impact of routine maintenance therapy in HIV seropositive patients with pulmonary TB who complete such therapy should be assessed in comparison to the introduction of rifampicin-based short-course antituberculosis chemotherapy in developing countries.

Antitubercular Agents↗

Tuberculin skin testing in intravenous drug users: differences between HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative subjects.

The prevalence of tuberculin skin test reactions among intravenous drug abusers and differences in tuberculin skin test positivity between HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative subjects were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 1131 subjects. They were recruited from a therapeutic community, from those who attended the centre for the treatment of drug addiction and from those who visited for any reason an acute tertiary-care hospital in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country (Spain). All subjects underwent skin testing with purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin and testing for HIV antibodies. CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count was determined in HIV-seropositive individuals. Positive PPD tests were recorded in 35% of drug users who were HIV-seropositive and in 65% in those who were HIV-seronegative. In the HIV-infected group, there was a significant association between results of the tuberculin test and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count. When the CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count was > or = 500 cells/mm(3), percentages of positive PPD tests were similar in HIV-seropositives and HIV-seronegatives (47% versus 65%) but when the CD4(+) count was < 500 cells/mm(3), positive PPD tests occurred in only 21% of HIV-seropositives. The PPD test showed a decreased sensitivity for detecting tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected intravenous drug users with CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts fewer than 500 cells/mm(3).

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Body habitus in a cohort of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative injection drug users.

We determined anthropometric measurements (including height, weight, circumferences, and skinfolds) and self-reported symptoms related to body habitus changes in 324 HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative inner city injection drug users (IDUs) who participated in a substudy from the ALIVE (AIDS Linked to Intravenous Experiences) cohort. Participants who reported lipoatrophy in body parts had consistently lower anthropometric measurements and those reporting adiposity had correspondingly higher anthropometric measurements than participants who did not report these changes. Peripheral lipoatrophy was more common among all HIV-seropositive than HIV-seronegative participants, however, it was not associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (39% HIV-seronegatives; 58% HIV-seropositive not receiving HIV treatment [No Tx]; 49% HAART, p = 0.04). Central adiposity was more common among HAART (52%) than No Tx (26.6%) and HIV-seronegative (42%) participants (p = 0.001). However, waist circumference, while somewhat higher among HAART than No Tx participants, did not differ significantly from HIV-seronegative participants (85.2 cm HIV-seronegatives; 83.3 cm No Tx; 85.8 cm HAART). A large proportion of those who reported peripheral lipoatrophy also reported central lipoatrophy (76.9% HIV-seronegatives; 69.6% No Tx; 66.2% HAART). A large proportion of those who reported central adiposity also reported adiposity of the peripheral sites (88.1% HIV seronegatives; 66.7% No Tx; 74.3% HAART). The combination of lipoatrophy and adiposity was associated with HAART treatment (6% HIV-seronegatives; 3% No Tx; 16% HAART, p = 0.002), but may be driven by the association with adiposity. These data suggest validity of self-reports for body habitus changes among injection drug users.

Adult↗

[Squamous intra-epithelial lesions in HIV seropositive females. Their frequency and association with cervical neoplasia risk factors].

OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), and their association with known cervical neoplasia risk factors in seropositive HIV female patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal study including 50 seropositive HIV female patients was carried out. The patients were interrogated concerning known cervical neoplasia risk factors. Cervical cytology tests and colposcopic evaluations of the lower genital tract, with directed biopsies, were carried out. The presence of HPV-DNA was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction and CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte titers were determined. Two comparison groups were formed, in accordance to the presence or absence of cervical lesions. RESULTS: Average age was 36 +/- 9.3 years, ranging from 20 to 61 years, 26% had never submitted to a cervical cytology test, and an average of 33 months (1-130 months) had elapsed after the last test of those who had. HIV transmission had been sexual in 72% of the cases, and the period of time elapsed since the infection was diagnosed and until the patients were evaluated for this study was of 40.6 +/- 33.5 months. HPV-DNA was detected in 64% (n = 32) of the patients, and co-infection with more than one HPV was detected in 42% of them, with the 16 and 31 types being the most frequent. A cervical lesion was diagnosed in 52% of the cases, 18% being of high degree and 34% of low degree. When risk factors for cervical neoplasia and lymphocyte titers were compared between group I (with SIL, n = 26), and group II (without SIL, n = 24), the only significant differences found were the presence of HPV-DNA and the co-infection with more than one type of HPV, which were more frequent in group I. Sexual transmission of HIV was also more frequent in group I. The presence of vaginal and vulvar synchronous lesions was determined in 20% and 12% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of positive DNA-HPV and SIL in seropositive HIV patients, which pose them in a higher risk of developing invasive cervical cancer. Thus, creating adequate strategies for the detection, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of these patients is of the utmost importance.

Adult↗

Predictive markers of survival in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative Tanzanian patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

SETTING: Prediction of survival in Tanzanian patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of clinical and laboratory parameters on survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and HIV seronegative patients with extrapulmonary TB. DESIGN: Over an 8-month period 192 consecutive patients with extrapulmonary TB, admitted to a major referral centre in Tanzania, were enrolled in the study. Their symptoms, signs and PPD skin test were noted. Their sera were tested for HIV and analyzed for beta-2-microglobulin content. Univariate risk factors for 12 months' survival after the start of anti-TB chemotherapy were entered into a stepwise Cox regression model. Survival probabilities were estimated according to the number of risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 192 patients 126 (65%) were HIV-infected, and 29.7% had disseminated TB. Thirty-five patients, of whom 24 (68.6%) were HIV-positive, withdrew from the study immediately after hospital discharge. For survival analysis 157 patients remained. Within 12 months' follow-up after initiation of anti-TB therapy, the case fatality rate of the 102HHIV-infected patients was 22% and of the 55 HIV seronegative patients 2% (P < 0.001). In the HIV seropositive patients the following independent risk factors were significantly associated with a decreased probability of survival: peripheral lymphadenopathy (Hazard Rate Ratio (HRR) 5.2, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1. 7-16.2), a decreased activity score (bedridden > 50%/day (HRR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-11.7), lymphopenia of < 1000/microL (HRR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11.8), and mycobacteraemia (HRR 4.0, 95% CI 1.2-13-.1). An anergic PPD skin test reaction proved to be another independent risk factor when the analysis was performed on 89 patients with available Mantoux test results. In the HIV seropositive patients, the 12 months' survival probabilities were 93%, 86%, 54% and 0% for presence of 0, 1, 2, and > 2 risk factors respectively. CONCLUSION: Estimation of survival probabilities in patients with extrapulmonary TB may be possible without performing CD4 cell counts.

Adolescent↗