Distinct metabolic profile according to the shape of the oral glucose tolerance test curve is related to whole glucose excursion: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The shapes of the plasma glucose concentration curve during the oral glucose tolerance test are related to different metabolic risk profiles and future risk of type 2 DM. We sought to further analyze the relationship between the specific shapes and hyperglycemic states, the metabolic syndrome and hormones involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and to isolate the effect of the shape by adjusting for the area under the glucose curve. METHODS: One hundred twenty one adult participants underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test and were assigned to either the monophasic (n = 97) or the biphasic (n = 24) group based upon the rise and fall of their plasma glucose concentration. We evaluated anthropometric measures, blood pressure, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin, insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, C-peptide, glucagon, adiponectin and pancreatic polypeptide. RESULTS: Subjects with monophasic curves had higher fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels, while presenting lower insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, HDL cholesterol, adiponectin and pancreatic polypeptide levels. Prediabetes and metabolic syndrome had a higher prevalence in this group. Glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glucagon were not significantly different between groups. After adjusting for the area under the glucose curve, only the differences in the 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations and HDL cholesterol levels between the monophasic and biphasic groups remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Rates and intensity of metabolic dysfunction are higher in subjects with monophasic curves, who have lower insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function and a higher prevalence of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. These differences, however, seem to be dependent on the area under the glucose curve.

Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Retrospective Cohort of a Brazilian Reference Hospital in the Post-HAART Era of Universal Access.

OBJECTIVE: Cryptococcus neoformans is a common opportunistic infection in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome worldwide. However, limited data exist for HIV-infected patients in the post-HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era in Brazil. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cryptococcosis in a cohort of patients attending a teaching tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil after the introduction of HAART in Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil. Detailed data on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis methods, treatment, and prognosis of patients with meningeal cryptococcosis were evaluated from January 2009 to December 2016. RESULTS: Seventy-nine cases of cryptococcal meningitis were identified. Most of the patients presented positive CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) cultures for Cryptococcus neoformans (96%). The prevalence of males and females with meningeal cryptococcosis was similar. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 67 years. The median time of hospitalization was 28 days. The most common underlying disease was HIV (82%), followed by solid transplant (10%). Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and altered mental status were the most common clinical manifestations. Initial opening intracranial pressures varied from 30 to 130 cm H2O. CNS imaging abnormalities include hydrocephalus and hypodensities. Widened Virchow-Robin spaces were described in only 2 patients (2.5%). Induction treatment of the majority of the patients consisted of amphotericin B and flucytosine (67%) followed by amphotericin B and fluconazole (19%). Multivariate analysis of Cox regression identified headache at presentation, mechanical ventilation, CSF glucose <20 mg/dL, and CSF cryptococcal antigen ≥1 : 1000 for independent risk factors for death. All-cause 30-day and 60-day mortalities were 19% and 24%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Meningeal cryptococcosis mostly caused by C. neoformans continues to occur predominantly in HIV-infected adults despite HAART being widely distributed in Brazil. Cryptococcosis remains a significant opportunistic infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Despite adequate antifungal treatment and management of intracranial hypertension in a reference tertiary care hospital, mortality was high. Identification of risk factors and additional treatment modalities, especially for intracranial hypertension, are necessary to improve care for patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

Dermoscopy of the iris: identification of Lisch nodules and contribution to the diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis is a common genodermatosis, whose diagnosis often involves the participation of a dermatologist. A case of a 38-year-old female patient with four café-au-lait macules and eleven neurofibromas on clinical examination is presented. Dermoscopy allowed the identification of Lisch nodules in the iris, bilaterally. The combination of these findings allowed the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1, according to NIH criteria. Lisch nodules are melanocytic hamartomas of the iris, which must be evaluated through a visual augmentation method, usually employed in ophthalmology. Alternatively, dermoscopy can be used and contribute to the early diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on herpes zoster from hospital registries in South America. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of herpes zoster (HZ) in hospitalized patients.' METHODS: We searched for hospital-based records during the period from March 2000 to January 2017 in a 700-bed tertiary-care hospital located in southern Brazil. The medical records of all eligible patients were reviewed, and data regarding demographics, medical history, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were also evaluated for mortality. RESULTS: There were 801 records of herpes zoster according to the proposed criteria. Most patients with HZ presented a cutaneous clinical form of the disease with involvement of a single dermatome (n=589, 73.5%). Additional clinical characteristics included postherpetic neuralgia (22.1%), ophthalmic HZ (7.6%) and meningoencephalitis (2.7%). Most patients presented immunocompromised conditions (64.9%) including HIV, administration of immunosuppressive agents, and malignant neoplasms. During this period, there were 105 (13.1%) deaths, which were mostly unrelated to HZ. Five deaths were related to HZ meningoencephalitis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a high burden of HZ disease in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital in the HZ vaccination era. Awareness of the incidence and comorbidity factors associated with HZ in Latin American countries such as Brazil contribute for adoption and implementation of strategies for immunization in this area.

Accuracy of insulin resistance indices for metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in adults.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the ability of commonly used insulin resistance indices to identify the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: 183 people referred for outpatient care at the Metabolism Unit of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre were evaluated with anthropometric, blood pressure, lipid profile, and adiponectin measurements. Glucose tolerance status was determined by 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and glycosylated hemoglobin. Definition of metabolic syndrome was based on the Joint Interim Statement of different medical associations. Twenty-one indices of insulin resistance were estimated from published equations. The accuracy of these indices was determined by area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis. In addition, we determined an optimal cut point for each index and its performance as a diagnostic test. RESULTS: The study population was comprised of 183 people (73.2% women; 78.7% white; age 52.6 ± 12.0 years, mean ± standard deviation), of whom 140 (76.5%) had metabolic syndrome. The reciprocal of the Gutt index provided the greatest AUC for identification of metabolic syndrome, but there were no statistical differences between Gutt and 11 AUC indices. Gutt presented 86.4% sensitivity and 76.7% specificity to identify metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: A number of commonly employed indices of insulin resistance are capable of identifying individuals with the metabolic syndrome.

BK Virus Encephalitis in HIV-Infected Patients: Case Report and Review.

Encephalitis and meningitis due to BKPyV are unusual and emerging condition. Only a few cases of BKPyV encephalitis have been reported in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, with the majority of cases presenting with concurrent hemorrhagic cystitis and HIV-infected patients. The authors report two HIV-infected patients with the diagnosis of BKPyV encephalitis and discuss the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of this infection in patients with AIDS. Physicians should be aware to recognize the main clinical features and diagnose BKPyV central nervous infection in the setting of AIDS.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: There is little information on herpes zoster from hospital registries in South America. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of herpes zoster (HZ) in hospitalized patients.' Methods: We searched for hospital-based records during the period from March 2000 to January 2017 in a 700-bed tertiary-care hospital located in southern Brazil. The medical records of all eligible patients were reviewed, and data regarding demographics, medical history, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were also evaluated for mortality. Results: There were 801 records of herpes zoster according to the proposed criteria. Most patients with HZ presented a cutaneous clinical form of the disease with involvement of a single dermatome (n = 589, 73.5%). Additional clinical characteristics included postherpetic neuralgia (22.1%), ophthalmic HZ (7.6%) and meningoencephalitis (2.7%). Most patients presented immunocompromised conditions (64.9%) including HIV, administration of immunosuppressive agents, and malignant neoplasms. During this period, there were 105 (13.1%) deaths, which were mostly unrelated to HZ. Five deaths were related to HZ meningoencephalitis. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate a high burden of HZ disease in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital in the HZ vaccination era. Awareness of the incidence and comorbidity factors associated with HZ in Latin American countries such as Brazil contribute for adoption and implementation of strategies for immunization in this area.