Use of ribavirin in viruses other than hepatitis C. A review of the evidence. / Uso de ribavirina en virus distintos de la hepatitis C. Una revisión de la evidencia.

Ribavirin is a molecule with antiviral activity against different viruses. In clinical practice, it has made its niche almost exclusively for the treatment of the hepatitisC virus. However, there are other diseases in which it could be of benefit and it has the advantage of being suitable for oral, intravenous and inhaled administration. We conducted a review of the indications of the main drug agencies (Spanish, European and American) and other possible indications, mainly haemorrhagic fevers and coronavirus.

Paracoccidioidomycosis in a Spanish missionary.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important systemic mycosis in South America. In Europe the disease is very rare and only found in returning travelers. Here we report on a 56-year-old Spanish missionary with respiratory symptoms but no other affected systems. Diagnosis was made based on serology and PCR for Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

[Malignancies in HIV infected patients: study of 139 cases]. / Tumores en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: estudio de 139 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the natural history of HIV infection has been altered by an increasing survival. Following this, neoplastic diseases have become more common in HIV positive patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the types of tumor, clinical features and prognosis of HIV infected patients with malignant diseases. PATIENTES AND METHODS: A descriptive study of epidemiological and clinical features was undertaken at Hospital Carlos III, in Madrid. Information was collected on age, sex, risk factors for HIV, HBV/HCV coinfection, malignancies, diagnosis of AIDS, viral load and CD4 cell counts at diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy and mortality. A total of 139 HIV-infected patients were identified who had at least one malignancy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 package. RESULTS: Types of malignancy were Kaposi's Sarcoma (n=43, 30.9%); non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=42, 30.2%); gynecologic malignancy (n=16, 11.5%); Hodgkin's disease (n=15, 10.8%); hepatocellular carcinoma (n=7, 5%) and others (n=16, 11.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 40 years (IC 95% 38.51-1.50). Male/female ratio was 3.63. Patients with HBV or HCV coinfection were 1.4% and 35.3% respectively. Risk factor for HIV was MSM (n=64;46%), IDUs (n=48; 34.5%) and heterosexual (n=26; 18.7%). Viral load was undetectable in 27 cases (19.4%); CD4 cell count was<200 cell/mcl in 58 cases (41.7%). There were 77 (55.4%) patients on HAART when cancer was diagnosed. Mean time on HAART was 23.31 months. Ten patients (7.2%) developed a secondary tumor. Twelve years survival was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Increased survival of HIV-infected patients receiving HAART makes it possible the development of secondary tumors and AIDS- unrelated malignancies, sometimes related to another virus.

HIV and malaria.

Malaria and HIV infection are both prevalent in the areas of the world where these diseases have the largest burden. Both diseases interact with one another and this interaction is especially important in areas with non-continuous malaria transmission, in pregnant women, and in patients with more severe immunodeficiency. Malaria has been implicated in transitory higher viral load and in low CD4 counts, so it could have an influence on higher transmission rates of HIV and perhaps in the course of HIV infection. Infection with HIV has been shown to cause more clinical malaria and higher parasitemia in patients living in perennial transmission areas, and higher rates of severe malaria episodes and mortality in areas where malaria is transmitted with seasonal frequency. The HIV-infected patients have also higher rates of malaria treatment failures. Co-trimoxazole prophylaxis has been shown to be effective in the prevention of some opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients, but also in prevention of malaria episodes. Antiretroviral protease inhibitors demonstrate antimalarial effects that could have important clinical and therapeutic implications. For all of these reasons, HIV and malaria should be considered together as part of healthcare programs for both diseases in countries where their co-presence favors an interaction with important clinical consequences.