Evolution of estimated glomerular filtration rate in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who received direct-acting antivirals: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The short-term impact of sofosbuvir (SOF)-based direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) combined with antiretroviral therapy (ART) on renal function in patients with HIV/HCV-coinfection remains controversial. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study aimed to sequentially record the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline, end of therapy (EOT), 12 weeks off-treatment (SVR12), and at time points after SVR12 (post-SVR12) and to identify the factors associated with an eGFR decline to <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving DAAs. The evolution of mean eGFRs between different ART and DAAs combinations among patients of different HIV transmission routes were compared using a generalized linear mixed effects model. The periods between baseline and EOT, between EOT and post-SVR12, and between baseline and post-SVR12 were defined as the on-treatment, post-treatment, and all-course periods, respectively. Acute kidney disease (AKD) was defined as a decline of eGFR to <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. RESULT: A total of 445 patients with baseline eGFRs >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included. We found that eGFRs declined during the on-treatment period in the tenofovir-containing ART and SOF-based DAA groups. There were no differences in the slope coefficient during the on-treatment and post-treatment periods among all risk groups except for people who inject drug. Increasing age and plasma HIV RNA >20 copies/ml before DAA treatment were factors independently associated with AKD during the on-treatment period while increasing age was independently associated with AKD during the all-course period. CONCLUSION: Only increasing age was an independent factor associated with AKD among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients during and after DAA treatments.

Association of protein disulfide isomerase family A, member 4, and inflammation in people living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members are specific endoplasmic reticulum proteins associated with inflammation, obesity, and cancer. In HIV infection, the role of PDI family A, member 4 (PDIA4), is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association between plasma PDIA4 levels and inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH). METHODS: In this study, 287 PLWH and 74 healthy participants were enrolled. The plasma PDIA4 values, demographic data, laboratory data, and other inflammatory markers were recorded. The association between PDIA4 level and inflammatory extent was analyzed using logistic regression and Spearman rank-order correlations. Other results were analyzed using Student's t-test or chi-square test. RESULTS: In PLWH, the PDIA4 levels were positively associated with the inflammatory markers, interleukin 6 (r = 0.209, p = 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor-α (r = 0.162, p = 0.01) levels, but not with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Moreover, the plasma PDIA4 level of PLWH decreased after anti-viral treatment (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Plasma PDIA4 levels are closely associated with inflammation in PLWH and have a positive correlation with the viral load during anti-viral therapy.

Real-world effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals in people living with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infections.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 (HCV-6) infection is prevalent predominantly in Southeast Asia, and the data on the virologic response of HCV-6 to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are sparse in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). AIM: To assess the virologic response of HCV-6 to DAAs in PLWH. METHODS: From September 2016 to July 2019, PLWH coinfected with HCV-6 initiating DAAs were included. Laboratory investigations were performed at baseline, the end of treatment, and 12 wk off-therapy. RESULTS: Of the 349 PLWH included (mean age 48.9 years, 82.5% men), 80.5% comprised people who inject drugs, 18.1% men who have sex with men, and 1.4% heterosexuals. Coexistent hepatitis B virus infection was present in 12.3% of the included PLWH, liver cirrhosis 10.9%, hepatocellular carcinoma 0.9%, and previous HCV treatment experience 10.9%. The mean baseline plasma HCV RNA was 6.2 log10 IU/mL. Treatment with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir was initiated in 51.9%, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir 41.5%, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir 6.3%, and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir 0.3%. At DAA initiation, antiretroviral therapy containing tenofovir alafenamide was given in 26.4%, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 34.4%, non-tenofovir alafenamide/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 39.3%, non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors 30.4%, protease inhibitors 4.0%, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors 66.8%; 94.8% of the included patients had CD4 counts ≥ 200 cells/mm3 and 96.0% had plasma HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL. Overall, 96.8% achieved undetectable plasma HCV RNA (< 30 IU/mL) at end of treatment; and 92.3% achieved sustained virologic response 12 wk off-therapy in the intention-to-treat analysis (93.5% in patients receiving sofosbuvir-based DAAs and 91.2% in those receiving glecaprevir/pibrentasvir). CONCLUSION: Similar to the observation made in HIV-negative patients, sustained virologic response 12 wk off-therapy with DAAs is high in PLWH coinfected with HCV-6.

Safety and immunogenicity of CpG 1018 and aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 S-2P protein vaccine MVC-COV1901: interim results of a large-scale, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: MVC-COV1901, a recombinant protein vaccine containing pre-fusion-stabilised spike protein S-2P adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and aluminium hydroxide, has been shown to be well tolerated with a good safety profile in healthy adults aged 20-49 years in a phase 1 trial, and provided a good cellular and humoral immune responses. We present the interim safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity results of a phase 2 clinical trial of the MVC-COV1901 vaccine in Taiwan. METHODS: This is a large-scale, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial done at ten medical centres and one regional hospital in Taiwan. Individuals aged 20 years or older who were generally healthy or had stable pre-existing medical conditions were eligible for enrolment. Exclusion criteria included (but were not limited to) travel overseas within 14 days of screening, intention to travel overseas within 6 months of the screening visit, and the absence of prespecified medical conditions, including immunosuppressive illness, a history of autoimmune disease, malignancy with risk to recur, a bleeding disorder, uncontrolled HIV infection, uncontrolled hepatitis B and C virus infections, SARS-CoV-1 or SARS-CoV-2 infections, an allergy to any vaccine, or a serious medical condition that could interfere with the study. Study participants were randomly assigned (6:1) to receive two doses of either MVC-COV1901 or placebo, administered via intramuscular injection on day 1 and day 29. MVC-COV1901 contained 15 µg of S-2P protein adjuvanted with 750 µg CpG 1018 and 375 µg aluminium hydroxide in a 0·5 mL aqueous solution, and the placebo contained the same volume of saline. Randomisation was done centrally by use of an interactive web response system, stratified by age (≥20 to <65 years and ≥65 years). Participants and investigators were masked to group assignment. The primary outcomes were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of MVC-COV1901 from day 1 (the day of the first dose) to day 57 (28 days after the second dose). Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose. Immunogenicity was assessed by measuring geometric mean titres (GMTs) and seroconversion rates of neutralising antibody and antigen-specific IgG in the per-protocol population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04695652. FINDINGS: Of 4173 individuals screened between Dec 30, 2020, and April 2, 2021, 3854 were enrolled and randomly assigned: 3304 to the MVC-COV1901 group and 550 to the placebo group. A total of 3844 participants (3295 in the MVC-COV1901 group and 549 in the placebo group) were included in the safety analysis set, and 1053 participants (903 and 150) had received both doses and were included in the per-protocol immunogenicity analysis set. From the start of this phase 2 trial to the time of interim analysis, no vaccine-related serious adverse events were recorded. The most common solicited adverse events in all study participants were pain at the injection site (2346 [71·2%] of 3295 in the MVC-COV1901 group and 128 [23·3%] of 549 in the placebo group), and malaise or fatigue (1186 [36·0%] and 163 [29·7%]). Fever was rarely reported (23 [0·7%] and two [0·4%]). At 28 days after the second dose of MVC-COV1901, the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody GMT was 662·3 (95% CI 628·7-697·8; 408·5 IU/mL), the GMT ratio (geometric mean fold increase in titres at day 57 vs baseline) was 163·2 (155·0-171·9), and the seroconversion rate was 99·8% (95% CI 99·2-100·0). INTERPRETATION: MVC-COV1901 has a good safety profile and elicits promising immunogenicity responses. These data support MVC-COV1901 to enter phase 3 efficacy trials. FUNDING: Medigen Vaccine Biologics and Taiwan Centres for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Dual therapy with dolutegravir plus boosted protease inhibitor as maintenance or salvage therapy in highly experienced people living with HIV.

Real-world experience with dolutegravir (DTG) plus boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) as a two-drug regimen is limited for highly experienced HIV-positive patients with virological failure or intolerance to antiretroviral therapy. Patients receiving DTG plus bPI between September 2016 and June 2019 at 15 designated hospitals for HIV care in Taiwan were retrospectively included in this study. A standardised case record form was used to collect clinical data. The primary endpoint was virological response, defined as achieving or maintaining plasma HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL at Week 48. A total of 77 patients were included; 58 (75.3%) had documented genotypic resistance to 1-4 antiretroviral classes. The most commonly used PI was darunavir (87.0%; 67/77). Seven patients (9.1%) had no virological data at Week 48, including three with loss to follow-up, one severe hyperlipidaemia, one renal failure and cardiovascular disease, one superimposed HBV infection and one death from anal cancer. The virological response rate increased from 59.7% at baseline to 90.9% at Week 24 and 85.7% at Week 48. The only patient (1.3%) with virological failure at Week 48 had poor adherence and baseline low-level resistance to darunavir with resistance-associated mutations at M46L, I50V and V82A. Compared with baseline, mean total cholesterol increased by 20.1 mg/dL and weight by 2.8 kg at Week 48, while the estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased by 14.4 mL/min/1.73m2 (both P < 0.05). We conclude that a two-drug regimen containing DTG plus bPI was effective in highly-experienced HIV-positive patients, but metabolic impact and weight gain should be closely monitored.

Real-World Experience with Coformulated Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir for HIV-Positive Patients with HCV Genotype 2 Infection: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: While coformulated ledipasvir (90 mg)/sofosbuvir (400 mg) (LDV/SOF) is approved for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (GT2) infection in Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand, data regarding its use for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)-positive patients infected with HCV GT2 are sparse. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of LDV/SOF for HIV-positive patients with HCV GT2 coinfection. METHODS: From January 2019 to July 2020, consecutive HIV-positive Taiwanese patients infected with HCV GT2 who received LDV/SOF were retrospectively included for analysis. The effectiveness was determined by sustained virologic response 12 weeks off-therapy (SVR12). RESULTS: Of the 114 patients (mean age, 38.6 years) initiating LDV/SOF during the study period, 0.9% had liver cirrhosis and 4.4% were HCV treatment-experienced. All patients had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and were receiving antiretroviral therapy with 98.2% having CD4 counts ≥ 200 cells/mm3 and 93.9% plasma HIV RNA load < 50 copies/ml. Antiretrovirals prescribed included tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine in 42.1%, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine 18.4%, other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) 39.5%, non-NRTIs 12.3%, protease inhibitors 13.2%, and integrase inhibitors 74.6%. All patients had undetectable plasma HCV RNA load at the end of treatment, and 96.5% achieved SVR12 in intention-to-treat analysis. The on-treatment eGFR decline was more pronounced in those receiving TDF-containing antiretroviral therapy (mean change, - 8.33 ml/min/1.73 m2), which was reversible after discontinuation of LDV/SOF. None of the patients interrupted LDV/SOF during the 12-week treatment course. CONCLUSION: Similar to the response observed among HIV-negative patients, LDV/SOF is effective for HIV-positive patients coinfected with HCV GT2.

Outcomes of Infection and Risk of Mortality in Liver Transplant Patients with Simultaneous Splenectomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of infection between liver transplant patients with and without simultaneous splenectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 211 patients who underwent liver transplantation in the Tri-Service General Hospital from 2012 to 2017. The frequency of blood cultures obtained after liver transplantation; incidence of bacteremia, pathogens, and complications; and overall survival rates were compared between the groups. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three of 211 patients underwent liver transplantation without simultaneous splenectomy. There were no significant differences in the frequency of blood cultures obtained after liver transplantation (non-splenectomy group and splenectomy group: 63% and 62%, respectively); incidences of bacteremia after liver transplantation (21% and 21%, respectively), repeat bacteremia (39% and 35%, respectively), cytomegalovirus infection (4% and 3%, respectively), herpes infection (6% and 7%, respectively), and fungal infection (3% and 3%, respectively); and overall survival rate between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in infection-related deaths between the groups. Simultaneous splenectomy and episodes of antibody-related rejection were significant risk factors associated with infection-related death in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Although simultaneous splenectomy does not increase the incidence of infection, simultaneous splenectomy definitely carries risks of infection-related mortality in liver transplantation.

Clinical efficacy and safety of primary antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole versus fluconazole in allogeneic blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients-A retrospective analysis of a single medical center in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The efficacy and safety of posaconazole compared to fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis in patients receiving allogeneic blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) during the early neutropenic phase without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was uncertain. METHODS: The medical records of allo-HSCT recipients from a single institution, who received oral fluconazole (from January 2005 to June 2011) or oral posaconazole (from June 2011 to December 2013) during the early neutropenic phase (until engraftment), were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were 52 allo-HSCT recipients, two of whom were younger than 18 years of age. Twelve cases received posaconazole and 40 cases received fluconazole as primary antifungal prophylaxis. The two groups had similar transplant characteristics, conditioning, and GVHD prophylaxis regimens. The fluconazole group had a higher risk for development of invasive fungal infections within 90 days after allo-HSCT (43% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.039). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the cumulative incidence of invasive fungal infection for 90 days after allo-HSCT was higher in the fluconazole group (log rank test, p = 0.047). Early discontinuation of antifungal prophylaxis for intolerance was significantly lower in the posaconazole group (8.3% vs. 50%, p = 0.017). Both groups had similar rates of impaired liver function. CONCLUSION: Analysis of primary fungal prophylaxis during the early neutropenic phase following allo-HSCT indicated that posaconazole was more effective and was better tolerated than fluconazole. Both drugs had similar safety profiles.

Disseminated Fusarium infection in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report and review of the literature.

Fusarium is a common soil mold. In severely immunocompromised patients, this fungus may cause disseminated disease and is often confused with Aspergillus, as the two pathogens have similar histopathological appearances. Disseminated Fusarium infection may cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The current case report presents a 20-year-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed disseminated Fusarium infection during induction chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important since the mortality rate is extremely high in such patients. The clinician must consider that the clinical presentation of Fusarium infection resembles that of Aspergillus. There is no optimal treatment for patients with Fusarium infection; however, combination antifungal therapy may have benefit without significant toxicity.

A novel mechanism underlies the hepatotoxicity of pyrazinamide.

Relatively little is known about the hepatotoxicity of pyrazinamide (PZA). PZA requires activation by amidase to form pyrazinoic acid (PA). Xanthine oxidase then hydroxylates PA to form 5-hydroxypyrazinoic acid (5-OH-PA). PZA can also be directly oxidized to form 5-OH-PZA. Before this study, it was unclear which metabolic pathway or PZA metabolites led to hepatotoxicity. This study determines whether PZA metabolites are responsible for PZA-induced hepatotoxicity. PZA metabolites were identified and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was assessed. Potential PZA and PA hepatotoxicity was then tested in rats. Urine specimens were collected from 153 tuberculosis (TB) patients, and the results were evaluated to confirm whether a correlation existed between PZA metabolite concentrations and hepatotoxicity. This led to the hypothesis that coadministration of amidase inhibitor (bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate [BNPP]) decreases or prevents PZA- and PZA metabolite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. PA and 5-OH-PA are more toxic than PZA. Electron microscopy showed that PZA and PA treatment of rats significantly increases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and galactose single-point (GSP) levels (P < 0.005). PA and 5-OH-PA levels are also significantly correlated with hepatotoxicity in the urine of TB patients (P < 0.005). Amidase inhibitor, BNPP, decreases PZA-induced, but not PA-induced, hepatotoxicity. This is the first report of a cell line, animal, and clinical trial confirming that the metabolite 5-OH-PA is responsible for PZA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Risk factors and outcomes of cytomegalovirus viremia in cancer patients: a study from a medical center in northern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogen and can cause life-threatening infection in the patients with malignancies. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors and outcomes of CMV viremia in patients with malignancies. METHODS: Data were collected with retrospective analysis from adults suffering from CMV viremia with underlying malignancies. A total of 107 patients were enrolled in a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan from March 2008 to December 2009. RESULTS: Among the 107 patients who suffered with CMV viremia with an overall mortality rate of 56.1% (60/107), 75 patients (70.1%) had solid organ malignancies and 32 (29.9%) had hematological malignancies. Mechanical ventilation (p=0.048), leukocytosis (p=0.004), and lack of appropriate early treatment (p=0.011) were independent predisposing factors associated with higher mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: CMV viremia predicts high mortality rate in cancer patients, especially in those with mechanical ventilation, leukocytosis, and lack of appropriate early treatment. Appropriate early antiviral therapy is recommended to improve outcomes.

The emerging life-threatening opportunistic fungal pathogen Kodamaea ohmeri: optimal treatment and literature review.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The yeast Kodamaea ohmeri rarely causes life-threatening human infections. However, risk factors, laboratory diagnoses, and treatments for K. ohmeri infection have been limited, and the optimal therapy for K. ohmeri infection has not been identified. METHODS: Twenty cases of K. ohmeri infection have been reported in the English medical literature. We present two new cases of K. ohmeri fungemia. We investigated the nature and treatment of K. ohmeri infections using minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents and by comparing the two cases with those described in the literature. RESULTS: From March 1998 to December 2008, a total of 22 patients with K. ohmeri infections were studied. Hematological malignancies and diabetes were the most common co-morbidities for K. ohmeri infections, with crude prevalence rates of 27.3% and 18.2%, respectively. The K. ohmeri isolates showed less susceptibility to fluconazole but greater susceptibility to amphotericin B [15/25 isolates (60%) vs. 25/25 isolates (100%), respectively]. Good outcomes (8/9 cases; 88.9%) were found following removal of indwelling catheters and implants. In addition, voriconazole and echinocandins, such as caspofungin and micafungin, also showed excellent minimum inhibitory concentrations against K. ohmeri. CONCLUSION: K. ohmeri should not be regarded as a contaminant of blood cultures. Favorable outcomes for this potentially life-threatening infection are promoted by the removal of indwelling catheters; furthermore, outcomes are associated with optimal antifungal regimens, especially voriconazole and echinocandins.

Cytomegalovirus colitis mimics amebic colitis in a man with AIDS.

Opportunistic gastrointestinal infections are common in patients with HIV infection; both amebic colitis and cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis are common causes of chronic diarrhea. It is difficult to distinguish these 2 diseases by nonspecific clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Here we report a case of CMV colitis mimicking amebic colitis with elevated indirect hemagglutination assay antibody titer against Entamoeba histolytica and negative IgM antibody titer against CMV. The diagnosis of CMV colitis was confirmed by eosinophilic nucleoli and inclusion bodies in colon biopsies. The patient recovered after ganciclovir and highly active antiretroviral therapy. Exact diagnoses are important for treating opportunistic infections. Other pathogens should be considered in patients with chronic diarrhea who are refractory to initial treatments. Our case highlights the importance of histopathological diagnosis for chronic diarrhea in patients with HIV infection and the possibility of false-positive results for indirect hemagglutination assay antibody against Entamoeba histolytica despite high titers.

Aggressive hepatic resection for patients with pyogenic liver abscess and APACHE II score > or =15.

BACKGROUND: Most liver abscesses resolve after antimicrobial therapy or percutaneous tube drainage (PD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of hepatic resection (HR) for patients with pyogenic liver abscesses and an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score > or =15. METHODS: We compared the clinical outcomes of 81 patients with APACHE II scores > or =15 undergoing PD and/or HR. RESULTS: The failure rate (3 of 65) and double-treatment rate (32 of 65) in the PD group were significantly higher than in the HR group (3 of 35 vs 0 of 35; P = .0002). The mortality rate in the PD group was significantly higher than the other 2 groups (14 of 46 vs 2 of 19 and 1 of 16; P = .038). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter and antibiotic use less in the HR group than in the PD group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive HR for patients with liver abscesses and APACHE II scores > or =15 produced better clinical outcomes.

Cytomegalovirus pneumonitis in a patient with nephrotic syndrome receiving low-dose prednisolone and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Cytomegalovirus pneumonitis in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis has been rarely reported. We report on a patient with nephrotic syndrome and documented pulmonary tuberculosis who received antituberculous therapy. Chest radiography showed a newly developed patch, and he underwent high-resolution computed tomography examination of the chest and open lung biopsy. Histopathologic studies of the lung showed interstitial pneumonitis, which had focal syncytial pneumocytes with focal nuclei atypia, inclusion bodies, and prominent eosinophilic nucleoli. Polymerase chain reactions for cytomegalovirus were positive in the sputum and biopsy specimen. The patient recovered well with ganciclovir treatment. When new pulmonary infiltrates develop in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during antituberculous therapy, cytomegalovirus pneumonitis should not be overlooked.

Intussusception as the initial manifestation of AIDS associated with primary Kaposi's sarcoma: a case report.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common AIDS-associated neoplasm. It involves the gastrointestinal tract, skin and lymph nodes with about equal frequency. However, most cases of gastrointestinal KS are clinically silent and found incidentally. We report the case of a 31-year-old homosexual man who developed intussusception in association with a primary ileal KS. He was admitted due to abdominal pain lasting 2 hours. Flat abdominal roentgenogram revealed small bowel ileus in the central abdomen. Abdominal sonography and computerized tomography revealed an intraluminal soft tissue mass in the small intestine with an intussusception. Exploratory laparotomy found an ileal tumor mass 90 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. Pathologic examination of the resected intestine showed KS. HIV-1 infection was confirmed by Western blot. The CD4 T-cell count was 59/mm3. In conclusion, intussusception by enteric KS may present as the initial AIDS-associated neoplasm in patients with HIV infection.

Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia associated with portal vein and superior mesentery vein thrombosis secondary to antithrombin III and protein C deficiency: a case report.

Hypercoagulability is one of the causes of portal vein and superior mesentery vein thrombosis. We report a case of Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia associated with portal vein and superior mesentery vein thrombosis secondary to antithrombin III and protein C deficiency. The patient presented with high fever for more than 3 weeks. Abdominal sonography revealed a liver cyst of 1.7 cm in diameter over segment 4 and a renal stone of 0.7 cm in size over the lower portion of the right kidney but no evidence of hydronephrosis. Elevation of liver enzymes was also noted. Intermittent fever was noted despite treatment with ceftriaxone and doxycycline. On Day 15 of hospitalization, blood culture revealed B. fragilis, which prompted further investigation of the source of intraabdominal and pelvic infection. Abdominal computed tomography revealed portal vein and superior mesentery vein thrombosis. Endoscopic studies of the gastrointestinal tract showed no tumor or diverticulum. Study of coagulation factors disclosed deficiency of antithrombin III and protein C. Clinicians should remain aware of the need to promptly search for a portal or mesentery vein thrombosis in cases of Bacteroides bacteremia of unknown origin.