Elevated cerebrospinal fluid Galectin-9 is associated with central nervous system immune activation and poor cognitive performance in older HIV-infected individuals.

We previously reported that galectin-9 (Gal-9), a soluble lectin with immunomodulatory properties, is elevated in plasma during HIV infection and induces HIV transcription. The link between Gal-9 and compromised neuronal function is becoming increasingly evident; however, the association with neuroHIV remains unknown. We measured Gal-9 levels by ELISA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of 70 HIV-infected (HIV+) adults stratified by age (older > 40 years and younger < 40 years) either ART suppressed or with detectable CSF HIV RNA, including a subgroup with cognitive assessments, and 18 HIV uninfected (HIV-) controls. Gal-9 tissue expression was compared in necropsy brain specimens from HIV- and HIV+ donors using gene datasets and immunohistochemistry. Among older HIV+ adults, CSF Gal-9 was elevated in the ART suppressed and CSF viremic groups compared to controls, whereas in the younger group, Gal-9 levels were elevated only in the CSF viremic group (p < 0.05). CSF Gal-9 positively correlated with age in all groups (p < 0.05). CSF Gal-9 tracked with CSF HIV RNA irrespective of age (ß = 0.33; p < 0.05). Higher CSF Gal-9 in the older viremic HIV+ group correlated with worse neuropsychological test performance scores independently of age and CSF HIV RNA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CSF Gal-9 directly correlated with myeloid activation (CSF-soluble CD163 and neopterin) in both HIV+ older groups (p < 0.05). Among HIV+ necropsy specimens, Gal-9 expression was increased in select brain regions compared to controls (p < 0.05). Gal-9 may serve as a novel neuroimmuno-modulatory protein that is involved in driving cognitive deficits in those aging with HIV and may be valuable in tracking cognitive abnormalities.

Surgical site infection: comparing surgeon versus patient self-report.

BACKGROUND: To compare the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) using surgeon versus patient report. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study of surgical patients in four hospitals within one private health-care system was performed. Surgeon report consisted of contacting the surgeon or staff 30 d after procedure to identify infections. Patient report consisted of telephone contact with the patient and confirmation of infections by a trained surgical clinical reviewer. RESULTS: Between February 2011 and June 2012, there were 2853 surgical procedures that met inclusion criteria. Surgeon-reported SSI rate was significantly lower (2.4%, P value < 0.01) compared with patient self-report (4.3%). The rate was lower across most infection subtypes (1.3% versus 3.0% superficial, 0.3% versus 0.5% organ/space) except deep incisional, most procedure types (2.3% versus 4.4% general surgery) except plastics, most patient characteristics (except body mass index < 18.5), and all hospitals. There were disagreements in 3.4% of cases; 74 cases reported by patients but not surgeons and 21 cases vice versa. Disagreements were more likely in superficial infections (59.8% versus 1.0%), C-sections (22.7% versus 17.7%), hospital A (22.7% versus 17.7%), age < 65 y (74.2% versus 68.3%), and body mass index ≥ 30 (54.2% versus 39.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Patient report is a more sensitive method of detection of SSI compared with surgeon report, resulting in nearly twice the SSI rate. Fair and consistent ways of identifying SSIs are essential for comparing hospitals and surgeons, locally and nationally.

Feasibility and potential role of ferumoxytol-enhanced neuroimaging in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder.

We assessed ferumoxytol-enhanced brain MRI to identify monocyte/macrophage accumulation in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Four HIV-infected subjects with undetectable HIV RNA levels on antiretroviral therapy, HIV DNA level in CD14+ cells ≥10 copies/10(6) cells, and cognitive impairment underwent ferumoxytol-enhanced brain MRI. On post-ferumoxytol susceptibility-weighted images, all HIV-infected subjects demonstrated a diffuse "tram track" appearance in the perivascular regions of cortical and deep white matter vessels suggesting ferumoxytol uptake in monocytes/macrophages. This finding was not present in an HIV-seronegative control. While ferumoxytol may have potential as an imaging biomarker for monocyte/macrophage accumulation in patients with HAND, future study is needed.

Regional cortical thinning associated with detectable levels of HIV DNA.

High levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and specifically within CD14+ blood monocytes, have been found in HIV-infected individuals with neurocognitive impairment and dementia. The failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to eliminate cognitive dysfunction in HIV may be secondary to persistence of HIV-infected PBMCs which cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to perivascular inflammation and neuronal injury. This study assessed brain cortical thickness relative to HIV DNA levels and identified, we believe for the first time, a neuroimaging correlate of detectable PBMC HIV DNA in subjects with undetectable HIV RNA. Cortical thickness was compared between age- and education-matched groups of older (>40 years) HIV-seropositive subjects on HAART who had detectable (N = 9) and undetectable (N = 10) PBMC HIV DNA. Statistical testing revealed highly significant (P < 0.001) cortical thinning associated with detectable HIV DNA. The largest regions affected were in bilateral insula, orbitofrontal and temporal cortices, right superior frontal cortex, and right caudal anterior cingulate. Cortical thinning correlated significantly with a measure of psychomotor speed. The areas of reduced cortical thickness are key nodes in cognitive and emotional processing networks and may be etiologically important in HIV-related neurological deficits.

Cerebrovascular risk factors and brain microstructural abnormalities on diffusion tensor images in HIV-infected individuals.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder remains prevalent in HIV-infected individuals despite effective antiretroviral therapy. As these individuals age, comorbid cerebrovascular disease will likely impact cognitive function. Effective tools to study this impact are needed. This study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize brain microstructural changes in HIV-infected individuals with and without cerebrovascular risk factors. Diffusion-weighted MRIs were obtained in 22 HIV-infected subjects aged 50 years or older (mean age = 58 years, standard deviation = 6 years; 19 males, three females). Tensors were calculated to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps. Statistical comparisons accounting for multiple comparisons were made between groups with and without cerebrovascular risk factors. Abnormal glucose metabolism (i.e., impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus) was associated with significantly higher MD (false discovery rate (FDR) critical p value = 0.008) and lower FA (FDR critical p value = 0.002) in the caudate and lower FA in the hippocampus (FDR critical p value = 0.004). Pearson correlations were performed between DTI measures in the caudate and hippocampus and age- and education-adjusted composite scores of global cognitive function, memory, and psychomotor speed. There were no detectable correlations between the neuroimaging measures and measures of cognition. In summary, we demonstrate that brain microstructural abnormalities are associated with abnormal glucose metabolism in the caudate and hippocampus of HIV-infected individuals. Deep gray matter structures and the hippocampus may be vulnerable in subjects with comorbid abnormal glucose metabolism, but our results should be confirmed in further studies.

Association of Immunosuppression and Viral Load With Subcortical Brain Volume in an International Sample of People Living With HIV.

Importance: Despite more widely accessible combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV-1 infection remains a global public health challenge. Even in treated patients with chronic HIV infection, neurocognitive impairment often persists, affecting quality of life. Identifying the neuroanatomical pathways associated with infection in vivo may delineate the neuropathologic processes underlying these deficits. However, published neuroimaging findings from relatively small, heterogeneous cohorts are inconsistent, limiting the generalizability of the conclusions drawn to date. Objective: To examine structural brain associations with the most commonly collected clinical assessments of HIV burden (CD4+ T-cell count and viral load), which are generalizable across demographically and clinically diverse HIV-infected individuals worldwide. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study established the HIV Working Group within the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium to pool and harmonize data from existing HIV neuroimaging studies. In total, data from 1295 HIV-positive adults were contributed from 13 studies across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Regional and whole brain segmentations were extracted from data sets as contributing studies joined the consortium on a rolling basis from November 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: Volume estimates for 8 subcortical brain regions were extracted from T1-weighted magnetic resonance images to identify associations with blood plasma markers of current immunosuppression (CD4+ T-cell counts) or detectable plasma viral load (dVL) in HIV-positive participants. Post hoc sensitivity analyses stratified data by cART status. Results: After quality assurance, data from 1203 HIV-positive individuals (mean [SD] age, 45.7 [11.5] years; 880 [73.2%] male; 897 [74.6%] taking cART) remained. Lower current CD4+ cell counts were associated with smaller hippocampal (mean [SE] ß = 16.66 [4.72] mm3 per 100 cells/mm3; P < .001) and thalamic (mean [SE] ß = 32.24 [8.96] mm3 per 100 cells/mm3; P < .001) volumes and larger ventricles (mean [SE] ß = -391.50 [122.58] mm3 per 100 cells/mm3; P = .001); in participants not taking cART, however, lower current CD4+ cell counts were associated with smaller putamen volumes (mean [SE] ß = 57.34 [18.78] mm3 per 100 cells/mm3; P = .003). A dVL was associated with smaller hippocampal volumes (d = -0.17; P = .005); in participants taking cART, dVL was also associated with smaller amygdala volumes (d = -0.23; P = .004). Conclusions and Relevance: In a large-scale international population of HIV-positive individuals, volumes of structures in the limbic system were consistently associated with current plasma markers. Our findings extend beyond the classically implicated regions of the basal ganglia and may represent a generalizable brain signature of HIV infection in the cART era.

A comparison of idiopathic intracranial hypertension with and without papilledema.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical features, visual characteristics, and treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients with and without papilledema. BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension does not often occur without papilledema. This study estimates the prevalence and compares the clinical characteristics of idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients with and without papilledema. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of all idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients diagnosed at the University of Utah Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit between 1990 and 2003. Patient records were reviewed for presence of papilledema and other signs, symptoms, and treatment characteristics. Each patient without papilledema was matched to the patient with papilledema who was closest to his/her age and sex. McNemar's and Wilcoxon-signed rank sum tests were used to compare characteristics between matched pairs. RESULTS: Among all patients (n = 353), the prevalence of those without papilledema was 5.7% (n = 20). Patients without papilledema reported photopsias (20%), and were found to have spontaneous venous pulsations (75%) and non-physiologic visual field constriction (20%) more often than did those with papilledema. Mean opening pressure, although above normal, was lower in patients without papilledema (mean = 309 mm cerebrospinal fluid) compared with those with papilledema (mean = 373 mm cerebrospinal fluid, P = .031). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients without papilledema had more frequent diagnostic lumbar punctures than did patients with papilledema. Visual acuities and treatment were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema is only somewhat different from that of idiopathic intracranial hypertension with papilledema. The lower opening pressure in patients without papilledema may explain variations in symptoms and signs between the 2 groups. When there are visual field changes in idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema, non-physiologic visual loss should be considered.

Red blood cell distribution width as an easily measurable biomarker of persistent inflammation and T cell dysregulation in antiretrovirally treated HIV-infected adults.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction occur in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection despite stable antiretroviral therapy (ART). Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to correlate with markers of inflammation in non-HIV conditions. The study objective was to determine associations between RDW with cellular markers of immune activation and immune dysfunction including soluble inflammatory mediators in ART treated HIV infection. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Hawaii Aging with HIV-Cardiovascular study. RDW was defined as one standard deviation of RBC size divided by mean corpuscular volume multiplied by 100%. Correlations were analyzed between RDW, soluble inflammatory biomarkers and T cell activation (CD38 + HLA-DR+), senescence (CD28-CD57+), and immune exhaustion (PD-1, TIGIT, TIM-3 expression). RESULTS: Of 158 participants analyzed, median age was 50 years, duration of ART 12.6 years, virally suppressed 84.4%, and CD4 count 503 cells/mm3. Significant positive correlations were identified between RDW and soluble biomarkers including sICAM, IL-8, IL-6, SAA, TNF-α, sE-selection, fibrinogen, D-dimer, CRP, CD4/CD8 ratio, and frequency of multiple CD8 T-cell populations such as CD38 + HLA-DR + T-cells, single TIGIT+, and dual expressing of TIGIT + PD1+, TIGIT + TIM3+, and TIM3 + PD1+ CD8+ T-cell subsets (p < .05). Frequencies of CD38 + HLA-DR + CD8+ T-cells and TIGIT + CD8+ T-cells remained significant adjusting for baseline variables (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed correlations between RDW with systemic inflammatory biomarkers and CD8+ T-cell populations related to immune activation and exhaustion in HIV-infected individuals on ART. Further studies are warranted to determine the utility of RDW as a marker of immune dysregulation in HIV.

Sleep and neuropsychological performance in HIV+ subjects on efavirenz-based therapy and response to switch in therapy.

The antiretroviral drug efavirenz (EFV) has been linked to disordered sleep and cognitive abnormalities. We examined sleep and cognitive function and subsequent changes following switch to an alternative integrase inhibitor-based regimen. Thirty-two HIV-infected individuals on EFV, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF) without traditional risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were randomized 2:1 to switch to elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir (EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF) or to continue EFV/FTC/TDF therapy for 12 weeks. Overnight polysomnography and standardized sleep and neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline and at 12 weeks. No significant differences in change over 12 weeks were noted between the two arms in any sleep or neuropsychological test parameter. At entry, however, the rate of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) was substantially higher in study subjects compared to published age-matched norms and resulted in a high assessed OSA rate of 59.4%. Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), a measure of SDB, correlated with age- and education-adjusted global neuropsychological Z-score (NPZ) (r = -0.35, p = 0.05). Sleep Maintenance Efficiency, Wake after Sleep Onset, REM Sleep and RDI correlated with domain-specific NPZ for learning and memory (all p-values ≤ 0.05). Among HIV-infected individuals on EFV-based therapy and without traditional risk factors for OSA, sleep and neuropsychological abnormalities do not readily reverse after discontinuation of EFV. High baseline rates of SDB and abnormalities in sleep architecture exist in this population correlating with neuropsychological impairment. The role of HIV immuno-virologic or lifestyle factors as contributing etiologies should be explored. OSA may be an under-recognized etiology for cognitive dysfunction during chronic HIV.

Improved Cognitive Performance and Reduced Monocyte Activation in Virally Suppressed Chronic HIV After Dual CCR2 and CCR5 Antagonism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in neuropsychological (NP) performance and in plasma and cell surface markers of peripheral monocyte activation/migration after treatment with cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) and type 5 (CCR5) antagonist, in treatment-experienced, HIV-infected individuals. SETTING: Single-arm, 24-week, open-label clinical trial. METHODS: HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy ≥1 year with plasma HIV RNA ≤50 copies per milliliter and below-normal cognitive performance [defined as age-, sex-, and education-adjusted NP performance (NPZ) <-0.5 in a single cognitive domain or in global performance] were enrolled. Changes over 24 weeks were assessed for global and domain-specific NPZ scores, plasma markers of monocyte/macrophage activation [neopterin, soluble (s)CD14, and sCD163] quantified by ELISA, and CCR2 and CCR5 expression on monocytes, and T cells measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Seventeen of 20 enrolled participants completed the study. Improvements over 24 weeks were observed in global NPZ [median change (Δ) = 0.24; P = 0.008], and in cognitive domains of attention (Δ0.23; P = 0.011) and working memory (Δ0.44; P = 0.017). Plasma levels of sCD163, sCD14 and neopterin decreased significantly (P's < 0.01). CCR2 and CCR5 monocyte expression remained unchanged; however, CCR5 levels on CD4 and CD8 T cells and CCR2 expression on CD4 T cells increased (P's < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CVC given over 24 weeks was associated with improved NP test performance and decreased plasma markers of monocyte immune activation in virally suppressed, HIV-infected participants. These data potentially link changes in monocyte activation to cognitive performance. Further study of CVC for HIV cognitive impairment in a randomized controlled study is warranted.

Hemorrhagic Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis.

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) may be associated with viral triggers, including both infections and vaccinations. We present a case of a healthy immunocompetent 33-year-old woman who developed a hemorrhagic LETM 2 weeks after seasonal influenza vaccination. Hemorrhagic LETM has not to our knowledge been reported after influenza vaccination. It may represent a forme fruste variant of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis.

Oxidative mitochondrial DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with reduced volumes of hippocampus and subcortical gray matter in chronically HIV-infected patients.

Cross-sectional relationships were examined between regional brain volumes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 47 HIV patients [mean age 51years; 81% with HIV RNA ≤50copies/mL] on combination antiretroviral therapy. The gene-specific DNA damage and repair assay measured mtDNA 8-oxo-dG break frequency. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 3T. Higher mtDNA 8-oxo-dG was associated with lateral ventricular enlargement and with decreased volumes of hippocampus, pallidum, and total subcortical gray matter, suggesting the involvement of systemic mitochondrial-specific oxidative stress in chronic HIV-related structural brain changes and cognitive difficulties. Clarification of the mechanism may provide potential therapeutic targets.

CNS Vasculitis Associated with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is an indolent B cell lymphoproliferative disorder with monoclonal IgM secretion. We present a patient with WM who presented with multifocal acute cortical ischemic strokes and was found to have central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis. Workup was negative for cryoglobulins and hyperviscosity syndrome. Immunosuppression with intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide stabilized the patient's mental status and neurologic deficits. On followup over 7 years, patient gained independence from walking aids and experienced no recurrences of CNS vasculitis. To our knowledge, CNS vasculitis in a WM patient, in the absence of cryoglobulins, has not been reported. Immunosuppression is the preferred treatment.

Non-Classical Monocytes and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) Correlate with Coronary Artery Calcium Progression in Chronically HIV-1 Infected Adults on Stable Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Persistent inflammation and immune activation has been hypothesized to contribute to increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with chronic HIV infection. In this study, we examined the correlation of peripheral monocyte subsets and soluble biomarkers of inflammation to coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression, as measured by cardiac computed tomography scan. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal analysis utilizing baseline data of 78 participants with HIV infection on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Hawaii Aging with HIV-Cardiovascular study who had available baseline monocyte subset analysis as well as CAC measurement at baseline and at 2-year follow up. Monocyte phenotypes were assessed from cryopreserved blood by flow cytometry and plasma was assayed for soluble biomarkers using antibody-coated beads in a high sensitivity Milliplex Luminex platform. Change in CAC over 2 years was analyzed as the primary outcome variable. RESULTS: Of all monocyte subsets and biomarkers tested, higher non-classical monocyte percentage (ρ = 0.259, p = 0.022), interleukin (IL)-6 (ρ = 0.311, p = 0.012), and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (ρ = 0.524, p = <0.001) were significantly correlated to higher 2-year CAC progression in unadjusted Spearman's correlation. Non-classical monocyte percentage (ρ = 0.247, p = 0.039), and MCP-1 (ρ = 0.487, p = <0.001), remained significantly correlated to 2-year CAC progression, while IL-6 was not (ρ = 0.209, p = 0.120) after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, smoking history, and BMI. CONCLUSION: The percentage of non-classical monocytes and plasma MCP-1 levels were independently associated with CAC progression and may be related to the progression of atherosclerosis and increased CVD risk associated with chronic HIV infection on stable ART.

Non-classical monocytes predict progression of carotid artery bifurcation intima-media thickness in HIV-infected individuals on stable antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) among antiretrovirally suppressed HIV-infected individuals. We assessed relationships of monocyte, CD8 T-cell activation and plasma biomarkers to changes in carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT). METHODS: Longitudinal study of HIV-infected subjects ≥40 years and on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) ≥3 months. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were immunophenotyped by multiparameteric flow cytometry to quantify classical (CD14(++)CD16(-)), intermediate (CD14(++)CD16(+)), non-classical (CD14(low/+)CD16(++)) and transitional (CD14(+)CD16(-)) monocyte subsets and activated (CD38(+)HLA-DR(+)) CD8(+) T-cells at baseline. Plasma biomarkers were assessed by multiplex Luminex assay. High-resolution B-mode ultrasounds of right carotid arteries were obtained. Changes in CIMT over two years at the right common carotid artery (CIMTCCA) and right bifurcation (CIMTBIF) were outcome variables. RESULTS: We studied 50 subjects: 84% male, median age 49 (Q1, Q3; 46, 56) years, median CD4 count 461 (317, 578) cells/mm(3), and with HIV RNA ≤ 50 copies/mL in 84%. Change in CIMTBIF correlated with log values of baseline absolute count of non-classical monocytes (r = 0.37, p = 0.020), and with MCP-1 (r = 0.42, p = 0.0024) and TNF-α (r = 0.30, p = 0.036) levels. In multivariable linear regression, only non-classical monocytes and MCP-1 predicted the change in CIMTBIF, independent of Framingham Risk Score and baseline CIMTBIF. No correlation was noted between CD8 T-cell activation and CIMTBIF change. Monocyte subsets, CD8 T-cell activation, and biomarker concentrations were not correlated with changes in CIMTCCA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the role of non-classical monocytes and MCP-1 in the progression of CIMTBIF in HIV-infected individuals on stable ART independent of traditional cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

This retrospective study evaluated the frequencies of symptoms associated with autonomic dysfunction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on stable combined antiretroviral therapy. Patients infected with HIV reported higher frequencies of dysautonomia symptoms compared with HIV-negative patients, particularly in the autonomic domains related to urinary, sleep, gastroparesis, secretomotor, pupillomotor, and male sexual dysfunction.

Autonomic Function is Associated with Fitness Level in HIV-Infected Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular fitness can improve autonomic function (AF) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. METHODS: Cross-sectional study investigating relationship between AF and cardiovascular fitness in HIV+ individuals on antiretroviral therapy. Participants' (n=29) maximal oxygen consumption (VO2MAX) were assessed by graded exercise test and scaled allometrically, then divided into tertiles by fitness level (Unfit, Low-fit, and Moderately-fit). Heart rate variability (HRV) and the Autonomic Reflex Screen were used to assess AF. RESULTS: Median VO2MAX were 104.9, 130.5, and 150.2 mL•kg-.67•min-1 for Unfit (n=10), Low-fit (n=10), and Moderately-fit (n= 9) groups respectively (p<0.05). Positive correlations were found between VO2MAX and HRV (Spearman's rho range 0.383 to 0.553) were found. Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) Distal Leg volumes was lower in Unfit compared to Low-fit (p=0.007) and Moderately-fit groups (p=0.018). Unfit QSART total volumes was lower than Moderately-fit (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: A positive relationship existed between AF and fitness levels. HIV+ individuals could benefit from improved fitness.

Early Childhood Vision Screening in Hawai'i Utilizing a Hand-Held Screener.

The goal of early childhood vision screening is to detect subnormal vision and amblyopic risk factors that threaten visual development so that treatment can be initiated early to yield the highest benefit. Hand-held, portable, instrument-based vision screening devices can be used in children as young as 6 months of age. We assessed the feasibility of hand-held photoscreeners to screen for vision disorders in pre-school children in Hawai'i. A total of 137 preschool children on O'ahu in the "Tutu and Me"/Partners in Development program were screened at 6 different locations using the Plusoptix S12 hand-held photoscreener. Once technical issues were resolved, screening was fast and well tolerated. Possible vision abnormalities were found in 11 of the 137 children (8%). Poor compliance for follow-up with formal vision examination limited our ability to confirm these abnormalities. We conclude that photoscreening has the potential to facilitate early childhood vision screening in Hawai'i. The optimal referral criteria for use in Hawai'i will need to be determined after considering the age of the screening population and the available medical resources in Hawai'i. Early detection of treatable eye disorders has far-reaching benefits for the visual development and long term health and well-being of children. A comprehensive early childhood vision screening program in Hawai'i utilizing automated hand-held photoscreeners may have public health value. Such a program should integrate referral to an eye care professional for confirmation and management of vision disorders of at-risk children found on screening.