Epidemiology of HIV among black and minority ethnic men who have sex with men in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the epidemiology of HIV among black and minority ethnic (BME) men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales (E&W). METHODS: Ethnicity data from two national HIV/AIDS surveillance systems were reviewed (1997-2002 inclusive), providing information on new HIV diagnoses and those accessing NHS HIV treatment and care services. In addition, undiagnosed HIV prevalence among MSM attending 14 genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics participating in the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme and having routine syphilis serology was examined by world region of birth. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2002, 1040 BME MSM were newly diagnosed with HIV in E&W, representing 12% of all new diagnoses reported among MSM. Of the 1040 BME MSM, 27% were black Caribbean, 12% black African, 10% black other, 8% Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi, and 44% other/mixed. Where reported (n = 395), 58% of BME MSM were probably infected in the United Kingdom. An estimated 7.4% (approximate 95% CI: 4.4% to 12.5%) of BME MSM aged 16-44 in E&W were living with diagnosed HIV in 2002 compared with 3.2% (approximate 95% CI: 2.6% to 3.9%) of white MSM (p<0.001). Of Caribbean born MSM attending GUM clinics between 1997 and 2002, the proportion with undiagnosed HIV infection was 15.8% (95% CI: 11.7% to 20.8%), while among MSM born in other regions it remained below 6.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1997-2002, BME MSM accounted for just over one in 10 new HIV diagnoses among MSM in E & W; more than half probably acquired their infection in the United Kingdom. In 2002, the proportion of BME MSM living with diagnosed HIV in E&W was significantly higher than white MSM. Undiagnosed HIV prevalence in Caribbean born MSM was high. These data confirm the need to remain alert to the sexual health needs and evolving epidemiology of HIV among BME MSM in E&W.

Black Caribbean adults with HIV in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: an emerging epidemic?

BACKGROUND: HIV is now well established in the Caribbean, with prevalence in several countries being surpassed only by those of sub-Saharan Africa. Continuing inward migration from the Caribbean and a high incidence of some bacterial STIs among Britain's black Caribbean communities, suggests a considerable potential for HIV spread. METHODS: Data from three national HIV/AIDS surveillance systems were reviewed, providing information on new HIV diagnoses, numbers accessing treatment and care services, and HIV prevalence. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2001, 528 black Caribbean adults were newly diagnosed with HIV; 62 new diagnoses in 1997, rising to 176 in 2001. Probable heterosexual acquisition accounted for 335 (63%) infections (161 (48%) males, 174 females), and sex between men 171 (32%). Infection was acquired both in the Caribbean and in the United Kingdom. Numbers of black Caribbeans accessing treatment and care services more than doubled between 1997 (294) and 2001 (691). In 2001, 528 (76%) black Caribbeans accessing services were London residents. Among the Caribbean born previously undiagnosed heterosexuals, HIV prevalence was 0.7%; among men who have sex with men (MSM) it was 10.4%. Of those born in the Caribbean, 73% of male heterosexuals, 50% of female heterosexuals, and 65% of MSM who were previously undiagnosed left the clinic unaware of their HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Numbers of black Caribbean adults newly diagnosed and accessing treatment and care services in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland increased between 1997 and 2001. Despite a high prevalence of diagnosed bacterial STIs, prevalence among Caribbean born heterosexuals remains low, but it is high among MSM. Surveillance data highlight the need for targeted HIV prevention among black Caribbeans.

Vitreous hemorrhage as an ophthalmic complication of galactosemia.

A major complication of galactosemia is cataracts. This is usually considered to be the sole ophthalmic feature of this disorder. However, we have encountered vitreous hemorrhage, a very rare ophthalmic finding, in five neonates with galactosemia and have found four probable additional cases in the literature. All of these infants had severe neonatal manifestations of galactosemia and were discovered to have vitreous hemorrhage by ophthalmologic examination initiated by the observation of clouding of the eye or on a routine basis. The infants lost most or all vision from the affected eye. Retinal abnormalities were present in the involved eyes of the five neonates of whom we have direct knowledge. Thus we believe that retinal hemorrhage is the most likely source of the vitreous hemorrhage and that the coagulopathy associated with neonatal disease in galactosemia leads to vitreous hemorrhage. Prompt recognition and therapy for the coagulopathy would likely prevent vitreous hemorrhage in galactosemia.

Multiple introductions of HIV-1 subtype E into the western hemisphere.

There are nine recognised genetic subtypes of HIV-1, and the epidemic in Southeast Asia is largely due to subtype E. We have investigated HIV-1 viral subtypes in 11 Uruguayan military personnel, six with infection acquired during a United Nations deployment to Cambodia and five with infection acquired in South America. We found subtype E in five of the six infections acquired in Southeast Asia, and subtype B in all five of the domestically acquired cases. These findings document multiple introductions of HIV-1 subtype E into the western hemisphere and mean that the genetic diversity of the global HIV-1 pandemic must be considered in strategies for epidemic control.

PIP: The genetic analysis of viruses from 11 HIV-infected Uruguayan military personnel, 6 of whom are thought to have acquired their infection while deployed as part of the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia, is reported. They were screened for antibodies to HIV-1 before deployment, on return, and one month after return. 10 (.8%) of 1300 individuals acquired HIV-1 infection during overseas deployment. 6 of these 10 and 5 military personnel with domestically acquired infections volunteered for this study. The five had been diagnosed when tested as part of sentinel screening or at blood donation. Medical histories indicated that for all but 1 of the 11 subjects (who did not deploy to Cambodia), transmission most likely occurred through heterosexual exposures. The virus was successfully isolated by coculture in six individuals (four nondeployed, two deployed), and the genetic analyses were carried out on DNA prepared from cocultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from these subjects. Genetic analyses of viruses from the other five subjects were done on DNA from primary PBMC. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequences from the gp 120 fragment obtained from the five subjects who did not deploy and had not traveled outside South America revealed that all clustered within the B subtype of HIV-1. Of the six subjects who were infected while deployed to Cambodia, five harbored HIV-1 subtype E, while the sixth isolate (UR5) was subtype B. Cross-sectional surveys in several populations in Uruguay have revealed a low overall seroprevalence of HIV-1, with the highest prevalence (1.26% of 868 patients tested) found in a population from a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Montevideo. The biological consequences of the introduction of subtype E HIV-1 into the western hemisphere are not known, but data from Thailand suggest that subtype E may be associated with a higher risk of heterosexual transmission than B.

Disseminated Nocardia brasiliensis infection with septic arthritis.

An unusual case of disseminated Nocardia brasiliensis infection is presented. The patient, who had been receiving chronic dexamethasone therapy for 4 years, had pneumonia and septic arthritis of the left knee due to N. brasiliensis. To our knowledge, this is the first report from the United States of a synovial joint infection with this organism. Disseminated disease due to N. brasiliensis is infrequently reported; it is most often seen in the immunocompromised patient and is often unresponsive to therapy.

Plasmodium coatneyi-infected rhesus monkeys: a primate model for human cerebral malaria.

Although several animal models for human cerebral malaria have been proposed in the past, none have shown pathological findings that are similar to those seen in humans. In order to develop an animal model for human cerebral malaria, we studied the pathology of brains of Plasmodium coatneyi (primate malaria parasite)-infected rhesus monkeys. Our study demonstrated parasitized erythrocyte (PRBC) sequestration and cytoadherence of knobs on PRBC to endothelial cells in cerebral microvessels of these monkeys. This is similar to the findings seen in human cerebral malaria. Cerebral microvessels with sequestered PRBC were shown by immunohistochemistry to possess CD36, TSP and ICAM-1. These proteins were not evident in cerebral microvessels of uninfected control monkeys. Our study indicates, for the first time, that rhesus monkeys infected with P. coatneyi can be used as a primate model to study human cerebral malaria.

Management in the febrile, neutropenic patient with cancer: therapeutic considerations.

Infection is the principal cause of death in neutropenic children and adults with neoplastic diseases. Various antibiotic regimens have been studied in clinical trials in an attempt to reduce this mortality. Recent trials have compared newer combinations of antibacterial agents (double beta-lactams) or monotherapy with the standard aminoglycoside-beta-lactam combinations. No significant differences are demonstrated in these trials with regard to efficacy. Emphasis has been on the reduction of toxicity. Although nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and hypokalemia have been of concern in the past and continue to be important, newer problems have emerged that involve disorders of coagulation, for example, prolongation of prothrombin time, disorders of platelet function, and clinical bleeding. Superinfection and the emergence of resistance during therapy have also been problematic. Cost must be considered an important factor in determining the selection of an antibacterial regimen. The combination of an aminoglycoside and a beta-lactam antibiotic remains the standard against which future combinations or monotherapy must be judged in clinical trials involving the febrile, neutropenic patient with cancer.