Infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana en la embarazada. Importancia del conocimiento de la infección en el embarazo y factores de riesgo en la transmisión perinatal / Human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnant women. The importance of recognizing the infection during pregnancy and risk factors for perinatal transmission

BACKGROUND: Using adequate infection control measures, the rate of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy, has been reduced to 3 per cent in Chile. AIM: To determine vertical transmission rate and risk factors associated to perinatal infection in pregnant women with known (KI) and unknown HIV infection (UI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HIV infected pregnant women whose deliveries were attended at the San Borja Arriaran Hospital were included. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been used since 1995 (Zidovudine 13 patients, biOtherapy 4 and triple therapy 14 patients). Newborns have received ART since 1995. Premature labor without evident cause, premature rupture of membranes, and rupture of membranes over 4 h before delivery were evaluated. Delivery was by elective cesarean section since 1993. Breast feeding was avoided. Pregnant women with UI (suspected disease after delivery due to child or mother pathology) did not received ART. Delivery and breast feeding were managed with common obstetrical-neonatal criteria. RESULTS: Fifty three HIV infected pregnant women were studied (43 with KI and 10 with UI). Four children (36.4 per cent) from the KI group and seven (63.6 per cent from the UI group became infected. The global rate of vertical transmission among KI group was significantly lower than UI group: 9.5 per cent (4/42) vs 70.0 per cent(7/10) p < 0.001. Using ART, this rate was further reduced to 6.5 per cent (2/31) and with bitherapy or triple therapy to 0 per cent (0/18). Breast feeding, vaginal delivery, premature delivery with no clinical cause, premature rupture of membranes, rupture of membranes longer than 4 h and lack of ART, were significantly more common in the UI group, compared with KI group. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical transmission in pregnant women with KI is significantly lower compared with UI. Risk factors increasing HIV perinatal infection are: breast feeding, lack of ART, vaginal delivery, premature rupture of membranes, rupture of membranes > 4 h and premature labor without a clinical cause.

[Prospective follow-up of a HIV infected population with and without access to antiretroviral therapy: impact of survival and complications]. / Seguimiento prospectivo de una población infectada por VIH con y sin posibilidades de terapia anti-retroviral: impacto en sobrevida y complicaciones.

BACKGROUND: Three-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART-3) has reduced complications and improved survival in HIV+ patients. The Chilean Public Health System began dual therapy (ART-2) in 1997, covering approximately 40% of patients in need. AIM: To report the results of a follow-up of patients with and without access to ART in a Chilean public hospital. PATIENT AND METHODS: Prospective follow-up of patients with ART-2 and 3 (cases) and patients with no access to ART (controls). All patients needed ART but it was available to a minority of them. Selection for ART was at random. Follow-up was between 6-24 months (11/96 to 3/99). Basal and periodic clinical and laboratory parameters were determined. Mortality and occurrence of new AIDS-defining events (ADE) were compared statistically using chi square. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty cases (106 ART2, 28 ART3 and 16 ART2 expanded to ART3) and 166 controls were studied. Basal parameters were similar except prior ART (32.7 and 18.7% in cases and controls respectively). Close to 1/3 patients had AIDS. Cases had a mean follow up of 527 days; controls, 478. Six cases (4%) (5 in ART-2) and 17 controls (10%) died. Mortality x 100/pts/yr was 2.7 in cases and 7.7 in controls, p < 0.05. ADE per 100/pts/yr was 21 in cases (24.4 in ART2, 15.1 in TAR3) and 54.5 in controls, p < 0.05. Cases had a reduction of: esophageal candidiasis (84%), tuberculosis (75%), cryptococcosis and toxoplasmosis (66%), P carinii pneumonia (55%) and bacterial pneumonia (46%) and they had fewer hospitalizations (73%). Late assessment: 70 of 101 ART-2 patients had changed to ART-3 (1 death); 22 of 101 kept original ART-2 (12 dead, 10 alive), 39 of 43 ART-3 patients were alive and 1 died. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term ART-2 and 3 significantly reduced mortality (60% and 73%) ADE (65% and 76% respectively) and hospitalizations. Benefits of ART-2 were short lived. Resource-constrained countries cannot depend on weaker than standard ART for proper care of people with HIV disease.

[Impact of antiretroviral therapy in mortality of Chilean HIV (+) patients: a case control study]. / Impacto de la terapia anti retroviral en la mortalidad de pacientes VIH (+) chilenos: estudio caso-control (MORTAR).

BACKGROUND: Combined antiretroviral therapy (AVR) has shown a protective effect (PE) on morbidity and survival in HIV (+) patients of industrialised countries where triple-drug therapy (ARV-3) is standard. In Chile the public health system began providing double-drug therapy in 1997 (ARV-2) with 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. AIM: To assess the impact of ARV in morbimortality of HIV (+) patients in Chile after a year of follow up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case-control (1:1) study. Cases were 97 patients followed during 1997 for 6 or more months and dying during that period. Each case had a control of the same gender and CDC stage, similar age and CD4 count, but surviving a same period of follow up. A comparison of ARV before and during follow up (rate and type) was done. P carinii prophylaxis, pneumococcal immunization at baseline or follow up, frequency of hospital admissions and occurrence of opportunistic infections in both groups were assessed. Odds ratio (OR) for mortality, hospitalization and opportunistic infections in ARV user, as well as treatment PE were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty four (24.7%) cases and sixty six (68%) controls received ARV during follow up (p < 0.001), OR was 0.15 (CI 95% 0.08-0.3), p < 0.001, the PE was 6.6 for ARV users versus non users, among cases 19 patients received ARV-2 and five received ARV-3. Among controls, 41 patients received ARV-2 and 25 received ARV-3. These differences established an OR of 0.20 (CI 95% 0.09-0.04) and a PE of 5 for ARV-2 versus no ARV. For ARV-3 compared with no ARV the OR was 0.08 (CI 95% 0.003-0.26), and the PE 12.5. Fifty three (54.6%) cases and 13 (13.4%) controls required hospital admission, OR 0.49 (CI 95% 0.25-0.94), p = 0.03, and PE of 2.04 of ARV versus no ARV; 82 (85.3%) cases and 50 (51%) controls had opportunistic infections, OR 0.5 (CI 95% 0.26-0.96), p = 0.03 and PE of 2 for ARV versus no ARV. There were no significant differences in prior ARV, prophylaxis and immunisation between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the high impact of ARV in short term morbimortality of HIV(+) patients and the need to implement antiretroviral therapy to all patients as an official health policy. This study did not answer the question of the role, if any, of weaker-than standard antiretroviral therapy.

[Fatal lactic acidosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy. Report of a case]. / Acidosis láctica fatal en paciente con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirido y tratamiento antiretroviral de alto grado de actividad: comunicación de un caso.

Type B lactic acidosis occurs without any evidence of cellular hypoxia and is associated with the use of drugs or toxins. We report a 36 years old woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that was admitted to the hospital with a severe lactic acidosis. She had been treated with didanosine, stavudine and efavirenz for four months prior to admission. Despite the use of high bicarbonate doses and vasoactive drugs, the patient had a catastrophic evolution and died in shock and multiple organ failure, 68 hours after admission. (Rev Méd Chile 2000; 128: 1139-43).

[HIV infection: recommendations for the management of asymptomatic adults and of various clinical syndromes]. / Infección por VIH: Recomendaciones para el manejo del adulto asintomático y de algunos síndromes clínicos.

This paper presents recommendations on the care of HIV infected adults based upon the authors' personal experience with close to 700 patients in a multiprofessional pilot center. This medical care has 5 main objectives: 1) Promotion of good health (through standard recommendation of hygiene, health habits and regular checkups); 2) prevention of infectious complications (through detection of latent pathogens, chemoprophylaxis, vaccination and avoidance of risky exposures); 3) Treatment of complications (mainly infectious, through early diagnosis and proper treatment); 4) Delay of HIV disease progression (through timely and properly chosen antiretroviral therapy); 5) Reduction of HIV infection spread from index case to others (through promotion of responsible behavior and avoidance of pregnancy and HIV exposure to others). Studies for evaluating global health and immunologic status and carriage of potential pathogens are discussed as well as the criteria and timing for chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis and P carinii pneumonia (PCP). Algorithms for the management of major clinical syndromes are presented: Diarrhea (afebrile, mostly parasitic, versus febrile, frequently bacterial); Pneumonia (lobar mostly bacterial versus interstitial, frequently PCP especially if lymphopenic and not receiving PCP prophylaxis); Brain mass lesion (most commonly toxoplasmosis). Finally, the evaluation and diagnostic possibilities of febrile patients is presented, based upon the immunologic status and associated symptoms.

[Clinical characteristics and natural history of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Study in a Chilean population served at a multiprofessional pilot center]. / Características clínicas e historia natural de la infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana. Estudio en una población chilena atendida en un centro piloto multiprofesional.

Four hundred and eighty six infected adults (90.7% men) were prospectively followed from 1988 to 1993 at a multiprofessional center in Santiago, Chile. 87.8% of male patients (pts)--84% of them homo/bisexual--and 64.4% of women acquired the infection sexually. At the beginning of the follow up (F/U) 51% of men and 71% of women were asymptomatic and 30% of the total group had AIDS. (AIDS definition: CDC 1993, excluded CD4 lymphocyte count < 200 x mm3). 240/486 (49.4%) had developed AIDS at the end of the study (12/31/93). AIDS defining events (ADE) were: interstitial pneumonia (confirmed or suggestive as caused by P. carinii [PCP]), 25%; tuberculosis (all forms), 22.1%; wasting, 13.8%; Kaposi Sarcoma, 9.2%; esophageal candidiasis, 6.7%; isosporiasis, 5.4%. Of all PCP cases, 72% were ADE, the rest, post.AIDS'. As expected, AIDS pts continued having major complications (mainly bacterial pneumonias, PCPs, esophagitis, tuberculosis and diarrhea due to I. belli and Cryptosporidium. Less frequently, but also observed, were toxoplasmic encephalitis and cryptococcal meningitis). Known mortality (excluded abandonment of F/U) was 27% for the whole group and varied from 5.8%, 51.6% to 69.2% for the first, 4th and 6th year of F/U respectively. For II-III CDC pts the mortality was 5% and 57% and for IV CDC pts it was 38% and 100% during the first and 6th year of F/U respectively. 36%, 53%, 74% and 85% of the pts followed for 1, 3, 5 and 6 years respectively had developed AIDS by the end of 1993. Multifactorial causes with either diarrhea, wasting or both were responsible for the death in half the pts in whom this was known, 15% died of respiratory complications and 5.7% of cryptococcal meningitis. 80% of AIDS pts survived their ADE. This study has provided information about the clinical profile of the HIV infection and natural history of the disease in Chile.

Salmonellal splenic abscess in the antibiotic era: a Latin American perspective.

Ten cases of salmonellal splenic abscesses recently documented in various Latin American countries are discussed. All patients were adults; the mean age was 32.6 years, and there was a predominance of males (seven). Predisposing conditions were identified in four cases. All 10 cases were documented by diagnostic imaging techniques; in one case, exploratory diagnostic laparotomy was also performed. Splenectomy was performed on eight patients, while two other patients responded to long courses of intravenous antimicrobial therapy alone. One patient died as the result of perioperative splenic rupture, and two patients underwent second laparotomies because of left subphrenic abscesses. Except for one human immunodeficiency virus-infected individual, all patients were immunocompetent and had large solitary lesions. Salmonella typhi was the predominant organism isolated and was recovered in six of the 10 cases.

[Etiologic diagnosis of pneumonia in HIV-AIDS patients. Usefulness of fibrobronchoscopy]. / Diagnóstico etiológico de neumonía en pacientes VIH-SIDA. Utilidad de la fibrobroncoscopía.

AIM: to assess the usefulness of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the etiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with AIDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: in 25 patients with AIDS and pneumonia, 31 fiberoptic bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavage were performed; in 11 occasions, a transbronchial biopsy was also performed. RESULTS: in 24 of the 31 procedures (77%) an etiologic diagnosis was made. There were 7 false negative results; in two of these patients, a repeated examination allowed an etiologic diagnosis. The etiologies of the infiltrates were pyogenic bacteria in 14 cases. Pneumocystis carinii in 9, mycobacteria in 3, cytomegalovirus in one and a lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia in one. In 5 patients, the association of two or more etiological agents was observed. Except one case, all patients had a good response to specific treatments. There were no complications attributed to the bronchoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage are safe and effective procedures for the etiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with AIDS.

Splenic abscesses due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with AIDS.

Among 60 patients with AIDS seen at our institution, two had splenic abscesses due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis without pulmonary tuberculosis. In both cases splenic abscess was the first manifestation of AIDS; the patients had prolonged fever and had lost weight and experienced malaise; slight hepatomegaly was noted in both instances and peripheral lymphadenopathy in one. Chest radiography gave normal results in one case and showed hilar lymphadenopathy in the other. Ultrasonographic findings were characteristic: homogeneous hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, with multiple filling defects of variable size. Diagnosis required splenectomy in one case and biopsy of cervical lymph nodes in the other. In both cases Ziehl-Neelsen staining gave positive results; M. tuberculosis grew from a culture of splenic tissue of one patient and from a culture of lymph nodal tissue of the other. There was a rapid response to antituberculous therapy. Splenic tuberculosis seems to be a distinct extrapulmonary entity in patients with AIDS. Ultrasonographic images are useful for diagnosis and follow-up.

[AIDS and pregnancy. The clinical management of 2 cases of HIV infection]. / SIDA y embarazo. Manejo clínico de dos casos con infección por VIH.

Two clinical cases of HIV-infected pregnant women are presented: One with declared AIDS and the other a symptomless carrier. The clinical management of these cases are described; that is, the resolution of the delivery and the clinical measures implemented during their hospitalization. Both, the potential ways of propagating the infection among the health workers as well as the universal precautions which must be taken in order to avoid the risk of infection are discussed. The perinatal transmission of the HIV virus and the possible risk factors are also studied in this presentation. In the heterosexual relations of the couples infected with HIV are considered important their associated risk factors. It appears that education is the primary factor to prevent the infection in obs-gyn patients, more than obtaining resources to do massive serological tests on them.

[Acute polyarthritis in a patient with AIDS. Clinical report]. / Poliartritis aguda en un paciente con SIDA. Caso clínico.

A homosexual patient known to be HIV positive for 2 years developed fever, herpes labialis, salmonellosis and symmetric polyarthritis. No specific cause was documented for the arthritis which was ascribed to the AIDS syndrome. Partial improvement in symptoms was observed after therapy with cotrimoxazole and indomethacin. Musculoskeletal complications of AIDS are reviewed.

[Gentamicin and amikacin nephrotoxicity: comparative study in patients with initially normal renal function]. / Nefrotoxicidad de gentamicina y amikacina: estudio comparativo en pacientes con función renal inicial normal.

The purpose of this study was to compare the nephrotoxic potential of amikacin (AK) and gentamicin (GM) in patients (pts) with normal renal function at the beginning of the treatment (Tx) in an open comparative and prospective trial. Nephrotoxicity (NFTX) was defined as a blood creatinine (Cr) increase of at least 50% from the basal (normal) level, or an increase to higher than normal level during, at the end or after Tx. Peak and trough blood GM and AK levels were determined at 72 h of Tx to make proper adjustments in dosing. The two groups (GM, n = 27 and AK, n = 38) were similar in population composition, underlying pathology and infectious process requiring antimicrobials. Patients in the GM group tended to be older (mean age, 56 years) than the AK (mean age, 48 years) p NS; the latter had received more frequently aminoglycoside Tx (69 vs 11%) p less than 0.0005. The GM group received a comparatively lower dose than the AK (x = 2.87 mg/k/d and 16 mg/k/d respectively) but duration of Tx was similar. Fifteen of 27 pts receiving GM (56%) and 7 of 38 receiving AK (18.2%) developed NFTX, p less than 0.004. Five pts in the GM group (18.5%) and 2 in the AK (5.2%) had clinical NFTX. The difference in NFTX persisted after age adjustment. There were no intra or inter group significant differences between pts with or without NFTX. In conclusion, in pts with initial normal renal function gentamicin was significantly more nephrotoxic than amikacin.