A Three-Year Follow-Up of Bone Density Among Thai Adolescents With Perinatally Acquired HIV After Completion of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation.

PURPOSE: To determine changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism-related biomarkers among Thai adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIVA) at 3 years following completion of vitamin D and calcium (VitD/Cal) supplementation. METHODS: An observational follow-up study was conducted among PHIVA who received 48-week VitD/Cal supplementation (either high-dose [3,200 IU/1,200 mg daily] or standard-dose [400 IU/1,200 mg daily]). Lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone, and bone turnover markers were measured. Changes in LSBMD z-scores and other bone parameters at 3 years after stopping VitD/Cal supplementation compared with baseline or week 48 of supplementation were assessed among participants previously receiving high-dose and standard-dose VitD/Cal supplementation. RESULTS: Of 114 enrolled PHIVA, 46% and 54% had previously received high-dose and standard-dose VitD/Cal supplementation, respectively. The median age was 20 years; 53% were male. At 3 years after completion of VitD/Cal supplementation, we observed a significant decline in 25-hydroxyvitamin D and increase in intact parathyroid hormone but no significant rebounds of C-terminal telopeptides of collagen type I and procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptides and no significant changes in LSBMD z-scores among PHIVA in both treatment groups, compared with the measurements at week 48 of supplementation. Notably, LSBMD z-scores at 3 years after stopping VitD/Cal supplements were not significantly altered from baseline evaluations in both PHIVA groups. DISCUSSION: Three years after completion of high-dose or standard-dose VitD/Cal supplementation, LSBMD z-scores of our Thai PHIVA were not significantly changed from baseline and week 48 of supplementation. VitD/Cal supplementation of PHIVA during periods of peak bone mass accrual may have sustained and long-term skeletal benefits.

Seroepidemiological study of Japanese encephalitis virus in Chiang Mai: Immunity and susceptibility 28 years after introduction of a vaccination programme.

BACKGROUND: Thailand has introduced a nationwide vaccination against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) into National Immunization Programme since the 1990's. To improve the understanding of immunity and susceptibility of the population after 28 years of a vaccination programme, we conducted a JEV seroepidemiological study in a JEV-endemic area of Thailand. METHODS: An age-stratified, population-based, seroepidemiological study was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand-a northern Thai province where is an endemic area of Japanese encephalitis. Nine districts were chosen based on administrative definition: rural (n = 3); urban (n = 3); and peri-urban (n = 3). Within each district, eligible participants were randomly selected from 3 age groups: adolescents (10-20 years); adults (21-50 years); and older adults/elderly (≥51 years) by computer randomization. Plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT50 and PRNT90) were performed to measure neutralizing antibodies to JEV. To account for the cross-reactivity of JEV and other flaviviruses, JEV seroprotection was defined according to age, previous history of JEV vaccination, and PRNT50/PRNT90 levels of study participants. RESULTS: Overall, 279 adolescents, 297 adults, and 297 older adults/elderly were enrolled from nine districts. Age-stratified, protocol-defined, cluster-adjusted JEV seroprotection rates were 61% (95% CI: 48-73%), 43% (95% CI: 31-57%), and 52% (95% CI: 37-67%) for adolescents, adults, and older adults/elderly, respectively. Living in peri-urban districts, having a history of prior dengue virus infection, and previously receiving mouse brain-derived JEV vaccine were significantly associated with seroprotection to JEV in adolescents. Older age and male sex were associated with seroprotection for adults; and only male sex was the associated factor for older adults/elderly (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of population living in a JEV-endemic area demonstrated seroprotection to JEV. Ongoing nationwide surveillance on JEV seropepidemiology is an important strategy to understand the evolving population-level immunity to JEV, and to help formulating the appropriate recommendations on JE immunization.

Incidence rate and risk factors of central line-associated bloodstream infections among neonates and children admitted to a tertiary care university hospital.

Central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a common healthcare-associated infection in patients indwelling central venous catheter (CVC). This study examined the incidence rates, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of CLABSI among neonates (aged < 1 month) and children (aged ≥ 1 month) admitted to a tertiary care university hospital. An overall CLABSI incidence rate was 3.2 per 1,000 catheter-days. Number of CVC lumen and place of catheter insertion were a significant risk factor among our neonates and children, respectively. CLABSI prolonged hospitalization and increased hospital costs.

Impact of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism Among Thai Adolescents With Perinatally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of vitamin D and calcium supplementation (VitD/Ca) on lumbar spine bone mineral density (LSBMD) and bone metabolism among Thai adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIVA). METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, active-control, open-labeled trial was conducted. PHIVA (aged 10-20 years) who were on stable cART were enrolled. Baseline LSBMD status was defined as low (z-score ≤ -2) and normal (> -2). Eligible PHIVA were randomly assigned to receive standard-dose (400 IU/1200 mg/day) or high-dose (400 IU/1200 mg/day plus ergocalciferol 20 000 IU/week) VitD/Ca supplementation for 48 weeks (ratio 1:1, stratified by baseline LSBMD). Study outcomes were changes in LSBMD, LSBMD z-scores, and bone metabolism-related biomarkers (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH], C-terminal telopeptide [CTX], procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide [PINP]) from baseline to week 48. RESULTS: Among 200 enrolled PHIVA, median age was 16 (IQR:14-18) years; 61% were on NNRTI-based cART. Median 25(OH)D level was 25.5 (IQR: 20.8-33.0) ng/mL. After 48-week VitD/Ca supplementation, LSBMD significantly increased in both treatment groups (high-dose: median: +0.07 [IQR: +0.04 to +0.11] g/cm2; P < .001; standard-dose: +0.09 [+0.03 to +0.13] g/cm2; P < .001). Notably, the change in LSBMD z-scores was significantly greater in high-dose versus standard-dose groups (median: +0.4 [IQR: -0.1 to +0.9] vs +0.1 [-0.4 to +0.7]; P = .02). Levels of 25(OH)D increased, whereas iPTH, CTX, and PINP declined significantly in both groups (P < .05), but no between-group differences were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Over 48-week VitD/Ca supplementation, significant increases in LSBMD, and significant decreases in bone metabolism-related markers were observed among our Thai PHIVA in both treatment groups. The improvement in LSBMD z-score was more enhanced with high-dose VitD/Ca supplementation than standard-dose. High-dose VitD/Ca supplementation might be considered to promote bone health in this population. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02426840.

Delirium after a traumatic brain injury: predictors and symptom patterns.

BACKGROUND: Delirium in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, may be predictable, and has a multifaceted symptom complex. This study aimed to examine: 1) the sum score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and if its component scores could predict delirium in TBI patients, and 2) the prominent symptoms and their courses over the first days after TBI. METHODS: TBI patients were recruited from neurosurgical ward inpatients. All participants were hospitalized within 24 hours after their TBI. Apart from the sum score of GCS, which was obtained at the emergency department (ED), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, diagnostic criteria for delirium were applied daily. The severity of delirium symptoms was assessed daily using the Delirium Rating Scale - Revised-98 (DRS-R-98). RESULTS: The participants were 54 TBI patients with a mean GCS score of 12.7 (standard deviation [SD] =2.9). A total of 25 patients (46.3%) met the diagnosis of delirium and had a mean age of 36.7 years (SD =14.8). Compared with 29 non-delirious patients, 25 delirious patients had a significantly lower mean GCS score (P=0.04), especially a significantly lower verbal component score (P=0.03). Among 18 delirious patients, four symptoms of the DRS-R-98 cognitive domain (orientation, attention, long-term memory, and visuospatial ability) were moderate symptoms (score ≥2) at the first day of admission. After follow-up, three cognitive (orientation, attention, and visuospatial ability) and two noncognitive symptoms (lability of affect and motor agitation) rapidly resolved. CONCLUSION: Almost half of patients with mild to moderate head injuries may develop delirium in the first 4 days after TBI. Those having a low GCS score, especially the verbal component score, at the ED were likely to have delirium in this period. Most cognitive domains of delirium described in the DRS-R-98 were prominent within the first 4 days of TBI with delirium. Three cognitive and two noncognitive symptoms of delirium decreased significantly.