ABSTRACT
Among numerous public health actions, the Prevention Departments of Local Health Authorities take charge of the migrant asylum-seeking population for health assessments, for the implementation of preventive activities, and for any consequent actions. This report describes two cases of tuberculosis in Belluno Province managed by a multidisciplinary team made up of healthcare workers that involved numerous diagnostic, clinical, and prophylactic implications, as well as an analysis of the epidemiological aspects related to the incidence of cases along the migration route. Although the cases occurred in a northeastern Italian territory, the management methods described here may represent good practices to share on this operational line, which can promote the strengthening of cooperation between Health Authorities and Emergency Reception Centers to correctly identify cases of active tuberculosis that may not have been initially screen-detected.
Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/therapeutic use , Lamivudine/therapeutic use , Oxazines/therapeutic use , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Pyridones/therapeutic use , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Anti-HIV Agents/adverse effects , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects , Cohort Studies , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/adverse effects , Humans , Lamivudine/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Oxazines/adverse effects , Piperazines/adverse effects , Pyridones/adverse effects , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs with high virologic efficacy and excellent tolerability. Recent evidence showed a possible link of dolutegravir-based regimens with weight gain, and a relationship between raltegravir use and changes in adipose tissue density and metabolic abnormalities, with an increased cardiovascular risk, has been suggested. We describe a case where dolutegravir monotherapy led to a decrease in adipose tissue density.
Subject(s)
Body Composition/drug effects , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Integrase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/therapeutic use , Oxazines/therapeutic use , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Pyridones/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Intra-Abdominal Fat , Middle Aged , Postmenopause , Weight GainABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases performed a survey on the application of guidelines for the management of persons living with HIV (PLWH), to evaluate current practice and the yield of screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in newly-diagnosed PLWH; in addition, the offer of preventive therapy to LTBI individuals and the completion rate were analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Newly-diagnosed PLWH in nine centres were evaluated retrospectively (2016/2017) using binary and multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with LTBI diagnostic screening and QuantiFERON (QFT) results. RESULTS: Of 801 patients evaluated, 774 were studied after excluding active TB. LTBI tests were performed in 65.5%. Prescription of an LTBI test was associated with being foreign-born (odds ratio (OR) 3.19, p < 0.001), older (for 10-year increments, OR 1.22, p = 0.034), and having a CD4 count <100 cells/mm3 vs ≥500 cells/mm3 (OR 2.30, p = 0.044). LTBI was diagnosed in 6.5% of 495 patients evaluated by QFT. Positive results were associated with being foreign-born (relative risk ratio (RRR) 30.82, p < 0.001), older (for 10-year increments, RRR 1.78, p = 0.003), and having a high CD4 count (for 100 cells/mm3 increments, RRR 1.26, p < 0.003). Sixteen LTBI individuals started TB preventive therapy and eight completed it. CONCLUSIONS: LTBI screening is inconsistently performed in newly-diagnosed PLWH. Furthermore, TB preventive therapy is not offered to all LTBI individuals and compliance is poor.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/complications , Latent Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Adult , CD4 Lymphocyte Count , Female , Humans , Italy , Latent Tuberculosis/complications , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Tuberculin TestABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Identifying the most appropriate antiretroviral regimen for pregnant women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) infection can be challenging, mainly due to pregnancy-related physiological alterations which can significantly reduce maternal drug plasma concentration. We would like to report our experience as it consists of an unusual case of low plasmatic concentration of antiretroviral drugs despite regimen intensification in a HIV-positive pregnant woman. It also underlines the need for accurate monitoring and treatment adjustment in pregnant women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old Brazilian woman with HIV-1 infection attending our out-patient clinic presented with low plasmatic concentration of antiretroviral drugs and persistent detectable viral load despite regimen intensification during pregnancy. Trough plasma concentrations of dolutegravir and darunavir were measured by validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. At 23 weeks of gestation it showed a lower value than expected in non-pregnant adults, compared to a normal level of plasma concentration measured at 10 weeks after delivery. Our patient and the baby had no regimen-related adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological changes during pregnancy can affect pharmacokinetics and reduce a mother's bioavailability of antiretroviral drugs, potentially altering their pharmacological activity. A personalized treatment and a careful follow-up are hence mandatory for this key population.
Subject(s)
Darunavir/blood , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Integrase Inhibitors/blood , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/blood , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy , Darunavir/pharmacokinetics , Female , HIV Integrase Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/pharmacokinetics , Humans , Oxazines , Piperazines , Pregnancy , Pyridones , Viral Load/drug effects , Young AdultSubject(s)
HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/virology , HIV Integrase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/administration & dosage , Medication Adherence , RNA, Viral/blood , Viral Load , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Oxazines , Piperazines , Pyridones , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Combination abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (ABC/3TC/DTG) is approved as a first-line treatment for antiretroviral naïve patients. This report investigated the immunovirological outcome and total HIV-1 DNA decay in a small cohort of naïve HIV-1-positive patients treated with this regimen. In the presence of viral suppression and increased lymphocyte T CD4+ cells, the quantitative analysis of total HIV-1 DNA content revealed a significant decay after 12 months of treatment. Subsequently, we deintensificated the treatment of these patients from (ABC/3TC/DTG) to lamivudine plus dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) after 12 months of virological suppression, as a strategy of "induction-maintenance" therapy. The analysis of HIV-1 RNA viral load, total HIV-1 DNA, CD4+ T lymphocyte count and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T lymphocyte percentage after a mean 3.5 months of therapy deintensification showed no significant difference with respect to data detected after 12 months of ABC/3TC/DTG treatment in the presence of continuous viral suppression. These results indicate that the deintensification of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) from ABC/ 3TC/DTG to 3TC/DTG effectively controls HIV-1 replication and in the early period does not induce any significant variations of total HIV-1 DNA. This suggests that HAART deintensification might be proposed as a therapeutic evolution in the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents , HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Adult , Aged , Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , CD4 Lymphocyte Count , Cohort Studies , DNA, Viral/metabolism , Dideoxynucleosides/administration & dosage , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV-1/genetics , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/administration & dosage , Humans , Lamivudine/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Oxazines , Piperazines , Pyridones , Viral Load , Young AdultSubject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/adverse effects , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects , Drug Interactions , Adult , Aged , Dideoxynucleosides/administration & dosage , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nevirapine/administration & dosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early nutrition affects the risk of atopy and infections through modifications of intestinal microbiota. The Prebiotics in the Prevention of Atopy (PIPA) study was a 24-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It aimed to evaluate the effects of a galacto-oligosaccharide/polydextrose (GOS/PDX)-formula (PF) on atopic dermatitis (AD) and common infections in infants who were born to atopic parents and to investigate the relationship among early nutrition, gut microbiota and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 201 and 199 infants were randomized to receive a PF and standard formula (SF), respectively; 140 infants remained on exclusive breastfeeding (BF). RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of AD and its intensity and duration were not statistically different among the three groups. The number of infants with at least one episode of respiratory infection (RI) and the mean number of episodes until 48 weeks of age were significantly lower in the PF group than in the SF group. The number of patients with recurrent RIs and incidence of wheezing lower RIs until 96 weeks were lower in the PF group than the SF group, but similar to the BF group. Bifidobacteria and Clostridium cluster I colonization increased over time in the PF group but decreased in the SF and BF groups. Bifidobacteria had a protective role in RIs, whereas Clostridium cluster I was associated with atopy protection. CONCLUSION: The early administration of PF protects against RIs and mediates a species-specific modulation of the intestinal microbiota. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrial.gov Identifier: NCT02116452.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/prevention & control , Food, Formulated/analysis , Glucans/pharmacology , Infant Formula/analysis , Oligosaccharides/pharmacology , Dietary Supplements , Double-Blind Method , Female , Glucans/administration & dosage , Glucans/chemistry , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Male , Oligosaccharides/administration & dosage , Oligosaccharides/chemistry , Oligosaccharides/classification , PrebioticsABSTRACT
We report the first Italian case of Mycobacterium chimaera disseminated infection in a patient with a history of cardiac surgery. The patient was initially diagnosed with sarcoidosis and started on immunosuppressive therapy. Ten months later she developed a vertebral osteomyelitis: M. chimaera was isolated from bone specimen. A review of the literature shows that M. chimaera infection occurs specifically in this population of patients, due to contamination of heater-cooler units used during cardiosurgery. Devices responsible for the transmission were produced by Sorin Group Deutschland. Mycobacterium chimaera infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Errors , Equipment Contamination , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation , Heating/instrumentation , Lumbar Vertebrae , Mycobacterium avium Complex/isolation & purification , Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/etiology , Osteomyelitis/etiology , Postoperative Complications/microbiology , Sarcoidosis/diagnosis , Spondylitis/etiology , Acinetobacter Infections/complications , Aged , Bacteremia/complications , Bacteremia/microbiology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Linezolid/therapeutic use , Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/diagnosis , Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/microbiology , Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/transmission , Osteomyelitis/drug therapy , Osteomyelitis/microbiology , Osteomyelitis/surgery , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Rifampin/administration & dosage , Rifampin/therapeutic use , Sarcoidosis/drug therapy , Spondylitis/drug therapy , Spondylitis/microbiology , Spondylitis/surgery , Vertebroplasty , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Cases of undiagnosed severe febrile rhabdomyolysis in refugees coming from West Africa, mainly from Nigeria, has been observed since May 2014. The aim of this study was to describe this phenomenon. METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective observational study of cases of febrile rhabdomyolysis reported from May 2014 to December 2016 in 12 Italian centres. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases were observed, mainly in young males. The mean time interval between the day of departure from Libya and symptom onset was 26.2 days. An average 8.3 further days elapsed before medical care was sought. All patients were hospitalized with fever and very intense muscle aches. Creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase values were abnormal in all cases. The rhabdomyolysis was ascribed to an infective agent in 16 (33.3%) cases. In the remaining cases, the aetiology was undefined. Four out of seven patients tested had sickle cell trait. No alcohol abuse or drug intake was reported, apart from a single reported case of khat ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: The long incubation period does not support a mechanical cause of rhabdomyolysis. Furthermore, viral infections such as those caused by coxsackievirus are rarely associated with such a severe clinical presentation. It is hypothesized that other predisposing conditions like genetic factors, unknown infections, or unreported non-conventional remedies may be involved. Targeted surveillance of rhabdomyolysis cases is warranted.