Monkeypox and HIV in the Canary Islands: A Different Pattern in a Mobile Population.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and epidemiological data of the recent outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) differ from previous reports. One difference is the epidemiological profile; the disease mainly affects a subgroup of MSM (men who have sex with men) with high-risk sexual behaviors, frequently persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). METHODS: In this observational analysis, all patients with PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-confirmed MPX attending an Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit in Gran Canaria (Spain) between May and July 2022 were considered. RESULTS: In total, 42 men were included; 88% were identified as MSM, with a median age of 40 years. Only 43% were born in Spain. All the patients had systemic symptoms and skin lesions. The distribution of lesions was more frequent in the genital/anal region, and the involvement of hands and feet was less common. Fever and lymphadenopathies were less frequent than in other series. Other unusual manifestations were proctitis, pharyngitis and penile-scrotal edema. Half of the patients had other associated infections (mainly STIs, sexually transmitted infections), and 60% of the monkeypox patients had PLHIV (People Living with HIV). When comparing the clinical characteristics between HIV-positive and -negative patients, we found three main differences: (i) a higher frequency of perioral lesions, (ii) a higher frequency of pharyngitis and (iii) a higher number of sexually transmitted infections in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical findings in this outbreak of MPX had great variability in presentation. Several clinical differences were found in PLHIV-coinfected patients.

Role of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the appearance of new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in children in Gran Canaria, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 may play a role in the development of different forms of diabetes mellitus (DM). The Canary Islands have the highest incidence of type 1 DM (T1DM) reported in Spain (30-35/100,000 children under 14 years/year). In 2020-2021 we observed the highest incidence so far on the island of Gran Canaria, as a result of which we decided to evaluate the possible role of COVID-19 in the increased number of onsets. METHODS: We examined the presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in children with new onset T1DM between October 2020 and August 2021. We compared recent T1DM incidence with that of the previous 10 years. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were diagnosed with T1DM (48.1/100,000 patients/year), representing a nonsignificant 25.7% increase from the expected incidence. Of the 33 patients who consented to the study, 32 presented negative IgG values, with only one patient reflecting undiagnosed past infection. Forty-four percent of patients presented with ketoacidosis at onset, which was similar to previous years. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is no direct relationship between the increased incidence of T1DM and SARS-CoV-2 in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic did not result in an increased severity of T1DM presentation.

Murine Typhus in Canary Islands, Spain, 1999-2015.

To document the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of murine typhus patients in the Canary Islands (Spain), we analyzed data that were retrospectively collected for 16 years for 221 patients. Murine typhus in the Canary Islands is characterized by a high rate of complications (31.6%), mainly liver, lung, kidney or central nervous system involvement.

Pulmonary nodules: An unusual onset of HIV infection belatedly diagnosed.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is a generally systemic and potentially lethal fungal infection. Although HIV infection is a predisposing condition, especially if the CD4+ lymphocyte count is less than 100cells/mm3, other forms of immunosuppression may be associated with this opportunistic fungal condition, such as prolonged steroid therapy or solid organ transplantation. Pulmonary presentation must be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia or pulmonary neoplasia in the immunosuppressed patient. CASE REPORT: We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a non-diagnosed HIV patient. In a 44 year-old male suffering from dyspnea and chest pain the image of a pulmonary nodule was observed in a radiological finding. In the histopathological study, intracellular structures suggestive of fungal conidia, and morphologically compatible with Cryptococcus, were observed. HIV serology and cryptococcal antigen detection in serum were requested, given the possibility of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from the culture of the pulmonary biopsy. The patient was finally diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis and HIV-1 infection. With a proper antifungal treatment the patient evolved satisfactorily. CONCLUSIONS: The best strategy to avoid opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients consists of an early diagnosis and a highly active antiretroviral treatment. In our case, the diagnosis of a pulmonary infection by C. neoformans var. grubii allowed a late diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.

Pulmonary nodules: an unusual onset of HIV infection belatedly diagnosed / Nódulos pulmonares: un inicio infrecuente de la infección por VIH diagnosticada tardíamente

Background: Cryptococcosis is a generally systemic and potentially lethal fungal infection. Although HIV infection is a predisposing condition, especially if the CD4+ lymphocyte count is less than 100cells/mm3, other forms of immunosuppression may be associated with this opportunistic fungal condition, such as prolonged steroid therapy or solid organ transplantation. Pulmonary presentation must be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia or pulmonary neoplasia in the immunosuppressed patient. Case report: We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a non-diagnosed HIV patient. In a 44 year-old male suffering from dyspnea and chest pain the image of a pulmonary nodule was observed in a radiological finding. In the histopathological study, intracellular structures suggestive of fungal conidia, and morphologically compatible with Cryptococcus, were observed. HIV serology and cryptococcal antigen detection in serum were requested, given the possibility of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from the culture of the pulmonary biopsy. The patient was finally diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis and HIV-1 infection. With a proper antifungal treatment the patient evolved satisfactorily. Conclusions: The best strategy to avoid opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients consists of an early diagnosis and a highly active antiretroviral treatment. In our case, the diagnosis of a pulmonary infection by C. neoformans var. grubii allowed a late diagnosis of HIV-1 infection

Antecedentes: La criptococosis es una infección fúngica generalmente sistémica y potencialmente letal. Aunque la infección por VIH es una condición predisponente, especialmente si el recuento de linfocitos CD4+ es inferior a 100células/mm3, otras formas de inmunosupresión, como la terapia prolongada con esteroides o el trasplante de órgano sólido, pueden asociarse a esta micosis oportunista. La forma pulmonar debe incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de neumonía o neoplasia pulmonar en el paciente inmunodeprimido. Caso clínico: Presentamos un caso de criptococosis pulmonar en un paciente con VIH no diagnosticado. Varón de 44 años aquejado de disnea y dolor torácico en el que como hallazgo radiológico se observa un nódulo pulmonar. En el estudio histopatológico del mismo se observaron estructuras intracelulares sugestivas de conidias fúngicas, morfológicamente compatibles con Cryptococcus. Ante la sospecha de criptococosis se solicitó la serología de VIH y la detección en suero de antígeno criptocócico. Se aisló Cryptococcus neoformans variedad grubii de la siembra de la biopsia pulmonar. El paciente fue finalmente diagnosticado de criptococosis pulmonar e infección por VIH-1. Con el tratamiento antifúngico, el paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Conclusiones: La mejor estrategia para evitar infecciones oportunistas como la criptococosis en pacientes infectados por VIH consiste en un diagnóstico precoz y un tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad. En este caso, el diagnóstico de infección pulmonar por C. neoformans var. grubii permitió un diagnóstico tardío de infección por VIH-1

Fracaso renal agudo asociado a leptospirosis / Acute kidney disease related to leptospirosis

No disponible

Serology for hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis in the initial evaluation of diabetes patients referred for an external nephrology consultation.

INTRODUCTION: Information is available regarding the prevalence and incidence of positive microbiological serology results both in the general population and in patients on haemodialysis in Spain. Nevertheless, little information is known regarding patients with diabetes attended in external nephrology consultations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percentage of patients with positive serology results for hepatitis B and C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and syphilis in the initial assessment of patients referred to diabetic nephropathy external consultations. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of 500 patients assessed over the course of 5 years with the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy originating in external consultations and for which hepatitis B, C, HIV, and syphilis serology had been requested. RESULTS: With regard to hepatitis B virus, 0.4% of patients had chronic hepatitis B, 10.2% had overcome the hepatitis and were in recovery, and 4.2% had received the hepatitis B vaccine. As for hepatitis C, 2.4% of the patients studied had antibodies against hepatitis C. With regard to syphilis, 0.8% of patients had positive serological results. No patients had positive HIV serology results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite major methodological limitations, this would be the first study to evaluate the microbiological serology of diabetic nephropathy patients treated in external consultations.

Serologías B, C, VIH y sífilis en la primera valoración de pacientes con diabetes remitidos a consulta externa de Nefrología / Serology for Hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis in the initial evaluation of diabetes patients referred for an external Nephrology consultation

Antecedentes: En España hay datos sobre prevalencia e incidencia de serologías microbiológicas positivas tanto en la población general como en pacientes en hemodiálisis. Sin embargo, se conocen pocos datos sobre los pacientes con diabetes atendidos en consulta externa de Nefrología. Objetivo: Valorar el porcentaje de pacientes con serologías positivas para hepatitis B y C, virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y sífilis en la valoración inicial de los pacientes remitidos para estudio a la consulta externa de nefropatía diabética. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de las serologías solicitadas con el diagnóstico de nefropatía diabética con origen en consultas externas de 500 pacientes valorados durante 5 años a los que se les había solicitado serologías de la hepatitis B, C, VIH y sífilis. Resultados: Respecto al virus de la hepatitis B, el 0,4 % de los pacientes tenían hepatitis B crónica, el 10,2 % había pasado la hepatitis y estaban curados y el 4,2 % había recibido la vacuna de la hepatitis B. En cuanto a la hepatitis C, el 2,4 % de los pacientes estudiados tenían anticuerpos frente hepatitis C. Respecto a la sífilis, el 0,8 % de los pacientes tenían serologías positivas. Ningún paciente presentó serologías positivas para VIH. Conclusiones: Si bien con grandes limitaciones metodológicas, este sería el primer estudio donde se revisan las serologías microbiológicas de pacientes con nefropatía diabética atendidos en consulta externa (AU)

Introduction: Information is available regarding the prevalence and incidence of positive microbiological serology results both in the general population and in patients on haemodialysis in Spain. Nevertheless, little information is known regarding patients with diabetes attended in external nephrology consultations. Objective: To evaluate the percentage of patients with positive serology results for hepatitis B and C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and syphilis in the initial assessment of patients referred to diabetic nephropathy external consultations. Patients and method: Retrospective study of 500 patients assessed over the course of 5 years with the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy originating in external consultations and for which hepatitis B, C, HIV, and syphilis serology had been requested. Results: With regard to hepatitis B virus, 0.4% of patients had chronic hepatitis B, 10.2% had overcome the hepatitis and were in recovery, and 4.2% had received the hepatitis B vaccine. As for hepatitis C, 2.4% of the patients studied had antibodies against hepatitis C. With regard to syphilis, 0.8% of patients had positive serological results. No patients had positive HIV serology results. Conclusions: Despite major methodological limitations, this would be the first study to evaluate the microbiological serology of diabetic nephropathy patients treated in external consultations (AU)