[Is ovarian function impaired in HIV patients? A clinical pilot study in Burkina Faso]. / La fonction ovarienne est-elle altérée chez les patientes séropositives pour le VIH? Une étude pilote au Burkina Faso.

A lot of studies published on the ten last years showed a decrease of fertility among HIV positive women. The present research aims to see if this decrease is linked to an ovarian failure, using AMH as principal marker of ovarian function. In this pilot study, 54 HIV-positive and 39 HIV-negative women were compared on the basis of their ovarian function, fecundity and possible ovarian failure. A blood sample was taken for hormonal titrations, HIV seropositivity, viral load and CD4 T cell count. An interview explored demographic characteristics, obstetrical and infectious history, and menstrual characteristics. This study was performed in Burkina Faso between January and February 2008. There is no significant difference after adjusting for age of AMH level between the two groups. However, in our study, 5.5% of HIV positive women had a premature menopause, which is a significant variation from the premature menopause rates of the African population, which is 1.4%. In conclusion, this study put the HIV impact on ovarian function into perspective but the high premature menopause rates could suggest an ovarian attack by the virus or the treatment.

Correction of underquantification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 load with the second version of the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan assay.

Initial evaluations of the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) test (CAP/CTM) demonstrated good performance but, afterwards, reports about underquantification were published. We investigated whether the problem was solved with a second version of this assay, the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test, version 2.0 (CAP/CTM v2.0). The remaining plasma of 375 consecutive HIV-1 positive samples with a viral load of >or=4,000 copies/ml was collected in three laboratories. The samples were diluted and retested with our routine method Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas Amplicor HIV-1 monitor test v1.5 in ultrasensitive mode (CAP/CA PHS), as well as with the CAP/CTM and CAP/CTM v2.0 tests. An absolute difference between the results of two methods of >or=0.71 log(10) copies/ml was defined as moderately discrepant, and an absolute difference of >or=0.93 log(10) copies/ml was defined as severely discrepant. In addition, criteria for considering the new methods equivalent to the routine method were formulated. (i) For CAP/CTM compared to CAP/CA PHS, 36 (9.5%) and 20 (5.3%) samples were, respectively, considered moderately and severely underquantified by CAP/CTM. The mean difference between CAP/CTM and CAP/CA PHS was -0.32 log(10) copies/ml. Eight of nineteen of the severely underquantified samples were from patients infected with HIV-1 subtype B strain. (ii) For CAP/CTM v2.0 compared to CAP/CA PHS, no sample was moderately or severely underquantified by CAP/CTM v2.0. A mean difference of 0.08 log(10) copies/ml was found with CAP/CTM v2.0 compared to CAP/CA PHS. The underquantification problem of the CAP/CTM kit was clearly demonstrated. The criteria for the equivalence of CAP/CTM v2.0 to the routine test CAP/CA PHS were fulfilled.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in an HIV-serodiscordant couple carrier for sickle cell disease: lessons from a case report.

Since 1999, the Erasme Hospital Fertility Clinic has carried a special programme for patients with HIV seropositivity. The philosophy of the programme is to give access to these patients in a secure environment to the same technological facilities available to any other patients. Many of these patients being native from sub-Saharan countries, they are often sickle cell disease (SCD) carriers, a common autosomal recessive disorder in these regions, and a severe affection in homozygotes. We hereby report, for the first time, the birth of a healthy sickle haemoglobin (HbS) heterozygous baby after preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for SCD in an HIV-serodiscordant couple of HbS mutation carriers with longstanding infertility. The prospective mother was 35 years old and HIV positive with an undetectable viral load under highly active antiretroviral therapy. One carrier embryo was transferred and resulted in the birth of a healthy HbS carrier baby girl. Despite stimulation difficulties, sometimes described in HIV patients, PGD represents an interesting additional technology, especially in populations where the coexistence of both diseases is frequent. PGD could even be preferred to prenatal diagnosis for couples of HbS carriers if the woman is HIV positive, as invasive prenatal samplings carry a risk of materno-foetal viral transmission.

Clostridium difficile colitis in cystic fibrosis patients with and without lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Despite a large carriage rate of Clostridium difficile among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is rather rare. In case of lung transplantation, the incidence and clinical aspects of CDAD in this patient population are not well known. METHODS: We reviewed the medical files of all CF patients who presented with symptomatic C. difficile infection from January 1998 to December 2004 and compared the incidence, clinical aspects, severity of disease, and clinical outcome between non-transplanted and transplanted CF patients. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2004, 106 adult CF patients were followed at our clinic. Forty-nine patients underwent lung transplantation; 15 before 1998 and 34 after 1998. The incidence density of CDAD was higher in transplanted CF patients as compared with non-transplanted CF patients (24.2 vs. 9.5 episodes/100,000 patient-days; risk ratio: 2.93 [1.41-6.08]; P=0.0044). Diarrhea was a very frequent feature, but was notably absent in 20% of the cases. Rates of moderate and severe colitis were similar in both groups. However, only transplanted patients developed complicated colitis. CT scan and endoscopy were performed more frequently in the transplant group. Two transplant recipients died because of CDAD. CONCLUSION: CF patients who undergo lung transplantation are at a higher risk of developing CDAD and seem to present more often atypical and/or complicated disease. CDAD should be part of the differential diagnosis in case of digestive symptoms, even in the absence of diarrhea, and requires early treatment.

High HIV prevalence among patients choosing anonymous and free testing in Belgium, 1990-2002.

From 1990 through 2002, 25,250 anonymous and free HIV tests were performed at a testing site, which carried out the majority (85%) of anonymous testing in Belgium. During the same period, approximately 7.3 million confidential tests were registered nationwide. The rate of new HIV infections diagnosed at the anonymous testing site was 11.1/1000 tests; it was significantly higher than the rate observed among confidential tests (relative risk = 7.41; P < 0.0001). New HIV cases diagnosed through anonymous testing include a higher proportion of young adults (42.0% versus 32.5% in confidential testing; P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of men who have sex with men (32.7% vs. 25.9% in confidential testing; P < 0.02). Anonymous and free HIV testing was particularly sought by persons with higher infection risk, and efficiently contributed to HIV diagnosis in this population. Anonymous and free testing should be and remain an accessible alternative integrated in HIV testing policies.

[Everyday questions in laboratory medicine]. / Questions pratiques courantes en biologie clinique.

Until the sixties, it was usual for a MD to make some lab tests in a room close to his medical office. During the next decades, the number of lab tests has exploded, and the performance of the test became dissociated from the MD ordering the tests. All Belgian clinical laboratories are involved in the management of a quality system, and within it, the general practitioner is essential as partner. Good communication with him/her may put in evidence inadequacies in some processes such as the performance of the tests or the transmission of the reports to the ordering MD. The requirement for a good contact between the ordering MD and the clinical pathologist is described in some cases of everyday work in laboratory medicine: screening for thyroid dysfunction; indications of total PSA and free PSA; screening for hemochromatosis; prothrombin time and INR; serology tests for infectious mononucleosis or syphilis.

HIV-1 infectivity and host range modification by cathepsin D present in human vaginal secretions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate HIV-1 infectivity in the natural environment of vaginal secretions. DESIGN: Vaginal wash samples collected from 14 healthy women were incubated in vitro with various HIV-1 strains for 10 min at 37 degrees C and then assayed for infectivity on primary lymphocyte cultures, or on CEM cells, or on CD4- ME180 cells derived from vaginal epithelium. METHODS: HIV-1 infectivity was measured by early virus growth in the various host cells tested using a quantitative p24 assay and by the Karber procedure. RESULTS: Preincubation of HIV-1(IIIB) with vaginal wash samples or 2 microg/ml cathepsin D increased the ability of the virus to grow in lymphocyte cultures. The vaginal wash effect was abolished by 5 microg/ml pepstatin A, an inhibitor of aspartyl proteases. Presence of precursor and mature forms of cathepsin D in vaginal wash was demonstrated after passage through a pepstatin A-agarose column. Median tissue culture infective doses of HIV-1(IIIB) and HIV-1(JRFL) strains were increased 14.4-fold and 18-fold, respectively, after preincubation in vaginal wash sample, and were increased by pretreatment with 2 microg/ml cathepsin D. When CD4 receptors of CEMss cells were blocked by OKT4a monoclonal antibody, the cells lost susceptibility to HIV-1 (IIIB), but supported the growth of virus pretreated with vaginal wash sample or cathepsin D. These treated viruses were able to initiate infection of CD4-ME180 epithelial cells, which were not receptive to untreated virus. ME180 cells were shown to possess the messenger of CXC-chemokine receptor-4. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal secretions may help HIV-1 transmission to women by increasing infectivity for CD4+ cells and allowing entrance into some CD4-epithelial cells.

Fatal primary infection due to human herpesvirus 6 variant A in a renal transplant recipient.

We describe a fatal primary human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) variant A infection in a kidney transplanted adult woman. On day 20 post transplantation (TX), after rejection therapy, the patient presented an acute hemophagocytic syndrome with hepatitis and central nervous system involvement. HHV-6 IgG and IgM antibodies seroconversion was demonstrated. HHV-6 variant A was the sole pathogen detected by nested PCR and/or culture in blood, bone marrow aspiration, liver biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage. The graft was HHV-6 seropositive and the patient was not transfused before day 28 post TX, suggesting that the virus was transmitted by the graft. Despite immunoglobulins, ganciclovir and foscarnet therapy, the HHV-6 infection progressed and led to severe aplasia. The patient developed Aspergillus fumigatus pneumonia and died from fulminant candidemia. This case demonstrated for the first time that HHV-6 variant A primary infection can cause life-threatening disseminated infection in immunosuppressed patients.

Erythromycin prophylaxis for Legionnaire's disease in immunosuppressed patients in a contaminated hospital environment.

Between January 1 and June 30, 1983, immunosuppressive drugs were administered in 20 renal transplant recipients undergoing 23 rejection episodes and in 3 patients with renal failure secondary to systemic disease. Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1, pneumonia was diagnosed on 12/26 (47%) occasions. In an attempt to decrease this high rate, a program of erythromycin prophylaxis was instituted for every new patient who received immunosuppressive chemotherapy until eradication of the organism from the water supply could be realized. From July 1, 1983 to April 30, 1984, erythromycin prophylaxis (1.5-3 g/day by mouth) was administered during 39 episodes of high-dose immunosuppression (20 kidney graft recipients and 4 patients with systemic diseases); no cases of Legionnaire's disease were recorded. During the same period, erythromycin prophylaxis was withheld from 9 other high-dose immunosuppression episodes (7 kidney graft recipients and one patient with sarcoidosis); 5 cases of Legionnaire's disease occurred (56%) in this group. We conclude that erythromycin effectively protects immunocompromised patients in an environment contaminated with L pneumophila.

Reactivation of hepatitis B after transplantation in patients with pre-existing anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies: report on three cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and who were able to clear the hepatitis B surface antigen from the serum and to develop anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) antibodies are not considered at risk for HBV reactivation after solid organ transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We, however, observed three solid organ transplant recipients who demonstrated clinically significant HBV reactivation after transplantation. All patients presented normal liver enzymes and serological stigmates of healed HBV infection at the time of transplantation, as indicated by the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen and the presence of anti-HBs and anti-hepatitis B core antibodies in the serum. Patient 1, a renal transplant recipient, presented HBV reactivation 3 years after transplantation and developed chronic HBV hepatitis. Patient 2 developed HBV reactivation 7 months after a second cadaveric renal graft and died of cirrhosis four and a half years after transplantation. Patient 3, a heart-lung transplant recipient, developed HBV reactivation within months after transplantation, but died of unrelated causes. HBV reactivation in the presence of anti-HBs antibodies has been previously reported in other settings of immunosuppression, mainly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and after bone marrow transplantation, and may lead to fatal liver disease. Data from our renal transplant recipients suggest that the incidence of HBV reactivation among patients with anti-HBs and anti-hepatitis B core antibodies is about 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant physicians should be aware of the risk of HBV reactivation in patients presenting with healed HBV infection before transplantation.

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous CD34-positive blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in an HIV carrier.

The epidemiology and clinical outcome of multiple myeloma in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is poorly documented. There are uncertainties concerning the optimal management of this rare disorder. We report on the use of myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in an HIV-positive patient with multiple myeloma.

Autologous stem cell infusion for acute myeloblastic leukemia in an HIV-1 carrier.

We present the case of an asymptomatic HIV carrier, who presented with acute myeloblastic leukemia in third relapse and successfully underwent autologous stem cell transplantation as a rescue treatment. This observation supports the conclusion that tolerance of autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplant in patients with HIV may correlate with a low viral burden and relatively good immune function.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: prospective study of 237 pregnancies at risk.

OBJECTIVE: To develop recommendations for prenatal diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and evaluate possible prognostic markers. METHODS: We studied 237 pregnant women who had suspected or confirmed primary CMV infections by amniocenteses with or without funipuncture. Diagnosis of CMV was based on culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) done on amniotic fluid (AF) samples; fetal blood tests for CMV immunoglobulin M antibodies, PCR, and nonspecific biologic markers; and repeated ultrasound examinations. In cases of pregnancy termination, viral and pathologic examinations of fetuses were done. At birth, CMV infections were sought in newborns. Pediatric follow-up was scheduled for at least 2 years. RESULTS: Of 210 fetuses and newborns correctly evaluated, 55 had CMV infections. Ten of 38 fetuses infected before 20 weeks' pregnancy had severe congenital disease. The global sensitivity of prenatal diagnosis was 80%. Best sensitivity and 100% specificity were achieved by PCR done on AF sampled after 21 weeks' gestation, respecting a mean interval of 7 weeks between diagnosis of maternal infection and prenatal diagnosis. Fetal thrombocytopenia was associated with severe fetal disease. Ultrasound follow-up missed two fetuses who presented with neurologic impairment due to CMV after birth. CONCLUSION: A reliable prenatal diagnosis of congenital CMV infection based on PCR on amniocentesis samples can be made after 21 weeks' pregnancy, after a 7-week interval between diagnosis of maternal infection and antenatal procedure. Ultrasound and nonspecific biologic parameters are not sufficient to identify all fetuses at risk of severe sequelae.

Prenatal diagnosis of 52 pregnancies at risk for congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of prenatal diagnosis of fetal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. METHODS: Fifty-two pregnant women were investigated in our unit between October 1985 and July 1992. The diagnostic procedures included ultrasound examination, amniocentesis, and fetal blood sampling. Specific tests for CMV infection included specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies, viral culture, and amplification of CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Nonspecific tests included white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, and gamma-glutamyl transferase determination. RESULTS: The combination of tests allowed an antenatal diagnosis of CMV in 13 of the 16 infected fetuses (sensitivity 81%). Amniocentesis allowed the diagnosis in 12 of the 13 antenatally diagnosed cases. The sensitivity of CMV IgM antibody detection in fetal blood was 69%. The culture of fetal blood was never positive. Thrombocytopenia was present in six cases, and ultrasound was abnormal in five. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid is the best sample to diagnose CMV infection, and fetal blood sampling and sonography are important to assess the fetal condition. Our experience underscores the importance of repetitive sampling.

A PCR based DNA hybridisation capture system for the detection of human cytomegalovirus. A comparative study with other identification methods.

A simple, sensitive and specific colourimetric hybridisation method for the detection of HCMV DNA in clinical specimens is described. This method combines a PCR assay with a sensitive sandwich hybridisation assay. It relies on the use of a specific capture probe linked covalently to polystyrene microplates and a specific polybiotinylated detection probe. Amplified DNA fragments, sandwiched between these two probes, are detected by an enzymatic colour reaction. This PCR-based colourimetric hybridisation method was compared with other known HCMV detection methods. Clinical specimens (n = 145, corresponding to 106 patients) were tested by both a nested PCR assay and this colourimetric hybridisation method; and by either the culture method or the pp65 antigenaemia test depending on the type of sample used. The results showed that the PCR-based hybridisation method has a specificity similar to tissue culture, known as the conventional gold standard method, and could be used for the examination of the clinical specimens.

Importance of method in the determination of syncytium-inducing phenotype of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 clinical isolates.

The in vitro syncytium induction capacity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) isolates is an important marker in the progression of the disease. Two methods have been widely used to determine the biological phenotype of HIV1. These two methods, the direct MT-2 assay and the supernatant assay, were compared for the detection of syncytium-inducing (SI) variants on 275 blood samples obtained from 87 HIV infected patients during a 13 month follow-up period. A SI virus was detected in 152 blood samples. In 44 blood samples, the HIV isolate was found to be SI by only one method, but was SI by both methods in another blood sample of the follow up. Among SI carriers discordant results between the methods were more frequent when the patient was on antiretroviral therapy, and a transient reversion to a non syncytium-inducing (NSI) strain confirmed by both assays was sometimes observed. The supernatant assay has a 93% sensitivity and the direct MT-2 assay has a 78% sensitivity for detection of the SI phenotype. The supernatant assay is as rapid as and less tedious than the MT-2 assay. Antiretroviral therapy could have some effects in decreasing or even suppressing the SI part of the virus population of patients with SI phenotype.

PCR assay fails to detect molluscum contagiosum virus-related sequences in AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Previous PCR-based studies have demonstrated the presence of various viral DNA or RNA sequences in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tissues. To date, only human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA sequences are found consistently in KS. The putative role of this agent in KS pathogenesis remains, however, to be determined; HHV-8 could infect populations endemically and could be reactivated in patients with KS. A close association between AIDS-related KS and molluscum contagiosum occurrence was found and this study was conducted primarily to search for the presence of molluscum contagiosum virus DNA sequences in KS. Frozen KS samples were examined for the presence of both HHV-8 and molluscum contagiosum virus DNA sequences by PCR. Despite a high rate of co-infection, no molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) DNA sequence could be found in the KS samples whereas HHV-8 was uniformly detected. These results suggest that the high prevalence of MCV in AIDS patients with KS relies on a mode of transmission common for HHV-8 and molluscum contagiosum virus rather than on a multiviral etiology of KS. They may also indicate a particular susceptibility of the host to viral reactivation. If this is so, the failure to detect MCV DNA sequences in KS tissues by PCR indicates that locally produced or released cyotokines are not involved in the latter process.

Inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Five patients infected with immunodeficiency virus who were suffering from chronic polyradiculoneuropathy were investigated during evolution of the disease. Four of them were immunodeficient. The prominent neurological feature was distal and symmetrical weakness of the legs. After 5 months only one patient had improved. All patients had an increased protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid and pleocytosis. Electrodiagnostic studies and sural nerve biopsies indicated demyelination. Sural nerve viral cultures, including human immunodeficiency virus, were negative. The presence of circulating anti-peripheral nerve antibodies and of immunoglobulin deposits in nerve biopsy specimens was investigated by immunofluorescence techniques but failed to demonstrate any immunoreactivity.

Spontaneous apoptosis and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Increased programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis has been detected in the T cells of HIV-infected subjects; it is held partially responsible for the continuous loss of CD4+ T cells during the natural course of HIV infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) decreases the viral load and leads to an increase of CD4+ count in vivo. In this study we evaluated PCD in total peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes before and four weeks after initiation of HAART. Seven HIV-1-infected patients were investigated. Viral load was assessed by RT-polymerase chain reaction and PCD by flow cytometry using apoptosis by 7 amino actinomycin D (7AAD) and propidium iodide (PI). After four weeks of HAART, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell levels were stable, and plasma HIV-RNA copies were significantly decreased. In four of the patients (4/7), HIV-RNA levels were reduced to undetectable levels (fewer than 400 copies per milliliter). A statistically significant reduction of apoptosis among CD4+ cells was observed (P < 0.03), though neither in the CD8+ T cell population nor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCS). These results demonstrate the beneficial effect of HAART on apoptosis of CD4+ cells in the early treatment stage.

Cultured Kaposi's sarcoma tumor cells exhibit a chemokine receptor repertoire that does not allow infection by HIV-1.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 is known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). However, it remains controversial whether KS cells are target cells for HIV infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of chemokine receptors in KS cell cultures and to determine whether these cells can be infected by HIV-1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: KS-derived cells and KS-Y1 cells were investigated using RT-PCR for the expression of CD4, CCR3, CCR5, CCR8 and CXCR4 mRNA. HIV infectivity of these cells was determined by p24 antigen and HIV-1 RNA production, as well as by HIV-1 DNA integration. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: With the exception of CCR8 which is expressed by KS-derived spindle cell cultures but not by KS-Y1 cells, unstimulated KS cells express no significant levels of CD4, CCR3, CCR5 or CXCR4 mRNA. HIV infectivity assays showed that KS cells were unpermissive to HTLVIIIB and JRFL strains. Although the expression of CXCR4 mRNA could be upregulated by interleukin-1beta, stimulation of KS cells by this cytokine did not allow infection by HIV-1. CONCLUSIONS: This shows that KS cells exhibit a chemokine receptor repertoire that does not allow infection by HIV-1. Other cell types making up KS lesions, such as inflammatory cells, are likely to represent the source of HIV-1 products cooperating to promote KS development and progression.