A Retrospective Analysis of the Disruptions in the HIV Continuum of Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons From a Clinic-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected healthcare services, including HIV patient care. This study assessed the impact of the pandemic on diverse aspects of care for individuals living with HIV (PLWH). METHODS: Patient data from 2019 to 2021 were collected using the Cascades template, provided by the New York State Department of Health, focusing on viral testing and suppression outcomes. Age, ethnicity, sex, and race were considered variables and analyzed via chi-square analysis, logistic regression model, and F test. RESULTS: The pandemic significantly reduced viral testing in 2020 due to restrictions and closures, but telemedicine and tele-pharmacy helped maintain care. Age was a crucial factor, predicting higher viral testing and suppression odds for older individuals, but no significant differences were observed between patient gender, race, or ethnicity in obtaining viral testing or achieving suppression. CONCLUSIONS: While limitations existed, this study provides insights into sustaining care during crises, highlighting the importance of innovative healthcare delivery methods and age-sensitive approaches for PLWH.

Newly diagnosed AIDS patient with cerebellar JC virus.

We present a case of a 57-year-old man with newly diagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection who initially sought care for progressive dysarthria and gait instability. Neuroimaging and CSF studies revealed a diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Although the patient's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) decreased considerably in response to anti-retroviral therapy, he continued to deteriorate clinically. Ultimately, the central nervous system (CNS) lesions, which were once centered in the cerebellum, became expansile throughout his posterior fossa. There are few reported cases of cerebellar PML in patients with AIDS.

Prognostic factors in lactic acidosis syndrome caused by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: report of eight cases and review of the literature.

We conducted a retrospective study to identify prognostic factors in the lactic acidosis syndrome (LAS) caused by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in patients with HIV/AIDS. Fifty-eight cases of LAS were included in our analysis, 8 from our hospital spanning the years 1992-2002, and 50 reported in the English language literature from 1986 through 2002. Peak venous lactate level was the best predictor of mortality. Zidovudine was associated with higher lactate levels and higher mortality than stavudine and lamuvidine. Mortality declined progressively after 1986 when the first cases of NRTI-related LAS were described. Increased mortality with zidovudine in this study appears due in part to its greater use prior to 1990 when LAS was not widely recognized as a potential complication of NRTI therapy.

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome with persistent vertebral osteomyelitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a slowly progressive, relatively asymptomatic course in a young woman with suspected hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (Job's syndrome).

Patient with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate with multiple infecting organisms causing gastritis.

A 70-year-old man with a medical history of rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate 2.5 mg every other day was being followed for cytomegalovirus (CMV) gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection, who was also found to have adrenal masses bilaterally. A CT showed a 1 cm left adrenal nodule along with a 2.5 cm right adrenal mass suspicious for malignancy. A positron emission tomography showed metabolic activity in his adrenals that was non-specific (could be seen in benign as well as malignant lesions). The patient was started on valganciclovir 900 mg daily for 30 days. Following treatment the patient showed marked clinical improvement with a weight gain of 9 lbs and a complete resolution of his epigastric pain. A repeat oesophagogastroduodenoscopy performed with biopsy returned negative for CMV. A repeat CT abdomen to assess the adrenals was performed 2 weeks after completion of valganciclovir. His adrenal nodules had decreased significantly in size, with his left adrenal gland nodules measuring 1 cm and now his right adrenal gland nodule measuring 1 cm.

Spinal epidural abscess in hemodialysis patients: a case series and review.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but potentially devastating condition. We noticed an increase in the number of cases of SEA, with the majority in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This prompted a retrospective chart review of all cases of SEA admitted from 2000 to 2005 and a literature search of similar cases. We identified 19 SEA cases treated at Long Island College Hospital during this 6-year period, of which six were on HD: four were dialyzed via catheter, one via arteriovenous fistula, and in one the method of dialysis was not documented. Four patients had bacteremia with Staphylococcus aureus. Four patients presented with paresis or paralysis; only one improved. The mortality rate was 33% (2/6). We found 30 other cases of SEA in patients on HD from the literature. These 36 HD cases were compared with 85 SEA cases that were not on HD (13 from our study and 72 described in two large case series). The mortality rate was noted to be much higher in HD patients (23% [6/26] versus 7% [6/85]). Neurologic deficit at presentation was noted in 47% (17/36) of HD patients versus 69% (59/85) of non-HD patients, but neurologic improvement was higher in non-HD patients (71% [42/59] versus 29% [5/17]). This is the largest literature review of SEA in patients on HD. When compared with non-HD patients, HD patients had a higher mortality rate and were less likely to improve neurologically.

Acute reversible heart failure with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in the management of AIDS. It has improved the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, with increased survival, adverse effects from medications used in HIV treatment have become more apparent. Cardiac complications from HIV infection include arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Heart failure in HIV disease may be related to the virus itself or to noninfectious reasons. The association of HIV medications with heart failure is controversial as patients with HIV disease often have multiple risk factors for developing heart failure. We present a case of acute onset heart failure in a patient with HIV, coronary artery disease, and hypertension who was recently started on antiretroviral therapy. There was complete resolution of heart failure after cessation of HIV medications. This case highlights the need to consider HIV medications as a cause of deterioration in cardiac function, even in the presence of other well-established risk factors for heart failure.