Relationship between serum and saliva antibodies to Candida and isolation of Candida species from the mucosa of HIV-infected individuals.

Colonisation and infection by Candida species occur frequently in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but their relationship to the humoral immunity against candidiasis is controversial. To evaluate the levels of antibodies to Candida in the serum and in the saliva of HIV-1-infected patients in relation to the presence of immunodeficiency, oral candidiasis and Candida colonisation, Candida was investigated in the urine and in the oral and anal mucosae of HIV-1-infected patients, AIDS patients and healthy controls. The levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to Candida were determined in the serum and in the saliva by immunoassay. Candida species were detected in 76% of the patients. Mucosal yeast colonisation and the levels of serum and saliva antibodies to Candida were similar between asymptomatic HIV-infected and non-infected patients. Mucosal colonisation was highest in AIDS patients, who also had higher serum IgA and saliva IgG antibodies. Antibody levels were similar in patients with and without candidiasis oral lesions. Asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals are similar to non-infected individuals with respect to mucosal colonisation as well as serum and saliva levels of antibodies to Candida. The higher mucosal colonisation and clinical candidiasis observed in the AIDS patients apparently stimulated a more intense humoral response to the yeast.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in HCV/HIV coinfected patients during treatment with pegylated alpha-2a interferon plus ribavirin.

Two cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia that occurred during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated alpha-2a interferon and ribavirin, in HIV coinfected patients, are presented and described. The late occurrence (after six months of therapy) of this severe hemolytic anemia leads to the recommendation that hemoglobin levels should be monitored throughout the treatment period, even among patients who presented stable hemoglobin levels in the preceding months.

Vertical transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans from a mother coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus: case report.

Disseminated infection with Cryptococcus neoformans was observed in a newborn infant who presented fever and respiratory symptoms since the 52 nd day of life. The mother was infected by human immunodeficiency virus and presented pulmonary and meningeal cryptococcal infection. This is a rare case of cryptococcal infection with probable maternal-fetal transmission.

Episodes of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the acute phase of HIV-1 infection and with recurrence of viremia.

We report a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) characterized by flaccid areflexive tetraplegia and signs of autonomic instability related to acute HIV-1 infection, and the occurrence of relapse episodes coinciding with the detection of HIV-1 RNA in blood during the phase of irregular treatment with antiretroviral agents. The patient has been asymptomatic for 3 years and has an HIV-1 load below the limit of detection. The recurrence of GBS in this case may be related to alterations of the immunologic response caused by disequilibrium in the host-HIV relationship due to the increase in HIV-1 viremia.

Primary aspergilloma and subacute invasive aspergillosis in two AIDS patients.

Although uncommon, invasive aspergillosis in the setting of AIDS is important because of its peculiar clinical presentation and high lethality. This report examines two AIDS patients with a history of severe cellular immunosuppression and previous neutropenia, who developed subacute invasive aspergillosis. One female patient developed primary lung aspergilloma, with dissemination to the mediastinum, vertebrae, and spine, which was fatal despite antifungal treatment. The second patient, who had multiple cavitary brain lesions, and eye and lung involvement, recovered following voriconazole and itraconazole, and drugs for increasing neutrophil and CD4+ lymphocyte levels. These cases demonstrate the importance of Aspergillus infections following neutropenia in AIDS patients, and emphasize the need for early and effective antifungal therapy.

HCV virological response during treatment of chronic hepatitis C is associated with liver histological improvement in patients with HCV/HIV co-infection.

Liver histological improvement after treatment for chronic hepatitis C in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) has been described. Paired liver biopsies in twenty six HCV/HIV co-infected patients were compared to determine factors possibly associated with histological improvement. The patients were submitted to a liver biopsy before treatment for hepatitis C and 25 months after the end of treatment. Fragments of the liver biopsy obtained before and after treatment were compared regarding the following parameters: histological activity index (HAI) and degree of fibrosis (Knodell); intensity of collagen deposits (Sirius Red staining) and degree of stellate cell activation (alpha-smooth muscle actin labeling). The ratios of the post and pre-treatment variables were related through logistic regression to body mass index (BMI), alcohol ingestion, HCV genotype, HCV viremia, presence of hepatic iron and pre-treatment hepatic steatosis. A negative RNA test in the 24th week of treatment was associated with improvement in fibrosis, collagen deposits and stellate cell numbers. The other variables analyzed did not correlate to an improvement in hepatic histology after hepatitis C treatment. Reduction in HCV viremia during treatment may result in reduced hepatic fibrosis even in patients without a sustained virological response.

Primary aspergilloma and subacute invasive aspergillosis in two AIDS patients / Aspergiloma primário e aspergilose invasiva subaguda em dois pacientes com AIDS

Although uncommon, invasive aspergillosis in the setting of AIDS is important because of its peculiar clinical presentation and high lethality. This report examines two AIDS patients with a history of severe cellular immunosuppression and previous neutropenia, who developed subacute invasive aspergillosis. One female patient developed primary lung aspergilloma, with dissemination to the mediastinum, vertebrae, and spine, which was fatal despite antifungal treatment. The second patient, who had multiple cavitary brain lesions, and eye and lung involvement, recovered following voriconazole and itraconazole, and drugs for increasing neutrophil and CD4+ lymphocyte levels. These cases demonstrate the importance of Aspergillus infections following neutropenia in AIDS patients, and emphasize the need for early and effective antifungal therapy.

A aspergilose invasiva em pacientes com aids, embora incomum, é relevante pela apresentação clínica peculiar e alta letalidade. Este relato descreve os casos de dois pacientes com aids com grave imunossupressão celular e neutropenia prévia, os quais tiveram aspergiloma pulmonar primário, com disseminação para mediastino, vértebras e medula espinhal, evoluindo para óbito apesar do tratamento antifúngico. O segundo paciente, que tinha lesões cavitárias múltiplas no cérebro e infecção ocular e pulmonar, recuperou-se após tratamento com voricanazol, itraconazol e com drogas para aumentar o número de neutrófilos e de linfócitos CD4+. Estes casos demonstram o risco de infecção por Aspergillus após episódios de neutropenia em pacientes com aids e alertam para o início precoce de terapia antifúngica eficaz.

HCV virological response during treatment of chronic hepatitis C is associated with liver histological Improvement in patients with HCV/HIV co-infection

Liver histological improvement after treatment for chronic hepatitis C in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) has been described. Paired liver biopsies in twenty six HCV/HIV co-infected patients were compared to determine factors possibly associated with histological improvement. The patients were submitted to a liver biopsy before treatment for hepatitis C and 25 months after the end of treatment. Fragments of the liver biopsy obtained before and after treatment were compared regarding the following parameters: histological activity index (HAI) and degree of fibrosis (Knodell); intensity of collagen deposits (Sirius Red staining) and degree of stellate cell activation (alpha-smooth muscle actin labeling). The ratios of the post and pre-treatment variables were related through logistic regression to body mass index (BMI), alcohol ingestion, HCV genotype, HCV viremia, presence of hepatic iron and pre-treatment hepatic steatosis. A negative RNA test in the 24th week of treatment was associated with improvement in fibrosis, collagen deposits and stellate cell numbers. The other variables analyzed did not correlate to an improvement in hepatic histology after hepatitis C treatment. Reduction in HCV viremia during treatment may result in reduced hepatic fibrosis even in patients without a sustained virological response.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in HCV/HIV coinfected patients during treatment with pegylated alpha-2a interferon plus ribavirin

Two cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia that occurred during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated alpha-2a interferon and ribavirin, in HIV coinfected patients, are presented and described. The late occurrence (after six months of therapy) of this severe hemolytic anemia leads to the recommendation that hemoglobin levels should be monitored throughout the treatment period, even among patients who presented stable hemoglobin levels in the preceding months.

São apresentados e discutidos dois casos de anemia hemolítica auto-imune que ocorreram durante o tratamento da hepatite crônica pelo vírus C, com interferon peguilado alfa 2a e ribavirina, em pacientes co-infectados pelo HIV. A ocorrência de anemia hemolítica grave em etapa tardia, após o sexto mês da terapêutica, recomenda que o controle dos níveis de hemoglobina deva ser feito durante todo o período do tratamento , mesmo nos pacientes que apresentam níveis estáveis de hemoglobina nos meses precedentes.

Vertical transmission of Cryptococcus neoformans from a mother coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus: case report

Disseminated infection with Cryptococcus neoformans was observed in a newborn infant who presented fever and respiratory symptoms since the 52nd day of life. The mother was infected by human immunodeficiency virus and presented pulmonary and meningeal cryptococcal infection. This is a rare case of cryptococcal infection with probable maternal-fetal transmission.

Infecção disseminada por Cryptococcus neoformans foi observada em um recém-nascido que apresentava febre e sintomas respiratórios desde o 52° dia de vida. A mãe tinha infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana e apresentou infecção pulmonar e meningite criptocócica. Este é um caso raro de uma infecção criptocócica com provável transmissão materno-fetal.

Episodes of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the acute phase of HIV-1 infection and with recurrence of viremia / Episódios de Síndrome de Guillain-Barré associados com a fase aguda da infecção pelo HIV-1 e com recorrência da viremia

We report a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) characterized by flaccid areflexive tetraplegia and signs of autonomic instability related to acute HIV-1 infection, and the occurrence of relapse episodes coinciding with the detection of HIV-1 RNA in blood during the phase of irregular treatment with antiretroviral agents. The patient has been asymptomatic for 3 years and has an HIV-1 load below the limit of detection. The recurrence of GBS in this case may be related to alterations of the immunologic response caused by disequilibrium in the host-HIV relationship due to the increase in HIV-1 viremia.

É reportado um caso grave de Síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) caracterizado por tetraplegia flácida arreflexa e sinais de instabilidade autonômica relacionado com infecção aguda pelo HIV-1, e a ocorrência de episódios de recidivas coincidentes com a detecção do RNA-HIV-1 no sangue, durante fases de tratamento irregular com antiretrovirais. O paciente encontra-se assintomático há 3 anos e com a carga viral do HIV-1 abaixo do limite de detecção. A ocorrência de SGB, neste caso, pode estar relacionada com alterações da resposta imunológica ocasionada por desequilíbrio na relação hospedeiro-HIV devido ao aumento da viremia do HIV-1.

Esporotricose cutânea disseminada como manifestaçäo inicial da síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida: relato de caso / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presenting as disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis: case report

Os autores relatam caso de infecçäo cutânea disseminada pelo Sporothrix schenckii em paciente de 30 anos, previamente assintomático e portador de infecçäo pelo HIV. Observou-se comprometimenfo cutâneo extenso com coleçöes supurativas e ulceraçöes. O agente foi isolado em cultura de abscesso. O tratamento com anfotericina B forma lipossomal mostrou-se eficaz

Características clínicas e epidemiológicas de pacientes da região de Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, com AIDS e infecções oportunistas / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients from Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, with AIDS and oportunistic infections

Com o objetivo de conhecer e atualizar as características clínicas e epidemiológicas dos pacientes com aids e infecções oportunistas na região de Ribeirão Preto, foram revisados os prontuários médicos de 1019 pacientes com aids, do sub-grupo IVc (CDC), atendidos no HCFMRP, no período de janeiro de 1992 a agosto de 1996. Os seguintes itens foram analisados: data do primeiro atendimento, sexo, idade, cidade em que residia, via provável de aquisição do HIV, época do primeiro exame anti-HIV positivo, número de linfócitos CD4/mm3 por ocasião do primeiro atendimento, data da primeira manifestação infecciosa após o início do seguimento, tipo e número de complicação(ões) infecciosa(s), data do óbito e tipo de infecção(ões) diagnosticada(s) nos pacientes que faleceram. Os resultados, quando comparados com os obtidos no período de 1987 a 1991, apontam para modificações importantes em algumas características dos pacientes no segundo período, como aumento da via de transmissão heterossexual do HIV, aumento da participação de mulheres na casuística, uma tendência de diagnóstico mais precoce da infecção pelo HIV e aumento da sobrevida dos pacientes. Por outro lado, os pacientes continuam sendo acometidos por ampla gama de processos infecciosos durante a evolução da aids, com destaque para a candidíase, as pneumonias bacterianas, a neurotoxoplasmose, a pneumonia por P. carinii, a sinusite, a diarréia e a neurocriptococose. Menção especial deve ser feita à tuberculose que acometeu cerca de 30 por cento dos pacientes durante o período de seguimento