Opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases AMG

Opportunistic infections are one of the major problem among HIV infected patients still connected with high mortality. The aim of the investigation is to evaluate the incidence and mortality from opportunistic infections in HIV infected population in Pomeranian region of Poland. The paper presents analysis of incidence of opportunistic infections among 141 AIDS patients hospitalised in Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Gdańsk from 1988 to 2001/June/. In examined group 179 opportunistic infections were diagnosed. Most frequent was oesophageal candidiasis 58%, tuberculosis 29%, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia 21% and central nervous system toxoplasmosis 13%. The occurrence of opportunistic infections depends on CD4 count and rises with CD4 decline. Opportunistic infections were the reason of death in 33 from 74 cases/45%/. CONCLUSIONS: In examined group 28% of patients did not know about HIV infection when first opportunistic infection was diagnosed. Most frequent opportunistic infections in AIDS patients were oesophageal candidiasis, tuberculosis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmosis. In 98% of cases opportunistic infection developed when no HAART nor infection prophylaxis was administered. Opportunistic infection was the reason of death in 45% of cases, the most frequent were PCP and CNS toxoplasmosis.     

Substantial cost savings seen in delaying the onset of AIDS

A study presented at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy shows that treating an HIV-positive patient with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is less expensive than treating a patient who develops AIDS. A savings of 31 percent in health care costs is achieved each year by preventing the progression to AIDS. Though HAART is costly, HIV-positive patients do not require hospital stays that are as frequent or as long as patients who have developed AIDS. The study did not evaluate the cost of treating HIV over its lifetime.     

HIV in gay and bisexual men in the United Kingdom: 25 years of public health surveillance

It is more than 25 years since the first case of AIDS was reported in the United Kingdom. In December 1981 a gay man was referred to a London hospital with opportunistic infections indicative of immunosuppression. National surveillance began the following year, in September 1982, with the notification of deaths and clinical reports of AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma plus laboratory reports of opportunistic infections. Since then epidemiological surveillance systems have evolved, adapting to, and taking advantage of advances in treatments and laboratory techniques. The introduction of the HIV antibody test in 1984 led to the reporting of HIV-positive tests by laboratories and the establishment of an unlinked anonymous survey in 1990 measuring undiagnosed HIV infection among gay men attending sexual health clinics. The widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) since 1996 has averted many deaths among HIV-positive gay men and has also resulted in a large reduction in AIDS cases. This led to a need for an enumeration of gay men with HIV accessing NHS treatment and care services (1995 onwards), more clinical information on HIV diagnoses for epidemiological surveillance (2000 onwards) and the routine monitoring of drug resistance (2001 onwards). Twenty-five years after the first case of AIDS was reported, gay and bisexual men remain the group at greatest risk of acquiring HIV in the United Kingdom. Latest estimates suggest that in 2004, 26 500 gay and bisexual men were living with HIV in the United Kingdom, a quarter of whom were undiagnosed. In this review, we examine how national surveillance systems have evolved over the past 25 years in response to the changing epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among gay and bisexual men in the United Kingdom as well as advances in laboratory techniques and medical treatments. We also reflect on how they will need to continue evolving to effectively inform health policy in the future.     

IgM responses to hepatitis-A virus and hepatitis-B core antigen in acute and chronic liver disease in Malawi; possible role of non-A, non-B, hepatitis

Of 33 patients with acute hepatitis in Malawi, 21 had infection by hepatitis-B virus (HBV), five by hepatitis-A virus (HAV) and seven, who had no markers of current HBV or HAV infections, were probably infected by the agent(s) of non-A, non-B, hepatitis. 87 of 88 sera from persons without liver disease contained antibody to HAV and 49 antibody to hepatitis-B surface antigen (anti-HBs) (six were positive for hepatitis-B surface antigen). The diagnosis of recent infection by HAV was made by detecting HAV-specific IGM in single serum samples and, although such tests showed that HAV caused acute hepatitis, its absence in patients with chronic liver disease suggests that, unlike HBV, infection by HAV does not play a role in chronic liver disease in Malawi. Anti-hepatis-B core antigen (anti-HBc)-specific IgM was detected in 19 of 21 patients with acute HBV infection, in three of five HbsAg-positive patients with cirrhosis, but in none of five HbsAg-positive patients with hepatoma.     

艾滋病合并机会性感染63例临床分析

目的：整理分析63例艾滋病患者机会性感染的疾病谱,总结其临床特点以及高效抗反转录病毒治疗（highly active antiretrovivaltherapy,HAART）与患者疾病转归的关系。方法：采用回顾性分析的方法对63例艾滋病合并机会性感染的相关信息进行临床分析。结果：63例患者首发临床症状前三位依次为发热、咳嗽、消瘦。机会性感染以细菌、病毒和真菌感染为主,其中肺结核31例,卡氏肺孢子菌肺炎25例,细菌性肺炎12例,口腔念珠菌感染16例,细菌性肠炎10例,慢性乙型肝炎14例,慢性丙型肝炎24例,胆囊炎6例,带状疱疹3例,药疹2例,血管闭塞性脉管炎2例,其余感染均为1例。死亡7例,病死率11.11%。结论：艾滋病机会性感染种类多,临床表现复杂多样。高效抗反转录病毒治疗可以使艾滋病患者免疫系统得到部分重建,减少机会性感染的发生。     

浙江省2009-2013年单阳家庭配偶HIV血清学阳转率分析

目的 了解HIV单阳夫妻配偶HIV血清阳转情况及其相关影响因素。方法 对浙江省艾滋病综合防治信息系统下载的数据进行整理, 选取2009-2013年配偶首次检测结果阴性的HIV单阳夫妻为研究对象, 研究内容包括一般特征、感染危险行为、抗病毒治疗、配偶HIV血清阳转情况、阳转夫妻基本特征。结果 2009-2013年2 575对HIV单阳夫妻配偶HIV血清学总阳转率为3.56/1 000人年, 年阳转率从2009年5.49/1 000人年下降至2013年3.20/1 000人年。经异性性行为感染的男性感染者配偶HIV阳转率逐年上升, 女性感染者的配偶HIV阳转率有所下降。抗病毒治疗1年以上(OR=0.063, 95%CI: 0.019~0.204)是预防配偶HIV阳转的保护性因素, 先证者感染时间在3年及以上(OR=3.564, 95%CI: 1.296~9.804)、外省户籍(OR=2.626, 95%CI: 1.098~6.230)是配偶HIV阳转的危险因素。结论 浙江省艾滋病单阳家庭配偶HIV血清学阳转率低, 地区分布不平衡。以异性性行为感染的男性感染者配偶阳转率有所上升, 重点关注外省户籍女性先证者单阳家庭。抗病毒治疗、感染时间、户籍是配偶HIV阳转的影响因素。     

Should we be tracking AIDS virus transmission in India?

In India HIV infection was 1st found among prostitutes in Madras city in February, 1986. The government and the Indian Council of Medical Research set up 40 surveillance centers equipped with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay readers and HIV antibody test kits. In 1987, a rural middle-aged breadwinner received a blood transfusion for ulcers and contracted AIDS. The donor was traced and found to be infected with HIV, as were also his wife and child. He had had sexual intercourse with prostitutes in 1984. In 1988, a 3rd man was found to have AIDS; he had had homosexual contacts with many partners. The country's rapid mobilization against AIDS has been criticized on grounds that India has more pressing problems. However, the public health efforts against AIDS have not been diverted from any other program, and if a similar campaign had been mounted against hepatitis B virus infection, many lives would have been saved. 1% to 3% of patients in venereal disease clinics in Vellore have been found to be HIV-positive, and the rate of HIV infection in blood banks is 1.6/1000 donors, which indicates that there are probably 500,000 people already infected with AIDS in India. The Indian government's response to the impending AIDS epidemic should serve as a model in the fight against other communicable diseases.     

CCR5 and beta-chemokines in HIV-1 infected children

The duration from initial infection with HIV-1 to CD4 lymphocyte depletion and progression to AIDS varies among infected individuals. Despite treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients still show different stages of disease progression. We examined the role of beta-chemokines and its receptor, CCR5 in HIV-1 infected children in order to define determinants of HIV progression among treated individuals. Population was divided in two groups: Group 1--Long Term Non Progressors (LTNP) includes 10 patients with B1-B2 CDC disease classification and with a less aggressive therapy (only 2 in HAART); Group 2--Rapid Progressors (RP) includes 9 patients with C3 disease classification. All the patients had a CCR5 wild type (wt) genotype indicating that they do not have the 32 base-pair deletion associated with slower progression. There was an increased production of MIP 1-beta in 8/10 LTNP but only in 4/9 Progressors (Paired t-test/Wilcoxon Sign test, p-value < 0.05). The change in the levels of MIP-1 beta after PHA stimulation was statistically significant in both groups. The levels of RANTES increased in LTNP and RP and the change of the levels after mitogen stimulation was statistically significant for both groups included. The production of RANTES and MIP-1 beta in response to stimulation between both groups was not statistically significant. The production of MIP-1 alpha was variable in both groups and the difference in the levels after mitogen stimulation between the groups was not statistically significant. These results suggest that beta-chemokines do not play an important role in HIV-1 progression in children undergoing HAART.     

HIV/AIDS患者合并机会性感染 与卫生服务利用现状分析

摘要:目的　分析HIV/AIDS患者合并机会感染与卫生服务利用的现状。方法　采用随机整群抽样对HIV/AIDS患者进行合并机会性感染及卫生服务利用问卷调查。结果　HIV/AIDS患者合并机会性感染率为57.78%;HIV/AIDS未合并机会性感染者和合并机会性感染者两周患病率分别为38.60%和73.08%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;HIV/AIDS未合并机会性感染者和合并机会性感染者两周就诊率分别为49.12%和76.92%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;HIV/AIDS患者家庭经济困难占64.71%,是他们未就诊的主要原因;HIV/AIDS患者选择医疗机构就诊差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;HIV/AIDS未合并机会性感染者和合并机会性感染者年住院率分别为15.79%和20.51%,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;HIV/AIDS患者选择医疗机构住院差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论　HIV/AIDS合并机会感染者卫生服务利用量大于未合并机会感染者,HIV/AIDS患者卫生服务利用与医疗机构、病程、居住地、经济条件有关。     

Survival, progression to AIDS and immunosuppression in HIV-positive individuals before and after the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

We evaluated the changes in the progression to death and AIDS and in the mean level of CD4 lymphocytes by calendar period in HIV-positive individuals before and after the introduction of HAART. Through data collected in a prospective cohort study (Italian Seroconversion Study) of 1899 HIV-infected persons with well estimated date of seroconversion, considered as time-zero of analysis, we calculated Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models, allowing for staggered entries, to estimate the cumulative probability of survival and hazard-ratios (HR) for death and for AIDS by calendar period (1980-1996: pre-HAART era, 1997-1998: first HAART era, and 1999-2001: second HAART era), age at seroconversion, gender, and exposure category. During 17251 person-years, 660 HIV-positive patients developed AIDS and 510 died. Before 1997, the cumulative probability of survival, at twelve years from seroconversion, was 51.0%. In the period 1997-1998 the probability was 77.3% and in the period 1999-2001 it further increased at 91.2%. In the period 1980-1996 only older age at seroconversion was associated with more rapid progression to death. In the period 1987-2001 individuals infected through injecting drug use had a reduced increase of survival compared to those infected through sexual contact. Similar results were obtained for progression to AIDS. Finally we estimated an improved level of immunesuppression in the period 1987-2001. In fact, while in the period 1980-1996 we estimated a decrease of the CD4 lymphocites of -54.8 cells/mm3 (95% CI: -52.0; -57.6) per year; after 1996, we estimated an increase of CD4 of +39.6 (95% CI +34.1; +45.1)per year. This study provides strong evidence that the efficacy of the HAART estimated in the controlled clinical trials has resulted in a real reduction at the population level of morbidity and mortality.     

乙型肝炎合并艾滋病病毒感染抗病毒治疗过程中的YMDD变异

由于HBV和HIV具有相似的传播途径,乙型肝炎高流行区有5％-20％的HBV和HIV双重感染者。HAART是治疗艾滋病最重要的措施,而我国目前的HAART方案中均包含有拉米夫定,由于拉米夫定的耐药屏障低,长期使用可能出现YMDD变异。目前国内对单纯HBV感染者的YMDD变异研究很多,但关于HBV和HIV双重感染者YMDD变异的相关研究较少,此文就国外学者在这方面的研究作一综述。     

艾滋病合并丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗中肝损害的相关因素

由于传播途径和易感人群相似,HIV合并HCV感染相当常见.HAART虽然改善了患者的寿命和预后,但在HIV合并HCV感染者中长期的用药会使得肝损害的发生率增加,不仅导致治疗费用支出增多,还妨碍了对HIV的长期抑制作用.目前对于HIV合并HCV感染者HAART过程中肝损害的机制了解不多,此文对可能的损害因素,包括HIV/HCV合并感染的双重影响、HAART引起的免疫重建、抗病毒药物的肝毒性、肝脏相关的超敏反应、合并其他机会性感染及酒精暴露等进行综述.合理有效的HAART和抗HCV治疗,可减缓HAART过程中肝损害的发生.     

艾滋病合并丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗中肝损害的相关因素

由于传播途径和易感人群相似,HIV合并HCV感染相当常见.HAART虽然改善了患者的寿命和预后,但在HIV合并HCV感染者中长期的用药会使得肝损害的发生率增加,不仅导致治疗费用支出增多,还妨碍了对HIV的长期抑制作用.目前对于HIV合并HCV感染者HAART过程中肝损害的机制了解不多,此文对可能的损害因素,包括HIV/HCV合并感染的双重影响、HAART引起的免疫重建、抗病毒药物的肝毒性、肝脏相关的超敏反应、合并其他机会性感染及酒精暴露等进行综述.合理有效的HAART和抗HCV治疗,可减缓HAART过程中肝损害的发生.     

艾滋病合并丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗中肝损害的相关因素

由于传播途径和易感人群相似,HIV合并HCV感染相当常见.HAART虽然改善了患者的寿命和预后,但在HIV合并HCV感染者中长期的用药会使得肝损害的发生率增加,不仅导致治疗费用支出增多,还妨碍了对HIV的长期抑制作用.目前对于HIV合并HCV感染者HAART过程中肝损害的机制了解不多,此文对可能的损害因素,包括HIV/HCV合并感染的双重影响、HAART引起的免疫重建、抗病毒药物的肝毒性、肝脏相关的超敏反应、合并其他机会性感染及酒精暴露等进行综述.合理有效的HAART和抗HCV治疗,可减缓HAART过程中肝损害的发生.     

新疆地区40例艾滋病患者临床特点分析

目的分析某院收治的40例艾滋病患者的临床特征。方法回顾性研究2003年1月-2004年8月以发热或腹泻、消瘦为主诉收治诊断为人免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染患者的临床资料。结果40例患者的临床分期均已到艾滋病期，CD4+T淋巴细胞计数为（156.54±131.26）/μL（正常参考值为800～1 200/μL）。发热、咳嗽咳痰、消瘦、腹痛腹泻以及颈部淋巴结大为主要临床表现，部分患者有卡波西肉瘤；机会性感染及合并症以肝炎病毒感染（30例，75.00%）、肺结核（15例，37.50%）多见。HIV感染方式以静脉吸毒为主（32例，80.00%），其次为性途径感染（4例，10.00%）。距可能暴露（静脉吸毒、性接触、输血）HIV时间2～12年，平均（7.31±1.30）年。结论艾滋病期患者临床表现多样化，静脉吸毒是主要的感染传播方式。需采取多种措施预防控制HIV的传播，对患者加强抗病毒治疗与监测、随访，及时控制机会性感染以及病毒复制。     

温州地区艾滋病感染者和病人合并感染乙肝、丙肝、梅毒等疾病的研究

目的:研究艾滋病感染者和病人(HIV/AIDS)合并感染乙型病毒性肝炎(HBV)、丙型病毒性肝炎(HCV)、梅毒(TP)的流行现状及其特点,为HIV/AIDS的防控和治疗提供科学依据。方法:选取2008年-2010年期间在温州实验室确认阳性的艾滋病感染者和病人的标本共678例,采用ELISA法,分别对标本进行乙肝表面抗原、丙肝抗体、梅毒抗体项目检测。结果:其中,合并感染乙肝的有102例(15.04%),感染丙肝84例(12.38%),感染梅毒145例(21.38%);同时感染乙肝、丙肝的有13例(1.91%),感染乙肝、梅毒有31例(4.57%),感染丙肝、梅毒的有13例(1.91%),同时感染乙肝、丙肝、梅毒的2例(0.29%)。结论:1、HIV感染者中HBV感染率略高于普通人群;HIV与HCV合并感染率显著高于普通人群,但低于国内外报道的HIV/HCV的30%以上;HIV与TP合并感染的比例显著高于普通人群以及其他地区艾滋病患者。2、合并感染的总体趋势有所控制。     

Morphologic identification of Ehrlichia sp. in the platelets of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in Venezuela]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of infection by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia in a population of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As is widely recognized, HIV infection is usually followed by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after a variable period during which the individual can develop different types of opportunistic infections whose severity depends on his/her immune status. Human ehrlichiosis is a newly-recognized tick-borne infectious disease caused by Ehrlichia spp., which are obligate intracellular, Gram-negative bacteria showing tropism for blood cells (leukocytes and platelets). In Venezuela, the disease was first recognized in humans in 1994, when intra-cytoplasmic microcolonies (morula) were found in human platelets. METHODS: We collected peripheral blood samples from 87 HIV-positive persons that were received at the Immunology Laboratory of the Oncology and Hematology Institute in Caracas, Venezuela, one of the country's referral centers for cases of HIV infection. Slides prepared from buffy coat that had been stained with Wright's solution and sealed with resin for preservation were examined retrospectively under the light microscope. RESULTS: Ehrlichia spp. were found in the platelets of 12 of the 87 (13.8%) patients whose slides were examined. CONCLUSION: The presence of Ehrlichia sp. in the platelets of HIV-positive patients suggests that ehrlichiosis should be among the differential diagnoses of opportunistic infection in this group of patients.     

Trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses--33 states, 2001-2004

In 2003, more than 1 million persons in the United States were estimated to be living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. As a result of advances in treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) since 1996, persons infected with HIV are living longer than before and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has decreased. Consequently, AIDS surveillance no longer provides accurate population-based monitoring of the current HIV epidemic. Therefore, CDC recommends that all states and territories adopt confidential, name-based surveillance systems to report HIV infection. This report describes the characteristics of persons for whom HIV infection was diagnosed during 2001-2004 and reported to 33 state and local health departments with name-based HIV reporting. The findings indicate that the rate of HIV diagnosis in these states decreased among non-Hispanic blacks from 2001 to 2004; however, the rate of HIV diagnosis among blacks remained disproportionately high. In 2004, the rate among blacks was 8.4 times higher than among whites. Improved knowledge of HIV status and access to care and prevention services is important to decrease the number of new HIV infections among those populations most affected.     

Difference of progression to AIDS according to CD4 cell count, plasma HIV RNA level and the use of antiretroviral therapy among HIV patients infected through blood products in japan

BACKGROUND: It is important to examine progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or death and its predictors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected persons before and after the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) available in Japan since 1997. METHODS: The data used were from a survey of persons with HIV infected through blood coagulation factor products in Japan. Progression to AIDS or death during two periods, between January 1994 and March 1997, and between April 1997 and March 2002, were observed. RESULTS: The AIDS-free proportion after 3 years was 74% among 417 participants for the earlier period and 94% among 605 participants in the later one. The hazard ratio of low CD4 cell count (less than 200 cells/microL) was 50.8 for the earlier period and 4.7 for the later one compared with that of 500 cells/microL or more. After adjustment by plasma HIV RNA levels and use of antiretroviral therapy, the hazard ratios of the low CD4 cell count for the later period were still significant. CONCLUSION: The AIDS-free proportion among people with HIV infected through blood products in Japan largely increased after the introduction of HAART. The CD4 cell count remains an important predictor of future progression, but its importance might be less because of HAART.     

Micronutrients in HIV-positive persons receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

In HIV-infected persons, low serum concentrations of vitamins and minerals, termed micronutrients, are associated with an increased risk of HIV disease progression and mortality. Micronutrient supplements can delay HIV disease progression and reduce mortality in HIV-positive persons not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). With the transition to more universal access to HAART, a better understanding of micronutrient deficiencies and the role of micronutrient supplements in HIV-positive persons receiving HAART has become a priority. The provision of simple, inexpensive micronutrient supplements as an adjunct to HAART may have several cellular and clinical benefits, such as a reduction in mitochondrial toxicity and oxidative stress and an improvement in immune reconstitution. We reviewed observational and trial evidence on micronutrients in HIV-positive persons receiving HAART to summarize the current literature and suggest future research priorities. A small number of observational studies have suggested that some, but not all, micronutrients may become replete after HAART initiation, and few intervention studies have found that certain micronutrients may be a beneficial adjunct to HAART. However, most of these studies had some major limitations, including a small sample size, a short duration of follow-up, a lack of adjustment for inflammatory markers, and an inadequate assessment of HIV-related outcomes. Therefore, few data are available to determine whether HAART ameliorates micronutrient deficiencies or to recommend or refute the benefit of providing micronutrient supplements to HIV-positive persons receiving HAART. Because micronutrient supplementation may cause harm, randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed. Future research should determine whether HAART initiation restores micronutrient concentrations, independent of inflammatory markers, and whether micronutrient supplements affect HIV-related outcomes in HIV-positive persons receiving HAART.