Lymphoceles: imaging characteristics and percutaneous management

Twenty-five patients who had lymphoceles underwent sectional imaging and interventional radiologic procedures. Viewed using sonography, lymphoceles were hypoechoic to anechoic, occasionally with internal septa and debris. Low numbers (occasionally negative values) were observed using computed tomography (CT); these numbers strongly suggest the diagnosis of lymphocele. Calcification was observed on CT images of one patient. Diagnostic aspiration revealed tan to yellow fluid containing many lymphocytes; pathognomonic fat globules were observed in four cases. Malignant cells were found in two collections, an unusual occurrence. Therapeutic needle aspiration and short-term catheter drainage were usually unsuccessful (only one of five patients [20%] was cured). Long-term (1-5-week) catheter drainage cured 11 of 14 patients (78.6%). Sclerosing agents may have been beneficial for lymphocele obliteration in three of four patients. For most patients, lymphoceles may be diagnosed and treated successfully using radiologic means.     

Markers of HIV infection in the Concorde trial. Concorde Co-ordinating Committee

The Concorde trial compared immediate (Imm) with deferred (Def) AZT monotherapy in asymptomatic HIV-positive participants. Haematological and immunological markers and weight were measured throughout, and correlated with clinical endpoints. Markers associated with disease progression (CD4 lymphocyte count and percentage, platelets, p24 antigen and beta 2 microglobulin favoured Imm: those associated with toxicity (haemoglobin, neutrophils and white cell count) favoured Def. CD8 and total lymphocyte count did not differ significantly between groups. In multivariate analysis, the combination of baseline CD4, p24 antigen and beta 2m was the best baseline predictor of disease. Including change in CD4 and beta 2m at 12 weeks, or changes over follow- up in these markers significantly improved the fit. Markers were also incorporated into the definition of 'clinical' endpoints. Hazard ratio estimates from end-points that included CD4 < 50 and CD4 < 25 were closest to those for AIDS or death alone, but added very few extra events. Use of other landmark CD4 counts (100 or greater) or relative decreases in counts (25% or more) increased the number of events, but overestimated the effect of immediate AZT. Although AZT had a beneficial effect on the surrogate markers of efficacy evaluated, these changes did not predict clinical outcome, nor could the markers be usefully incorporated into an endpoint definition.      

Characterization of the epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody highly specific for blood group M antigen

The mouse monoclonal antibody M2A1 of IgG1 class, which is highly specific for blood group M antigen, was obtained and characterized by means of hemagglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and inhibition assays. The use of modified M glycoprotein preparations for inhibition tests and of variant McN and Henshaw red cell membranes for immunoblotting showed that M2A1 recognized an epitope including the NH2-terminal serine and sialic acid residues of glycophorin A, whereas the fifth glycine residue was not involved. The reactivity of the antibody with M antigen was distinctly dependent on ionic strength and pH; the optimum was at pH 8 to 9. The alpha-amino group of terminal serine residue was not necessary for the reaction with M2A1 antibody, and the results obtained suggested that the positive charge of this group contributed to decreasing antigen-antibody reactions at pH below 8. The reaction of the antibody with blood group N antigen was not detectable in any of the assays used.     

Head-Up Tilt Test in Patients with High Pretest Likelihood of Neurally Mediated Syncope: An Approximation to the "Real Sensitivity" of this Testing

This study was designed to examine the "true sensitivity" of a specific head-up tilt (HUT) testing protocol using clinical findings. The HUT protocol used 45 minutes at 60 degrees for the baseline portion and intermittent boluses of 2, 4, and 6 micrograms of isoproterenol in the second phase. Eighty-eight patients (40 men and 48 women; mean age of 33.8 +/- 16 years) with recurrent syncope and high pretest likelihood of neurally mediated syncope were included. The following were considerated as high pretest likelihood criteria: (1) at least two syncopal episodes; (2) no structural heart disease and normal baseline ECG; (3) age < 65 years; (4) a typical history of neurally mediated syncope, triggering factors plus premonitory signs; and (5) short duration of symptoms and fast recovery without neurological sequelae. Fifty-four patients (61%) had a positive tilt test (34/88 baseline [39%] and 20/50 with isoproterenol [40%]). The shorter time interval between the last syncopal episode and baseline HUT test was the only predictor for a positive response (P < 0.003). Conversely, this time interval was not predictor of positive responses during isoproterenol-tilt testing. In conclusion: (1) we claim a "sensitivity" for this combined protocol of 61%; and (2) our results indicate that patients with syncope of unknown origin must be tilted nearest as possible to the last syncope to increase the positive responses of HUT test.     

Immunological factors in milk from Brazilian mothers delivering small-for-date term neonates

Breast milk samples from three groups of Brazilian women were evaluated: G1, mothers delivering term babies of low birth weight (n=16); G2, mothers delivering preterm babies of appropriate birth weight (n = 20); G3, mothers delivering term babies of appropriate birth weight ( n = 30). Milk samples were obtained at 48 h and on the 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th days after delivery and they were analyzed for lysozyme and total IgA levels and for the presence of specific antibodies against Poliovirus types I, II, III, Rotavirus, Herpes simplex virus, Varicella zoster and Cytomegalovirus. The groups were not statistically different in relation to mother's age, parity, type of delivery or socio-economic levels. IgA levels were higher in both low-birth-weight groups (G1 & G2) compared to the control group (G3) throughout the study period. Lysozyme levels decreased up to the 15th day, increasing thereafter up to the 60th day in all groups. Specific antibodies were detected throughout the study period, with no differences among groups. We conclude that breast milk composition of mothers delivering low-birth-weight babies (G1 & G2) was similar despite the different gestational ages.     

Adolescents' beliefs about their parents' human papillomavirus vaccination decisions

A significant minority of parents are concerned that human papillomavirus vaccination will affect sexual behaviour. We explored this issue with 162 adolescent girls. Most (between 90 and 92%) did not perceive a connection between parental consent to vaccination and parental authorisation for sexual activity, but a small percentage believed that vaccination consent implied that they were old enough to have sex (8%), or that it was okay for them to be sexually active (10%). The findings are broadly reassuring, but highlight the need for vaccination information materials to clarify why the vaccine is administered before sexual debut.     

Dyslipidaemia in HIV-infected patients: association with adherence to potent antiretroviral therapy

Metabolic complications are being increasingly recognized among HIV-infected patients treated with potent combination antiretroviral therapies. We sought to assess the association of dyslipidaemia with adherence to protease inhibitor (PI) therapy and with the markers of clinical response to antiretroviral therapy (CD4 count, HIV RNA viral level) through a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Fifty-six HIV-infected patients who were already on, or who were started on PI-containing antiretroviral therapy were monitored for the development of dyslipidaemias. Therapy with PI-containing antiretroviral therapy was significantly associated with elevated serum triglyceride level (>250 mg/dl) (52% vs 8%, P=0.001). Patients with an adherence rate of at least 80% to a PI-containing regimen were significantly more likely to have elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level as compared to patients with an adherence rate of <80% (79% vs 26%, P=0.03). Patients with an adherence rate of at least 80% to a PI-containing regimen were also significantly more likely to have severe hypertriglyceridaemia (>800 mg/dl) as compared to patients with an adherence rate of <80% (21% vs 4%, P=0.04). Viral load at the last study visit did not correlate with total cholesterol (r=-0.39, P=0.30), LDL cholesterol (r=0.57, P=0.30), or triglyceride level (r=0.55, P=0.20). However, there was a significant correlation between the last viral load and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r=0.79, P=0.035), i.e. lower viral load was associated with higher HDL cholesterol level. In conclusion, dyslipidaemia in patients with HIV infection was significantly associated with adherence to PI-containing antiretroviral therapy. Patients who are adherent to PI-containing regimens at least 80% of the time warrant close monitoring for the development of dyslipidaemia.     

Pneumonia in long-term care: a prospective case-control study of risk factors and impact on survival

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in long-term care facilities. Prior studies of pneumonia have failed to identify risk factors potentially amenable to intervention. Our objectives were to (1) identify modifiable risk factors for the occurrence of pneumonia and (2) determine the long-term impact of pneumonia on survival. METHODS: We performed a case-control study among residents of a Veterans Affairs long-term care facility. Case patients included all patients developing pneumonia from 2 days to 1 year after admission. Control subjects were matched for admission date, level of nursing care, and dependence in activities of daily living. Patients were followed up for 2 years or until death or discharge from the facility. RESULTS: We identified 104 case-control pairs. Risk factors significantly associated with pneumonia included witnessed aspiration (odds ratio, 13.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-111.0; P =.01), sedative medication (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.4; P =.01), and comorbidity score (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.4; P =.05). Mortality due to pneumonia was 23% at 14 days. Patients with pneumonia had a significantly higher mortality than did controls at 1 year (75% vs 40%; P<.001); survival curves converged at 2 years. In a Cox proportional hazards regression model, an episode of pneumonia was independently associated with mortality during follow-up (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-3.9; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among long-term care patients closely matched for age, level of dependency, and duration of institutionalization, an episode of pneumonia is associated with significant excess mortality that persists for up to 2 years. Two identified risk factors, large-volume aspiration and receipt of sedating medication, are potentially amenable to intervention.