Opportunistic and other infections in HIV-infected children in Latin America compared to a similar cohort in the United States

Opportunistic and other infections have declined since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in developed countries but few studies have addressed the impact of HAART in HIV-infected children from developing countries. This study examines the prevalence and incidence of opportunistic and other infections in Latin America during the HAART era. Vertically HIV-infected children enrolled in a cohort study between 2002 and 2007 were followed for the occurrence of 29 targeted infections. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed to calculate the prevalence of infections before enrollment and the incidence rates of opportunistic and other infections after enrollment. Comparisons were made with data from a U.S. cohort (PACTG 219C). Of the 731 vertically HIV-infected children 568 (78%) had at least one opportunistic or other infection prior to enrollment. The most prevalent infections were bacterial pneumonia, oral candidiasis, varicella, tuberculosis, herpes zoster, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. After enrollment, the overall incidence was 23.5 per 100 person-years; the most common infections (per 100 person-years) were bacterial pneumonia (7.8), varicella (3.0), dermatophyte infections (2.9), herpes simplex (2.5), and herpes zoster (1.8). All of these incidence rates were higher than those reported in PACTG 219C. The types and relative distribution of infections among HIV-infected children in Latin America in this study are similar to those seen in the United States but the incidence rates are higher. Further research is necessary to determine the reasons for these higher rates.     

Effect of long term low-fat dietary intervention on change in hemostatic factors: results from the Women's Health Initiative

Low-fat diet may play a role in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by altering the levels of hemostatic factors. There are yet limited data on the effects of low-fat diet on the circulating levels of these factors and existing studies are limited by small sample size and short duration of follow-up. We conducted an analysis in a subset of women (active arm = 723; control arm = 1036) within the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial to investigate the long term effect of a low-fat diet on circulating levels of fibrinogen, factor VII concentration and factor VII activity among postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years. Using linear mixed effects model with random intercept and data from three follow-up visits (years 1, 3 and 6) we evaluated the change in each factor over time. Overall, the changes in these factors were small (less than 5%) in both the arms of the trials at the end of intervention and there was no significant difference in mean change between the two arms. Our results indicate that the low-fat dietary intervention was not associated with significant changes in hemostatic factors among postmenopausal women.     

Huffing-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

The intentional inhalation of fumes from gasoline or solvents for recreational purposes is commonly known as Huffing, Sniffing or Dusting (Anderson and Loomis in Am Fam Physician 68(5):869–874, 2003). Inhalant abuse is known to be “Cardio-toxic”, causing sudden death and chronic myocardial damage (Meadows and Verghese in South Med J 89(5):455–462, 1996; Anderson and Loomis in Am Fam Physician 68(5):869–874, 2003). We report a 20-year-old white man who presented with altered mental status following ingestion of multiple alprazolam and oxycodone tablets. He was found to have diffused ST-T changes on his EKG. Cardiac enzymes were found to be elevated—CK: 599 U/L, CK-MB: 16.8 ng/mL and Troponin: 0.78 ng/mL. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed global left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) of 10–15%. During hospitalization, the cardiac enzymes started trending downward and this was followed by spontaneous resolution of the LV dysfunction. The patient also admitted to inhaling “Dust-Off” spray 2–3 days prior to admission. Inhalant abuse can cause cardiomyopathy and should be considered a probable cause in patients presenting with cardiac dysfunction of unknown etiology, particularly in teenagers and young adults.     

Ultra-wide field retinal imaging: A wider clinical perspective

The peripheral retina is affected in a variety of retinal disorders. Traditional fundus cameras capture only a part of the fundus even when montaging techniques are used. Ultra-wide field imaging enables us to delve into the retinal periphery in greater detail. It not only facilitates assessing color images of the fundus, but also fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and red and green free images. In this review, a literature search using the keywords “ultra-widefield imaging”, “widefield imaging”, and “peripheral retinal imaging” in English and non-English languages was done and the relevant articles were included. Ultra-wide field imaging has made new observations in the normal population as well as in eyes with retinal disorders including vascular diseases, degenerative diseases, uveitis, age-related macular degeneration, retinal and choroidal tumors and hereditary retinal dystrophies. This review aims to describe the utility of ultra-wide field imaging in various retinal disorders.     

Samter's triad in childhood: a warning for those prescribing NSAIDs

Aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) has been recognized in adults with chronic asthma. Samter's triad is a subset of AERD where adult patients develop nasal polyps, asthma, and sensitivity to aspirin. This condition is thought not to occur before the third decade of life. We report a 13‐year‐old boy with nasal polyps who suffered a life‐threatening exacerbation of asthma during a graded aspirin challenge. Resuscitation required positive pressure ventilation and inotropic support. Our observations confirm that classical Samter's triad can occur in children. We suggest that graded aspirin challenges in children are undertaken in a facility with equipment and staff trained for resuscitation. Consideration should be given to this rare complication when prescribing nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in the perioperative period. Suspicion of this condition merits referral to an immunologist for desensitization to aspirin.     

Pineal chordoid meningioma complicated by repetitive hemorrhage during pregnancy: Case report and literature review

Chordoid meningioma is an uncommon variant of meningioma, and is very rarely found in the pineal region. We report a case of pineal region chordoid meningioma occurring in a young woman complicated by repetitive hemorrhages in the setting of pregnancy. A 23‐year‐old woman, 28 weeks pregnant, was transferred to our hospital for further management of a multi‐septated, hemorrhagic pineal region mass and hydrocephalus. MRI revealed a heterogeneous T2‐hyperintense lesion measuring 1.7 × 1.7 cm in the pineal gland. Resection of the tumor through an occipital transtentorial approach was performed. Histopathologic examination of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of chordoid meningioma demonstrating cords and clusters of eosinophilic cells with rare cytoplasmic vacuolation arranged in a mucinous stroma. Additionally, there was abundant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration within the tumor. The details of this case are presented with a review of the literature.     

Dodecafluoropentane Emulsion in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Phase Ib/II Randomized and Controlled Dose-Escalation Trial

PurposeThis randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-escalation acute ischemic stroke trial was designed to demonstrate maximum tolerated dose, characterize adverse events (AEs), and explore clinical outcomes when intravenous dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe) was used as neuroprotection.MethodsAcute ischemic stroke patients (n = 24) with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 2–20 were randomized to either 3 doses of intravenous DDFPe or placebo, 1 every 90 minutes, starting within 12 hours of symptom onset. Doses were given without affecting standard stroke care. Each of the 3 dose cohorts included 8 patients, with 2 receiving placebo and 6 receiving DDFPe. Primary outcomes were serious adverse events (SAEs), AEs, NIHSS score, and modified Rankin Score (mRS).ResultsNo dose-limiting toxicities were encountered, and no maximum tolerated dose was defined. One unrelated delayed death occurred in a DDFPe patient, and another occurred in the placebo group. Group SAEs and AEs were similar in incidence and severity. Early initiation of DDFPe treatment resulted in better NIHSS score response than late initiation (P = .03). Thirty- and 90-day mRS after high-dose therapy suggested clinical improvement (P = .01 and P = .03, respectively). However, the significance of differences in clinical outcomes was limited by small patient numbers and differences in stroke severity between cohorts.ConclusionsIntravenous DDFPe appears to be safe at all doses tested. Clinical improvements in NIHSS score and mRS were significant but compromised by small sample size.     

Evidence of Shared Genome‐Wide Additive Genetic Effects on Interpersonal Trauma Exposure and Generalized Vulnerability to Drug Dependence in a Population of Substance Users

Exposure to traumatic experiences is associated with an increased risk for drug dependence and poorer response to substance abuse treatment (Claus & Kindleberger, 2002; Jaycox, Ebener, Damesek, & Becker, 2004). Despite this evidence, the reasons for the observed associations of trauma and the general tendency to be dependent upon drugs of abuse remain unclear. Data (N = 2,596) from the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment were used to analyze (a) the degree to which commonly occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; minor allele frequency > 1%) in the human genome explains exposure to interpersonal traumatic experiences, and (b) the extent to which additive genetic effects on trauma are shared with additive genetic effects on drug dependence. Our results suggested moderate additive genetic influences on interpersonal trauma, h²_{SNP‐Interpersonal} = .47, 95% confidence interval (CI) [.10, .85], that are partially shared with additive genetic effects on generalized vulnerability to drug dependence, h²_SNP‐DD = .36, 95% CI [.11, .61]; r_G‐SNP = .49, 95% CI [.02, .96]. Although the design/technique does not exclude the possibility that substance abuse causally increases risk for traumatic experiences (or vice versa), these findings raise the possibility that commonly occurring SNPs influence both the general tendency towards drug dependence and interpersonal trauma.     

Cardiac Index Declines During Long‐Term Left Ventricular Device Support

To investigate longitudinal trends in valvular and ventricular function with long‐term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy, we analyzed hemodynamic and echocardiographic data of patients with at least 2 years of continuous LVAD support. All 130 patients who underwent HeartMate II implantation at our institution between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed. Twenty patients had hemodynamic and echocardiographic evaluations in both the early (0–6 months) and late (2–3 years) postoperative period. Patients on inotropic therapy or temporary mechanical support were excluded. The average times of early and late hemodynamic evaluations were 59 ± 41 days and 889 ± 160 days, respectively. Cardiac index (CI) declined by an average of 0.4 L/min/m² (P = 0.04) with concomitant increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP; P = 0.02). The right atrial pressure to PCWP (RAP:PCWP) ratio decreased during LVAD support suggesting improvement in right ventricular function. While there was an increase in degree of aortic insufficiency (AI) at the late follow‐up period (P = 0.008), dichotomization by median decline in CI (?0.4 L/min/m²) indicated no difference in prevalence of AI among the groups. CI declined in patients with HeartMate II after 2 years of continuous support. An increase in preload and afterload was observed in those with the greatest decline in CI.