scholarly journals Severe Human Intestinal Spirochetosis: An Unusual Cause of Diffuse Colonic Ulcerations in a Patient Living with HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
T. A. Ajose ◽  
J. Aniekwena ◽  
V. S. Effoe ◽  
M. Simien

We describe a case of a homosexual male with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and CD4 count of 246 presenting with acute severe bloody diarrhea. Infectious work up was negative, and colonoscopy revealed severe diffuse colonic ulcerations. Histopathologic analysis and Treponemal pallidum immunostaining confirmed the diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis. There was no evidence of co-infection with other pathogens. His symptoms completely resolved after a 14-day course of metronidazole. This case is notable as colonic ulceration of any severity in patients living with HIV is rarely identified with intestinal spirochetosis. Hence, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of colonic ulcerations.

1993 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ademir Rocha ◽  
Marcelo S. Ferreira ◽  
Sergio A. Nishioka ◽  
Marcos Silva ◽  
Marcius K. N. Burgarelli ◽  
...  

We report the case of a 52-year-old male heterosexual patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and reactivation of Chagas' disease manifested by meningoencephalitis and myocarditis, diagnosed post-mortem. Unexplained reactivation of Chagas' disease should be included among the diagnostic criteria of AIDS in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients. On the other hand, AIDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained reactivation of Chagas' disease.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya

BACKGROUND : Adherence to treatment is critical to obtain successful treatment outcomes. While factors influencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence vary, young adults are less likely to adhere because of psychosocial issues such as stigma, ART-related side effects as well as lack of access to treatment. Call for Life mHealth tool (C4LU), is a mobile phone- based technology that provides text messages or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) functionalities, through a web-interface and offers four modules including pill reminders, clinic visit reminders, health tips and symptom self-reporting support. Within a randomised control trial, we assessed perspectives and experiences of young adults living with human immunodeficiency virus towards the C4LU- system, with the objective to improve ART adherence among young people living with HIV with help of mHealth tool. OBJECTIVE To improve ART adherence among young people living with HIV through use of mHealth tool. METHODS This was an exploratory qualitative design at two study sites nested within an open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) entitled: “Improving outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients using mobile phone based interactive software support “Call for Life study A total of 600 participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either Standard of Care (SoC)- face-to-face counsellor adherence support or SoC plus mHealth call for life system (C4LU). C4LU uses Interactive voice response or text messages delivered via mobile phone. The qualitative study explored perspectives and experiences of young adults (18-24 years) towards the mHealth tool “C4LU”. A purposive sample of twenty-one vulnerable youth, seventeen from the intervention and four from the SoC arm were selected. We used semi-structured interviews to facilitate an in-depth exploration of experiences of young adults regarding C4LU-System. Thirteen in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion were conducted. The young adults were from four categories of population of interest that were targeted to be offered specialised care: young adults on PMTCT, switching to / or on second line ART, positive partners in a discordant relationship and initiating 1st line ART. Data was managed using Nvivo version 11 and analysed thematically. RESULTS C4LU-mHealth tool was perceived as an acceptable intervention for young adults. While on the system, participants reported: improvement in medication adherence, strengthened doctor /clinician -patient relationships, increased health knowledge through educative health tips. Appointment reminders and symptom reporting were singled out as beneficial because the system would address and manage the problems of forgetfulness, and stigma related issues. CONCLUSIONS The system was described as an acceptable and feasible strategy to improve ART adherence and retention among young adults in resource limited settings CLINICALTRIAL Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 02953080


Author(s):  
Cynthia Firnhaber ◽  
Avril Swarts ◽  
Vuyokazi Jezile ◽  
Masango Mulongo ◽  
Bridgette Goeieman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are at high risk for cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and cervical cancer. These women have high HSIL recurrence rates after loop electroexcision procedure (LEEP). Retrospective studies suggest that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination improves response to treatment of cervical HSIL. Methods We performed a double-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolling 180 women living with HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa, diagnosed with cervical HSIL by colposcopic biopsy. Women received quadrivalent HPV vaccine or placebo (1:1) at entry, week 4, and week 26. LEEP was performed at week 4. Colposcopic-directed biopsies and cervical cytology were performed at weeks 26 and 52. The primary endpoint, cervical HSIL by histology or cytology at either week 26 or 52, was compared between arms using χ 2 analysis. Results Participant characteristics included median age of 39 years and median CD4 count 489 cells/μL, and 94% had HIV suppression. One hundred seventy-four women completed the vaccine/placebo series and had evaluable results at week 26 or 52. The proportion experiencing the primary endpoint was similar in the vaccine and placebo groups (53% vs 45%; relative risk, 1.18 [95% confidence interval, .87–1.6]; P = .29). HSIL recurrence was associated with a LEEP biopsy result of HSIL and detection of HSIL at the margins of the LEEP sample. Conclusions This study did not support HPV vaccination to prevent recurrent HSIL after LEEP in women living with HIV. Recurrent HSIL was high despite virologic suppression. Improved treatments are needed for HSIL to reduce the burden of cervical cancer among women living with HIV.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1982961
Author(s):  
Connie Zhang ◽  
Megan A Sander

A 58-year-old woman from Zimbabwe, with a history of untreated human immunodeficiency virus, presented with leonine facies and a diffuse rash. The rash occurred in the context of a 1-year history of constitutional symptoms and cognitive decline. Laboratory investigations confirmed that her human immunodeficiency virus had progressed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Through imaging, tissue biopsies, and polymerase chain reaction, a diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was made. Since there was no history of travel and histoplasmosis is not locally endemic, the patient likely contracted this fungal infection more than 7 years ago, while living in Africa. We speculate that the histoplasmosis remained latent until her immune system began to decline. The work-up and management of this rare cutaneous presentation of a systemic disease, which should be added to the list of “great mimickers” in dermatology, are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz López-Centeno ◽  
Carlos Badenes-Olmedo ◽  
Ángel Mataix-Sanjuan ◽  
Katie McAllister ◽  
José M Bellón ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) that involve antiretrovirals (ARVs) tend to cause harm if unrecognized, especially in the context of comorbidity and polypharmacy. Methods A linkage was established between the drug dispensing registry of Madrid and the Liverpool human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DDI database (January 2017–June 2017). Polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥5 non-HIV medications, and DDIs were classified by a traffic-light ranking for severity. Results A total of 22 945 people living with HIV (PLWH) and 6 613 506 individuals without HIV had received medications. ARV regimens were predominantly based on integrase inhibitors (51.96%). Polypharmacy was higher in PLWH (32.94%) than individuals without HIV (22.16%; P < .001); this difference was consistently observed across all age strata except for individuals ≥75 years. Polypharmacy was more common in women than men in both PLWH and individuals without HIV. The prevalence of contraindicated combinations involving ARVs was 3.18%. Comedications containing corticosteroids, quetiapine, or antithrombotic agents were associated with the highest risk for red-flag DDI, and the use of raltegravir- or dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.72 (95% confidence interval, .60–.88; P = .001) for red-flag DDI. Conclusions Polypharmacy was more frequent among PLWH across all age groups except those aged ≥75 years and was more common in women. The detection of contraindicated medications in PLWH suggests a likely disconnect between hospital and community prescriptions. Switching to alternative unboosted integrase regimens should be considered for patients with risk of harm from DDIs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 241 ◽  
pp. 340-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar ◽  
Cynthia S. Jacelon ◽  
Elizabeth R. Bertone-Johnson ◽  
Paula H. Palmer ◽  
Krishna C. Poudel

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhana E. Suleman ◽  
Mahmood M.T.M. Ally

The reported prevalence of articular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) varies, but with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for almost 70% of the people living with HIV, this results in a considerable burden of disease in the region. The spectrum of clinical presentation described, includes articular pain syndrome, HIV-associated arthropathy and seronegative spondyloarthropathies, among others. This brief review serves to create awareness of the clinical and imaging presentation of this spectrum of disease as there is significant morbidity associated with these conditions if treatment is delayed.


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