Brain tumour? – Cerebellar histoplasmosis as a solitary mass lesion

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1218-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Riste ◽  
Neena Bodasing ◽  
Anthony Cadwgan
Keyword(s):  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Brain Biopsy ◽  
Ataxic Gait ◽  
Stereotactic Brain Biopsy ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cd4 Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

A 50-year-old man who had been living in Thailand presented with a history of falls, deteriorating vision and weight loss over several months. He had been admitted to a hospital in Thailand where he was given a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Neurological examination revealed a mild ataxic gait and lateral nystagmus, but no other abnormalities. He tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus with a CD4 cell count of 16 cells/µL. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of an intrinsic neoplasm and he underwent stereotactic brain biopsy which showed numerous yeast-like organisms. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction was positive for Histoplasma capsulatum. He received liposomal amphotericin B for six weeks, followed by itraconazole, and started antiretroviral therapy four weeks into treatment. He developed an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome which responded well to steroids. Six months after diagnosis, he has no neurological symptoms or signs and remains on itraconazole. Isolated bulky central nervous system histoplasmomas are exceedingly rare. A clinical suspicion of immunosuppression was key in making this diagnosis.

scholarly journals Disparities in CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Monitoring Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Medicaid Beneficiaries: Evidence of Differential Treatment at the Point of Care

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Davis ◽  
Greg Watson ◽  
Nadereh Pourat ◽  
Gerald F. Kominski ◽  
Dylan H. Roby
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
T Lymphocyte ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Medicaid Beneficiaries ◽  
Cd4 Cell

Abstract Background.  Monitoring of immune function, measured by CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4) cell count, is an essential service for people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Prescription of antiretroviral (ARV) medications is contingent on CD4 cell count; patients without regular CD4 monitoring are unlikely to receive ARVs when indicated. This study assesses disparities in CD4 monitoring among HIV-positive Medicaid beneficiaries. Methods.  In this retrospective observational study, we examined 24 months of administrative data on 2250 HIV-positive, continuously enrolled, fee-for-service, Medicaid beneficiaries with at least 2 outpatient healthcare encounters. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association of patient demographics (age, gender, race or ethnicity, and language) with receipt of at least 1 CD4 test per year, controlling for other potentially confounding variables. Results.  Having a history of ARV therapy was positively associated with receipt of CD4 tests. We found racial or ethnic, gender, and age disparities in CD4 testing. Among individuals with a history of ARV use, all racial or ethnic groups were significantly less likely to have CD4 tests than White non-Latinos (African Americans, odds ratio [OR] = 0.35, P < .0001; Asian or Pacific Islanders, OR = 0.31, P = .0047; and Latinos, OR = 0.42, P < .0001). Conclusions.  We identified disparities in receipt of CD4 tests, a finding that may elucidate one potential pathway for previously reported disparities in ARV treatment. Further qualitative and quantitative research is needed to identify the specific factors that account for these disparities, so that appropriate interventions can be implemented.

scholarly journals Salivary Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor and Oral Candidiasis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Persons

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 1956-1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Chattopadhyay ◽  
Laurie R. Gray ◽  
Lauren L. Patton ◽  
Daniel J. Caplan ◽  
Gary D. Slade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Oropharyngeal Candidiasis ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mucosal Protein ◽  
Cd4 Cell ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Oropharyngeal candidiasis, typically caused by Candida albicans, is the most common oral disease associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a 12-kDa antiprotease, suppresses the growth of C. albicans in vitro. To determine whether the mucosal protein plays a role in protecting oral tissues against fungal infection, we conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the oral and systemic health and salivary SLPI levels in 91 dentate HIV-1-infected adults receiving medical care in the southeastern United States. Participants with a self-reported history of clinical oropharyngeal candidiasis during the previous 2 years constituted the test group (n = 52), while the comparison group (n = 39) had no oropharyngeal candidiasis during that period. Data collected from medical records, oral examination, and SLPI enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantitation of whole saliva were analyzed by t test, analysis of variance, linear regression, and unconditional logistic regression. The test group had a significantly higher mean salivary SLPI level than the comparison group (1.9 μg/ml versus 1.1 μg/ml, P < 0.05). Linear regression modeling identified CD4 cell count and history of oropharyngeal candidiasis as key predictors of salivary SLPI and revealed a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between immunosuppression (CD4 cell count below 200 cells/μl) and positive history of oropharyngeal candidiasis in predicting salivary SLPI level. By logistic regression modeling, a salivary SLPI level exceeding 2.1 μg/ml, low CD4 count, antiretroviral monotherapy, and smoking were key predictors of oropharyngeal candidiasis. These data support a key role for SLPI in the oral mucosal defense against C. albicans. The antimicrobial mucosal protein may serve as an indicator of previous oropharyngeal candidiasis infection among immunosuppressed persons.

scholarly journals Frequency of Cytomegalovirus Viral Load in Iranian Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Patients with CD4+ Counts <100 Cells/mm3

Intervirology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Jabbari ◽  
Hoorieh Soleimanjahi ◽  
Somayeh Shatizadeh Malekshahi ◽  
Mohammad Gholami ◽  
Leila Sadeghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cd4 Cell ◽  
Hiv 1

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of present work was to assess cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia in Iranian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients with a CD4+ count &#x3c;100 cells/mm<sup>3</sup> and to explore whether CMV DNA loads correlate with CD4+ cell counts or associated retinitis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study was conducted at the AIDS research center in Iran on HIV-1-infected patients with CD4+ count &#x3c;100 cells/mm<sup>3</sup>, antiretroviral therapy-naive, aged ≥18 years with no previous history of CMV end-organ disease (CMV-EOD). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Thirty-nine of 82 patients (47.56%) had detectable CMV viral load ranging from 66 to 485,500 IU/mL. CMV viral load in patients with retinitis ranges from 352 to 2,720 IU/mL, and it was undetectable in 2 patients. No significant associations between CMV viremia and CD4+ cell count was found (<i>p</i> value = 0.31), whereas significant association of CMV viremia in HIV-infected patients with retinitis was found (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.02). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We estimated the frequency of CMV viral load infection in Iranian HIV-1-infected patients with a CD4+ cell count &#x3c;100 mm<sup>3</sup>/mL in the largest national referral center for HIV-1 infection in Iran. Further research is required on the relevance of CMV viral load in diagnostic and prognostic value of CMV-EOD.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C treatment uptake and response among human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients in a large integrated healthcare system

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 689-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer O Lam ◽  
Leo B Hurley ◽  
Scott Chamberland ◽  
Jamila H Champsi ◽  
Laura C Gittleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Treatment Uptake ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cd4 Cell

U.S. guidelines recommend that patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) be prioritized for HCV treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), but the high cost of DAAs may contribute to disparities in treatment uptake and outcomes. We evaluated DAA initiation and effectiveness in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in a U.S.-based healthcare system during October 2014–December 2017. Of 462 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, 276 initiated DAAs (70% cumulative proportion treated over three years). Lower likelihood of DAA initiation was observed among patients with Medicare (government-sponsored insurance) versus commercial insurance (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46–0.84), patients with drug abuse diagnoses (aRR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.54–0.97), patients with CD4 cell count <200 cells/µl versus ≥500 (aRR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23–0.91), and patients without prior HCV treatment (aRR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48–0.97). There were no significant differences in DAA initiation by age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, HIV transmission risk, alcohol use, smoking, fibrosis level, HIV RNA levels, antiretroviral therapy use, hepatitis B infection, or number of outpatient visits. Ninety-five percent of patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). We found little evidence of sociodemographic disparities in DAA initiation among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, and SVR rates were high. Efforts are needed to increase DAA uptake among coinfected Medicare enrollees, patients with drug abuse diagnoses, patients with low CD4 cell count, and patients receiving first-time HCV treatment.

Slowly progressive fatal PML-IRIS following antiretroviral initiation at CD4+ nadir of 350 cells/mm3 despite CD4+ cell count rise to 900 cells/mm3

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 810-813
Author(s):  
Mani Ratnesh Sandhu ◽  
Ronnye Rutledge ◽  
Matthew Grant ◽  
Amit Mahajan ◽  
Serena Spudich
Keyword(s):  
Cell Count ◽  
Immune Reconstitution ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Jc Virus ◽  
Virus Antigen ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Cd4 Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Continuous Progression

AIDS-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a central nervous system inflammatory syndrome where immune response to John Cunningham (JC) virus antigen following antiretroviral therapy (ART) causes breakdown of the blood–brain barrier. We report a unique case of PML-IRIS, which presented with dystonic choreoathetosis after initiation of ART at a CD4+ cell count of 350 cells/mm3. This report shows continuous progression of the disease over a period of two years, despite robust immune reconstitution. The worsening of neurological symptoms, persistent positivity of JC virus in CSF, and progressive inflammatory picture on MR scans in the setting of a CD4+ cell count of 900 cells/mm3 highlight a different variant of PML-IRIS, and challenge the role of CD4+ cell count in diagnosing opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS patients.

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