Unrecognised Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients in an Emergency Department in Hong Kong: A Report of Four Cases

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-177
Author(s):  
KL Mok ◽  
PG Kan

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes breakdown of the immune system and predisposes patients to various opportunistic infections and neoplasms. However, many patients may not be aware of the HIV infection before the development of their first HIV related complications. We reported four unrecognised HIV patients presenting to our accident and emergency department with common complications of HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although not as common as in America, emergency physicians in Hong Kong still have to take care of patients with unknown HIV status. The common presentations of HIV patients will be discussed. A high index of suspicion and knowledge of common HIV/AIDS complications are required for managing these patients.

Author(s):  
Armiya’u Ahmed Yelwa ◽  
Abdallah Suleiman Mainasara ◽  
Shehu Abubakar Akuyam ◽  
Balarabe Isah Adamu ◽  
Zayyanu Usman Umar ◽  
...  

Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic disease associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which progressively induces depletion of CD4+ T cells, and increased vulnerability to opportunistic infections. Previous reported studies associated HIV-infected men with sexual dysfunction; hypogonadism is the most common endocrinological disorders. Its prevalence remains poorly defined and widely ranging from different studies.Methods: This study evaluated a total of 135 serum sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) and its correlation with CD4+ counts among HIV patients on HAART, HAART naïve patients and negative control subjects (n=45). CD4+ cell counts were estimated using standard flow cytometry method and serum sex hormones by competitive enzyme immunoassay technique.Results: There were significantly lower testosterone and CD4+ levels (p<0.05) among HIV positive HAART naïve men compared to negative control. LH and FSH indicated significant increased (p<0.05) among HIV positive men on HAART.Conclusions: Antiretroviral therapy improves sexual functions in males infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Hence, further study to evaluate its effects on other sexual behaviors.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Robert N. Husson ◽  
Anne M. Comeau ◽  
Rodney Hoff

Since its initial description at the beginning of this decade,1-3 the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become one of the major medical, public health, and social issues of our times. Since the isolation of the retrovirus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex,4,5 major advances have been made in understanding the biology of the virus and the disease it causes. Diagnosis of HIV infection in adults and older children, and screening of blood products, have become routine and reliable with the use of licensed tests that detect HIV-specific antibody.6 Antiretroviral drugs, as well as new agents active against AIDS-associated opportunistic infections, have been developed and the first steps in the treatment of HIV infection and its associated illnesses have been taken. Whereas most HIV infection has occurred in adults, it has become an increasing problem among children, particularly in certain geographic areas and populations, reflecting the changing nature of the epidemiology of the disease in the United States. In contrast with the early predominance among homosexual males,7 at present the most significant increases in both HIV infection and AIDS are occurring in users of illicit intravenous drugs, in heterosexual contacts of infected individuals, and in infants born to HIV-infected mothers.8 Nationwide the prevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women remains low; however, rates as high as 1% to greater than 4% have been reported from some urban areas.9,10 Although widely disparate rates of vertical transmission have been reported,11 ongoing prospective studies indicate that the rate of transmission from HIV-infected mother to infant appears to be in the range of 24% to 35%.12-14


1987 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 875-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Hostettler ◽  
Dennis Amundson ◽  
Steve O'Connor ◽  
Lydia González ◽  
Michelle Depot

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with its attendant sequelae of opportunistic infections and aggressive lymphatic malignancies, continues to dominate the world's medical literature. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) remains as the most commonly encountered infection in AIDS and an early cause of morbidity and mortality. Current therapy for PCP revolves around the administration of either pentamidine isoethionate or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; however, the major AIDS centers report a high incidence of adverse drug reactions to these drugs. We describe an association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a hemophiliac with multiple drug-related hypersensitivity reactions, which include constitutional, dermatologic, and pulmonary manifestations. This observance is intriguing and suggests that the presence of HIV infection may predispose a patient treated with a multitude of drugs and medications to a higher incidence of adverse reactions. Extracto El síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA) con todas sus complicaciones, como enfermedades oportunistas y malignidades linfáticas, continua dominando la literatura médica. La pulmonía por Pneumocystis carinii es la infección más frecuente en estos pacientes y una de las causas de morbilidad y mortalidad temprana. Esta enfermedad es tratada con pentamidina isoetionato o con trimetoprim-sulfametoxazole. Se ha reportado una incidencia bien alta de reacciones adversas a estos medicamentos. Este artículo describe un paciente hemofílico con una infección con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humano. Este paciente sufrió múltiples reacciones de hipersensitividad a sus medicamentos con manifestaciones constitucionales, dermatológicas, y pulmonares. Esta observación sugiere que la presencia de una infección con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana puede predisponer a los pacientes tratados con múltiples medicamentos a una mayor incidencia de reacciones de hipersensitividad a éstos. Los síntomas de estas reacciones se podrían confundir fácilmente con otras complicaciones infecciosas y neoplásicas asociadas con este virus. Resume Il s'agit d'une patiente âgée de 37 ans souffrant d'hémophilie et présentant une sérologie positive au virus HIV. Suite à un diagnostic d'épilepsie à complexité partielle, un traitement avec la carbamazépine fut initié. Sept à dix jours plus tard, la patiente développa de la fièvre, des frissons et une éruption cutanée maculopapulaire lesquels symptômes disparurent rapidement à l'arrêt de la carbamazépine. Le phénytoin fut alors substitué à la carbamazépine comme agent anticonvulsivant. Une semaine plus tard, la patiente fut réadmise avec fièvre (39.2 °C), frissons, respiration courte, myalgies et éruption cutanée maculopapulaire diffuse. A l'admission, la patiente ne recevait aucun autre médicament. Ses antécédants médicaux ne révélèrent aucune histoire d'allergie médicamenteuse. Les niveaux sanguins de phénytoin était de 14 μg/ml. Le phénytoin fut aussitôt cessé et une antibiothérapie empirique incluant pipéracilline et gentamicine fut débutée. Malgré ce traitement, la patiente resta fébrile avec une lente résolution de l'éruption cutanée. Suite à la détérioration de l'état pulmonaire, l'antibiothérapie en cours fut substituée par du triméthoprim-sulfaméthoxazole intraveineux. Une radiographie des poumons montra une infiltration pulmonaire interstitielle. Les cultures étant négatives, l'antibiothérapie fut cessée au quatrième jour de l'hospitalisation. l'état clinique de la patiente s'améliora peu à peu. La patiente quitta l'hôpital traitée avec du phénobarbital. Les réactions adverses (cutanée et pulmonaire) reliées à la carbamazépine et phénytoin, respectivement, laissent soupçonner que la présence du virus HIV peut augmenter l'hypersensibilité aux médicaments.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-102
Author(s):  
ALAN MEYERS ◽  
NICHOLAS PEPE ◽  
WILLIAM CRANLEY ◽  
KATHLEEN MCCARTEN

The early diagnosis of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infancy is clinically important but remains problematic in the asymptomatic child born to an HIV-infected mother. In addition, many such women are unaware of their HIV infection until their child manifests symptomatic HIV disease. Nonspecific signs of pediatric HIV infection, such as generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, or persistent thrush, may be important in alerting the clinician to consider the possibility of HIV infection in the child whose history of HIV risk is unknown. We report one such sign which may be evident on plain chest radiography. The pathology of the thymus gland in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been described by Joshi and colleagues,1-3 who have reported precocious involution with marked reduction in thymus size and weight.


Introduction, nutritional goals, and assessment 664 Unintentional weight and lean tissue loss 666 Cardiovascular risk and complications associated with HIV disease and treatment 667 Additional dietary issues 668 Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to progressive suppression of immune function, eventually rendering the body susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumours. While there is no cure, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective in suppressing HIV replication. HIV disease is now a chronic condition and causes of death in this population have shifted from traditional AIDS-related illnesses to non-AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) events, the most common being atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, liver disease, end-stage renal disease and non-AIDS–defining malignancies. There are a diverse range of nutritional conditions associated with HIV, reflecting the complexity of the disease and pharmacological management....


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document