scholarly journals Cryptococcal Antigen Screening and Preemptive Therapy in Patients Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-Limited Settings

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 374-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph N. Jarvis ◽  
Nelesh Govender ◽  
Tom Chiller ◽  
Benjamin J. Park ◽  
Nicky Longley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Preemptive Therapy ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Cryptococcal Infection ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Patients At Risk

HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is estimated to cause over half a million deaths annually in Africa. Many of these deaths are preventable. Screening patients for subclinical cryptococcal infection at the time of entry into antiretroviral therapy programs using cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) immunoassays is highly effective in identifying patients at risk of developing CM, allowing these patients to then be targeted with “preemptive” therapy to prevent the development of severe disease. Such CRAG screening programs are currently being implemented in a number of countries; however, a strong evidence base and clear guidance on how to manage patients with subclinical cryptococcal infection identified by screening are lacking. We review the available evidence and propose a treatment algorithm for the management of patients with asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia.

scholarly journals Treatment and Prevention of Histoplasmosis in Adults Living with HIV

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
David S. McKinsey
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

Histoplasmosis causes life-threatening disseminated infection in adult patients living with untreated HIV. Although disease incidence has declined dramatically in countries with access to antiretroviral therapy, histoplasmosis remains prevalent in many resource-limited regions. A high index of suspicion for histoplasmosis should be maintained in the setting of a febrile multisystem illness in severely immunosuppressed patients, particularly in persons with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Preferred treatment regimens for initial therapy include liposomal amphotericin B for severe disease, or itraconazole for mild to moderate disease. Subsequently, itraconazole maintenance therapy should be administered for at least one year and then discontinued if CD4 count increases to ≥150 cells/µL. Antiretroviral therapy, which improves outcome when administered together with an antifungal agent, should be instituted immediately, as the risk of triggering Immune Reconstitution Syndrome is low. The major risk factor for relapsed infection is nonadherence. Itraconazole prophylaxis reduces risk for histoplasmosis in patients with CD4 counts <100/µL but is not associated with survival benefit and is primarily reserved for use in outbreaks. Although most patients with histoplasmosis have not had recognized high-risk exposures, avoidance of contact with bird or bat guano or inhalation of aerosolized soil in endemic regions may reduce risk. Adherence to effective antiretroviral therapy is the most important strategy for reducing the incidence of life-threatening histoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Algorithm for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Alexakis ◽  
J. P. Neoptolemos
Keyword(s):  
Endoscopic Sphincterotomy ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Needle Aspiration ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Infected Necrosis ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
High Level

Gallstones are the commonest cause of acute pancreatitis in developed countries. There is now a considerable evidence base consolidated by a series of systematic reviews, metaanalyses and guidelines that has established a clear algorithm for diagnosis and management. In the majority of patients the combination of ultrasonography and serum alanine transaminase <60 iu/l >48 hours of symptoms will identify gallstones as the cause. The simplest method of severity assessment is a high level of serum C-reactive protein (> 150 mg/l up to 72 hours after symptoms). In mild disease, all fit patients must undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography or if not fit for surgery then endoscopic sphincterotomy during the same admission to prevent further attacks. All patients with severe disease should undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy in less than 72 hours. Patients with >30% necrosis should undergo fine needle aspiration for bacteriology. Necrosectomy is indicated for infected necrosis or sterile necrosis if there are persisting clinically significant symptoms. There is increasing evidence for the use of minimally invasive pancreatic necrosectomy. Enteral nutrition should be instituted whenever possible but antibiotics should be reserved for patients with proven sepsis. The presence of fungal infection requires active anti-fungal therapy. Patients with severe disease should undergo cholecystectomy at a later stage. Patients who have undergone necrosectomy require long-term follow-up because of delayed complications.

scholarly journals A Nationwide Survey of Cytomegalovirus Prevention Strategies in Kidney Transplant Recipients in a Resource-Limited Setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackrapong Bruminhent ◽  
Asalaysa Bushyakanist ◽  
Surasak Kantachuvesiri ◽  
Sasisopin Kiertiburanakul
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Transplant ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Preemptive Therapy ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Infectious Disease Physician ◽  
Hybrid Approaches ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Oral Valganciclovir ◽  
Main Barrier

Abstract Objective Strategies to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in resource-limited settings have been under-explored. We investigated CMV prevention strategies utilized among transplant centers in Thailand. Method A questionnaire on CMV prevention strategies for kidney transplant (KT) recipients was developed using a web-based electronic survey website (www.surveymonkey.com). The survey was delivered to 31 transplant centers in Thailand. One infectious disease physician (ID) and 1 nephrologist (NP) from each center were included. Results There were 43 respondents from 26 of the 31 transplant centers (84%), including 26 (60%) IDs and 17 (40%) NPs. Forty-one 95% (41/43) physicians agreed on the necessity of CMV prevention. Of these, 77% (33/43) physicians implemented prevention strategies for their patients. Interventions included preemptive approaches (48%), prophylaxis (45%), hybrid approaches; surveillance after prophylaxis (3%), and CMV-specific immunity-guided approaches (3%). For CMV-seropositive KT recipients, use of preemptive approaches (84%) exceeded prophylaxis (12%). However, 81% of the former preferred targeted prophylaxis in patients receiving antithymocyte globulin therapy. Sixty-five percent and 93% of physicians started preemptive therapy when plasma CMV DNA loads reached 2000 and 3000 copies/mL (1820 and 2730 IU/mL), respectively. A significantly greater percentage of NPs initiated preemptive therapy at a plasma CMV DNA load of 1820 IU/mL compared with IDs (88% vs 50%; P = .02). The most common barrier to prevention strategy implementation was financial inaccessibility of oral valganciclovir (67%) and quantitative CMV DNA testing (12%). Conclusions Most physicians agreed on a need for preemptive approaches, although prophylaxis was targeted in those receiving intense immunosuppression. The financial implication is the main barrier for CMV prevention in Thailand.

scholarly journals Areas of agreement in the management of childhood non-infectious chronic anterior uveitis in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameenat Lola Solebo ◽  
Jugnoo S Rahi ◽  
Andrew D Dick ◽  
Athimalaipet V Ramanan ◽  
Jane Ashworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Uveitis ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Delphi Consensus ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
The Uk ◽  
High Level

Background/aimsThere is a paucity of high-level evidence to support the management of childhood uveitis, particularly for those children without juvenile idiopathic arthritis uveitis (JIA). We undertook a modified Delphi consensus exercise to identify agreement in the management of chronic anterior uveitis (CAU), the most common manifestation of childhood disease.MethodsA four-round, two-panel process was undertaken between June and December 2017. Paediatric uveitis specialists identified through multiple sources, including a multicentre network (the Paediatric Ocular Inflammation Group), were invited to participate. They were asked whether they agreed with items derived from existing guidelines on the management of JIA-U when extrapolated to the population of all children with CAU. Consensus was defined as agreement greater than or equal to 75% of respondents.Results26 of the 38 (68%) invited specialists participated with the exercise, and response rates were 100% for rounds one to three, and 92% for round four. Consensus was reached on 23 of the 44 items. Items for which consensus was not reached included management at presentation, use of systemic and periocular steroids for children with severe disease and the role of conventional steroid sparing immunosuppressants beyond methotrexate.ConclusionThe areas of management uncertainty at the level of the group, as indicated by absence of consensus, reflect the areas where the evidence base is particularly poor. Our findings identify the key areas for the future research needed to ensure better outcomes for this blinding childhood ocular inflammatory disorders.

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