Painful Neuropathy Vasculitis in 2 Patients with Long-Standing Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection

We describe 2 most unusual cases of distal symmetrical painful polyneuropathy in patients with long-standing HIV-1 infection well controlled by HAART. Sural nerve biopsies revealed vasculitis in both cases and steroid therapy led to resolution of symptoms not influenced by analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. These unusual cases outline the importance of nerve biopsies in order to reach a diagnosis.

Mirtazapine in an HIV-1 infected patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

We describe the clinical course of an HIV-infected patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy who took mirtazapine for his depression. After six months of therapy the clinical symptoms had not worsened and the neuroradiological image of the brain was unchanged. Further studies are necessary to determine the effect of serotonin receptor antagonist in treating PML associated to HIV.

Optimal fosamprenavir regimen to prevent lipid abnormalities

We report our experience on the impact of different fosamprenavir boosted regimens on plasma lipid levels in 48 naive monoinfectd- HIV-seropositive patients. Eighteen months after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART), all patients showed a good immuno-virological response, with no statistically significant differences among the three groups; no changes in ART regimens were necessary and no adverse events were reported. On the contrary, a statistically significant difference among the three groups of patients was observed in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, since higher levels of cholesterol (including LDLs) and triglycerides were observed in patients taking the higher dose of ritonavir. (www.actabiomedica.it)