Evaluation of autofocus functions in molecular cytogenetic analysis

This work describes a systematic evaluation of several autofocus functions used for analytical fluorescent image cytometry studies of counterstained nuclei. Focusing is the first step in the automatic fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of cells. Thirteen functions have been evaluated using qualitative and quantitative procedures. For the last of these procedures a figure-of-merit (FOM) is defined and proposed. This new FOM takes into account five important features of the focusing function. Our results show that functions based on correlation measures have the best performance for this type of image.

[Usefulness of computerized tomography in the study of pleural effusion with no presumed diagnosis]

To establish the diagnostic yield of computerized tomography (CT) in pleural effusions with no presumed diagnosis arising from standard clinical examination. A prospective protocol study enrolling all cases of effusion admitted to our hospital between January 1994 through July 1995 without a presumed diagnosis after initial testing that included thoracocentesis. Twenty-two patients were enrolled. All were given a CT scan as well as other complementary examinations considered appropriate and were referred to our outpatient clinic for follow-up. The CT images were read by an expert radiologist and their contribution was classified as "diagnostic", "suggestive" or "nil". A definitive etiologic diagnosis was achieved in 14 cases (8 neoplasms, 4 benign due to asbestos, 1 tuberculosis and 1 pulmonary embolism). The CT contribution was nil in 13 cases (59%), "diagnostic" in 6 (2 mesotheliomas, 1 hypernephroma, 1 lymphoma, 1 adenocarcinoma of the colon and another of the ovary) and "suggestive" in 3 (2 benign due to asbestos and 1 lymphoma). Positive information was obtained in 9 cases (41%). CT gives good yield in the investigation of pleural effusions with no presumed diagnosis and should be made available to this group of patients before other more invasive procedures are resorted to. It is especially useful for detecting neoplastic disease of the upper abdomen, mesothelioma and sings of unsuspected exposure to asbestos.

Destructive herpetic whitlow in AIDS: report of three cases

Herpes simplex virus infection in immunocompromised individuals, including AIDS patients, is characterized by its tendency for atypical presentations and unusual locations, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Three HIV-infected patients who developed prolonged cutaneous lesions of the fingers are presented. These lesions were unmodified by previous antibiotic treatment, and rapidly progressed to the complete destruction of nail structures in two patients. Viral culture confirmed the diagnosis of herpetic whitlow in all cases, and treatment with oral acyclovir resulted in complete recovery. Surgical treatment was not necessary.

Toenail onychomycosis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome: treatment with terbinafine

Skin infections caused by dermatophytes are one of the most frequent dermatological complications in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) resulting from infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tinea unguium associated with AIDS is characterized by being clinically more aggressive and therapeutically more difficult to treat than in the general population. Terbinafine is considered to be a first-choice option for the treatment of dermatophyte onychomycosis in immunocompetent individuals. This drug has been used in a series of 21 HIV-positive patients diagnosed with tinea unguium for 1 year in the University Hospital La Paz, Madrid. All patients underwent a subsequent clinical follow-up for 6 months. The results showed a high percentage of clinical and mycological cures, as well as maintenance of the response after follow-up; no drug interactions or significant adverse effects related to the drug under study were recorded.

Altered concentrations of appetite regulators may contribute to the development and maintenance of HIV-associated wasting

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relation of circulating appetite neuropeptides, CCK-8 sulphate (CCK-8s) and beta-endorphin, and the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR) to the anorexia and wasting associated with HIV-infection.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING

A university-based HIV/AIDS ambulatory clinic in Madrid, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-six randomly selected AIDS patients without concomitant diseases or secondary infections were classified into two groups: 19 patients with wasting and 17 with normal body weight, and 18 healthy controls.

MEASUREMENTS

Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometry, laboratory parameters and self-report of appetite. Plasma levels of TNF-alpha and sTNFR proteins p55 (sTNFR-p55) and p75 (sTNFR-p75) were determined by enzyme immunoassay, whereas CCK-8s and beta-endorphin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

AIDS patients with wasting had significantly higher plasma concentrations of CCK-8s, but lower levels of beta-endorphin when compared to well-nourished AIDS patients (P < 0.01) or controls (P < 0.001). Mean levels of TNF-alpha, and sTNFR-p55 and sTNFR-p75 were greater in AIDS patients with wasting than in asymptomatic AIDS patients or in controls. No significant association was observed between any of these circulating peptides and the parameters of malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

An activation of the TNF system, together with reciprocal changes in plasma concentrations of two neuropeptides with opposing appetite regulation, that is increased concentrations of CCK-8s but lower levels of beta-endorphin, are associated with the presence of HIV wasting. We hypothesize that these changes may contribute to the development of HIV wasting by producing a pathological inhibition of appetite.

Relapse of tuberculosis after treatment in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relapse rate of tuberculosis after a complete course of antituberculous therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and to identify the risk factors for relapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Historic cohort study of all adult patients who were diagnosed as having human immunodeficiency virus infection and a first episode of culture-proved tuberculosis at 2 university hospitals in Madrid, Spain, between 1986 and 1992, and who completed at least 6 months of treatment were included and followed up until September 1994.

RESULTS

Of 276 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and tuberculosis, 87 could not be evaluated (6 died before treatment, 39 died during treatment, 36 did not complete the planned therapy, and 6 were unavailable during treatment). The remaining 189 received a standard regimen (ie, 3 or 4 drugs, always including rifampin and isoniazid, for > or = 6 months). The median duration of follow-up for these 189 patients was 31.5 months, with a total of 4668 patient-months of follow-up after treatment; 105 patients (56%) were followed up until death. The relapse rate was 7.9% (2.7/100 patient-years). With multivariate analysis, a shorter duration of treatment and a low CD4+ cell count were associated with a greater probability of relapse. Relapses occurred in 5 (3.4%) of 148 patients who were treated for 9 or more months (1.7/100 patient-years) and in 10 (24%) of 41 patients who were treated for less than 9 months (10.9/100 patient-years) (P < .001; relative hazard, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.1-26.9).

CONCLUSIONS

As standard antituberculous therapy for 9 months is associated with a low rate of relapse, maintenance therapy is not required. Duration of treatment for less than 9 months is associated with a high rate of relapse.

Remission of hypercalciuria in patients with tuberculosis after treatment

The hypercalciuria evolution and other bone metabolism parameters were evaluated in patients with tuberculosis after treatment. Twenty-two patients with tuberculosis and 54 normal subjects were studied; they consumed an average diet (calcium intake 1000 mg/day). Ten of these patients and nine normal subjects were also studied after a low calcium diet (400 mg/calcium/day) and after a load of oral calcium of 1000 mg (calcium absorption test). The study with an average diet was performed after 1 week (basal) and 3, 6, and 12 months after the antituberculosis treatment was started; the calcium absorption test was carried out 2 weeks, 3 and 12 months after the treatment was started. On an average diet, patients with tuberculosis presented, at baseline state, lower calcidiol levels than normal controls. Serum calcitriol levels at baseline were higher than at 6 and 12 months. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients with tuberculosis were lower than in normal controls at baseline, but these levels were similar to controls at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. During the calcium absorption test and under basal conditions, patients with tuberculosis showed lower serum PTH and calcidiol levels in all the dietetic situations than in normal controls. However, serum calcitriol levels were higher than in controls after the restrictive diet. After 3 months of treatment, urinary calcium excretion was normal in patients with tuberculosis during the average and low diets, but higher than in control group after calcium load. After 12 months of treatment, all the biochemical parameters of the patients with tuberculosis were similar to the control group under all the dietetic situations. These data indicate that antituberculous treatment, although it may contribute to the production of some alteration in the calcium and vitamin D metabolism, basically favors the correction of disturbances associated with tuberculosis.

Ethnicity and psychotherapy. A component in the treatment of cocaine addiction in African Americans

With a focus on the use of psychotherapy as a component in the comprehensive treatment of African Americans addicted to cocaine, this article reviews the literature on ethnicity and psychotherapy and discusses the main problems relevant to the planning of mental health and substance abuse services to minority populations in the United States. Some of the more salient areas are the relationship of cultural factors and substance abuse, the culturally determined possibilities and constraints in the treatment of substance abuse, the establishment of a culturally responsive psychotherapeutic approach that takes into account notions such as ethnic consciousness and self-esteem, and the therapist's effects on the proximal treatment situation. Research issues also are discussed, among them therapist-matching strategies, therapist's clinical skills, culturally responsive adaptations of psychotherapeutic frames and processes, and their effect on outcome.

Pathophysiology of HIV related thrombocytopenia: an analysis of 41 patients

AIM

To analyse the pathogenic mechanism of HIV related thrombocytopenia.

METHODS

Forty one patients with thrombocytopenia and HIV-1 infection were investigated over two years. Anticardiolipin antibodies were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and antiplatelet antibodies were measured using an immunocapture technique. Tests for VDRL, C3 and C4, antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor were also carried out in all patients and 80 control subjects (HIV-1 positive but non-thrombocytopenic). Indiumoxine labelled platelets were transfused in 13 patients. P24 antigen were also measured in 12 bone marrow aspirates.

RESULTS

Antiplatelet antibodies and circulating immune complexes were found exclusively in the thrombocytopenic group; values for antiplatelet antibodies and circulating immune complexes were both higher in homosexual and bisexual patients. Three kinds of pattern were observed using 111 In-labelled platelets: splenic (n = 10); hepatic (n = 2); and destruction of bone marrow in just one case. The two most influential factors in the sequestration pattern were antiplatelet antibodies in the splenic uptake and circulating immune complexes in the hepatic and marrow sequestration. All patients, except three, had decreased platelet recovery. In those patients with a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 200 x 10(6) cells/l the recovery was clearly greater (53%) than in patients who had more than 200 x 10(6) /l (28%). Finally, in seven of the 12 patients who were chosen for immunohistochemical study, p24 antigen was detected in the megakaryocytes, verifying that HIV-1 infects such cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenic mechanism of HIV related thrombocytopenia is probably multifaceted. Antiplatelet antibodies and circulating immune complexes would cause peripheral destruction in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, in that order; and, on the other hand, there would be an ineffective immune thrombopoiesis and direct infection of the megakaryocytes which could cause a change in the function and maturity of these cells.

Two cases of laryngeal leishmaniasis in patients infected with HIV

A high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis has been documented in HIV-infected patients in endemic areas. In these patients, atypical locations and a chronic course of the disease are more frequent. Two AIDS patients with laryngeal leishmaniasis are reported. These cases are believed to be the first of this type documented in the literature. The possible pathogenic mechanisms of the disease are discussed. Infection with Leishmania donovani may eventually be described for every organ containing phagocytic cells.

Alterations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of neuropeptides in idiopathic senile anorexia

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of three well-known satiety neuropeptides, cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), along with two powerful orexigenic neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and beta-endorphin have been measured in elderly persons with idiopathic anorexia and normal weight healthy subjects in a similar age range. Plasma and CSF immunoreactivity levels of the two main fractions of CCK (CCK8s and CCK33) after being separated by HPLC were measured by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) developed in our laboratory, whereas the other neuropeptides were assayed by commercially available RIA kits. Elderly underweight anorectic patients had significantly lower levels of beta-endorphin but increased concentrations of NPY in both plasma and CSF when compared to controls. In addition to significantly higher levels of CCK8s but not CCK33 in plasma, we found a trend to higher CSF concentrations of CCK8s and a positive correlation between the body mass index and either beta-endorphin (r = 0.58, P < 0.05) or CCK8s (r = 0.69, P < 0.01) concentrations in CSF in the anorectic group. CSF somatostatin concentrations were decreased significantly, but plasma somatostatin levels and plasma and CSF concentrations of CGRP were similar in senile anorectics and controls. Treatment of five anorectic patients with megestrol acetate, 480 mg daily for 6 months, reversed only the decrease in CSF beta-endorphin levels but did not normalize the body weight or the fat body mass. On the basis of our findings, we hypothesize that a decrease in CSF beta-endorphin concentration along with a rise in plasma levels of CCK8s might be accounted for the primary anorexia of aging.

Evidence of absorptive hypercalciuria in tuberculosis patients

In patients with granulomatous diseases, disturbances in calcium metabolism have been described. The aim of the study was to evaluate alterations in calcium metabolism in patients with tuberculosis. Forty patients with tuberculosis (TB) were studied in a baseline state (calcium intake 1000 mg/day). Fourteen of these patients were also studied after restrictive calcium diet (400 mg/calcium/day) and after a load of oral calcium of 1000 mg. In all the studies, calcium and phosphorus were measured in serum and urine, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in plasma. In addition, serum 25OHD and 1,25(OH)2D (calcitriol) levels were measured in the baseline state and after the restrictive diet. In the baseline state, 25OHD levels were lower and urinary calcium higher in TB patients than in the control group. No patients had hypercalcemia, but hypercalciuria was present in 10 patients (25%). The patients with tuberculosis were divided according to the presence or absence of hypercalciuria. In both groups, the 25OHD levels were lower than in controls. Hypercalciuric patients had lower plasma parathyroid hormone levels and higher serum calcitriol levels than the control group and the TB patients without hypercalciuria. Urinary calcium excretion after a calcium load was higher in TB patients with hypercalciuria than in controls. A positive correlation was found between the calcitriol levels and postcalcium load urinary calcium excretion in patients with calcium hyperabsorption. These data indicate that absorptive hypercalciuria is frequently observed in patients with TB and is possible due to inappropriately high serum calcitriol levels.

Still's disease in a 72-year-old man

Adult onset Still's disease is an uncommon clinical entity, usually found in young adults. Occasionally it can be seen in patients over 55 years old. Our clinical report illustrates that Still's disease may occur even in a 72-year-old man.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection: demonstration of p24 antigen in endothelial cells

We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a woman infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in whose endothelial cells we detected HIV p24 antigen. The patient had an excellent response to conventional therapy for TTP and remained in complete remission 12 months after diagnosis. We also present a review of the literature on the association of TTP with HIV infection and speculate on its nature. The presence of HIV p24 antigen in the endothelial cell might be indicative of a role of virus, yet to be defined, in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated TTP.

Osteoarticular infection in intravenous drug abusers: influence of HIV infection and differences with non drug abusers

OBJECTIVES

To determine (a) the influence of HIV in developing osteoarticular infections in intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) and (b) the differences between the clinical features of osteoarticular infections in IVDAs and a control group of non-IVDAs.

METHODS

A comparative study of the clinical features of osteoarticular infections in all HIV positive and HIV negative IVDAs admitted to the departments of rheumatology and internal medicine during a 10 year period was carried out. The joint infections of all IVDAs, irrespective of HIV status, were compared with those of a control group of non-IVDAs lacking risk factors for HIV infection.

RESULTS

A total of 482 HIV positive and 85 HIV negative IVDAs was studied, in whom 25 (5%) and six (7%) osteoarticular infections were found respectively. There were no differences in age, sex, joints affected, and causative agents between these two groups. A comparison of the 31 (5.5%) osteoarticular infections in all IVDAs with 21 infections in 616 (3.4%) non-IVDAs showed significant differences in the mean age (27.5 v 54), the frequency of affection of the axial joints (hip, sacroiliac, and sternocostal joints) (64.5% v 16.6%), and in the incidence of Candida albicans (19% v 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) HIV may not predispose to osteoarticular infections in IVDAs. (2) The hip, sacroiliac, and sternocostal joints (axial joints) were most commonly affected in IVDAs. (3) In Spain, unlike other countries, Gram positive bacteria and C albicans seem to be predominant agents in osteoarticular infections in IVDAs, with a low incidence of Gram negative bacteria.

Pyrexia of unknown origin: changing spectrum of diseases in two consecutive series

Comparison was made of the aetiology and methods of diagnosis in two series of patients meeting the classic criteria of pyrexia of unknown origin during 1968-1981 and during 1982-1989 seen in the Department of Internal Medicine at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. There was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of infections and an increase in neoplasms and connective tissue disorders in the second series. The percentage of patients diagnosed by laparatomy was similar in both series but the diagnosis yield at laparotomy was greater in the second period. Pyrexia of unknown origin continues to be a condition which can defy clinical expertise in in spite of advances in diagnostic techniques.

[Epidemiology, clinical course++, prognosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: analysis of 41 cases]

BACKGROUND

Thrombocytopenia is one of the manifestations of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). A series of 41 patients were studied over a period of 2 years.

METHODS

The study was prospectively carried out with a control group of 80 patients with the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, prognosis and treatment of this process being evaluated.

RESULTS

The risk groups were: intravenous drug users (IVDU) (78%), homosexuals (12%) and heterosexuals (7%), patients with thrombocytopenia as the only manifestation (group IV-E) constituted the largest group with 30 cases. In 50% of the patients both diseases (thrombocytopenia and HIV infection) were simultaneously diagnosed. Nine patients (22%) vs 35% in the control group evolved to more advanced stages of the infection. Only 39% of the cases had hemorrhagic manifestations being more frequent in the IV-E group (47%) than in the remaining patients (18%). With regards to treatment, only 1 case responded completely with danazol. Steroids had variable, although evaluable, results with minimum secondary effects. The infusion of gammaglobulins achieved 80% of complete, although transitory, responses. Zidovudine obtained a positive response in 17/25 cases. Finally, splenectomy was performed in three patients definitively resolving the thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

In thrombocytopenia associated with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection the distribution by groups of risk is equal to that of the rest of infected patients. Appearing early in the natural history of HIV infection, thrombocytopenia presents few clinical manifestations and does not constitute a factor of bad prognosis. The treatment of choice is zidovudine at doses of 500 mg/day.

Bronchocentric granulomatosis associated with pure red cell aplasia and lymphadenopathy

Bronchocentric granulomatosis developed in a patient with previously diagnosed pure red cell aplasia and lymphadenopathy. There was an excellent response to corticosteroid treatment. An immunological pathogenesis common to bronchocentric granulomatosis and pure red cell aplasia is suggested.