A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands

We discovered a highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 in the Netherlands. One hundred nine individuals with this variant had a 0.54 to 0.74 log₁₀ increase (i.e., a ~3.5-fold to 5.5-fold increase) in viral load compared with, and exhibited CD4 cell decline twice as fast as, 6604 individuals with other subtype-B strains. Without treatment, advanced HIV-CD4 cell counts below 350 cells per cubic millimeter, with long-term clinical consequences-is expected to be reached, on average, 9 months after diagnosis for individuals in their thirties with this variant. Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands, which suggests that the increased virulence is attributable to the viral strain. Genetic sequence analysis suggests that this variant arose in the 1990s from de novo mutation, not recombination, with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.

Clinical value of a [18F]-FDG PET-CT muscle-to-muscle SUV ratio for the diagnosis of active dermatomyositis

OBJECTIVE

To study a muscle-to-muscle standardised uptake value (SUV) ratio with FDG-PET/CT (FDG-PET) as a marker for the detection of disease activity in dermatomyositis (DM).

METHODS

Patients with DM (n = 24) who met the European Neuro-Muscular Centre diagnostic criteria were retrospectively identified over a 3-year period through a national survey. Muscle biopsy was performed in all patients. Maximum SUV was measured in proximal muscles (SUV_PROX) that had the highest radiotracer uptake on visual grading as well as in the musculus longissimus thoracis (SUV_MLT), whereas mean SUV was measured for the liver (SUV_LIV). Muscle-to-liver SUV ratios for either muscle group were compared and a SUV_PROX/SUV_MLT ratio was calculated. SUV_PROX/SUV_MLT of DM patients were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 24) with melanoma who had received FDG-PET scans.

RESULTS

DM patients presented with proximal and symmetrical muscle uptake. Differences in SUV_PROX/SUV_LIV and SUV_MLT/SUV_LIV ratios in DM subjects were significant (p < 0.001). SUV_PROX/SUV_MLT ratios in DM and their controls also differed significantly (p = 0.0012). The SUV_PROX/SUV_MLT ratio threshold between DM subjects and controls was 1.73 with a sensitivity of 50% (CI95%, 29.1 to 70.9%) and specificity at 83.3% (CI95%, 62.6 to 95.3%). When amyopathic DM patients were removed from the analysis, specificity was increased to 95% (CI95%, 75.1 to 99.9%) with a likelihood ratio of 10 and an AUC of 83.4% (CI95%, 71.4 to 95.4%).

CONCLUSION

A muscle-to-muscle SUV_PROX/SUV_MLT ratio with a cut-off value of 1.73 in FDG-PET imaging might serve as a non-invasive marker to determine disease activity in dermatomyositis.

KEY POINTS

• [18F]-FDG PET-scanner standardised uptake value (SUV) could reflect disease activity in dermatomyositis (DM). • A ratio of SUV in proximal muscles (SUV_PROX) to SUV in musculus longissimus thoracis (SUV_MLT) could be used to determine active DM. • Active disease is suspected for SUV _PROX /SUV _MLT ratios greater than 1.73.

Description of late onset neutropenia in indolent lymphoma patients treated with bendamustine plus rituximab

Bendamustine (B) associated with rituximab (R) is widely described in literature for the management of patients with chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) and indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Safety data regarding late hematotoxicity such as late onset neutropenia (LON) are scarce. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence and to identify risk factors for LON in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma and CLL treated with B and R (B-R). One hundred forty five patients were treated with B-R as first or second line. Patients with neutropenia prior induction treatment, treated beyond second line and relapsing within 3 months after the end of induction treatment, were excluded. Patients receiving at least 1 cycle of B-R and having LON during follow-up period were included and considered as eligible for toxicity assessment. A complete blood count was performed 4 weeks after the last cycle of induction treatment and thereafter every 3 months for 1 year. Thirty six patients were identified in our cohort (incidence of 25%), mostly affected by CLL (n = 11) and follicular lymphoma (FL) (n = 15). During follow-up, 84 events of LON were recorded, 61% and 39% were of grades 1/2 and 3/4, respectively. No episode of febrile neutropenia was documented. Amongst 13 of the 15 patients with FL undergoing R maintenance, 8 had treatment discontinuation because of LON. Median time for LON (grade > 2) and time to recovery (grade < 3) were of 11.2 and 17.3 weeks, respectively. One year after B-R induction, LON persisted in 4 patients. The risk of LON was increased both in patients with FL or CLL and performance status >1. The LON in B-R treated patients is clinically relevant. Close clinical and biological follow-up and treatment prophylaxis (eg, valaciclovir and cotrimoxazole) especially for FL patients undergoing maintenance with R monotherapy seems relevant.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a report of four cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), formerly known as agranular CD4(+) /CD56(+) haematodermic neoplasm (CD4/CD56 HN), is a rare distinct form of lymphoma-like entity known of dermatologists because of its marked predilection for cutaneous involvement, and its aggressive behaviour. Moreover, the association or the evolution to an acute leukaemia entity that still expresses CD4 and CD56 markers is almost systematic. This new described entity of 'CD4(+) /CD56(+) leukaemia' or 'leukaemia of plasmacytoid dendritic cell lineage' has a poor prognostic and may lead to include haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment strategy as early as possible.

REPORT OF CASES

We report here four cases presenting with skin lesions and haematological signs. One of the patients underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with a relapse-free survival of 40 months. We discuss the diagnosis features as well as the treatment options.

CONCLUSION

A collaborative work between dermatologists and onco-haematologists is essential to give patients the best chance of complete and long-term response.

[Kaposi disease and sex hormones: apropos of a case, review of the literature]

The authors report one case of AIDS-related-like Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a 59-year-old bisexual man without HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. KS developed while the patient was receiving both androgen and steroid therapy for aplastic anemia, and regressed after their simultaneous interruption, despite the persistence of aplastic anemia. The authors discuss the etiology of KS in the patient, with a special regard to a putative role of the androgen therapy. The authors examine the arguments of the literature, probably underestimated, that may suggest a role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of KS.

[Treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and thrombocytopenia associated with the HIV virus using anti-Rhesus immunoglobulins]

Fourteen Rhesus-positive patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or thrombocytopenia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were treated with intravenous Rhesus antibodies. The mean total dose was 6,800 micrograms administered over a 3 to 6 days' period. A significant rise in platelet count was observed in 13 of the 14 Rhesus-positive patients, but not in 3 Rhesus-negative patients used as controls. This rise was usually transient, lasting less than 3 weeks, but it persisted for more than 3 months in 2 cases. Treatment was well tolerated; transient signs of haemolysis appeared in 11 patients who did not require transfusion. Rhesus antibodies are quick-acting, the number of platelets being doubled as early as the second day of treatment. Interaction between antibody-coated red blood cells and macrophages is a possible mode of action and a feasible therapeutic approach in selected patients with autoimmune of HIV-mediated thrombocytopenia.

[Extreme hypogammaglobulinemia disclosing large granular lymphocytes with hepatosplenorenal infiltration]

We report a case of large granular lymphocytosis, or chronic "natural killer" lymphocytosis, a newly described entity. We were able to demonstrate the proliferative character of the disease by the finding of karyotype abnormalities. This case was remarkable for the pre-existence, for at least three years, of severe hypogammaglobulinaemia, for the very slow course of the proliferative process and for the progressive and tumoral infiltration of the spleen and liver, then kidney.

[Severe hypokalemia with few symptoms disclosing distal renal tubular acidosis]

The case is reported of a 47 year old female patient admitted with asthenia, anorexia, nausea and constipation. The poor clinical features contrasted with the severe biological disturbances: 1 mmol.l-1 serum potassium, pH 7.26, 19 mmHg PaCO2, 8 mmol.l-1 bicarbonate, myoglobinaemia and myoglobinuria. The electrocardiogram showed a flattened T wave, an U wave, and a depressed ST segment. Potassium was given intravenously at a rate of 0.38 mmol.kg-1.h-1 during the first 24 h. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis, but no aetiology could be found. This patient's excellent clinical tolerance of a severe hypokalemia suggested that the potassium pool could be replaced at slower rates than those suggested in the literature for patients with severe symptoms and signs.

[Autoimmune pathology and esthetic surgery. Apropos of a case]

The authors report the case of a 46-year old woman who, 7 years after bilateral implantation of a silicone breast prosthesis, presented with a seropositive rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulders, wrists, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of both hands, as well as the knees and ankles. Six months after the onset of the arthritis, she developed a Raynaud's syndrome and a lacrymal and salivary dry syndrome with unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. No regression followed the removal of the breast prostheses, one of which was found broken.