Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in paediatrics: Real-life experience from a French cohort (2019-2023)

OBJECTIVES

Although widely recommended, data on bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) efficacy in HIV-1-infected children/adolescents are mainly extrapolated from studies in adults and one paediatric trial in which subjects have good treatment adherence. This study aimed to provide data about the risk of virological failure (VF) and acquired genotypic resistance in children and adolescents receiving BIC/FTC/TAF in a real-world setting.

METHODS

This retrospective monocentric study included 74 paediatric patients who received BIC/FTC/TAF during ≥6 months in 2019-2023. VF was defined as not achieving a plasma viral load <50 copies/mL within 6 months of BIC/FTC/TAF initiation or as experiencing virological rebound ≥50 copies/mL.

RESULTS

Most patients were antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced (93.2%), previously exposed to integrase inhibitors (85.1%) and displayed viral suppression at baseline (67.6%). Their median age was 11.2 years [interquartile range (IQR): 8.8-15.2]. BIC/FTC/TAF introduction reduced treatment burden in most ART-experienced subjects. Genotypic susceptibility score of BIC/FTC/TAF was ≥2 in all cases. Median follow-up was 40 months (IQR: 21-46). VF occurred in 28 people (37.8%), more frequently in the case of VF versus viral suppression at baseline (68% vs. 26%, P = 0.02). BIC/FTC/TAF was interrupted for suspected intolerance in only one case (1.4%). Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutation (T69D/N) emerged in one patient (3.6% of VF) after 47 months of continuous detectable viraemia while on ART. No acquisition of mutations in the integrase gene was observed.

CONCLUSION

Because of its high genetic barrier to resistance, BIC/FTC/TAF could be especially useful in the paediatric population, in which the risk of poor treatment adherence and VF is high.

Psychologically informed physiotherapy as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for children and adolescents with functional neurological disorder: Physical and mental health outcomes

AIM

Children and adolescents with functional neurological disorder (FND) present with physical impairment and mental health comorbidities. Specialist physiotherapy programs for treating FND have been developed over the last two decades. This article reports outcome data from three cohorts of children treated with a multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention - the Mind-Body Program - in which a psychologically informed physiotherapy intervention, known as the wellness approach to physiotherapy, was a key component.

METHODS

For three cohorts of children (n = 57, n = 60 and n = 25, respectively) treated in the Mind-Body Program, data about functional impairment and mental health concerns were collected at presentation and at follow-up (4 years, 12 months and 18 months, respectively).

RESULTS

Outcome data show that FND symptoms resolved in 54/57 (95%), 51/60 (85%) and 22/25 (88%) of children in the three cohorts, and that 31/57 (61%), 32/60 (53%) and 13/25 (52%) of children returned to full health and to full-time school attendance. Changes in Global Assessment of Function (GAF) were significant (t(54) = 21.60, P < 0.001; t(55) = 9.92, P < 0.001; t(24) = 6.51, P < 0.001). Outcomes were less favourable for children with chronic FND symptoms at presentation; those whose comorbid mental health disorders or other (comorbid) functional somatic symptoms did not resolve; and those who subsequently developed chronic mental health problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention - with psychologically informed physiotherapy as one of the key treatment components - resulted in resolution of FND symptoms and return to health and well-being in the large majority of patients.

DSM-IV mental disorders and neurological complications in children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection (HIV-1)

Aim

To study the types of psychiatric problem encountered in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and their relationship to central nervous system disorder and the severity of infection.

Methods

17 HIV-infected children presenting with psychiatric problems were included. Mental disorders were evaluated according to DSM-IV criteria. Neurological disorders and progressive encephalopathy (presence or absence) diagnosis were evaluated by clinical and radiological examination. The severity of infection was assessed by the percentage of CD4 lymphocytes.

Results

The most frequent diagnoses were major depression (MDD: 47%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD: 29%). Major depression diagnosis was significantly associated with neuroimaging or clinical neurological abnormalities (p < 0.01). In contrast, no association was found between hyperactivity diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and central nervous system disorder. Percentage of CD4 lymphocytes were close to 0 for more than 80% of children presenting with psychiatric complications.

Conclusion

The very low % of CD4 lymphocytes of these children suggest that the appearance of a psychiatric complication should be regarded as a factor indicating severe HIV infection. Depressive disorders may be a clinical form of encephalopathy.

High rates of antiretroviral coverage and virological suppression in HIV-1-infected children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To assess the outcome of HIV-infected individuals attending one of the largest French pediatric HIV centers in 2016-2017 and to compare the rates of antiretroviral coverage and virological suppression with the UNAIDS targets.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical and immuno-virological status of 163 HIV-1-infected children and adolescents attending Necker Hospital in Paris, France, were investigated. Virological suppression was defined as an HIV-1 viral load<50 copies/mL for at least six months. All genotypic resistance tests performed since birth were analyzed.

RESULTS

Most patients were born in Sub-Saharan African countries (41.7%) or in France (38.0%). Their median age was 14 years [IQR 7.3-17.0]. Although 33.7% of individuals had a history of AIDS-defining clinical event(s), 86.5% of children/adolescents were free from HIV-related symptoms at their most recent evaluation. Antiretroviral coverage was high (98.2%; mainly including one integrase inhibitor [42.3%] or one protease inhibitor [23.9%]). At the last visit, most patients (82.8%) had normal CD4T lymphocytes counts (≥25%). Although 61.7% of antiretroviral-experienced children had resistance to≥1 drug class and 9.2% had triple-class resistance, 80.3% of patients receiving antiretrovirals for≥6 months (126/157) were virologically suppressed. International adoptees were more frequently virologically suppressed than other patients (96.0% versus 74.6%, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Antiretroviral coverage exceeded the second UNAIDS 90 target aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic. The rate of virological suppression, one of the highest reported in children in high-income countries, is approaching the third UNAIDS 90 target and the rate observed in French HIV-infected adults on antiretrovirals.

Value of chest X-ray in TB diagnosis in HIV-infected children living in resource-limited countries: the ANRS 12229-PAANTHER 01 study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate inter-reader agreement and diagnostic accuracy of chest radiography (CXR) in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

DESIGN

HIV-infected children with clinically suspected TB were enrolled in a prospective study conducted in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon and Viet Nam from April 2010 to December 2014. Three readers-a local radiologist, a paediatric pulmonologist and a paediatric radiologist-independently reviewed the CXRs. Inter-reader agreement was then assessed using the κ coefficient. Diagnostic accuracy of CXR was assessed in culture-confirmed cases and controls.

RESULTS

A total of 403 children (median age 7.3 years, interquartile range 3.5-9.7; 49.6% males) were enrolled. Inter-reader agreement was as follows: between local radiologist and paediatric pulmonologist, κ = 0.36 (95%CI 0.27-0.45); local radiologist and paediatric radiologist, κ = 0.16 (95%CI 0.08-0.24); and paediatric pulmonologist and paediatric radiologist, κ = 0.30 (95%CI 0.21-0.40). Among 51 cases and 151 controls, after a consensus, CXR had a sensitivity of 71.4% (95%CI 58.8-84.1) and a specificity of 50.0% (95%CI 41.9-58.1). Alveolar opacities and enlarged lymph nodes on CXR had limited specificity for TB (64.7% and 70.2%, respectively). Miliary and/or nodular opacities patterns on CXR were more specific to TB (specificity 94.3%).

CONCLUSION

CXR showed poor-to-fair inter-reader agreement and limited diagnostic accuracy for TB in HIV-infected children, likely due to comorbidities. Radiological criteria for this specific population require further investigation.

Similar efficacy and safety of dolutegravir between age groups of HIV-1-infected paediatric and young adult patients aged 5 years and older

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to carry out a comparison of the safety and efficacy of dolutegravir-based regimens among age groups of HIV-1-infected paediatric and young adult patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective monocentric study included 109 patients infected since childhood who began receiving dolutegravir between January 2014 and December 2017. The patients were divided into three groups according to age at the time of dolutegravir initiation: 5-11, 12-17 and 18-25 years old. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a plasma viral load (PVL) < 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL within 3 months of dolutegravir initiation (for patients with detectable viraemia at baseline), and maintaining virological suppression (PVL < 50 copies/mL) until the last follow-up visit (for all patients).

RESULTS

Most of the subjects were antiretroviral-experienced (91.7%) and virologically suppressed at baseline (66.7%, 54.9% and 56.0% in the 5-11, 12-17 and 18-25 year age groups, respectively). Median follow-up was 24 months (range 6-54 months). Sustained virological success throughout follow-up was observed in 79.8% of patients, with similar rates among age groups (87.9%, 72.5% and 84.0%, respectively; P = 0.22). With reinforced measures to improve adherence, undetectable PVL was obtained at the last visit in 88.1% of patients, with similar proportions among age groups (93.9%, 84.3% and 88.0%, respectively; P = 0.51). No emergence of resistance mutations was observed in the 22 patients with virological failure. Dolutegravir was well tolerated; only one patient stopped treatment for severe drug-related side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The virological efficacy and safety of dolutegravir were similar among the three age groups. Because of its high genetic barrier to resistance, dolutegravir could be especially useful in the paediatric population, in which the risk of poor treatment adherence is high.

Cutaneous granulomas with primary immunodeficiency in children: a report of 17 new patients and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Paediatric cutaneous granuloma with primary immunodeficiency (PID) is a rare condition. The physiopathology is unclear, and treatment is challenging. We report on 17 paediatric cases and review the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To make dermatologists and dermatopathologists aware of the diagnostic value of skin granulomas in paediatric PID.

METHODS

We collected data on 17 patients with cutaneous granulomas and PID registered with us and also reviewed 33 cases from the literature.

RESULTS

Cutaneous granuloma was the presenting feature of the PID in 15 of the 50 collated cases. The lesions presented as red-brownish nodules and infiltrated ulcerative plaques, predominantly on the face and limbs. Scleroderma-like infiltration on a single limb was observed in 10% of the cases. The associated PID was ataxia-telangiectasia (52%), combined immunodeficiency (24%), cartilage-hair hypoplasia (6%) and other subtypes (18%). The granulomas were mostly sarcoidal, tuberculoid, palisaded or undefined subtypes. In some patients, several different histopathologic granulomatous patterns were found in the same biopsy. Some granulomas were associated with the presence of a vaccine strain of rubella virus.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous granulomas associated with a PID have a variable clinical presentation. A PID can be suspected when crusty, brownish lesions are found on the face or limbs. The concomitant presence of several histological subtypes in a single patient is suggestive of a PID.

Next-Generation Sequencing for Diagnosis and Tailored Therapy: A Case Report of Astrovirus-Associated Progressive Encephalitis

A boy with X-linked agammaglobulinemia experienced progressive global motor decline, cerebellar syndrome, and epilepsy. All standard polymerase chain reactions for neurotropic viruses were negative on cerebrospinal fluid and brain biopsy. Next-generation sequencing allowed fast identification of a new astrovirus strain (HAstV-VA1/HMO-C-PA), which led to tailor the patient's treatment, with encouraging clinical monitoring over 1 year.

Adrenal enzyme impairment in neonates and adolescents treated with ritonavir and protease inhibitors for HIV exposure or infection

BACKGROUND

Human deficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PIs) are widely used drugs whose effects are pharmacologically enhanced by ritonavir, a potent cytochrome P450 inhibitor. We reported previously that prophylactic postnatal ritonavir-PI therapy in HIV-exposed neonates was associated with increases in plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).

AIMS

To further investigate adrenal function in neonates and adolescents given ritonavir-PI.

METHODS

Adrenal function was assessed prospectively in 3 HIV-exposed neonates given short-term prophylactic treatment and 3 HIV-infected adolescents given long-term treatment. Plasma cortisol, 17-OHP, 17-OH-pregnenolone, DHEA-S, and androstenedione were measured before and after ACTH administration.

RESULTS

None of the patients had clinical signs of adrenal dysfunction. The only neonate exposed to ritonavir-PI in utero had up to 3-fold increases in plasma 17-OHP. Increases in 17-OH-pregnenolone of up to 3.1-fold were noted in 4 of the 6 patients, and all 6 patients had elevations in DHEA-S (up to 20.4-fold increase) and/or DHEA (up to 4.7-fold) and/or androstenedione (up to 5.2-fold). All these parameters improved after treatment completion.

CONCLUSION

Neonates and adolescents given ritonavir-PI exhibit a similar adrenal dysfunction profile consistent with an impact on multiple adrenal enzymes. These abnormalities require evaluation, given the potentially long exposure times.

Very prolonged liposomal amphotericin B use leading to a lysosomal storage disease

Amphotericin B is a powerful polyene antifungal drug used for treating systemic fungal infections and is usually administered for a short period. Side effects after prolonged use are unknown in humans. Here we report the case of a 28-year-old man suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), treated for invasive cerebral aspergillosis with liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) for a very long time (8 consecutive years). We describe the efficacy and safety of this treatment in the long term. Aspergillosis was kept under control as long as L-AmB therapy was maintained, but relapsed when the dose was reduced. No overt renal toxicity was noted. The patient gradually developed hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. Abnormalities of bone marrow were similar to the sea-blue histiocyte syndrome. Liver biopsy showed images of nodular regenerative hyperplasia related to CGD as well as a histiocytic storage disease. We discuss the very prolonged use of L-AmB leading to the development of a lysosomal storage disease.

Live rubella virus vaccine long-term persistence as an antigenic trigger of cutaneous granulomas in patients with primary immunodeficiency

Granulomas may develop as a response to a local antigenic trigger, leading to the activation of macrophages and T-lymphocytes. Primary immunodeficiency (PID) is associated with the development of extensive cutaneous granulomas, whose aetiology remains unknown. We performed high-throughput sequencing of the transcriptome of cutaneous granuloma lesions on two consecutive index cases, and RT-PCR in a third consecutive patient. The RA27/3 vaccine strain of rubella virus-the core component of a universally used paediatric vaccine-was present in the cutaneous granuloma of these three consecutive PID patients. Controls included the healthy skin of two patients, non-granulomatous cutaneous lesions of patients with immunodeficiency, and skin biopsy samples of healthy individuals, and were negative. Expression of viral antigens was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Persistence of the rubella vaccine virus was also demonstrated in granuloma lesions sampled 4-5 years earlier. The persistence of the rubella virus vaccine strain in all three consecutive cutaneous granuloma patients with PID strongly suggests a causal relationship between rubella virus and granuloma in this setting.

[Pediatric aids, 30 years later]

Thirty years after the first descriptions of AIDS in children in May 1983, the risk of viral transmission from mother to child has been reduced to almost zero and the disease in infected children has become an asymptomatic condition, stable in the long-term, thanks to antiretroviral drugs. Unbelievable though it may have seemed until the mid-1990s, children infected during the perinatal period are now growing up to be adults in a chronic, stable, asymptomatic medical condition with often satisfactory personal, family, and social lives. The French perinatal epidemiological cohort, which was set up in 1984 and has included more than 18,000 mother-child pairs to date, traces the steps in this extraordinary revolution in the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection in children.

Non-disclosure of a pregnant woman's HIV status to her partner is associated with non-optimal prevention of mother-to-child transmission

Our objective was to study relations between non-disclosure of HIV to partner, socio demographics and prevention of HIV mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), among HIV-infected pregnant women enrolled in the French Perinatal Cohort (ANRS-EPF-CO1) from 2005 to 2009 (N = 2,952). Fifteen percent of the women did not disclose their HIV status to their partner. Non-disclosure was more frequent in women diagnosed with HIV infection late in pregnancy, originating from Sub-Saharan Africa or living alone, as well as when the partner was not tested for HIV. Non-disclosure was independently associated with non optimal PMTCT: late initiation of antiretroviral therapy, detectable viral load at delivery and lack of neonatal prophylaxis. Nonetheless, the rate of transmission did not differ according to disclosure status. Factors associated with non-disclosure reflect vulnerability and its association with non optimal PMTCT is a cause for concern although the impact on transmission was limited in this context of universal free access to care.

CNS involvement at the onset of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

OBJECTIVES

To differentiate onset of CNS involvement in primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) from that of other CNS inflammatory diseases and to identify early symptoms linked to abnormal cognitive outcome.

METHODS

Forty-six children with primary HLH who had neurologic evaluation within 2 weeks and brain MRI within 6 months of diagnosis were included. Initial symptoms, CSF study, brain MRI, and neurologic outcome were assessed. Brain MRIs were compared with those of 44 children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

RESULTS

At disease onset, 29 children (63%) had neurologic symptoms and 7 (15%) had microcephaly. Twenty-three (50%) children had abnormal CSF study, but only 15 (33%) had abnormal brain MRI. The latter showed that patients with HLH, unlike patients with ADEM, had symmetric periventricular lesions, without thalamic and brainstem involvement and with infrequent hyposignal intensity on T1. At the end of follow-up (3.6 ± 3.6 years), 17 of the 28 (61%) surviving patients had normal neurologic status, 5 (18%) had a severe neurologic outcome, and 6 (21%) had mild cognitive difficulties. Abnormal neurologic outcome was not influenced by age or type of genetic defect, but by the presence of neurologic symptoms, MRI lesions, or abnormal CSF study at onset. Early clinical and MRI symptoms may regress after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Neurologic symptoms are frequent at the onset of primary HLH and are mostly associated with abnormal CSF findings, but with normal brain MRI. In cases of abnormal brain MRI, the observed lesions differ from those of ADEM.

Phototoxicity and photocarcinogenesis associated with voriconazole

The antifungal voriconazole was given its marketing authorization in 2002. Several kinds of adverse effects have been reported, including acute and chronic cutaneous adverse effects, mainly due to a phototoxicity mechanism. More recently, some authors have reported that voriconazole was involved in the occurrence of multiple and often-aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas if the treatment was maintained for a long time. According to safety data in studies assessing voriconazole effectiveness, 8% of outpatients may experience phototoxic events. An overview of the different types of phototoxicity and of the concerned population was given by the 61 published case reports of photo-induced voriconazole-related skin adverse events (including 18 cases of squamous cell carcinomas). The most likely mechanisms may be phototoxicity directly related to either voriconazole or to its N-oxide main metabolite, and an interaction with retinoid metabolism; moreover, immunodeficiency may enhance the risk of skin cancer. Several issues remain to be investigated, and studies are needed concerning the phototoxicity and photocarcinogenesis of voriconazole and the prognosis of chronic non-malignant skin lesions. Voriconazole prescription must be associated with strict photoprotection; in case of a phototoxic adverse event, another azole may be recommended.

Long-term outcomes in adolescents perinatally infected with HIV-1 and followed up since birth in the French perinatal cohort (EPF/ANRS CO10)

BACKGROUND. Increasing numbers of children perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are reaching adolescence, largely because of advances in treatment over the past 10 years, but little is known about their current health status. We describe here the living conditions and clinical and immunovirologic outcomes at last evaluation among this pioneering generation of adolescents who were born before the introduction of prophylaxis for vertical transmission and whose infections were diagnosed at a time when treatment options were limited. METHODS. The eligible population consisted of HIV-1-infected children who were born before December 1993 and who were included at birth in the prospective national French Perinatal Cohort (EPF/ANRS CO10). RESULTS. Of the 348 eligible children, 210 (60%; median age, 15 years) were still alive and regularly followed up. Current treatment was highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 77% and 2 nucleoside analogues in 5.0%; 16% had stopped treatment, and 2% had never been treated. The median CD4 cell count was 557 cells/microL, and 200 cells/microL was exceeded in 94% of patients. The median viral load was 200 copies/mL. Viral load was undetectable in 43% of the adolescents and in 54.5% of those receiving HAART. Median height, weight, and body mass index were similar to French reference values for age, and school achievement was similar to nationwide statistics. Better immunologic status was associated with being younger and with having begun HAART earlier. Undetectable viral load was associated with maternal geographic origin and current HAART. CONCLUSIONS. Given the limited therapeutic options available during the early years of these patients' lives and the challenge presented by treatment adherence during adolescence, the long-term outcomes among this population are encouraging.

Kinetics of nasopharyngeal shedding of novel H1N1 (swine-like) influenza A virus in an immunocompetent adult under oseltamivir therapy

We describe a patient with confirmed novel H1N1 (swine-like) influenza A virus who had daily nasal swabs tested during oseltamivir therapy. Nasal shedding remained positive for 2 days and became negative on day 3. This report presents the first available data on the kinetics of shedding of this novel virus under antiviral therapy.

Population pharmacokinetics of tenofovir in HIV-1-infected pregnant women and their neonates (ANRS 12109)

Thirty-eight human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected pregnant women were administered tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; 300 mg)-emtricitabine (FTC; 200 mg) tablets: two at labor initiation and one daily for 7 days postpartum. Maternal, umbilical, and neonatal plasma tenofovir concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed using a population approach. Data were described using a two-compartment model for the mother, an effect compartment linked to maternal circulation for cord, and a neonatal compartment disconnected after delivery. Absorption was greater for women delivering by caesarian section than for those delivering vaginally. The maternal 600 mg TDF administration before delivery produces the same concentrations as 300 mg administration in other adults. If the time elapsed between maternal administration and delivery is >or=12 h, two tablets of TDF-FTC should be readministered. Tenofovir showed good placental transfer (60%). Administering 13 mg/kg of TDF as soon as possible after birth should produce neonatal concentrations comparable with those observed in adults.

La résistance du VIH-1 aux antirétroviraux chez les enfants infectés : du nouveau-né à l'adolescent

Limit of antiretroviral treatment success is the emergence of drug-resistant virus. As reported in adult population, prevalence of resistance was high in treated HIV-infected children with detectable HIV viral load. Resistance increased with number of prior antiretroviral treatments, particularly with protease inhibitors. Adolescent boys seem at greater risk to harbor multi-classes resistant virus. In HIV-infected newborns, prevalence of resistance was 20%. Most of resistance mutations detected were in accord to perinatal antiretroviral exposition. Principal mechanism of resistance acquisition in newborns was transmission of resistant viruses from mother to child with early archive in cellular reservoir and long term persistence with or without treatment. Consequences of long term therapeutic strategies in children are major.

Age-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of stavudine in 272 children from birth to 16 years: a population analysis

AIMS

To develop a population pharmacokinetic model for stavudine in children and to investigate the consistency of the currently recommended dose based on adult target concentrations.

METHODS

The pharmacokinetics of stavudine were investigated using a population approach. Individual estimates of CL/F were used to calculate the stavudine dose required to achieve the area under the concentration-time curve reported in adults given recommended doses.

RESULTS

Stavudine pharmacokinetics were well described by a one-compartment model with zero-order absorption. Typical population estimates (% interindividual variability) of the apparent distribution volume (V/F) and plasma clearance (CL/F) were 40.9 l (32%) and 16.5 l h(-1) (38%), respectively. Stavudine V/F and CL/F were similarly related to age. Mean calculated doses (0.61 mg kg(-1) for children less than 2 weeks, 1.23 mg kg(-1) for children more than 2 weeks with bodyweight less than 30 kg, and 31.5 mg for children with a bodyweight between 30 and 60 kg) were in agreement with the current paediatric doses (0.5 mg kg(-1), 1 mg kg(-1), and 30 mg, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the current recommended paediatric dosage regimens for stavudine, as they result in the same exposure to the drug as in adults.

A gene responsible for Ghosal hemato-diaphyseal dysplasia maps to chromosome 7q33-34

Ghosal hemato-diaphyseal dysplasia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a progressive sclerosing diaphyseal dysplasia and refractory anemia. The pathogenesis and genetic bases of this syndrome remain hitherto unknown. We have performed a genome wide search in two inbred families originating from Algeria and Tunisia. Here, we report on the mapping of a disease gene to chromosome 7q33-34 (Zmax = 4.21 at theta = 0 at locus D7S2513) in a 3.4 Mb defined by loci D7S2560 and AC091742. Ongoing studies will hopefully lead to identification of the disease-causing gene.

Description of an adenovirus A31 outbreak in a paediatric haematology unit

Adenovirus infections result in significant morbidity and mortality in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplanted (hSCT) children. Adenovirus from species C and B account for more than 90% of adenoviruses recovered after hSCT. However, infections due to adenovirus A31 have been increasingly reported in recent years. Between April 2002 and April 2005, blood samples obtained every 2 weeks from 58 hSCT children were screened for adenovirus species A to C by quantitative real-time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis was realized after amplification and sequencing of the entire hexon gene. Fifteen cases of adenovirus infection with viraemia were recovered during this 3 years period. During spring/summer 2003, seven cases occurred and were due to an adenovirus species A. Phylogenetic analysis of the seven strains showed that they belonged to the A31 genotype and shared 100% homology. Clinical features of the seven HSCT children with A31 adenovirus viraemia are described. We describe here an epidemic spread of adenovirus genotype A31 in a paediatric haematology unit. Timing, location and hexon gene genotyping results highly suggested a nosocomial origin to this epidemic. The burden of adenovirus A31 infection needs to be further assessed in this context.

Parental consent in paediatric clinical research

AIMS

To assess parental understanding and memorisation of the information given when seeking for consent to their child's participation to clinical research, and to identify the factors of significant influence on parents' decision making process.

METHODS

Sixty eight parents who had been approached for enrolling their child in a clinical oncology or HIV study were asked to complete an interview. Their understanding was measured by a score which included items required to obtain a valid consent according to French legislation.

RESULTS

Items that were best understood by parents were the aims of the study (75%), the risks (70%), the potential benefits to their child (83%), the potential benefits to other children (70%), the right to withdraw (73%), and voluntariness (84%). Items that were least understood were the procedures (44%), the possibility of alternative treatments (53%), and the duration of participation (39%). Less than 10% of the parents had understood all these points. Ten parents (15%) did not remember that they had signed up for a research protocol. Thirty three parents (48%) reported no difficulty in making their decision. Twenty four parents (38%) declared that they made their decision together with the investigator; 26 (41%) let the physician decide. Fifty four parents (78%) felt that the level of information given was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

There was an apparent discrepancy between parents' evaluation of the adequacy of the information delivered and evaluation of their understanding and memorisation. The majority of parents preferred that the physician take as much responsibility as possible in the decision making process.

Transient familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis reactivation post-CD34 haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH) is a genetic disorder caused by defective lymphocyte cytotoxicity, resulting in impaired lymphocyte homeostasis and macrophage infiltration of solid tissues and bone marrow, with extensive haemophagocytosis. It is invariably fatal unless treated by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In a retrospective analysis of 11 cases of FHLH, transplanted in one centre between January 1999 and December 2003, it was found that host T cell expansion occurred early after HSCT in a setting of a viral infection (cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus respectively) in two cases who received T cell-depleted HSCT. Transient recurrence of clinical and biological manifestations of FHLH was observed, despite evidence for donor cell engraftment. Secondary development of donor T cells led to stable mixed chimaerism and sustained remission of FHLH. Detection of host-derived T cells soon after HSCT in a patient with FHLH should thus not mistakenly be taken as a manifestation of graft rejection.

Relationship between Changes in Thymic Emigrants and Cell-Associated HIV-1 Dna in HIV-1-Infected Children Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy

Objectives and methods

To investigate the relationship between cell-associated HIV-1 dynamics and recent thymic T-cell emigrants, HIV-1 DNA and T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC, a marker of recent thymic emigrants) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 181 samples from 33 HIV-1-infected children followed for 96 weeks after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation.

Results

At baseline, HIV-1 DNA was higher in children with higher TREC ( P=0.02) and was not related to age, CD4 or HIV-1 RNA in multivariate analyses ( P>0.3). Overall, TREC increased and HIV-1 DNA decreased significantly after ART initiation, with faster HIV-1 DNA declines in children with higher baseline TREC ( P=0.009). The greatest decreases in HIV-1 DNA occurred in children with the smallest increases in TREC levels during ART ( P=0.002). However, this inverse relationship between changes in HIV-1 DNA and TREC tended to vary according to the phase of HIV-1 RNA decline ( P=0.13); for the same increase in TREC, HIV-1 DNA decline was much smaller during persistent or transient viraemia compared with stable HIV-1 RNA suppression.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings indicate that TREC levels predict HIV-1 DNA response to ART and suggest that immune repopulation by thymic emigrants adversely affects HIV-1 DNA decline in the absence of persistent viral suppression, possibly by providing a cellular source for viral infection and replication.

Does haploidentical transplantation in children with primary immunodeficiencies have the potential to exploit donor NK cell alloreactivity?

Donor potential to exert NK cell alloreactivity has been shown to confer survival advantage in haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematological malignancies. We investigated killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) ligand incompatibility in 40 children receiving haploidentical transplantation for primary immunodeficiencies. The conditioning regimen consisted of busulfan and cyclophosphamide. T-cell depletion of the graft used complement-dependent lysis or CD34+ selection. Two patients died in the first month. The remaining 38 patients were divided into those with (n=13) and those without (n=25) donor potential to exert NK cell alloreactivity. Engraftment was similar in the two groups (61.5 and 64%, respectively). The incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) tended to be lower in the group with donor potential to exert NK cell alloreactivity, but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, in this series of patients with primary immunodeficiencies, donor potential to exert NK cell alloreactivity was not associated with significant advantages in engraftment and prevention of acute GVHD.