P5416A single-center, thirty-year experience of heart transplantation: analysis of the evolution of patients profile and long term outcomes

Background

Heart Transplantation is still the gold standard therapy for patients suffering from end-stage cardiomyopathy and has been successfully performed in our center since 1985. Over this 30 years period there has been a significant evolution in patients characteristics and in candidate selection (either as a donor and as recipient) as shown by the recent benchmark from International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT). Here we analyze the evolution of patients profile in our population and we correlated such evolution to the clinical outcomes and to the overall data from ISHLT.

Materials and methods

Overall 1122 patients underwent heart transplantation at our center from November 19th1985 to date. To analyze the evolution patients profile and donor criteria, patient population was divided in 4 groups according era of transplantation following ISHLT model (Group A from 1985 to 1991; Group B from 1992 to 2003; Group C from 2004 to 2008 and Group D from 2009 to date). Patients characteristics at time of transplantation, donor criteria ad clinical outcomes were analyzed and compared within 4 groups. An overall comparison of our results to the data from ISHLT was also performed.

Results

Overall Kaplan-Meier survival curve correlates favourably with ISHLT data showing a 20 years survival approaching 40%. Patients age at transplantation changed significantly among 4 groups from a median of 49 years (95% CI 47 to 51) in Group A to 54 years (95% CI 50 to 57) in Group D (p<0.001). Likewise donor age also changed significantly from a median of 24 years (95% CI 22 to 28) in Group A to 43 years (95% CI 39 to 47) in group D (p<0.001). Time on waiting list also changed significantly from a median of 115 days (95% CI 94 to 137) in Group A to 293 (95% CI 200 to 401) in Group D (p<0.001). As a marker of evolution of accepted donor criteria also ischemic time changed from 125±52 minutes of Group A to 153±61 minutes of Group D (p<0.001). As showed in Fig 1, Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated a worse 1-year survival in Group D compared to others 3 Group.

Figure 1

Conclusions

The significant changing characteristics of both recipients and donors, over 30 years of activity, had a significant impact in early (1 year) postoperative survival following heart transplantation. Although medium/long term outcomes are still satisfactory in patients surviving at least 1 year, these data clearly suggest a more accurate patients selection and the need of alternative treatment before patients conditions deteriorate while on waiting list for heart transplantation

Infective endocarditis in patients with hepatic diseases

Few data have been published regarding the epidemiology and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with chronic hepatic disease (CHD). A retrospective analysis of the Studio Endocarditi Italiano (SEI) database was performed to evaluate the epidemiology and outcome of CHD+ patients compared with CHD- patients. The diagnosis of IE was defined in accordance with the modified Duke criteria. Echocardiography, diagnosis, and treatment procedures were in accordance with current clinical practice. Among the 1722 observed episodes of IE, 300 (17.4 %) occurred in CHD+ patients. The cause of CHD mainly consisted of chronic viral infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacterial species in CHD+ patients; the frequency of other bacterial species (S. epidermidis, streptococci, and enterococci) were comparable among the two groups. The percentage of patients undergoing surgery for IE was 38.9 in CHD+ patients versus 43.7 in CHD- patients (p = 0.06). Complications were more common among CHD+ patients (77 % versus 65.3 %, p < 0.001); embolization (43.3 % versus 26.1 %, p < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (42 % versus 34.1 %, p = 0.01) were more frequent among CHD+ patients. Mortality was comparable (12.5 % in CHD- and 15 % in CHD+ patients). At multivariable analysis, factors associated with hospital-associated mortality were having an infection sustained by S. aureus, a prosthetic valve, diabetes and a neoplasia, and CHD. Being an intravenous drug user (IVDU) was a protective factor and was associated with a reduced death risk. CHD is a factor worsening the prognosis in patients with IE, in particular in patients for whom cardiac surgery was required.

Differences in implementation of HIV/AIDS clinical research in developed versus developing world: an evidence-based review on protease inhibitor use among women and minorities

The aim of this revision is to evaluate ethnicity and gender rate of enrolment in registrative clinical trials of the protease inhibitors (Pis) from 1996 to 2009. Company-sponsored, phase II or III registrative clinical trials of PIs were evaluated. Forty-nine clinical trials were included. Clinical trials were conducted in centres in North America ( n = 39), Central-South America ( n = 22), Europe ( n = 22), Africa ( n = 8), Asia ( n = 5), Australia ( n = 10). Overall mean age was 39.6 years; median proportion of women was 16.3%. The most represented ethnic group was Caucasian. A test for trend over time (1996-2009) shows a significant increase in the proportion of women included ( P = 0.012), and a decrease in the proportion of Caucasians included, reaching borderline significance ( P = 0.061). An inverse correlation was observed between the proportion of Caucasians and that of women enrolled in each study ( r = 0.65, P < 0.0001). Women were less likely to be included in double-blind studies (11.2% versus 17%, P = 0.019). Clinical trials for treatment-naive subjects were more likely to enrol ethnicities other than Caucasian compared with Caucasian (44.7% versus 27.1 %, respectively, P = 0.04). Rates of enrolment of minorities in registrative clinical trials for PIs show a positive trend since 1996, mirroring the growing number of people of different ethnic groups accessing ART.

Osteoprotegerin and bone turnover markers in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

To characterize osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, bone remodelling and bone mineral density (BMD) in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy, and to evaluate the clinical factors associated with bone density decline.

METHODS

Heavily pretreated (> 5 years) HIV-positive patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional, observational study, which was based on a total body bone densitometry examination and a comprehensive evaluation of bone and mineral parameters.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients (55 male and 13 female) with a median age of 41 years (range 25-60 years) were included in the study. Their antiretroviral treatment lasted for 82 months. On the basis of the World Health Organization criteria, nine patients (13.2%) were osteoporotic [T-score < -2.5 standard deviation (SD)] and 19 patients (27.9%) were osteopenic (T-score between -1 and -2.5). The principal outcomes associated with the presence of a low BMD were high OPG and lysylpyridinoline/creatinine ratio (Dpd) values. Most of the patients (39 of 48; 81.25%) showed vitamin D insufficiency [Vitamin D (25(OH)D) < 18 ng/mL] with secondary hyperparathyroidism (13 of 50 patients: 26%), which proved to be correlated to osteocalcin (BGP) levels [parathyroid hormone (PTH) vs. BGP: r = 0.34; P < 0.01]. There was an inverse correlation between T-scores and serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels, on one hand, and Dpd, on the other. High AP and Dpd values were associated with relative risks of 4.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-17.6] and 7.2 (95% CI = 1.67-31.03), respectively, of a pathological T-score. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with the presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis were older age and lower body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

About 40% of our heavily pretreated subjects with advanced HIV infection had a low BMD, and 56% (24 of 44 patients) showed a high bone turnover rate with marked osteoclast activation. High OPG levels may protect against bone resorption.

Pharmacokinetics of amprenavir given once or twice a day when combined with atazanavir in heavily pre-treated HIV-positive patients

We studied the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir at doses of 600 mg twice a day or 1200 mg once a day, when co-administered to HIV-positive patients with 400 mg a day of atazanavir without a ritonavir booster. Our preliminary results suggest that amprenavir and atazanavir could be coadministered and that amprenavir could be boosted by atazanavir without the need for ritonavir pharmaco-enhancement.

Antiretroviral effect of two different dose regimens of ritonavir and saquinavir on HIV-infected adults in a population-based setting

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the antiviral effect and tolerability of higher dose (HD, 600 mg two times daily) and lower dose (LD, 400 mg two times daily) combination regimens of ritonavir and saquinavir in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

DESIGN

Intent-to-treat analysis with suppression of plasma viral load to levels below 500 copies/ml as the main outcome measure.

PATIENTS

Adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals in the province of British Columbia prescribed ritonavir and saquinavir in combination between 1 September 1996 and 30 June 1997, with a minimum of two plasma viral loads, one at baseline and one after the initiation of therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 84 participants [27 HD (32%) and 57 LD (68%)] were prescribed ritonavir and saquinavir. There was no difference at baseline in the two groups with respect to age (P=0.466), CD4 cell count (P=0.373) and baseline plasma viral load (P=0.656). However, LD were more likely to have had prior protease experience than HD participants (65 versus 40%, P=0.037). The median follow-up time was 9 months. A total of 44 (52%) subjects demonstrated a decrease in plasma viral load to levels <500 copies/ml. After adjusting for length of follow-up, baseline CD4 cell count and prior AIDS diagnosis, HD participants were as likely to be suppressed to <500 copies/ml as LD individuals (P=0.760). HD participants did report more adverse effects (P=0.042) than LD subjects.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide confirmatory evidence that lower doses of ritonavir and saquinavir in combination are better tolerated and as effective as the standard doses of these drugs. This response, however, is seriously compromised by prior exposure to protease inhibitors.

Assessment of atherosclerosis using carotid ultrasonography in a cohort of HIV-positive patients treated with protease inhibitors

OBJECTIVE

Lipid disorders associated with the use of protease inhibitors (PI) may be a risk factor for premature atherosclerosis development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) among HIV-positive patients treated with PI containing regimens compared to PI-naïve and HIV-negative subjects.

METHODS

We analysed plasma lipid levels and carotid IMT in 28 HIV-positive patients treated with protease inhibitors (PIs) for a mean of 28.7 months (range 18-43) and in two control groups constituted, respectively, by 15 HIV-positive naïve patients and 16 HIV-negative subjects, that were matched for age, risk factors for HIV infection, cigarette smoke use and CD4+ cell count.

RESULTS

PI-treated patients had higher triglyceride, HDL and apo B levels than controls. Carotid IMT was significantly increased in PI-treated patients compared to naïve or HIV-negative subjects. A correlation between cholesterol HDL, triglyceride and ApoB levels and IMT was observed among the entire cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma lipid alterations were associated with an increased IMT and intima media thickening was more pronounced in PI-treated patients than in the two control groups. Periodical evaluation of blood lipid profile and, if required, the use of lipid-lowering agents is advisable. Moreover, physicians should address concurrent risk factor for atherosclerosis that can be modified, including smoking, hypertension, obesity and sedentary life-style.

Role of hydroxyurea during structured treatment interruptions

Highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) represent a major advance in the treatment of HIV infection. Although with HAART a substantial suppression of viral replication can be obtained, eradication of the virus from the body cannot be achieved. Therefore, HIV-infected subjects have to be treated for the rest of their lives. Long term treatment will increase the frequency of: i) drug-related side effects; ii) onset of drug-resistant viral strains; iii) non-adherence of the patients to the treatment. Structured treatment interruptions (STI)-HAART might represent a feasible alternative and preliminary studies have shown that STI-HAART might induce immune control in patients treated in the early stage of infection. This regimen does not produce similar effects in patients treated during the chronic phase of the infection. However, there are some clinical data suggesting a possible role of hydroxyurea (HU) in inducing control of HIV replication in patients with established infection. In this manuscript in vitro and in vivo data indicating that HU might play a major role in the setting of STI-HAART will be presented.

Nelfinavir suspension obtained from nelfinavir tablets has equivalent pharmacokinetic profile

The pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir tablets (A) and an oral simplified nelfinavir suspension (B) were studied. Twelve healthy volunteers randomly received either five 250-mg nelfinavir tablets or a simplified oral suspension obtained from tablets dissolved in water (nelfinavir 1250 mg in 100 mL of water) in a single dose before being crossed over to the second treatment after a one-week washout period. Blood samples were drawn up to 24 h after drug administration. Nelfinavir concentrations in plasma were analyzed by a specific and validated reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography assay (HPLC) with UV detection, and pharmacokinetic values were determined. For the AUC(0-infinity) with means+/-SD of 31.71+/-7.85, 30.88+/-10.28 (microg/L) respectively for treatments B and A, the ratio (F(B/A)) was of 1.1 with a C.I. of 0.90-1.24. For Cmax with means+/-SD of 3.1+/-0.6 (treatment B) and 3.2+/-0.8 mg/mL (treatment A), the ratio was 1.0. with C.I. of 0.92-1.08. The two treatments evidenced no significant differences in AUC(0-inifnity) and Cmax values and the two-one sided t-test showed that the two preparations are bioequivalent. There was no significant difference in Tmax between the liquid and tablets. Nelfinavir suspension might be a option for treating HIV-infected patients with swallowing disturbances or compliance problems.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of a program to control nosocomial spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a program to control nosocomial spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

METHODS

Analysis of the incidence of infection and contamination due to MRSA in patients admitted to the hospital of Cremona 6 months before and 3 years after the introduction of the guidelines (July 1997).

RESULTS

During the 42 months of the study period, on 80705 admissions, 511 cases of MRSA contamination/infection were identified, the incidence being 0.57 cases per 100 admissions. The infection rate dropped from 0.34 (IC95%: 0.25-0.45) in the first 6 months of the study, before the introduction of guidelines, to 0.17 (IC95%: 0.14-0.20) in the following 3 years (p=0.01). Severe infection decreased from 0.18 to 0.1 per 100 admissions, with a 44% decrease (p=0.058), while mild infections diminished from 0.16 to 0.07 per 100 admissions (p=0.045). Methicillin resistance among nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus was reduced from 53 % to 35 % (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of a program to control the nosocomial spread of MRSA proved effective in reducing both the incidence of infection and the methicillin-resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The cost effectiveness of the program seems very favourable.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir combined with efavirenz and stavudine during rescue treatment of heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients

Nelfinavir is a novel protease inhibitor that exhibits good inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and is currently used in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors for the management of HIV infection. In this study we analysed the pharmacokinetic profile of nelfinavir after multiple oral doses in 18 HIV-infected patients during a combination regimen of nelfinavir plus efavirenz and stavudine. Patients who received the study drug for >/=4 weeks were considered for pharmacokinetic evaluation. Blood samples were obtained at the following times: 0 (before nelfinavir administration), 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 h after administration. Nelfinavir plasma concentrations were analysed by a specific and validated HPLC assay with ultraviolet detection. Nelfinavir concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental techniques and the pharmacokinetic parameters of nelfinavir were determined according to a one-compartment model. We found a high variability between individuals in nelfinavir plasma concentrations. The mean average drug plasma concentration was 2.22 +/- 1.25 mg/L and the mean AUC during the dosing interval was 17.7 +/- 10.0 mg*h/L. The mean nelfinavir trough plasma concentration was 1.58 +/- 1.0 mg/L. A good relationship was found between AUC(0-8h) and the plasma concentrations measured at 6 h, and the trough plasma concentrations made total body exposure for nelfinavir less predictable. Alternatively, a 2 h abbreviated AUC provides a good estimate of the full AUC(0-8h). Comparing the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in our patients with those reported for patients receiving nelfinavir monotherapy or nelfinavir combined with nucleoside analogues, one observes substantial overlap with nelfinavir concentrations achieved without efavirenz.

Different immunologic profiles characterize HIV infection in highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated and antiretroviral-naïve patients with undetectable viraemia. The Master Group

BACKGROUND

Suppression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication can be obtained in chronically infected individuals by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and can also be observed in antiretroviral-naïve patients. The immunological correlates of these two situations were examined.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study involving 32 HIV-infected patients with undetectable HIV plasma viraemia (< 500 copies/ml) and either antiretroviral-naive (n = 14) or undergoing HAART therapy with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus one (n = 13) or two (n = 5) protease inhibitors (PI). CD4 counts, disease duration, and CDC clinical stage were comparable between the two groups of individuals. Immune parameters (antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation and cytokine production; cytokine mRNA; beta chemokine production; HIV coreceptors mRNA) were analysed in all patients.

RESULTS

Results showed immune profiles to be profoundly different in antiretroviral-naive in comparison with HAART-treated patients. Thus: (1) T-cell proliferation to HIV-specific and HIV-unrelated antigens is potent in antiretroviral-naive but suppressed in HAART-treated individuals; (2) interleukin-(IL)2, IL-12 and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) production is robust in naive patients; and (3) a high CCR5/low CXCR4 pattern of HIV coreceptors-specific mRNA is observed in naive but not in HAART-treated patients. In contrast with these observations, no clear differences were detected when beta chemokine production by either peripheral blood mononuclear cells or purified CD8+ T-cells was analysed. Results from HAART-treated patients undergoing therapy with one PI and two NRTI or two PI and two NRTI were in very close agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that control over HIV replication can be independently achieved by pharmacological or immunologic means. HAART is associated with weaker HIV-specific and -non-specific immune responses.

Structured treatment interruptions to control HIV-1 infection

Structured treatment interruptions progressively lowered the rate of viral rebound in some HIV-1 infected patients. This approach should be explored as an alternative to continuous antiretroviral therapies.

Efavirenz, nelfinavir, and stavudine rescue combination therapy in HIV-1-positive patients heavily pretreated with nucleoside analogues and protease inhibitors

Tolerability, activity, and pharmacokinetic parameters of a combination therapy with efavirenz (EFV), nelfinavir (NFV), and stavudine (d4T) were evaluated in this study. Forty-seven HIV-1-infected study subjects, naive to NFV and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), who had experienced virologic failure while being treated with combination antiretroviral therapies including protease inhibitors (PIs), were enrolled. At baseline, HIV-1 viral load in plasma was 4.8 log10, CD4+ count was 204 cells/microl (both mean values); patients had received a mean of 3.1 different treatments (range, 2-5 treatments). Study medications were generally well tolerated; 7 of 47 patients (14.8%) were dropped from the study because of related drug toxicity. At week 24, mean plasma viral load (pVL) was reduced by 1.9 log10, with mean CD4+ count increased to 324 cells/microl (+/-59% from baseline); pVL was below the limit of detection (500 copies/ml) in 46.1% of patients. An extended follow-up study was performed at 12 months. Results showed a reduction of 1.7 log10 in pVL from basal values that was consistent with values observed at months 3 and 6. A history of previous use of PIs represented a negative prognostic marker. Sequencing analysis, performed in a subset of patients, showed the presence of multiple point mutations associated with PI resistance. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated a marked interindividual variability in NFV plasma concentrations, producing in 4 of 18 patients (22%) trough concentrations lower than minimum effective concentration. In pretreated patients, further studies are needed to characterize the pharmacokinetic factors that affect response to therapy and the association of these results with the 95% inhibitory concentration (IC95) determined by phenotyping.

Pharmacokinetics of efavirenz (EFV) alone and in combination therapy with nelfinavir (NFV) in HIV-1 infected patients

AIMS

To define the pharmacokinetic profile of efavirenz (EFV) in HIV-1 infected patients, when administered alone or with nelfinavir (NFV).

METHODS

Eleven HIV-positive patients, in steady-state treatment with EFV and 11 patients in steady-state treatment with EFV+NFV, were evaluated. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were obtained during a dosage interval. Plasma concentrations of EFV were determined by h.p.l.c.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the principal pharmacokinetic parameters of EFV when administered alone or in combination with NFV (mean AUC: 57.1-7727.3 vs 60.9+/-12.3 microg ml-1 h; mean CL/F: 0.18+/-0.072 vs 0.16+/-0.04 l h-1 kg-1; mean Cmax: 4.0+/-1.7 vs 4.3+/-1.2 microg ml-1, and mean tmax: 4.1+/-1.7 vs 3.5+/-0.5 h) Mean trough plasma concentrations (C0) of EFV were 1.64+/-0.93 microg ml-1, with and without NFV. A good correlation was found between C0 and AUC(0,24h) (r=0.96; P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the common metabolic pathway, there was no significant influence of NFV on the pharmacokinetics of EFV. EFV exhibits a relatively low interindividual variability and a dosing regimen of 600 mg day-1 assures plasma concentrations that are adequate for inhibition of viral replication.

Hydroxyurea and didanosine long-term treatment prevents HIV breakthrough and normalizes immune parameters

Hydroxyurea and didanosine treatment suppressed HIV replication for more than 2 years, in the absence of viral breakthrough, in chronically infected patients. The profile of viral load reduction was unusual for a two-drug combination, since a continuous gradual decrease in viremia persisted despite residual viral replication. The increase in CD4+ T cell counts was not robust. However, unlike those of patients treated by other therapies, CD4+ T lymphocytes were functionally competent against HIV, mediating a vigorous HIV-specific helper T cell response in half of these patients. In addition, the percentages of naive CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were not different from those in uninfected individuals. These results demonstrate that prolonged antiretroviral therapy with a simple, well-tolerated combination of two affordable drugs can lead to sustained control of HIV, normalization of immune parameters, and specific anti-HIV immune response.

Hydroxyurea toxicity combined with didanosine (ddl) in HIV-1-seropositive asymptomatic individuals

OBJECTIVE

Hydroxyurea, a carbamate compound widely used for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders, has been investigated in several clinical trials conducted in the setting of HIV infection, where it is given in combination regimens almost always containing didanosine (ddI). Hydroxyurea mainly acts as a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor and can positively modulate the activity of several pyrimidine and purine analogues. Due to its inhibition of DNA synthesis, the main side-effect of hydroxyurea is represented by myelosuppression.

DESIGN

The toxicity profile of hydroxyurea plus didanosine (ddI) has been investigated in 40 asymptomatic HIV-positive patients with a baseline CD4+ absolute count between 250 and 500 cells/microl. Bone marrow function tests and adverse events occurring during the trial were analyzed.

RESULTS

No major toxic event according to WHO classification was registered. At the dosage of 500 mg twice a day, hydroxyurea could be safely administered for at least 40 weeks of therapy. Minimal reversible bone marrow depression was noted in 2 patients. Even though reductions observed in white blood cell count, lymphocyte count and hemoglobin were statistically significant, they did not have any clinical relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydroxyurea seems to be well-tolerated and devoid of severe toxicity effects when used in asymptomatic HIV-positive subjects.

High-performance liquid chromatography method for analyzing the antiretroviral agent efavirenz in human plasma

Efavirenz (EFV, DMP-266) is a new antiretroviral agent belonging to the class of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies on EFV in healthy volunteers show that the drug may influence the metabolism of protease inhibitors. For the determination of EFV in human plasma, a validated and specific reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, with UV detection, was developed. We used 100 microL plasma sample for a liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether after basification. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and water, pumped at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. Ultraviolet detection was carried out at a wavelength of 247 nm. Retention times for EFV and internal standard (IS) were 5.3 and 4.5 minutes, respectively, and there was no chromatographic interference from other commonly administered drugs. The limit of detection was 100 ng/mL. The described assay is a rapid and accurate method for measurement of EFV in plasma: the easy preparation and small sample size makes this assay highly suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and routine clinical analysis in patients with HIV. In addition, the reproducibility of the method is only moderately increased by including IS, so analyzing without IS may be an alternative.

Successful treatment of spleen tuberculosis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients may act as a cofactor that accelerates the clinical course of HIV infection, and, indeed, HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis have a reduced survival rate compared to those without tuberculosis. Diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients can be difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and the time required for the identification of mycobacteria by means of culture techniques. Recently, antiretroviral combination therapies have improved the outcome of several acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated conditions. Unfortunately, the use of antiretroviral therapy for patients coinfected with HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still to be fully evaluated. The complexity of side-effects due to antituberculosis medication and drug interaction represent important issues and combining an effective anti-HIV treatment with antituberculosis therapy is still a clinical challenge. We discuss here a case of spleen tuberculosis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient who had a successful response after a diagnostic splenectomy and medical treatment that included classical antituberculosis treatment associated with antiretroviral therapy without protease inhibitors.

The incidence and spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses in persons treated with antiretroviral drugs

The incidence and spectrum of primary AIDS-defining illnesses in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients receiving antiretroviral drugs may have changed since the introduction of newer antiretroviral agents. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in the British Columbia Drug Treatment Program who were ever prescribed antiretroviral drugs between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1996. Rates were calculated on a 6-month basis. There were 344 AIDS cases diagnosed among 2,533 participants between 1994 and 1996. The incidence of primary AIDS diseases decreased from 1994 to 1996, with a sharp decline in 1995 and 1996. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of primary AIDS diagnoses relative to one another, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi's sarcoma remain the most common AIDS index diagnoses. In patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in the modern era, the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses has decreased substantially, but the spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses remains unchanged.

Comparison of costs of strategies for measuring levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma by using Amplicor and Ultra Direct assays

The costs of four algorithms for monitoring plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA were compared. For patients with strong virologic responses, the use of Ultra Direct exclusively was the cheapest strategy. For patients with weak virologic responses, small savings could be obtained by using Amplicor and retesting only samples with values below 500 copies/ml with Ultra Direct.

[Clinical significance of diplopia in HIV infection. Assessment of a personal caseload and review of the literature]

Diplopia is one of the neuro-ophthalmic manifestations that can be observed during HIV-infection. The etiologic agents of diplopia in HIV-positive patients can be identified with HIV itself or opportunistic pathogens or other related conditions. We reviewed the clinical records of 13 HIV-positive patients with mono or bilateral diplopia, focusing on etiologic agents, clinical evaluation and prognosis. This review encompassed all cases observed from January 1992 to June 1995 at the Infectious Diseases Department, Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, anterior segment evaluation with biomicroscopy, dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy and ocular motility evaluation (with Cover test and Hess-Lancaster test). If requested by clinical findings, radiologic (TC and/or MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid examination were performed in some patients. The most common causes of diplopia-CNS lesions or ocular diseases-, resulted in agreement with those reported in the literature (T. gondii, C. neoformans, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, HIV, JC virus, CMV). We were able to confirm, according to our experience, that diplopia occurrence is often a negative prognostic factor, since it is commonly associated with CNS conditions. In most cases diplopia can herald a near demise (8 patients on 13 died with 60 days from diplopia onset). In those cases where a treatment was available (2 cases of cryptococcosis, 1 case of neurotoxoplasmosis and 1 case of CMV retinitis) a complete resolution of neuro-ophthalmic symptoms was achieved.

[Role of clinical pharmacology in the monitoring of therapy of HIV-infected subjects]

The number of subjects with HIV infection or full-blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is increasing throughout the world and the range of related opportunistic conditions (infections, neoplasms or degenerative disorders) is also increasing. Consequently, AIDS patients are likely to be prescribed a great number of different drugs. HIV infection is a progressive phenomenon, characterized by inevitable and often irreversible changes which may influence drug disposition, enhancing the risk of toxic adverse effects and drug interactions. One of the stages for the development of new agents and the establishment of an effective therapy is to conduct pharmacokinetic studies. Even though such studies are difficult to realize in AIDS subjects, the knowledge of altered pharmacokinetics of a drug in disease states offers an unique approach for improving and perhaps optimizing the therapeutic management. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of how HIV infection influences the various processes of drug disposition (i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion).

[Not Available]

Rhodococcus equi is a facultative intracellular, obligate aerobe, partially acid fast, gram-positive pathogen that causes cavitary pneumonia in animals and immunocompromised humans. We describe 8 cases of R. equi pneumonia in patients with advanced HIV infection (CD4 counts less than 100/mm3), 7 males and 1 female (mean age 30.8 years), observed between 1991 and 1994. A history of exposure to farm animals was found in 4 patients. The most common presenting symptoms were fever, malaise, dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis, chest pain and weight loss. Chest x-rays showed tipical focal area of consolidation throughout the lung (3 upper, 3 lower and 2 middle fields) associated with cavitation in 4 cases. The definitive diagnosis in our hands was delayed only in the first case in which conflicting data resulted from blood culture (Bacillus sp. isolation) and sputum examen (acid-fast bacterium in the Ziehl-Neelsen stain). Final microbiological diagnosis depended on blood cultures (n=5), bronchoalveolar lavage (n=1), sputum (n=1), lung biopsy (n=1). All the patients were treated with prolonged courses of antibiotic therapy (259 days, range 120-340 in 6 dead patients; more than one year and two months respectively in two patients alive). According to microbial susceptibility TMP/SMX, vancomycin, imipenem, rifampin, aminoglycosides, macrolides and quinolons were more frequently used. Resistant R. equi mutants were selected during therapy with TMP/SMX (n=2), rifampin (n=1) and erythromycin (n=1). Five patient underwent pulmonary lobectomy after exclusion of metastatic bacterial lesions. Only 2 patients are alive, one after 365 days of antibiotic therapy and upper lung lobectomy, one after 60 days of antibiotic therapy. Optimal antimicrobial therapy and the role of surgery remain, in our experience, uncertain.