Determinants of macroscopic anal cancer and precancerous lesions in 1206 HIV-infected screened patients

AIM

Anal screening is recommended in HIV-positive patients, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), due to an increased incidence of anal cancer. The optimal screening methods are not generally agreed.

METHOD

Screening for anal lesions by anorectal examination, including anoscopy, was offered to HIV-positive outpatients in a tertiary care university hospital regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

RESULTS

Among the 1206 screened patients (701 MSM, 247 heterosexual men, 258 women), 311 (26%) had histologically proven lesions related to human papilloma virus (HPV) (34% MSM, 14% heterosexual men, 14% women); 123 (10%) had low-grade dysplasia and 70 (6%) high-grade dysplasia. Seven anal cancers were also diagnosed. Determinants of any lesion were age < 45 years [OR = 1.56 (95% CI, 1.16-2.11)], a CD4 count of < 200/mm³ [OR = 2.54 (1.71-3.78)], receptive anal intercourse [OR =3.03 (2.06-4.47)], sub-Saharan African origin [OR = 0.53 (0.33-0.85)], and history of HPV-related lesion [OR = 1.84 (1.35-2.51)]. These determinants were similar for all different grades of dysplasia. In patient subgroup analysis, receptive anal intercourse, the CD4 cell count and a history of HPV lesions were determinants of HPV-positivity in all patients, whereas age was only a determinant in men.

CONCLUSION

Anoscopy is an alternative method for anal screening in an HIV-positive population. This screening has to be compared with other tools in populations at high risk of anal cancer.

[CONDYDAV: A multicentre observational study of patients presenting external genital warts in France]

BACKGROUND

Since 2007 in France, human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination has been licensed for use as a vaccine against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. The impact on the epidemiology of external genital warts (EGWs) in a large population remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine epidemiologic and clinical features of patients presenting EGWs in France in the era of HPV vaccination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this prospective, observational study, we analyzed clinical features and treatments between January 1st, 2012 and March 31, 2012 for patients consulting for EGWs at 15 STI clinics throughout France.

RESULTS

A total of 372 men and 111 women were included; mean age 31.2 years. The women were younger than the men (31.7 and 28.9 years respectively P<0.05). Among the patients, 416 (85.7%) were heterosexual, 13 bisexual and 54 (11.2%) homosexual, including one female. Males reported more sexual partners in the last 12 months (more than 3 partners in 32.6% versus 11.9%, P<0.01). Among the men, 230 had involvement of the penis alone and 46 had involvement of the anus alone. Seventy-six patients had EGWs of the anus, and of these 26 were MSM. In females, 76 had an infection of the vulva alone and 22 co-infection of the vulva and anus. MSM and females were at higher risk than heterosexual males for anal involvement (P<0.0001 and P=0.004, respectively). Three women had been vaccinated: two with Gardasil^® and one with Cervarix^®. Cryotherapy was the preferred treatment.

CONCLUSION

With the advent of HPV vaccination, a global strategy for the prevention and treatment of EGW should be implemented.

[Cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis]

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology. Its dermatological manifestations are extremely polymorphous. They are normally classed as either specific lesions, comprising granulomas, which are generally chronic, or non-specific lesions, principally acute erythema nodosum. These signs are seen in around 25% of sarcoidosis patients. The disease may be heralded by a skin disorder. Diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis provides the clinician with three problems: screening for a visceral site of the disease, determination of the prognosis, and long-term management with regular monitoring coupled with suitable therapy in the event of cosmetic or functional impairment.

[Melanoma in HIV patients: 14 cases]

BACKGROUND

a clinical study of 14 patients presenting both malignant melanoma and HIV infection, and analysis of the literature to determine the frequency and specific features of this association.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ten men and four women of median age 43 years were included. In 50% of cases, the primary melanoma consisted of spreading superficial melanoma with a mean Breslow thickness of 2.83 mm. In two cases, regional lymph node metastasis was discovered but with no primary melanoma being identified. HIV infection was already documented on diagnosis of melanoma in 11 cases, and it was discovered in three cases at the time of surgery for melanoma (treatment of the primary melanoma in two cases, and in one case, regional lymph node dissection two years after the initial diagnosis). Eight patients died within a mean period of 39 months, with melanoma being the cause of death in six cases. Following relapse of melanoma, the course of the disease was severe, with mean stage IV survival of 3.6 months. No response to chemotherapy was observed where such treatment was feasible.

DISCUSSION

the presence of HIV appears to be an aggravating factor for the outcome of metastatic melanoma.

CONCLUSION

our study suggests the importance of clinical examination of pigmented lesions in HIV patients in order to ensure early identification of melanoma.

[Sexually transmitted infections. Current clinical and therapeutic data]

A recent increase of syphilis and gonorrhea has been observed in France. More recently, the resurgence of very infrequent STDs, such as lymphogranuloma venerum, has been noticed in Western Europe. This data illustrates the emergence of high-risk behavior and the relative failure of prevention for sexually transmitted infection and HIV infection, especially in homosexual men. Since the onset of the AIDS epidemic, oral sex has been increasingly used both by heterosexual and homosexual partners. Even if the risk of HIV transmission with oral sex is very low, oral sex is a major mode of transmission for syphilis, gonorrhea, and genital herpes. Condoms are seldom used for oral sex. The transmission of STI by oral sex is less documented in heterosexual than in homosexual patients. The level of knowledge does not seem to reduce risky behavior in the most concerned population. An infection not normally considered as sexually transmitted (i.e. hepatitis C) may be transmitted by high risk sexual behavior increasing the risk of blood-blood contact, as recently reported among HIV-infected homosexual men. The emergence of high-risk sexual practices (traumatic practices, fisting) in a specific population required focused prevention measures to avoid blood-transmitted infections. The increased risk of HIV transmission by ST co-infection (syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhea) and the potential morbidity of STI in HIV infected patients should also be emphasized.

Germline mutations of the INK4a-ARF gene in patients with suspected genetic predisposition to melanoma

Germline anomalies of the INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 genes were sought in a series of 89 patients suspected of having a genetic predisposition to melanoma. Patients were selected based on the following criteria: (a) familial melanoma (23 cases), (b) multiple primary melanoma (MPM; 18 cases), (c) melanoma and additional unrelated cancers (13 cases), (d) age at diagnosis less than 25 years (21 cases), and (e) nonphoto-induced melanoma (NPIM; 14 cases). Mutations of INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 were characterised by automated sequencing, and germline deletions of INK4a-ARF were also examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Seven germline changes of INK4a-ARF, five of which were novel, were found in seven patients (8%). Four were very likely to be pathogenic mutations and were found in three high-risk melanoma families and in a patient who had a pancreatic carcinoma in addition to melanoma. Three variants of uncertain significance were detected in one MPM patient, one patient <25 years, and one NPIM patient. No germline deletion of INK4a-ARF was found in 71 patients, and no Cdk4 mutation was observed in the 89 patients. This study confirms that INK4a-ARF mutations are infrequent outside stringent familial criteria, and that germline INK4a-ARF deletions are rarely involved in genetic predisposition to melanoma.

[Tropical fish salesmen's knowledge and behaviour concerning "fish tank granuloma"]

OBJECTIVES

Mycobacterium marinum is responsible for "fish tank granuloma", a chronic and sometimes disabling skin infection, which in France would be the most frequent "atypical" cutaneous mycobacteriosis. Tropical fish salesmen are concerned about this disease because they might sell contaminated fish and be infected themselves. A review of the literature indicated that one quarter of the patients were aquarium workers. This original study tested the salesmen's knowledge and behaviour regarding "fish tank granuloma".

METHOD

This national study consisted in an anonymous questionnaire with 24 questions.

RESULTS

Among forty salesmen, six of them (15 p. 100) knew this human disease well. Thirty (75 p. 100) ignored it. Among the few salesmen (22.5 p. 100) who had studied to become aquarium workers, only one third were taught about Mycobacterium marinum. Eight salesmen (20 p. 100) were concerned about the human disease: three of them were personally infected and five others had known infected colleagues or purchasers. Most of the aquarium workers immersed their hands without gloves in the fish tanks every day. Only a few destroyed all the fishes from a contaminated tank.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the tropical fish salesmen ignored "fish tank granuloma" although 20 p. 100 of them were concerned. This chronic disease, sometimes disabling, should be better known by aquarium salesmen. The national tropical fish salesmen were informed of the results of this study.

[External anogenital condylomas]

External anogenital condylomas are the clinical expression of a human papillomavirus mucosal infection. However, only a small proportion of patients infected by this virus will express the disease. Nevertheless, this dermatitis remains one of the most prevalent of sexually transmitted diseases and poses problems in its management. These problems are centered on phenomena of viral latency, which do not permit one to guarantee the cure of the patient, and the absence of specific anti-viral treatment. This article proposes to review the status of external anogenital condylomas. Inspired by recently published experts' recommendations, it emphasizes the problems encountered in daily practice by proposing coherent practical approaches: better understanding of the disease and contamination, assessment of the lesions, the problems related to immunodepression, the psychological approach and current therapeutic possibilities.

[Management of external genital warts by dermatologists: a French survey]

BACKGROUND

External genital wart is the most frequent sexually transmitted disease. While there are guidelines for management and treatment, no data about primary care of this viral disease is available in France. So, we conducted a survey on French dermatologists'management of external genital warts.

METHODS

In July and August 2001, a questionnaire - including questions on physicians and patients, sexually transmitted diseases, partners, clinical and viral evaluations, treatments, and follow-up - was mailed to 652 French dermatologists (randomization of 20 p. 100 of French dermatologists).

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifty (53 p. 100) responses were returned. Dermatologists were mainly exclusively office practitioners (58 p. 100). Thirty-six percent of them were taking care of more than 3 patients per month with external genital warts. Patients were essentially men and immunocompetent. Only 52 p. 100 of physicians systematically performed a sexually transmitted disease evaluation, 38 p. 100 a partner evaluation, and 17 p. 100 a local evaluation for external genital warts. Biopsy was occasionally performed by 48 p. 100 of physicians, mainly in order to confirm diagnosis. Viral genotyping was rare. Cryotherapy (84 to 93 p. 100) and podophyllotoxin (40 to 55 p. 100) were the two treatments used as first line therapy, while laser (61 to 71 p. 100), and imiquimod (39 to 48 p. 100) were second line therapies. Sixty-three percent of physicians proposed a systematic clinical control after clinical recovery.

CONCLUSION

This large survey represents an overview on general practice concerning external genital warts among French dermatologists. Our study points out the lack of global management (loco-regional, partner, and STD evaluation) of the disease by dermatologists.

Frequency of cytokine-producing T cells in HIV-infected patients treated with stavudine, didanosine, and ritonavir

To assess prospectively the influence of the control of viral replication on the frequency of cytokine-producing T cells, and to correlate these changes with immune activation, we conducted a 15-month follow-up study of IFN-gamma- and IL-2-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at a single-cell level in 12 previously untreated patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). At baseline we observed a strikingly high proportion of IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. The treatment-induced decrease in the proportion of IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells ran parallel to the decrease in HLA-DR+ and CD38+CD8+ T cell subsets and was associated with the reduction in HIV RNA level. IL-2-producing cells were mainly CD4+. As a consequence of CD4+ T cell loss, the number of IL-2-producing CD4+ T cells was lower in patients than in control subjects (52 vs. 171 cells/microl), but the proportion of these cells was unchanged (22.4 vs. 19.3). During therapy the proportion of CD4+ IL-2-producing cells was initially stable and then fell markedly at month 5, followed by a gradual return to previous values. The reduction in viral load was associated with the fall in the proportion of CD4+ activated subsets. Intracellular cytokine assays are a new approach to the assessment of T cell function in HIV infection. Our results suggest that the functional capacity of CD4+ T cells is probably less severely altered than previously thought on the basis of conventional assays. CD8+ T cells exhibit an increased capacity to produce IFN-gamma that is associated with an increase in activation marker expression. These alterations decrease partially and in parallel under treatment.

Prospective study of CD8+ lymphocyte activation in relation to viral load in HIV-infected patients with > or = 400 CD4+ lymphocytes per microliter

To investigate the temporal relationship between CD8+ lymphocyte phenotypic alterations, the CD4+ T cell decline, and plasma HIV RNA levels during the natural history of HIV infection, 33 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with > or =400 CD4+ cells/microl were studied prospectively for 3 years. During the study period, 20 patients remained untreated, and only 6 received more than 6 months of therapy. A significant relationship was found between changes in plasma HIV RNA and changes in the proportion of CD38+CD8+ cells. Conversely, the number of CD4+ T cells lost per year was strongly related to the increase in the proportion of CD28-CD8+ T cells. A strong relationship between mean yearly changes in CD4+ T cell numbers and changes in HIV RNA was also observed. CD4+ T cell changes were associated with changes in both viral load and CD8+ T cell activation. These results provide support for the use of both virologic and immunologic parameters for prognosis and management during HIV infection.

[Delayed appearance of maculopapular eruptions induced by tamoxifen]

BACKGROUND

Prescriptions of tamoxifen can be expected to increase over the next few years, particularly for primary prevention of breast cancer. We report a case of a delayed tamoxifen-induced skin reaction.

CASE REPORT

A 50-year-old woman was hospitalized for a diffuse maculopapulous eruption which developed four months after beginning a tamoxifen regimen instituted to prevent recurrence of breast cancer after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The eruption resolved rapidly after withdrawal of tamoxifen. The same skin reaction occurred 9 hours after rechallenge with tamoxifen. Patch tests performed later with Nolvadex tablets crushed in vaseline were negative.

DISCUSSION

Tamoxifen-induced skin reactions are uncommon. The likelihood that tamoxifen was the cause in this case was very high (C3S3 = I4, B2). The late onset (4 months) in this case is remarkable and misled us to look for another cause which could not be found. Challenge with tamoxifen confirmed its causal role. Once again, negative patch tests were found in this type of skin reaction.

Global improvement of systemic scleroderma under long-term administration of octreotide

Octreotide has proven to be effective for the treatment of intestinal dysmotility in patients with scleroderma in short-term administration. We report a global improvement of scleroderma manifestations under long-term administration of octreotide. A 53-year-old black woman was diagnosed with a four-year history of progressive and severe systemic scleroderma, with diffuse skin sclerosis, myositic involvement, impaired carbon monoxide transfer factor (57% of the predicted normal value and severe digestive involvement with pseudo-obstruction and bacterial overgrowth into the intestinal lumen). After one month of octreotide (75 mug/d), oral feeding was restarted and weight gain of 6.5 kg was achieved. After 8 months of treatment, normal weight was obtained and skin induration was spectacularly reduced and pigmentation returned to a normal state. Dyspnea disappeared and physical activity was quite normal. Octreotide effects on intestinal transit are unclear and may be secondary to immunomodulation or neurotransmission effects. Extradigestive effects of octreotide in scleroderma have not been studied. This report suggests that long-term administration of octreotide may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with systemic scleroderma. Long-term trials are required to confirm these preliminary results.

Skin pigmentary anomalies and mosaicism for an acentric marker chromosome originating from 3q

We report on a 22 year old man with hyperpigmentation distributed along the lines of Blaschko in whom cytogenetic analysis showed mosaicism for an unusual supernumerary marker chromosome. The patient was of normal intelligence and was not dysmorphic. The marker was present in 30% of his lymphocytes and in 6% of his skin fibroblasts from a dark area, while fibroblasts from a light area showed a normal karyotype, 46,XY. We have identified the origin of the marker using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with whole chromosome painting probes and YAC specific clones. The marker was found to consist of duplicated chromosome material from the distal part of chromosome 3q and was interpreted as inv dup(3)(qter-->q27.1::q27.1-->qter). Hence, this marker did not include any known centromeric region and no alpha satellite DNA could be detected at the site of the primary constriction. The patient was therefore tetrasomic for 3q27-q29 in the cells containing the marker chromosome. We postulate that, in our case, pigmentary anomalies may result directly from the gain of specific pigmentation genes localised on chromosome 3q.