1/157. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and cerebral toxoplasmosis in an adult patient, with no symptoms of underlying immunosuppressing illness.We present a case of the coincidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis in an adult patient, without a detectable cause of cell-mediated immunity impairment. The proper diagnosis was made postmortem on the basis of histological changes typical of both pathological processes. PML was characterized by the presence of subcortical focal demyelination, containing enlarged, densely basophilic oligodendrocyte nuclei, often with intranuclear inclusion, and bizarre astrocytes, mimicking neoplastic cells. PML was confirmed by detecting numerous papova virus particles in oligo- and astroglial nuclei by thin-section electron microscopy. Cerebral toxoplasmosis was characterized by the presence of multiple well-circumscribed necrotizing abscesses. Numerous toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) cysts and free, non-encysted protozoan parasites were found among the inflammatory infiltrates. The diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was further confirmed by immunocytochemistry. In order to detect putative immunosuppressive background underlying both pathological processes, HIV infection was taken into consideration, however, no histopathological changes indicative of AIDS either in the CNS or in the peripheral organs were eventually found. Moreover no HIV provirus genome was identified in the formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded brain tissue by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Current view on the selected aspects of the pathogenesis of both disorders were discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/157. zidovudine-associated type B lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis in an HIV-infected patient.A 34-year-old obese woman with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection diagnosed a year earlier was seen because of nausea, vomiting, and intermittent diarrhea for 3 weeks. Her current medications included zidovudine. physical examination revealed tachypnea and tender hepatomegaly. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed hepatomegaly with fatty infiltration. liver enzymes were within normal range except for elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The serum bicarbonate value was low, with a lactate level three times normal. The tachypnea and dyspnea worsened as lactate concentrations rapidly increased to 15 times normal. Although her Po2 and cardiac index were initially adequate, the patient had acute respiratory failure. She died with multiorgan dysfunction, including hepatic failure, severe lactic acidemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and renal failure. autopsy revealed hepatomegaly and massive steatosis. physicians should consider lactic acidosis in patients taking zidovudine and having unexplained tachypnea, dyspnea, and low serum bicarbonate concentrations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/157. The role of precise conceptualization in the treatment of a complicated hiv-1-infected neuropsychiatric patient.patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, may present with neuropsychiatric manifestations across all stages of disease. Frequently, these patients may present with more than one neuropsychiatric disorder concomitantly. The case presented highlights the utility of detailed clinical observation, careful use of medical terminology, and a neuropsychiatric organizing paradigm in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient presenting over time with delirium, aphasia, mania, and a complex partial seizure disorder.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/157. Sarcoid-like pulmonary disorder in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.We report two cases of HIV-infected patients who presented with diffuse interstitial micronodular lesions on chest X-ray after institution of protease inhibitor-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Granulomatous pulmonary disorder mimicking sarcoidosis was diagnosed on histopathological studies revealing noncaseating granuloma and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis showing an intense CD4( ) lymphocyte alveolitis. Causative agents such as infectious organisms and environmental compounds were excluded. The relationship between sarcoid-like reaction and immune reconstitution under HAART is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/157. Acute varicella zoster with postherpetic hyperhidrosis as the initial presentation of HIV infection.A 31-year-old man presented with acute pain in his left arm and hemorrhagic vesicles that followed his left 8th cervical nerve. A diagnosis of herpes zoster was made, and the patient was treated with valacyclovir. He refused testing for antibodies to HIV because he denied being at risk. Two months later he returned with postherpetic neuralgia and postherpetic hyperhidrosis in the distribution of the vesicles, which had since resolved. serology for HIV at this visit was positive, and the patient admitted to having sexual relations with prostitutes. Six months later the patient was being treated with triple antiretroviral therapy, and all signs and symptoms of postherpetic zoster had resolved. This case report documents the need for HIV testing in patients with unusual presentations of herpes zoster even if they initially deny being at risk.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.31432845503918keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/157. Multicystic autoimmune thyroiditis-like disease associated with HIV infection. A case report.BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and resulting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may involve virtually every organ system, including the endocrine glands. Thyroid dysfunction most commonly reflects advanced disease and generally resembles euthyroid sick syndrome. Rarely do opportunistic infections, hemorrhage, neoplasms and drugs account for alterations in thyroid tissue. Multiple lymphoepithelial cysts of parotid gland and thymus have been identified, but similar findings in thyroid gland have not been reported. CASE: A 41-year-old, HIV-seropositive woman, asymptomatic for seven years, developed a squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with local-regional extension. At the same time, bilateral complex thyroid cysts and high titers of antimicrosomal antibodies (1/6,400) were detected. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid showed a heterogeneous lymphocytic population with a reactive appearance and occasional groups of epithelial cells with an immature squamous pattern, along with cytologic features of autoimmune thyroiditis. Immunocytochemistry was positive for CD20, CD3 and CD5. Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction from cytologic material showed a polyclonal lymphoid population. External radiotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in the pelvic lesion. Four months after diagnosis, abdominal ultrasound displayed multiple hepatic metastasis, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated, and she died about a month later. CONCLUSION: This case had unique features and probably represented an AIDS-related lesion and distinct entity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/157. A staff dialogue on a socially distanced patient: psychosocial issues faced by patients, their families, and caregivers.Shortly before his death in 1995, Kenneth B. Schwartz, a cancer patient at massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), founded The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center at MGH. The Schwartz Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing compassionate health care delivery, which provides hope to the patient, support to caregivers, and encourages the healing process. The center sponsors the Schwartz Center Rounds, a monthly multidisciplinary forum where caregivers reflect on important psychosocial issues faced by patients, their families, and their caregivers, and gain insight and support from fellow staff members. The following case of an HIV-positive woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer during a twin pregnancy was discussed at the May, 1999 Schwartz Center Rounds. The patient was in drug rehabilitation having been dependent on crack cocaine, with a past history of syphilis and gonorrhea. She was single and her other children were in foster care. Initially she was suspicious and non-compliant. A plan was negotiated to biopsy the cervical lesion after cesarean section and with confirmation of malignancy she underwent radical surgery and subsequently radiotherapy. Despite the almost insurmountable social and educational distance between her and her caregivers, they managed to bond and facilitate care. Although there were compromises with which staff were uncomfortable, the relationship was maintained and continues.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/157. Multiple drug resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus in semen but not blood of a man on antiretroviral therapy.The concept that the male reproductive tract harbors isolated reservoirs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has now been widely accepted. The significance of semen viral burden to sexual transmission of HIV is obvious; however, its contribution to disease progression is unknown. We report a case study that demonstrates the emergence of resistance-conferring mutations to antiviral therapy in infected seminal leukocytes from a man with asymptomatic prostatitis associated with leukospermia. This finding demonstrates the potential importance of male reproductive tract organs to the development of therapy resistance in HIV-infected men.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/157. HIV-associated malignancies in children.The exact incidence of malignancies in HIV-infected children is not clear; however, an excess of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and soft tissue tumors (leiomyosarcomas) is evident. The spectrum of diseases is slightly different in children compared to adults. For example, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), although common in HIV-infected adults, is rare in children in industrialized countries. Preliminary results with brief, dose-intensive chemotherapeutic regimens have been encouraging. Such regimens may be complicated, however, by multiple HIV-associated organ dysfunctions, drug interactions, and infectious complications secondary to severe immunosuppression.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/157. central nervous system aspergillosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Report of 6 cases and review.central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is a relatively uncommon complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We describe 6 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed CNS aspergillosis, and we review a total of 33 cases of CNS aspergillosis among HIV-infected individuals that were diagnosed by histology and/or culture. All patients were diagnosed with advanced HIV infection. Major risk factors for the disease included neutropenia and corticosteroid use. The most common presenting symptoms were nonspecific neurologic manifestations including headache, cranial or somatic nerve weakness or paresthesia, altered mental status, and seizures. The most common sites of additional aspergillus involvement were the lungs, sinuses, ears, and orbits, while in one-fourth of the cases CNS was the only site of aspergillus infection. The final diagnosis of CNS aspergillosis was made on autopsy in more than half the cases, and medical treatment of CNS aspergillosis was unsuccessful in all cases. CNS aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected patients who present with nonspecific neurologic symptoms and signs. If we take into account the much higher prevalence of invasive aspergillosis of the lungs, the findings in the present report suggest that CNS aspergillosis in HIV-infected individuals occurs more often as a result of direct extension from the sinuses, orbits, and ears than through hematogenous spread from the lungs. physicians should be aware that the CNS might be the only site of aspergillus involvement and include CNS aspergillosis in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected patients presenting with focal neurologic signs and symptoms, especially when the head CT reveals hypodense lesions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.31432845503918keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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