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Biomedical subjects

J A Iribarren

Publications and source records attributed to J A Iribarren.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and prolonged neutropenia].

BACKGROUND: Persistent neutropenia is frequent in HIV infected patients with severe immunodeficiency. G-CSF induces proliferation and differentiation of granulocyte precursors. Our objective has been to assess the response to G-CSF therapy on patients with advanced HIV disease and prolonged neutropenia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of databases containing demographic information, analytic controls and hospitalizations related to neutropenia for patients attending our Infectious Diseases Unit from December 1, 1992 to January 30, 98. The episodes with absolute neutrophil counts lower than 1,000 x 10(6)/l at least during 7 days which descend below 500 x 10(6)/l at any moment were included. RESULTS: 36 episodes were included. 9 episodes started on treatment with G-CSF. The median duration was 9 (3-76) weeks. Hospitalization with fever related to neutropenia was significantly less frequent in episodes which received G-CSF (22.2%) than episodes without (66.7%). CONCLUSION: In this study, a significantly lower risk of hospitalization due to fever and neutropenia was associated with administration of G-CSF in patients with absolute neutrophil counts lower than 500 x 10(6)/l.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Pulmonary cavitation lesions in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: an analysis of a series of 78 cases].

BACKGROUND: To assess the clinical, radiologic and microbiological features of lung cavitation and HIV infection. Evaluation of the differences related to this disease in the last years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with lung cavitation and HIV infection admitted at our hospital from January 1989 until December 1994 and prospective study of all patients with the same characteristics during 1995 and 1996. Lung cavitation was defined as any parenchymal lesion, with air content, visible in a simple X-ray and greater than 1 cm of diameter. Criteria for confirmed, probable or possible diagnosis were defined. RESULTS: 78 cases of lung cavitation have been identified in 73 patients. The radiologic patterns included unilobar and multilobular involvement in 31 and 47 cases, respectively. Cavities were multiple and single in 40 and 38 cases respectively. Findings with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were diagnostic in 11 out of 14 cases. A clinical diagnosis was performed in all 78 cases, with microbiological results in 69 cases (88.5%): Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 20, Pneumocystis carinii in nine, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in nine, Staphylococcus aureus in eight (5 endocarditis with cavitary septic emboli), Rhodococcus equi in six, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus in three, Salmonella enteritidis in three, Cryptococcus neoformans in two, Aspergillus fumigatus in two and others in 7 cases. Confirmed, probable and possible diagnosis was considered in 54, 15 and 9 cases, respectively. Thirteen episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax were found. CONCLUSIONS: The lung cavitation rate is low, compared with the number of admissions related to HIV infection; nevertheless, many of them are in close relationship with HIV infection, and most of them are caused by treatable infections. It is important to know the clinical and radiological characteristics, in order to establish an early diagnosis and an appropriate therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is becoming an important cause of lung cavitation. In our series, spontaneous pneumo-thorax was not related to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 61.5% of cases.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[The usefulness of the desensitization to rifampin in the treatment of mycobacterial disease in patients with AIDS].

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity reactions to rifampin are relatively uncommon, but they may result in cessation of therapeutic medications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report our experience with oral desensitization protocol to rifampin in a group of 35 HIV-positive patients with mycobacterial disease who had some hypersensitivity reaction to this drug. RESULTS: Adverse reactions with this protocol were few and easily treated. CONCLUSIONS: Oral desensitization to rifampin is safe and effective, allowing some of these patients (60%) to reintroduce the drug and to reduce the time of treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Candidal meningitis in HIV-infected patients: treatment with fluconazole.

Although mucocutaneous candidiasis is a common occurrence in HIV-infected patients, candidal meningitis is uncommon. We report 3 cases of candidal meningitis in HIV-positive patients, all intravenous drug abusers, and we discuss the clinical course and outcome, the treatment with fluconazole and possible prophylaxis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Prospective 3-month study of intravascular catheter complications in HIV-infected patients: relation between phlebitis and infection].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiology of phlebitis (chemical or infectious) and the prevalence of infections related to intravascular catheters (IRIC) in patients with HIV infection admitted to a 22-bed Infectious Disease Unit with a high rate of HIV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 3-month prospective study from November 1, 1994 to January 31, 1995 was carried out following a formula for data collection of all the intravenous catheters used during that time period. Cultures of the catheters withdrawn on Wednesdays and those with signs of phlebitis were performed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two intravenous catheters in 71 patients with HIV infection with a mean age of 37 years (range: 21-73) and mean hospital stay of 10.2 days were reported. During the study period 42 phlebitis were produced, of which 37 catheters (7 central and 30 peripheral) were processed. Of the 37 phlebitis processed, 29 (78.9%) were considered to be of physiochemical origin. Of the 21 catheters withdrawn Wednesday, 18 were processed, 8 with phlogotic signs, 2 with IRCI, equivalent to 1.9 IRCI/100 days of catheterization. During the study period no local or severe systemic infections related to the catheter were reported. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the organism involved in all the cases of IRCI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high number of immunosuppressed patients in related to HIV infection, a greater incidence of IRCI was not found in these patients. The most frequent cause of phlebitis by catheter was of chemical origin.

Adult↗

AIDS-associated cholangiopathy in a series of ten patients.

OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical, biological, radiologic and cholangiographic findings in patients with clinical suspicion of AIDS associated cholangiopathy in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have revised the clinical charts of 10 patients admitted in our hospital from 1991 to 1995. RESULTS: Ultrasonography and/or abdominal CT were carried out on all the patients. Biliary tract dilatation was observed in 11 cases. From the 12 ERCP, biliary tract was fulfilled in 11. In 5 cases papillary stenosis was diagnosed, sclerosing cholangitis in 2, normal biliary tract in 3 and acute cholangitis in one case. Sphincterotomy was done in 5 patients, with clinical improvement. In one case, another sphincterotomy was needed because of reestenosis. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is very important in the diagnosis of AIDS associated cholangiopathy. Endoscopic sphincterotomy relieves abdominal pain in these patients. Cholangiopathy occurs in very immunocompromised HIV positive patients. Survival is very short.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Diagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial infections in patients with HIV/AIDS].

Mycobacterial infection remains as a frequent complication associated to HIV infection. Although the widespread use of HAART has intensely decreased incidence of disseminated Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection, it does not seem that it has affected tuberculosis occurrence so intensely. In spite of the intense search of new methods of rapid diagnosis, in the clinical practice the diagnosis of the mycobacterial illnesses continues based on culture, although the appearance of new media has allowed to shorten the time of growth. The combination of isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF) and pirazinamide (PZ) (with ethambutol [ETB] when primary resistance to INH is higher than 4%), remains as the elective treatment for tuberculosis in HIV infected patients. Due to the interaction between RIF and some antiretovirals drugs, such as proteasa inhibitors, a change in the usual regimens could be necessary. Combinations without RIF or antiretroviral therapy with drugs not interacting with RIF (nucleosides, ritonavir or nevirapin) have been suggested. The emergence of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to the antituberculosis drugs, the lack of adherence to treatment, and the frequency of adverse events hinders even more the control of the tuberculosis and they demand a narrow follow up of these patients. The treatment of the disseminated infection by MAC has improved in the last years with the generalization of the combinations including macrolides as claritromicin or azitromicin with ETB. The doubt persists about what combination is more effective, although like in other opportunists infections associated with a severe immunodeficiency, using antiretrovirals combinations that enhance the immune system could be a fundamental therapeutic approach.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗