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Biomedical subjects

P Jeena

Publications and source records attributed to P Jeena.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The role of HIV infection in acute respiratory infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are responsible for 1.9 million deaths annually, or 20% of the total worldwide under 5-year mortality rate. Developing countries carry the major burden of these deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) plays a significant role in this high mortality rate. The clinical and radiological features of ARI in HIV-infected and non-infected children are similar, with few exceptions. Epidemiological mapping of aetiological agents is essential to develop standard case management guidelines. The role of newer cytokines (e.g., procalcitonin) in establishing aetiology requires further evaluation. Implementation of antiretroviral therapy, chemoprophylaxis and vaccination programmes for HIV-infected children will have a favourable impact on the huge burden of ARI in developing countries. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations must provide the financial and human resources needed to overcome this enormous challenge to global lung health.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

The HIV-1 exposed neonate: outcome of intensive care management in the first week of life.

A prospective study was carried out to determine if the outcome in HIV-exposed neonates requiring intensive care (n=30) is different from that in HIV-unexposed neonates (n=40) requiring intensive care in the first week of postnatal life. It was noted that the outcome in terms of incidence of death and intensive care stay do not differ significantly in these two groups although some hematological parameters may be significantly different. Considering the fact that the outcome is not worse in HIV-exposed babies and that most of these babies ultimately turn out to be HIV-uninfected, these babies should not be deprived of intensive care, whenever necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia in childhood--South African Thoracic Society Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in South African children. The incidence, severity and spectrum of childhood pneumonia have changed owing to the HIV epidemic. Increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates a rational approach to the use of antibiotics in pneumonia management. OBJECTIVE: To develop guidelines for the diagnosis, management and prevention of CAP in South African children. METHODS: The Paediatric Assembly of the South African Thoracic Society established five expert subgroups to address: (i) epidemiology and aetiology; (ii) diagnosis; (iii) antibiotic treatment; (iv) supportive therapy; and (v) prevention of CAP. Each subgroup developed a position paper based on the available published evidence; in the absence of evidence, expert opinion was accepted. After peer review and revision, the position papers were synthesised into an overall guideline which was further reviewed and revised. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations based on epidemiological factors include a diagnostic approach, investigations, supportive therapy, appropriate antibiotic treatment and preventive strategies. Specific recommendations for HIV-infected children are provided. VALIDATION: These guidelines are based on the available evidence supplemented by the consensus opinion of South African experts in paediatrics, paediatric pulmonology, radiology, infectious diseases and microbiology. Published international guidelines have also been consulted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

HIV evolution: CTL escape mutation and reversion after transmission.

Within-patient HIV evolution reflects the strong selection pressure driving viral escape from cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) recognition. Whether this intrapatient accumulation of escape mutations translates into HIV evolution at the population level has not been evaluated. We studied over 300 patients drawn from the B- and C-clade epidemics, focusing on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles HLA-B57 and HLA-B5801, which are associated with long-term HIV control and are therefore likely to exert strong selection pressure on the virus. The CTL response dominating acute infection in HLA-B57/5801-positive subjects drove positive selection of an escape mutation that reverted to wild-type after transmission to HLA-B57/5801-negative individuals. A second escape mutation within the epitope, by contrast, was maintained after transmission. These data show that the process of accumulation of escape mutations within HIV is not inevitable. Complex epitope- and residue-specific selection forces, including CTL-mediated positive selection pressure and virus-mediated purifying selection, operate in tandem to shape HIV evolution at the population level.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Emergence of multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter anitratus species in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units in a developing country: concern about antimicrobial policies.

Antimicrobial abuse is a serious risk factor for the emergence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. We report on the emergence of multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter anitratus species over two 8-week periods in 1999 in the neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) of King Edward VII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. The source, transmission dynamics, microbiological evaluations, antibiotic utilization patterns and outcome were evaluated. MDR Acinetobacter anitratus was isolated from different body sites in 23 infants less than 2 months of age, 18 in the PICU and five in the NICU. The mortality was 56.5% and two survivors required re-admission. Ten of the 23 cases had entered the ICU with MDR Acinetobacter anitratus. Eleven of the study infants had received broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents before entering the ICU, while all infants with nosocomially acquired MDR Acinetobacter anitratus had received broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. All the surgical cases with MDR Acinetobacter anitratus died. Microbiological data from both ICUs for 1999 indicated that gram-negative bacteria accounted for two-thirds of isolates, Acinetobacter anitratus and Klebsiella pneumoniae accounting for 33% and 27% of the isolates, respectively. Only 53% and 57% of all Acinetobacter spp isolates were susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam and carbepenems, respectively. MDR Acinetobacter anitratus is an emerging problem to which antimicrobial abuse contributes.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed2001

Paediatric HIV infection: correlates of protective immunity and global perspectives in prevention and management.

The impact of the HIV epidemic on child health globally is beginning to be appreciated. With the burden of new infections falling on young women, there is a skyrocketing number of AIDS orphans, and a rapidly increasing number of children infected via mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). An estimated 600,000 new paediatric infections occur each year, of which some 1500/day (> 90%) occur in sub-Saharan Africa. But whereas children account for only 4% of those currently living with HIV infection, 20% of AIDS deaths have been in children. This reflects the rapid progression to disease in paediatric HIV infection. Whereas a dramatic reduction in viraemia follows acute adult infection, corresponding to the appearance of a vigorous anti-HIV cytotoxic T lymphocyte response, virtually no impact of the immune response is observed in acute paediatric infection following MTCT. Two specific challenges for the paediatric immune response are: (i) infection occurs before the immune system itself is fully developed; and (ii) the viruses transmitted by MTCT have already evaded an immune system sharing close genetic relatedness to that of the child. Accumulating evidence indicates that the immune system is potentially capable of effective control of HIV infection, and that events occurring in acute infection critically determine the ultimate outcome. Technological advances that have transformed the study of T-cell immunity now enable the developing immune system in childhood to be better understood. Via novel immunotherapeutic approaches described, it may be possible to modulate the infant's immune response to reach effective and durable suppression of HIV, as can be achieved by the rare long-term non-progressors of HIV infection. The feasibility of adopting these approaches globally are as yet untested. Finally, the striking disparity between the burden of paediatric HIV infection and access to the necessary infrastructure and therapeutic options required for its optimal management is addressed in a comparison between three sites of paediatric HIV care: Durban, South Africa; London, UK; and Boston, USA.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Childhood human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis co-infections: reconciling conflicting data.

The impact of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic on childhood tuberculosis (TB) is unclear because of inconsistent and often contradictory findings in different types of studies. We review the evidence which supports or refutes the likelihood that HIV infection in children predisposes them to TB, and conclude that, on balance, HIV during infancy increases the risk of developing TB. Surveillance shows an association between rising TB rates among children and the HIV epidemic in some parts of the world. A number of cross-sectional studies which have taken children with TB as their starting population, have yielded high rates of association with HIV (11%-64% HIV prevalence). Similarly, cross-sectional studies of hospitalised children with HIV show that many also have TB. These rates of association are all over-estimated because of the uncertainty of diagnosis of TB. Birth cohorts of perinatally HIV-infected infants and children prospectively followed up for a few years have generally failed to detect a higher incidence of TB than anticipated. The few TB cases identified in these cohorts were usually over 15-18 months of age. In acute progressive lung disease there is no excess of TB in HIV-infected over non HIV-infected children. These inconsistencies are discussed and attributed mainly to study design and statistical artefact. However, maternal factors in HIV-positive women which might affect transmission of TB to their babies are assessed, and infant immunoparesis due to HIV which may adversely influence resistance to TB is considered.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Parotid MALT lymphoma in HIV infected children.

A retrospective review of 10 children with biopsy proved mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the parotid glands demonstrated multifocal hypoechoic intraparotid nodules and cysts with punctate calcification on sonography. This was confirmed on computed tomographic examination. All children were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus and had depressed CD4 counts. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma should be considered in the diagnosis of bilateral parotid swelling in children with acquired immunodeficiency disease-related complex.

Child↗