HIV AIDS

SAN FRANCISCO -- HIV patients in their 50s do not have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than others of that age, researchers reported here.

SAN FRANCISCO -- In highly treatment-experienced HIV patients, an investigational integrase inhibitor sharply reduced viral loads compared with placebo, researchers reported here.

In recent months, the widely publicized outbreak of Fusarium keratitis has called attention to the serious consequences of contamination of ocular solutions. Although contact lens solution was implicated in the recent outbreak, other ocular products can also pose the risk of infection (Box).

In recent months, the widely publicized outbreak of Fusarium keratitis has called attention to the serious consequences of contamination of ocular solutions. Although contact lens solution was implicated in the recent outbreak, other ocular products can also pose the risk of infection

TORONTO -- Experience in treating tuberculosis, even if it is outside a physician's main area of expertise, appears to play a key role in patient survival, according to researchers here.

Atlanta -- The CDC recommended last week that HIV testing should become a routine part of office exams for all patients ages 13 to 64, irrespective of risk, without any pretest requirements. MedPage Today would like your opinion on this dramatic change in public health thinking.

SHEFFIELD, England -- Smoking cigarettes seems to be an independent risk factor for HIV infection, according to researchers here. But smoking doesn't appear to be a risk factor in progression to AIDS.

ATLANTA -- An HIV test should be a routine part of health care for all Americans between the ages of 13 and 64, not just those thought to be at high risk for the disease, the CDC said today.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A strategy for transfusion-free liver transplantation, developed for Jehovah's Witness patients, reduced overall blood use when applied to all patients, researchers here reported.

A 62-year-old previously healthy man is admitted for right upper quadrant pain; a workup reveals acute cholecystitis as the cause. During evaluation for surgery, his creatinine level is found to be 6.0 mg/dL; 1 year earlier it was 1.0 mg/dL. A trial of fluids does not lower the creatinine level. Renal ultrasonography shows no obstruction but reveals increased kidney size (left, 11.4 3 4.4 3 5.0 cm; right, 10.1 3 4.6 3 4.5 cm) with increased diffuse echogenicity.

This 18-year-old girl had been taking divalproex for seizure disorder for 2 years. Because she had gained weight while taking this medication, the patient asked for another drug. Her neurologist prescribed lamotrigine. Ten days after starting the new agent, a generalized, painful, pruritic, ery- thematous dermatitis; fever; and sore throat developed.

A 62-year-old previously healthy man is admitted for right upper quadrant pain; a workup reveals acute cholecystitis as the cause. During evaluation for surgery, his creatinine level is found to be 6.0 mg/dL; 1 year earlier it was 1.0 mg/dL.

This 18 year old girl had been taking divalporex for seizure disorder for 2 years. After requesting a new drug because of weight gain, a generalized, painful, pruritic, erythematous dermatitis; fever; and sore throat developed after ten days.

PARIS -- Testing non-small-cell lung tumors for the presence of an enzyme that aids in DNA repair can predict the success of platinum-based chemotherapy, European researchers reported.

Description

Abstract: Rhinosinusitis affects millions of persons annually and has a marked impact on quality of life and work productivity. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by symptoms that last at least 12 weeks. The history and physical examination should include a search for underlying conditions, such as allergic or nonallergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis. An evaluation of underlying immunodeficiency is warranted in certain patients, particularly those with severe or difficult-to-treat disease or other recurrent infections. When radiologic evaluation is indicated, coronal sinus CT scanning is the procedure of choice. While antibiotics are indicated for bacte- rial rhinosinusitis, intranasal corticosteroids represent the mainstay of treatment for CRS and are particularly useful when polyp disease is present. Nasal irrigation with a saline solution can be a very beneficial adjunctive therapy. Depending on coexisting conditions, additional treatments may include antihistamines, leukotriene modifiers, and immunotherapy. (J Respir Dis. 2006;27(9):372-379)

TORONTO -- As better antiretroviral regimens are developed, more patients infected with HIV are succumbing to fatal opportunistic infections that are the hallmark of AIDS.

TORONTO -- Human growth hormone appears to reverse some elements of HIV-treatment related lipodystrophy, researchers reported here.

TORONTO -- HIV therapy introduced in Third World countries should focus on antiretroviral regimens designed for long-term success, investigators emphasized here.

TORONTO -- The bleak early days of the AIDS crisis, when clinicians were grabbing at straws, provided lessons for today, said researchers who reviewed the history of the epidemic -- now in its 25th year -- at the 16th International AIDS Conference here.

TORONTO -- The target of most HIV therapy is the virus itself, but researchers said here that another approach -- blocking cells' entry points and locking the virus out -- is also starting to show promise.

TORONTO -- An extensively drug-resistant virulent strain of tuberculosis (XDR-TB) killed 52 of 53 patients who were co-infected with HIV during an outbreak in a rural South African hospital, researchers reported here.

TORONTO -- This Special Report from Zach Wise, a contributing photographer for MedPage Today, provides a multimedia portrayal of the activities at the 16th Annual International AIDS Conference here.

TORONTO -- An intravaginal ring, similar to those used to deliver contraceptives and hormonal agents, is a promising way to deliver anti-HIV microbicides, investigators reported here.

TORONTO -- An investigational pediatric version of a recently approved HIV drug is safe and well-tolerated at two different doses and appears to be effective, researchers said here.