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Query: UMLS:C0001175 (AIDS)
 120,706 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute bacterial or viral meningitis and in AIDS patients with various cerebral disorders. Increased levels of IL-6 were detected in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis. On the contrary, most of the samples from patients with viral meningitis (predominantly caused by mumps virus) had no detectable IL-6 activity in CSF. A moderate increase of IL-6 levels was detected in the CSF of AIDS patients with AIDS dementia complex (ADC), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and cerebral toxoplasmosis. Moreover, higher levels of IL-6 were detected in the CSF of patients with cryptococcal meningitis. We conclude that the initial events of CSF inflammation in patients with acute viral meningitis are different from those in patients with acute bacterial meningitis, and the role of IL-6 is less critical to the process.
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PMID:Cerebrospinal fluid levels of IL-6 in patients with acute infections of the central nervous system. 128 13

In 1985, at a WHO workshop on AIDS in Bangui, Central African Republic, a clinical case definition of AIDS was developed for developing countries. This 1st definition contained 4 major criteria (chronic asthenia, major weight loss, chronic fever, and chronic diarrhea) and 6 minor criteria (chronic cough, persistent lymphadenopathy, herpes zoster, recurrent herpetic infection, pruritic dermatitis, and oropharyngeal candidiasis). Kaposi's sarcoma and cryptococcal meningitis were sufficient by themselves for the diagnosis of AIDS. In children, the temporary definition of AIDS consisted of 3 major clinical criteria (weight loss and/or abnormally slow growth, chronic diarrhea lasting more than 1 month, and fever lasting more than 1 month), and 6 secondary clinical criteria (generalized lymphadenopathy, oropharyngeal candidiasis, repeated common infections such as otitis and pharyngitis, persistent cough, generalized pruritic dermatitis, and confirmed maternal HIV infection). The revised Bangui definition was evaluated in 174 adult patients hospitalized at the Mama Yemo Hospital of Kinshasa, Zaire. 46% of 174 patients met the criteria of the WHO/Bangui definition. Overall, the sensitivity of the definition for HIV-1 infection was 59%, the specificity was 90%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) was 74%. However, the clinical case definition of African AIDS lacks specificity when it is applied to patients suffering from cachectic syndromes. The Bangui definition was also evaluated at the pediatric ward of Mama Yemo Hospital with 159 hospitalized children whose mean age was 33 months. 21 (13%) were infected by HIV-1. The sensitivity of the definition was 35%, its specificity was 86%, and its PPV was 26%. Although the specificity was relatively high, the low values of sensitivity and PPV underline the weakness of the Bangui clinical case definition for diagnosing pediatric AIDS cases.
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PMID:World Health Organization clinical case definition for AIDS in Africa: an analysis of evaluations. 133 10

Nervous system opportunistic infections are seen in about one fifth of AIDS cases and account for over 40% of the patients with neurological manifestations. Serious infections are seen in severely immunosuppressed patients, usually with CD4 counts of 200 ml-1 or less. The commonest is CMV, which can produce acute encephalitis, sometimes with focal hemisphere or brain-stem signs, dementia, retinitis, optic neuritis and an ascending radiculomyeloencephalitis. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most frequent fungal disease; a high degree of clinical suspicion is required in patients with fever, malaise, headache or seizures. Only CSF cultures are always positive; both serum and CSF cryptococcal antigen tests are highly sensitive and specific. Treatment with amphotericin B and flucytosine is successful in at least 70% of first episodes but side-effects are common. Without maintenance therapy 50% of patients relapse; fluconazole is recommended. Cerebral toxoplasmosis can present with focal cerebral or spinal cord signs but also as a diffuse encephalopathy; negative T. gondii serology is exceptional but positive serum titres are usually unhelpful. Treatment with sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine and folinic acid achieves good results in 90% of the first episodes, but side-effects are common. Appearances on CT scan or MRI may take several weeks to improve. The value of an empirical approach to treatment is well-established; an initial cerebral biopsy is difficult to justify. Without maintenance therapy a relapse rate of 50% can be expected; therapy with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine may also prevent pneumocystosis. HIV disease appears to increase the likelihood of neurosyphilis, and the risk of relapse after conventional penicillin doses, in patients with syphilis; at least 3-4 weeks of appropriate therapy are recommended. A number of other diseases caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites are less common; these include progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, herpes simplex and zoster infections and tuberculosis.
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PMID:Central nervous system opportunistic infections in HIV disease: clinical aspects. 134 47

HIV-1-related neurological diseases, excluding opportunistic infections and HIV encephalitis, are considered here. Most occur in severely immunosuppressed patients, with CD4 counts of under 200 x 10(6) l-1. Primary brain lymphoma and metastases from systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the second commonest cause of cerebral mass lesions in AIDS, are usually aggressive B cell tumours. Their poor median survival after treatment, compared with that of lymphomas in non-AIDS patients, seems related to systemic complications, particularly opportunistic infections. Kaposi's sarcoma produces neurological symptoms exceptionally. Cerebral infarction is often unrecognized clinically but large vessel arteritic occlusions may occur. Intracranial haemorrhages occur mostly in thrombocytopenic patients. Seizures are frequently referred to the neurologist; investigation may lead to a diagnosis of AIDS. Nearly 50% of patients with seizures have cerebral toxoplasmosis or cryptococcal meningitis; HIV-1 encephalitis is presumed to be the cause in 30%. A subacute or chronic vacuolar myelopathy with pyramidal and posterior column signs is the commonest form of spinal cord involvement in AIDS; its cause remains unknown. Peripheral nerve syndromes occur at all stages of HIV-1 infection. Distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathies are the most frequent, particularly a painful form with axonal atrophy, associated with CMV infection, and seen during ARC or AIDS. Mononeuritis multiplex due to vasculitis, CMV, or lymphoma and a serious lumbosacral polyradiculopathy due to CMV are infrequent. The commonest myopathy is due to zidovudine (AZT); it usually responds to drug withdrawal. The nature, prognosis and optimal management of most other myopathies is yet to be determined.
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PMID:Other neurological diseases in HIV-1 infection: clinical aspects. 134 49

Systemic antifungal agents express great diversity in their pharmacokinetic profiles, mechanisms of action, and toxicities. Understanding the diverse pharmacokinetic properties of systemic antifungals is critical to their appropriate application. Amphotericin B, drug of choice for most invasive mycoses, has unique pharmacokinetic properties, binding initially to serum lipoproteins and redistributing from blood to tissues. Dosing recommendations are based on the specific infection and the status of the host. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B may be able to attenuate some of its toxicities. Flucytosine is a water-soluble, fluorinated pyrimidine that possesses excellent bioavailability. It is administered only in combination with amphotericin B because of frequent development of secondary drug resistance, and is associated with dose-dependent bone marrow suppression. The antifungal azoles are relatively well tolerated, have broad spectrum antifungal activity, and are fungistatic in vitro. Ketoconazole and itraconazole are highly bound to plasma proteins, are extensively metabolised by the liver, and are relatively insoluble in aqueous solution. By comparison, fluconazole is only weakly bound to serum proteins, is relatively stable to metabolic conversion, and is water soluble. Fluconazole penetrates the cerebrospinal fluid well and is approved for primary and suppressive therapy of cryptococcal meningitis in AIDS patients. The echinocandins have a narrow spectrum of antifungal activity, being effective only against Candida spp.
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PMID:Systemically administered antifungal agents. A review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic applications. 137 13

This is the first report from Ethiopia of a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with AIDS. A 20-year-old woman was admitted to Tikur Anbessa Hospital in January 1990 with complaints of generalized pruritic skin lesions of six months, and headache, fever, and poor appetite of three months duration. The headache and low-grade intermittent fever were accompanied by nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and progressive weight loss, without diarrhea. She had had multiple sex partners. Upon admission, after being bedridden for two weeks, she appeared acutely ill and restless. Her temperature was 39.5 degrees Celsius, and she had oral thrush. There was no lymphadenopathy. Widespread, irregular erythematous and whitish macular patches (3 x 5 to 8 x 10 sq. cm in size) with peripheral scaling and tiny vesicles were found on the skin, pubic and perineal regions. She had neck stiffness, but was conscious and well-oriented. Hemoglobin (Hb) was 10.5 g%; the white cell count (WBC) was 3400/cu. mm; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 92 mm/hr; the platelet count was 175,000/mm; and blood films were negative for hemoparasites. Urinalysis showed 3+ albumin and many pus cells and red cells/HPF. Urine culture was negative, and the VDRL test was nonreactive. Lumbar puncture, which was performed upon arrival, showed clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with normal protein and glucose levels and no cells. CSF culture showed yeast cells, and an India ink preparation was positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. Blood taken for bacterial culture grew yeast cells. Renal and liver function tests, and chest x-rays were normal. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation from a skin snip showed rounded yeast cells. ELISA and Western blot tests were both positive. The patient was given supportive treatment and amphotericin B (0.6 mg/kg daily). Although the fever decreased, the patient's general condition did not improve. She complained of headache, photophobia, nausea, and vomiting. Lumbar puncture was repeated eight days after the start of treatment; CSF culture and India ink preparations were negative. Urea nitrogen (BUN) repeated two weeks later was normal. Four weeks after admission, the patient suddenly vomited massive amounts of fresh blood and died before transfusion could be given. A discussion follows regarding the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, particularly in AIDS patients, with a review of the literature.
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PMID:Cryptococcal meningitis in a young Ethiopian woman with AIDS. 139 20

In the U.S., cryptococcal meningitis is the most common form of fungal meningitis and a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immuno-suppressed patients. In the AIDS patient, cryptococcal meningitis often presents with fever and headache and is best treated with intravenous amphotericin B and oral flucytosine, or fluconazole. However, toxic effects may result from the therapy. This disease frequently relapses necessitating life-long treatment to prevent reactivation. Essential management principles focusing upon health education are presented to promote comprehensive nursing care for patients testing positive for the human immunodeficiency virus who also have cryptococcal meningitis.
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PMID:Cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS. 140 50

We followed prospectively all patients with HIV infection admitted to the infectious diseases ward at Auckland Hospital over a seven month period. Neurological manifestations of HIV infection were the primary reason for admission in 18 of the 55 patients (33%). Diagnoses were usually presumptive, based on history, clinical findings, radiological appearances and response to empirical therapy. Eight patients had cerebral toxoplasmosis, three primary cerebral lymphoma, two cytomegalovirus retinitis, two HIV neuropathy, one cryptococcal meningitis, one HIV encephalopathy, and one HIV meningitis. Another patient with HIV infection was admitted to the neurology ward at Auckland Hospital with HIV myelopathy during the same seven month period. The median survival of the patients treated for presumptive toxoplasmosis was 7.5 months. Only two patients had not developed AIDS, one having HIV meningitis and the other HIV myelopathy, and in both, symptoms resolved spontaneously with no relapse at one year follow up. The spectrum of neurological manifestations of HIV infection is wide. Investigations to determine the most likely diagnosis are indicated and specific therapy may lead to both excellent palliation and prolonged survival.
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PMID:Neurological disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. 154 70

Treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS with amphotericin B plus flucytosine is associated with a failure rate of 20%-30%. In the absence of chronic suppressive therapy, 40%-60% of patients develop recurrent disease. Recent comparative studies have evaluated fluconazole, a new triazole antifungal agent. In primary therapy, fluconazole is associated with response rates of 35%-60%, which are equivalent to those seen with amphotericin B alone. However, a smaller study suggested that amphotericin B plus flucytosine was superior to fluconazole alone. Both studies identified risk factors associated with a poor outcome; these factors include lethargy or obtundation at presentation, a high titer of cryptococcal antigen titer in the cerebrospinal fluid, and a low leukocyte count in the cerebrospinal fluid. Fluconazole is highly effective in suppressing relapses of cryptococcal meningitis. Itraconazole has been investigated less extensively in the treatment of cryptococcosis but offers promise. Future studies need to address alternative approaches to the management of acute cryptococcal disease and primary prophylaxis for cryptococcal infection in patients with AIDS.
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PMID:Therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS. 156 96

2 AIDS patients are described who had cryptococcal meningitis accompanied by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and visual complications, a finding thought to be relatively rare in AIDS. Of the 2-6% of AIDS patients who develop cryptococcal meningitis, many have disseminated and recurrent infections. The 1st case was a 45-year old Ugandan woman who presented with stiff neck, and right VIth cranial nerve palsy. She was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine with some improvement, but on the 9th day she awoke with headache, drowsiness, and total blindness, although no papilledema. Her CSF pressure was 40 cm H20. She recovered after a month of intravenous chemotherapy and acetazolamide, but remained blind. Her sudden blindness was thought to be due to bilateral optic nerve infarction. The 2nd case was a 32-year old male homosexual, admitted with headache, vomiting, confusion, and drowsiness. He had stiff neck, and a CSF of 40 cm containing Cryptococcus neoformans. He was given amphotericin B, flucytosine, and has CSF drained every other day. On day 21 papilledema was seen in the right eye, and acetazolamide was started to lower CSF pressure. This patient recovered without loss of vision. 3 published series of cryptococcus meningitis in AIDS patients remarked about the low incidence of raised ICP, while 1 reported 9 of 27 with neurological and ophthalmic complications. The visual complications and increased ICP in these patients was thought to be due to inflammatory arachnoiditis or direct cryptococcal infiltration.
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PMID:Raised intracranial pressure and visual complications in AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis. 156 10


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