Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0021051 (immunodeficiency)
 71,517 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Microglia are one of the resident mononuclear phagocyte populations within the central nervous system (CNS). These cells share many phenotypical and functional characteristics with macrophages, suggesting that microglia participate in innate immune responses in the brain. As such, microglia are uniquely poised to provide an initial line of defense against invading pathogens into the CNS prior to peripheral leukocyte infiltration. Numerous studies have shown that microglia are capable of producing a wide array of chemokines that act to initiate or promote inflammatory processes in the CNS through facilitating the recruitment of peripheral immune cells into the CNS parenchyma. In addition, microglia also express numerous chemokine receptors that are involved in cell migration and serve as co-receptors for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. The findings obtained from studies of chemokine expression in animal models of CNS infectious diseases as well as from patient populations highlight a marked promiscuity in cerebral chemokine expression patterns with simultaneous expression of multiple chemokines being the general rule. A detailed discussion regarding the profiles and implications of chemokine and chemokine receptor expression in the context of various CNS infectious diseases including HIV-1 encephalitis, other viral encephalitides, bacterial meningitis, and brain abscess is presented. Future studies dissecting the potential roles of individual chemokines and their receptors in the context of CNS infectious diseases may provide insights into the complex regulatory network dictating neuroinflammatory responses.
 ...
PMID:Microglia and chemokines in infectious diseases of the nervous system: views and reviews. 1476 4

The objective of this study was to examine the neuropathological changes in the brain of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam, and investigate whether the prevalence of different forms of HIV-related neuropathology varies from other countries. The subjects were patients with risk factors for HIV infection in whom forensic autopsies were performed between 1997 and 1999. In Dar Es Salaam, forensic autopsy constitutes more than 90% of all autopsies, because hospital autopsy is limited due to socio-cultural and religious reasons. HIV infection was identified in 52 of 143 patients selected from forensic autopsies. Neuropathological findings were observed in 31 of 52 HIV-infected patients; these include lymphocytic meningitis 19, bacterial meningitis 3, tuberculous brain abscess 3, cryptococcal meningitis 3, basal ganglia calcification 3, and toxoplasma encephalitis 1. HIV encephalitis, lymphoma, and cytomegalovirus encephalitis could not be found in this study. Whereas the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of possible autopsy bias and a low percentage of cases examined compared to the total number of HIV-infected patients in Tanzania, our observations provide information on the likely diagnostic possibilities to be considered in the evaluation and management of HIV-infected patients with neurological symptoms in Tanzania. In the face of decreased hospital autopsy, most studies have focused mainly on the end-stage HIV disease; forensic autopsy is a potential source of materials for studies on HIV disease spectrum at different stages.
 ...
PMID:Neuropathology of human immunodeficiency virus infection: a forensic autopsy study in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. 1593 44

Streptococcus milleri group have been recognized as an important pathogens for abscess formation in various organs. Streptococci other than Streptococcus pneumoniae are a rare cause of bacterial meningitis in adults and can be associated with the presence of an undiagnosed brain abscess. Brain abscess is a focal collection within the brain parenchyma which can arise as a complication of a variety of infections. The most common etiologic organisms in clinical series have been microaerophilic streptococci and anaerobic bacteria. Although intracranial mass lesions that occur as a result of infection have commonly been reported in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, brain abscess due to the common bacterial pathogens are rarely described in HIV infected patients and Toxoplasma gondii is the organism most frequently isolated from stereotactic brain biopsy in these patients. We report a patient with both HIV-1 infection and streptococcal meningitis secondary to brain abscess caused by S. intermedius.
 ...
PMID:[Meningitis and brain abscess caused by Streptococcus intermedius in a patient infected with HIV-1]. 1601 7

Three adult horses were evaluated for signs of musculoskeletal pain, dullness, ataxia, and seizures. A diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was made on the basis of results of CSF analysis. Because primary bacterial meningitis is so rare in adult horses without any history of generalized sepsis or trauma, immune function testing was pursued. Flow cytometric phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed, and proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide was determined. Serum IgA, IgM, and IgG concentrations were measured by means of radial immunodiffusion, and serum concentrations of IgG isotypes were assessed with a capture antibody ELISA. Serum tetanus antibody concentrations were measured before and 1 month after tetanus toxoid administration. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of isolated peripheral blood phagocytes were evaluated by means of simultaneous flow cytometric analysis. Persistent B-cell lymphopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and abnormal in vitro responses to mitogens were detected in all 3 horses, and a diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency was made.
 ...
PMID:Common variable immunodeficiency in three horses with presumptive bacterial meningitis. 1601 46

Recurrence of bacterial meningitis in children is not only potentially life-threatening, but also involves or induces psychological trauma to the patients through repeated hospitalization and multiple invasive investigations if the underlying cause remains undetected. Bacteria migration, along congenital or acquired pathways from the skull or spinal dural defects, gains entrance into the central nervous system (CNS) and should be taken into consideration when children face recurrent bacterial meningitis, however, symptoms and signs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea are rare in such patients. Without evidence of CSF leakage, a cranial symptom/sign or coccygeal cutaneous stigmata may suggest the approximate lesion site, diagnosis and detection remains difficult. To detect an occult dural lesion along the craniospinal axis, such as basal encephalocele, dermal sinus tract, or neurenteric cyst, a detailed clinical evaluation and the use of the modern diagnostic imaging methods is necessary. Because of the possibility of concomitant occurrence of more than one malformation, both the frontal and the lateral skull base should be carefully evaluated. Precise localization of the dural lesion is a prerequisite for successful surgical repair. In addition, the bacteria specificity could leave significant clues: Pneumoccocus or Hemophilus suggests cranial dural defects, E. coli or other gram negative bacilli suggests spinal dural defects, and meningococci suggest immunologic deficiency. Asplenia or immunodeficiency such as complement or immunoglobulin deficiency rarely causes recurrent meningitis without a history of frequent infection of non-CNS areas. Salmonella meningitis or brain abscess should not be treated incompletely or inadequately and could lead to recrudescence, relapse or recurrence of bacterial meningitis. Antibiotic (penicillin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) induced meningitis may repetitively occur on occasion.
 ...
PMID:Diagnostic approach to recurrent bacterial meningitis in children. 1623 27

Over a million children are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); most of whom live in the developing world. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of childhood that is 10 times more common in resource-constrained settings than well-resourced countries, and the outcome is worse. This paper reviews the relationship of bacterial meningitis to HIV infection and also the effect of HIV status on antibiotic sensitivity to common causes of childhood meningitis. The combined effects on outcome and long-term sequelae of meningitis are discussed and illustrated with results from Malawi and Southern Africa.
 ...
PMID:Human immunodeficiency virus infection and pediatric bacterial meningitis in developing countries. 1654 Apr 47

Malawi has extreme poverty and a high-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence. Following Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine introduction during 2002, we evaluated vaccine impact by reviewing hospital surveillance data for acute bacterial meningitis in Blantyre district among children age 1-59 months admitted during 1997-2005. Documented annual Hib meningitis incidence rates decreased from 20-40/100,000 to near zero among both rural and urban residents despite no change in pneumococcal meningitis incidence rates. Before vaccine introduction, an average of 10 children/year had Hib meningitis and HIV infection compared to 2/year during 2003-2004 and none during 2005. Vaccine effectiveness was high following two or more doses of vaccine. The most urgent future need is for a sustainable routine infant immunization program, including a less expensive vaccine that preferably is delivered in a multivalent form.
 ...
PMID:The impact of routine infant immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in Malawi, a country with high human immunodeficiency virus prevalence. 1680 3

Non-enteric salmonella infections in immunocompetent adults are exceedingly rare in the United States, and meningitis is one of the least common extra-intestinal sites. In addition, it is very unusual for a patient with bacterial meningitis to present with classic meningitis signs and symptoms of > 72 h duration. The objective of this work is to describe a rare case of salmonella meningitis in an immunocompetent adult and, in the context of previously published case reports, describe the frequently atypical clinical course of salmonella meningitis along with the potential pitfalls encountered during its evaluation and treatment. An otherwise healthy 45-year-old man presented to our Emergency Department with frontal headache, fever, and stiff neck of 7 days duration. He was alert and oriented in triage, where he was noted to be afebrile, mildly tachycardic, with a normal blood pressure and respiratory rate; shortly after triage he developed a high fever, severe tachycardia, hypotension, and a change in mental status. He was resuscitated according to our severe sepsis protocol and treated empirically for bacterial meningitis. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures grew group D Salmonella berta. An evaluation for underlying immunodeficiency was unrevealing. The patient was discharged home on hospital day 7 in good condition. Salmonella meningitis can present with an indolent course and can mimic, in many misleading ways, the less serious diagnosis of aseptic meningitis. This case highlights the need for an unbiased clinical assessment, aggressive management of critical illness, and point-for-point correspondence between clinical data and assigned diagnosis.
 ...
PMID:Salmonella meningitis in an immunocompetent adult. 1853 5

Recurrent bacterial meningitis is an uncommon but life-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, microbiological, and radiological features of recurrent bacterial meningitis in children. Fourteen patients (10 male, 4 female) treated for recurrent bacterial meningitis were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 87 months (range: 6 months to 13 years). There were 67 episodes of meningitis documented in these 14 patients. Six patients had developmental anatomical defects, five had traumatic anatomical defects and three had primary immune deficiency diseases as predisposing conditions. We suggest that, in a case of recurrent meningitis, a pediatrician should question and examine the patient carefully in search of a possible anatomical defect or immunodeficiency. Vaccination and surgical treatment of the anatomical defects may be important.
 ...
PMID:Recurrent bacterial meningitis in children: our experience with 14 cases. 2104 78

A 41-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive man was hospitalized with complaints of a 4-week history of nausea and vomiting, associated with decreased oral intake, and a 4-day history of frontal headache and fever. His medical history was significant for a gunshot wound to the head 3 years prior, with a residual seizure disorder. He also had two previous hospitalizations, both for culture-negative bacterial meningitis; the first episode occurred 12 months before admission and the second episode occurred 5 months later. At that time, he was found to be positive for serum antibodies against HIV and a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of 126/mm3. He had no known drug allergies and was not receiving any medication. On admission, the patient was febrile (104.0 degrees F) and hypotensive (blood pressure, 92/40 mm Hg). Pertinent physical examination findings included cachexia with bitemporal wasting, dry mucus membranes, adherent white patches on the oral mucosa, and negative Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs. His laboratory results revealed macrocytic anemia, a decreased serum sodium of 125 mEq/L, and a normal total leukocyte count with a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count < 50/mm3. Lumbar puncture opening pressure was elevated at 160 mm Hg, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed an increased white cell count of 97/microL (84% lymphocytes), a decreased glucose level of 26 mg/dL, and a decreased protein level of 42 mg/dL. The patient was started on empiric therapy that included intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxime, oral Bactrim, and clotrimazole lozenges for thrush. Cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive for Escherichia coli, sensitive to cefotaxime. Two days later, the patient developed fine, erythematous, nonblanchable macules primarily on his abdomen, with minimal involvement of his thorax and back. His skin lesions remained unchanged for the next 2 weeks. Repeat lumbar puncture was performed after 14 days of cefotaxime. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed an elevated white cell count of 7/microL (100% lymphocytes), a decreased glucose level of 53 mg/dL, and a decreased protein level of 33 mg/dL. The cerebrospinal fluid culture was now positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to cefotaxime. The patient was started on imipenem. On day 34 of his admission, the patient became tachypneic with complaints of dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram revealed bilateral patchy infiltrates. He was transferred to the intensive care unit and intubated for hypoxemic respiratory failure (arterial blood gas values on 6 L of oxygen: pH, 7.46; bicarbonate, 23; and oxygen saturation, 37). That evening, the patient was also noted to have diffuse petechiae and purpura in a reticulated pattern over his abdomen (Figure 1A and 1B), most heavily concentrated in the periumbilical region, extending to the axillae and upper thighs. A 3x3-mm punch biopsy from abdominal skin demonstrated Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in the dermis (Figure 2A and 2B). His sputum specimen was teeming with adult S stercoralis worms (Figure 3) and, subsequently, numerous S stercoralis larvae were observed not only from the bronchoalveolar lavage but also from the nasogastric fluid specimen. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated strongyloidiasis. On hospital day 35, the patient was doing poorly and was started on thiabendazole (1250 mg twice daily for 28 days). Nine days later, ivermectin (4.5 mg once daily for 3 days for 2 courses) was also added. He continued to clinically deteriorate. The patient died 31 days after systemic antihelminthic treatment was initiated.
 ...
PMID:Cutaneous manifestations of Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in an HIV-seropositive patient. 2167 5


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 Next >>