Disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection associated with human immunodeficiency virus: a report of two cases and a review of 35 published cases

Article Abstract:

Penicillium marneffei infection should be suspected in any HIV patient who develops fever, skin lesions, lung disease and weight loss, and has a history of travel to southeast Asia. Penicillium marneffei is a fungus that is widespread in southeast Asia, and there have been almost 50 reported cases in southeast Asia in HIV patients as well as in healthy individuals. There have been several additional cases in HIV patients who have traveled to southeast Asia. The symptoms include fever, anemia, skin lesions, fluid in the lungs and an enlarged liver. The fungus probably enters the body through the respiratory tract, but can infiltrate other organs. It can be isolated from blood, bone marrow, skin scrapings and liver biopsies. It is usually treated with amphotericin B, ketoconazole or itraconazole.

Case studies, Mycoses

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Susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to apoptosis is correlated to plasma HIV load

Article Abstract:

Induced apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with HIV infection may be related to viral load. Apoptosis is a process of genetically-programmed cell death. Researchers collected blood samples from 75 HIV-infected patients and 18 healthy volunteers. After activation by incubation with antibodies and interleukin-2, apoptosis of PBMCs was higher in samples from HIV-infected patients, and the rate of cell death was associated with the level of HIV in the blood. Enhanced apoptosis may be a component of the progression and clinical signs of HIV disease.

Physiological aspects, Cell death, Monocytes

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Effects of lamivudine on replication of hepatitis B virus in HIV-infected men

Article Abstract:

Preliminary tests indicate that lamivudine can be effective in reducing blood levels of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients infected with both HIV and HBV. HBV blood levels were measured every two months in 40 patients infected with both HBV and HIV treated with lamivudine for one year. HBV blood levels dropped to zero among six patients with initial HBV blood levels below 5 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Nearly all (96.3%) of the patients with initial HBV blood levels above 5 pg/mL dropped to below 5 pg/mL with treatment. There were no serious side effects reported.

Evaluation, Viruses, Antiviral agents, Hepatitis B virus

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