Giovanni Paolo Fiori

Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of IL-6 in Patients with Acute Infections of the Central Nervous System

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.

Necrotizing pneumonitis and empyema caused by Streptococcus cremoris from milk.

A 24-year-old heterosexual male, HIV-infected intravenous drug addict, with necrotizing pneumonitis and empyema due to Streptococcus cremoris is presented. The patient had fever, severe dyspnea and chest pain. Chest roentgenogram demonstrated pleural effusion on the left side. A thoracocentesis revealed purulent exudate and S. cremoris was isolated. Fever and pleural effusion disappeared with penicillin and clindamycin therapy. The most likely source of the infection was ingestion of unpasteurized milk and cheese.

Skin Manifestations in Infants With AIDS

ABSTRACT: We have observed a peculiar skin manifestation that resembles cutis marmorata in three patients with AIDS and may be included among the several clinical aspects of AIDS in pediatric patients. One of the three patients died 4 month; after the diagnosis. In an another patient, the skin lesion is still present 2 years after appearance.