Richa Dewan

Clinical and Microbiological Profile of HIV/AIDS Cases with Diarrhea in North India

Intestinal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) especially in developing countries. The present study was conducted to assess the clinical and microbiological spectrum in HIV/AIDS cases with diarrhea and to correlate the occurrence of such pathogens with stool characters, HIV seropositivity status, and CD4 counts. Stools from 154 HIV seropositive subjects and 50 HIV negative controls were examined by direct microscopy, fecal cultures, and serological tests (Clostridium difficile Toxin A, Cryptosporidium antigen, and Entamoeba histolytica antigen ELISA). CD4 T cell enumeration was done using FACS count (Becton Dickinson). The study showed a male preponderance (112 males and 42 females). Weakness, abdominal pain, and anorexia were the most common symptoms. Coccidian parasites were the most common cause of diarrhea in HIV seropositive cases. C. parvum was seen in 60.42% while Isospora belli in 9.03%. Amongst the bacterial pathogens C. difficile was detected in 18.06%, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in 11.11%, and Shigella spp. in 2.78%. Pathogen isolation rates were more in HIV seropositive cases and subjects with low CD4 T lymphocyte counts. Regular monitoring of CD4 T lymphocyte counts and screening for enteric pathogens will help improve the quality of life for PLWHA.

Epidemiology of opportunistic infections and its correlation with CD4 T-lymphocyte counts and plasma viral load among HIV-positive patients at a tertiary care hospital in India.

The study was conducted to find the correlation of CD4 counts and plasma viral load (PVL) with opportunistic infections (OIs) in HIV-positive patients. A total of 43 drug-naive patients enrolled in the study. Absolute CD4 counts and PVL were measured. On the basis of symptoms, sputum, stool, and blood samples were obtained for laboratory tests. Oral swabs were obtained from all the patients. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia was found in 45.2% patients (odds ratio [OR] = 12.8 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/ mm3 and 8.5 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL). Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB; OR = 8.0 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) and streptococcal pneumonia (detected only with CD4 counts <50 cells/mm 3 and PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) were seen in 41.9% and 12.9% patients, respectively. Among patients with diarrhea, Giardia lamblia was detected in 31% patients (OR = 3.0 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3 and 4.0 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) and Cryptosporidium in 17.2% patients (OR = 1.8 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3 and found only with PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL). Shigellosis and Clostridium difficile toxin was present in 13.6% patients and 6.8% patients, respectively.

Resistance-Associated Mutations in HIV-1 among Patients Failing First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy:

Thirty-five HIV-1 infected patients showing clinical and/or immunological failure to first line antiretroviral therapy (ART) according to WHO criteria were recruited from the ART center of Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi to detect the presence of resistance-mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) region of pol gene of HIV-1. Plasma viral load (PVL) was estimated. HIV-1 pol gene region encoding complete protease and reverse transcriptase (codons; 1-232 to 1-242) was reverse transcribed, followed by nested PCR. The PCR product was sequenced and analyzed. Plasma samples from 94.3% of patients with PVL >log10 3.0 c/mL could be amplified and analyzed. Virologic failure was detected in 65.7% of patients according to WHO criteria (PVL >log10 4.0). All patients were found to be infected with subtype C. One or more resistance-mutations were observed among 90.9% of study sequences. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) resistance mutations were seen among all patients, with M184V and thymidine analogue mutations (TAM) being most frequently detected (75.6% and 72.7%, respectively). Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance-mutations were detected in 63.6% of sequences, of which Y181C/I (47.6%), K103N (33.3%) and G190S (28.6%) are the most common. None of the sequences showed major protease inhibitors (PIs) resistance mutation. High prevalence of NRTI and NNRTI drug resistance mutations among the study participants warrants the use of genotypic resistance testing to prevent accumulation of resistance mutations, which would limit future treatment options.

CORRELATION BETWEEN BASELINE CD4 + T-LYMPHOCYTE COUNT AND PLASMA VIRAL LOAD IN AIDS PATIENTS AND THEIR EARLY CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO HAART: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, immunological and virological status of newly diagnosed AIDS cases and to monitor their clinical and immunological response to HAART after a minimum period of three months. Forty three drug naive AIDS patients were enrolled. The most common presenting complaints were weight loss (74.4%), cough (72.1%) and diarrhoea (67.4%). Mean baseline CD4 cell count was 112 +/- 60 cells/microL and mean baseline plasma viral load of 31 patients studied was 192,686 copies/mL. Baseline plasma viral load was higher among patients with lower baseline CD4 cell count. During follow-up, 80.8% patients showed clinical improvement, while a CD4 cell count increased by > or =50 cells/microL in 84.6% cases. Mean CD4 cell count increased from 126 +/- 16.6 cells/microL at baseline to 278 +/- 196.7 cells/microL.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-Infected Individuals in Comparison to HIV-Uninfected Individuals A Case–Control Study

The study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in individuals with HIV infection attending the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre in a teaching hospital and compare the prevalence with HIV-uninfected individuals. A case–control study was conducted among newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals and an equal number of age-group and sex-matched HIV-uninfected individuals, and nasal swabs were collected from both the samples. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through individual interviews. Ethical aspects were respected. A total of 100 individuals participated in the study, and 22 (44%) of the 50 HIV-infected cases were colonized by S aureus, including 19 (86.4%) methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) and 3 (13.6%) methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). Only 12 (24%) strains were isolated from 50 HIV-uninfected individuals, with 11 being MSSA and 1 being MRSA. This difference in the isolation rate was statistically significant (P = .035). The 2 most commonly encountered risk factors in both the groups appeared to be history of tuberculosis and history of surgical procedures but none being statistically significant (P = .093 and P = .996). All the strains of S aureus were sensitive to mupirocin. The study concluded that HIV-infected individuals are at a higher risk of carriage as compared to HIV-uninfected individuals. By eliminating carriage in immunocompromised individuals, infections due to S aureus can also be minimized.

Oral Thrush to Candidemia: A Morbid Outcome

A 35-year-old female living with AIDS presented with oral thrush 3 months after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). On investigation, it was found to be due to Candida albicans. She was started on fluconazole. After 4 months on ART, she presented with fever. Blood culture was performed. After 4 days, she expired due to septic shock. Two days after her death, C albicans strain was isolated from the blood culture which was similar to the C albicans strain (by DNA fingerprinting) isolated from oral thrush. Both strains of C albicans were found to be resistant to fluconazole by broth microdilution method. A high index of suspicion in high-risk patients along with early and aggressive management of the patient with antigen detection would go a long way in the management of these patients. Guidelines for treatment of candidiasis need to be re-evaluated, keeping in mind the increasing emergence of resistance to azoles and its effect on morbidity outcome.

Spectrum of Opportunistic Fungal Infections in HIV/AIDS Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital in India

HIV related opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) continue to cause morbidity and mortality in HIV infected patients. The objective for this prospective study is to elucidate the prevalence and spectrum of common OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients in north India. Relevant clinical samples were collected from symptomatic HIV positive patients (n = 280) of all age groups and both sexes and subjected to direct microscopy and fungal culture. Identification as well as speciation of the fungal isolates was done as per the standard recommended methods. CD4+T cell counts were determined by flow cytometry using Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter Count system. 215 fungal isolates were isolated with the isolation rate of 41.1%. Candida species (86.5%) were the commonest followed by Aspergillus (6.5%), Cryptococcus (3.3%), Penicillium (1.9%), and Alternaria and Rhodotorula spp. (0.9% each). Among Candida species, Candida albicans (75.8%) was the most prevalent species followed by C. tropicalis (9.7%), C. krusei (6.4%), C. glabrata (4.3%), C. parapsilosis (2.7%), and C. kefyr (1.1%). Study demonstrates that the oropharyngeal candidiasis is the commonest among different OFIs and would help to increase the awareness of clinicians in diagnosis and early treatment of these infections helping in the proper management of the patients especially in resource limited countries like ours.

Study of TH1/TH2 Cytokine Profiles in HIV/AIDS Patients in a TertiaryCare Hospital in India

Background and Objectives: Switch of cytokines from a T helper 1 (Th1) to a Th2 is an important factor in the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. Hence, our objectives were to analyze the levels of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines and their correlation with clinical and immunological profiles in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: We studied 234 symptomatic HIV positive patients (case group) attending OPDs, ART clinic and medical wards of the Hospital. CD4+T-cell count was determined by flow cytometry using Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter Count system. Quantitative determination of cytokines (Th1 subtype: IL-2, IFN-γ and Th2 subtype: IL-4, IL-10) was done by ELISA. Results: Patients (08-68 years) had CD4+T-cell counts ranged from 16-1033 cells/μl. The median CD4+T cell count was 204.50 cells/μl and the mean was 265.48 cells/μl. The concentration of IL-2 and IFN-γ were significantly lower in case group compared to asymptomatic HIV patients (P<0.001) while the IL-4 in symptomatic HIV negative was higher than healthy controls and case group compared to asymptomatic HIV patients. Concentration of IL-10 was also higher in case group compared to asymptomatic HIV patients. A positive correlation was found between IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-2 with CD4+T-cells and a negative correlation between IL-10 and CD4+T-cells among the case group. Conclusions: Hence a decline in type-1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) and rise in type-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) was observed in symptomatic patients with HIV infection in comparison to asymptomatic HIV patients suggesting a shift from Th1 to Th2 type cytokine response.

Utility of Serum Neopterin and Serum IL-2 Receptor Levels to Predict Absolute CD4 T Lymphocyte Count in HIV Infected Cases.

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of serum neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) concentrations in comparison to CD4 count to study the progression of HIV disease and monitor response to ART in HIV cases. One hundred newly diagnosed HIV seropositive subjects were recruited. CD4 counts were determined by FACS system. Serum neopterin and sIL-2R levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay. In our study, levels of neopterin and sIL-2R were significantly higher in subjects with CD4 <200 cells/μL (with S. neopterin levels of >25.1 nmol/L and sIL-2R levels of >47.1 pM as cutoff values for CD4 <200 cells/μL) compared to those in subjects with CD4 >200 cells/μL at baseline which indicate that these markers can be utilized for initiation of ART in HIV cases. The levels of these markers decreased significantly after initiation of ART. In patients with CD4 >200 cells/μL, these markers are helpful in predicting disease progression.

A prospective nonrandomized comparison of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication in Indian population using detailed objective and subjective criteria

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) worldwide. However, unfavourable postoperative sequel, including gas bloat and dysphagia, has encouraged surgeons to perform alternative procedures such as laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF). This prospective nonrandomized study was designed to compare LNF with LTF in patients with GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred and ten patients symptomatic for GERD were included in the study after having received intensive acid suppression therapy for a minimum of 8 weeks. A 24-hour pH metry was done on all patients. Fifty patients having reflux on 24-hour pH metry were taken up for the surgery. Patients were further divided into group-A (LNF) and group-B (LTF). RESULTS: The median percentage time with esophageal pH < 4 decreased from 10.18% and 12.31% preoperatively to 0.85% and 1.94% postoperatively in LNF and LTF-groups, respectively. There was a significant and comparable increase in length of lower esophageal sphincter (LES), length of intraabdominal part of LES and LES pressure at respiratory inversion point in both the groups. In LNF-group, five patients had early dysphagia that improved afterwards. There were no significant postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: LNF and LTF are highly effective in the management of GERD with significant improvement in symptoms and objective parameters. LNF may be associated with significantly higher incidence of short onset transient dysphagia that improves with time. Patients in both the groups showed excellent symptom and objective control on 24-hour pH metry on short term follow-up.