Periodic fever: a review on clinical, management and guideline for Iranian patients - part I

Periodic fever syndromes are a group of diseases characterized by episodes of fever with healthy intervals between febrile episodes. The first manifestation of these disorders are present in childhood and adolescence, but infrequently it may be presented in young and middle ages. Genetic base has been known for all types of periodic fever syndromes except periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis [PFAPA]. Common periodic fever disorders are Familial Mediterranean fever [FMF] and PFAPA. In each patient with periodic fever, acquired infection with chronic and periodic nature should be ruled out. It depends on epidemiology of infectious diseases. Some of them such as Familial Mediterranean fever and PFAPA are common in Iran. In Iran and other Middle East countries, brucellosis, malaria and infectious mononucleosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of periodic fever disorders especially with fever and arthritis manifestation. In children, urinary tract infection may be presented as periodic disorder, urine analysis and culture is necessary in each child with periodic symptoms. Some malignancies such as leukemia and tumoral lesions should be excluded in patients with periodic syndrome and weight loss in any age. After excluding infection, malignancy and cyclic neutropenia, FMF and PFAPA are the most common periodic fever disorders. Similar to other countries, Hyper IgD, Chronic Infantile Neurologic Cutaneous and Articular, TRAPS and other auto-inflammatory syndromes are rare causes of periodic fever in Iranian system registry. In part 1 of this paper we reviewed the prevalence of FMF and PFAPA in Iran. In part 2, some uncommon auto-inflammatory disorders such as TRAPS, Hyper IgD sydrome and cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes will be reviewed

[Outcome of TB in HIV patients treated with standard regimen]

HIV infection reduces the immune system and is the most significant factor in the spread of TB in recent years and one of the causes of death in HIV-seropositive patients. TB is the most commonly diagnosed opportunistic infection and the most frequent direct cause of death among HIV infected patients. The HIV infection can accelerate progression of TB infection to active TB disease. Among patients with active TB, those with HIV coinfection have the greatest risk for relapse. Regardless of increasing rate of TB and HIV in Iran, we decided to survey outcome of TB in HIV positive patients who treated with standard regimens in the years 2003-2012. This retrospective cohort study was conducted on HIV-positive patients with TB referred to Behavioral Diseases Consultation Center and Infectious Diseases Ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital from 2003 to 2012. Outcome was defined as failure, relapse and mortality. Moreover, the relationship between outcomes and number of CD4, co-trimoxazole and antiretroviral intake, type of TB and AIDS defining illness was studied. This study had 135 patients, 8 [5.9%] were females and 127 [94.1%] were males. The mean age of the patients was 40.14+10.02 and the most way to catch HIV in this study was intravenous drug user. There were 3 [2.22%] cases of failure, 15 [11.1%] relapse, and 21 [15.8%] deaths. Antiretroviral therapy, AIDS defining illness, type of TB and co-trimoxazole intake did not soley affect relapse. CD4 level was the most effective variables in relapse [Hazard ratio: 0.392 [0.11-1.4]; Relative Risk: 0.809 [0.593-1.103] [P=0.068]]. However, regard to CI95%, the impact of CD4 on relapse is not significant and antiretroviral intake was the most important and effective variable in increasing their survival. Hazard ratio: 0.137 [0.141-0.45]; Relative Risk: 0.686 [0.513-0.918] [P=0.001]. Overall, receiving antiretroviral was the most important factor influencing the outcome of patients

Multiple brain abscesses due to nocardia in an immunocompetent patient

Nocardia cerebral abscesses are rare intracranial lesions. They account for only 1% to 2% of all brain abscesses. They are important in immunocompromised patients, but rarely occur in immunocompetent hosts. Here, we present a case of multiple primary brain abscesses with Nocardia in an immunocompetent patient, who was treated successfully with oral antibiotic therapy

Disseminated tuberculosis in an AIDS/HIV-infected patient

Disseminated tuberculosis [TB] is commonly seen in HIV-infected patients and is major cause of death in these patients. In HIV-infected patients disseminated tuberculosis is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In this article we report a case of disseminated TB in a HIV-infected patient with a relatively long history of fever and other complaints without definite diagnosis. Diagnosis of disseminated TB was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy and polymerase chain reaction analysis [PCR] of the ascitic fluid. With anti-TB treatment signs and symptoms improved.

[Treatment of AIDS-related thrombocytopenia: a case report]

Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in individuals infected with HIV and its incidence increases with progressive immunosuppression. Thrombocytopenia due to AIDS is divided into primary and secondary forms and primary HIV associated thrombocytopenia [PHAT] is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in these patients. The patient was a 35-year old man with HIV since 1996, who was admitted to Imam Khomeini hospital in August of 2010 with petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis around the eyes and on the limbs and subconjunctival hemorrhage. In laboratory investigation, platelet count was 5000/ micro L. After ruling out the secondary causes of thrombocytopenia, Primary HIV Associated Thrombocytopenia [PHAT] was diagnosed. Due to the presence of severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding symptoms and considering the fact that antiretroviral agents require 4- 6 weeks to reach therapeutic effects, prednisone and antiretrovirals [AZT] were prescribed. After about two weeks of steroids administration, platelet count reached 50,000/ micro L and about eight weeks after antiretroviral [AZT] therapy platelets reached nearly 140,000/ micro L. Prednisone can be used safely in conjunction with antiretrovirals for primary thrombocytopenia in HIV infected patients with severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding symptoms