Prevalence and factors associated with asymptomatic gonococcal and chlamydial infection among US Navy and Marine Corps men infected with the HIV: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) can facilitate transmission of HIV. Men who have sex with men (MSM) may harbour infections at genital and extragenital sites. Data regarding extragenital GC and CT infections in military populations are lacking. We examined the prevalence and factors associated with asymptomatic GC and CT infection among this category of HIV-infected military personnel. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study (pilot). SETTING: Infectious diseases clinic at a single military treatment facility in San Diego, CA. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine HIV-positive men were evaluated-79% men who had sex with men, mean age 31 years, 36% black and 33% married. INCLUSION CRITERIA: male, HIV-infected, Department of Defense beneficiary. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: any symptom related to the urethra, pharynx or rectum. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: GC and CT screening results. RESULTS: Twenty-four per cent were infected with either GC or CT. Rectal swabs were positive in 18% for CT and 3% for GC; pharynx swabs were positive in 8% for GC and 2% for CT. Only one infection was detected in the urine (GC). Anal sex (p=0.04), male partner (OR 7.02, p=0.04) and sex at least once weekly (OR 3.28, p=0.04) were associated with infection. Associated demographics included age <35 years (OR 6.27, p=0.02), non-Caucasian ethnicity (p=0.03), <3 years since HIV diagnosis (OR 2.75, p=0.04) and previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) (OR 5.10, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of extragenital GC/CT infection among HIV-infected military men. Only one infection was detected in the urine, signalling the need for aggressive three-site screening of MSM. Clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence in order to enhance health through comprehensive STI screening practices.

Progressive vaccinia: case description and laboratory-guided therapy with vaccinia immune globulin, ST-246, and CMX001.

Progressive vaccinia (PV) is a rare but potentially lethal complication that develops in smallpox vaccine recipients with severely impaired cellular immunity. We describe a patient with PV who required treatment with vaccinia immune globulin and who received 2 investigational agents, ST-246 and CMX001. We describe the various molecular, pharmacokinetic, and immunologic studies that provided guidance to escalate and then successfully discontinue therapy. Despite development of resistance to ST-246 during treatment, the patient had resolution of PV. This case demonstrates the need for continued development of novel anti-orthopoxvirus pharmaceuticals and the importance of both intensive and timely clinical and laboratory support in management of PV.

Risk factors associated with complications and mortality in patients with Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in frequency and severity over the past decade. An understanding of the modifiable risk factors for disease severity has considerable clinical applicability. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case review of 485 cases in patients aged 1-99 years at the Naval Medical Center San Diego from November 2004 through December 2008. We compared potential risk factors for association with complications (megacolon, surgery, intensive care unit stay, and death) or mortality alone with use of univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (9.8%) developed ≥1 complication, and 23 (4.7%) died. We found independent associations between complications and acid suppression (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.79), admission for CDI (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 2.17-7.92), older age (≥80 years; OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.46-6.73), and corticosteroid use (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.01-4.35). Age ≥80 years (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 2.25-13.49) and acid suppression (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.57-14.37) were associated with increased odds of death. CONCLUSIONS: Data published elsewhere have suggested that acid suppression therapy is a risk factor for CDI acquisition and relapse. These findings suggest an additional role in increased severity of disease, including mortality, and merit further study.

A novel use for drotrecogin alfa (activated): successful treatment of septic shock associated with coccidioidomycosis.

We present 2 cases of septic shock associated with coccidioidomycosis that were successfully treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated) in combination with antifungal agents. The favorable outcomes, in light of the high mortality usually associated with this condition, suggest that drotrecogin alfa (activated) may be a valuable adjunct for treating septic shock due to endemic mycoses.