Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Syphilis among People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Engaging in High-Risk Sexual Behavior: Real World Data from Northern Greece, 2019-2022.

In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of syphilis among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, determine the stage of syphilis, and evaluate treatment efficacy. A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted at the AHEPA University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, focusing on PWH at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) attending outpatient care from January 2019 to December 2022. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, incident syphilis rates were identified, associations with HIV-related characteristics were explored, and the treatment response was assessed. Among 991 participants, 94 PWH were diagnosed with syphilis, representing 9.4% of the cohort. Incident syphilis cases experienced a decrease in the early COVID-19 era compared to 2019, followed by a gradual increase leading up to 2022. The majority of syphilis cases were asymptomatic latent syphilis (71.1%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and younger individuals exhibited higher rates of co-infection during the study period. No significant association was found between incident syphilis and HIV-related factors. Most syphilis cases (86%) were treated with benzathine penicillin G (BPG). Treatment with BPG and doxycycline showed an increased success rate (96.7% vs. 92.9%), with no statistically significant difference observed between them (p = 0.438). This study highlights the alarming incidence of syphilis among PWH engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, particularly among younger MSM. BPG remains effective, and alternative regimens like doxycycline show promise, especially in settings with penicillin shortages or patient allergies.

Syphilis on the rise: A prolonged syphilis outbreak among HIV-infected patients in Northern Greece.

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major public health issue in Europe. Numerous outbreaks of syphilis have been described recently and an increased prevalence of high-risk sexual practices has raised concern about the transmission of HIV and other STDs. Similarly, an increase in sexually transmitted infections has been recorded in Northern Greece. METHODS: This report describes a recent outbreak of syphilis in people living with HIV. The demographic, clinical, and serologic data of HIV patients diagnosed with syphilis were recorded and analyzed. Data on syphilis incidence from the general population was also compared to HIV patients' data. RESULTS: Fifty-eight HIV-patients of the Infectious Diseases Unit of a tertiary hospital (5.2%) were diagnosed with syphilis during a three-year period (2008-2010). Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and coexistence of other STDs were independent predictors of syphilis (OR: 2.4, 95CI%: 1.26, 4.63, p=0.008; OR: 9.4, 95%CI: 4.49, 19.64, p<0.001, respectively). Origin from a country other than Greece (p=0.005), and homosexual contact (p=0.003), were separate risk factors for syphilis in the general population in the same area. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease in an HIV patient is a crucial clinical event that should trigger the clinician's suspicion for high-risk sexual behavior. Sexual health assessments should be a routine process for HIV patients.

Older HIV-infected patients--an underestimated population in northern Greece: epidemiology, risk of disease progression and death.

OBJECTIVES: HIV prevalence among older people is on the increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical features at diagnosis and survival of older patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the data of 558 newly diagnosed antiretroviral-naïve patients between January 1998 and December 2008. Patients were divided into two groups according to their age at diagnosis: ≥50 years (n=103) and 18-49 years (n=455). RESULTS: The most common risk factor for older patients was heterosexual contact (p<0.013). Older patients were more likely to suffer from hypertension (33.0% vs. 5.1%, p<0.0005), cardiovascular disease (20.4% vs. 2.9%, p<0.0005), neurological disorders (11.7% vs. 5.5%, p=0.02), renal dysfunction (12.6% vs. 5.3%, p=0.01), and infections (66.0% vs. 49.7%, p=0.003) than their younger counterparts, and to have more hospital admissions during follow-up (47.5% vs. 19.6%, p<0.0005). Older patients had a shorter survival time (p<0.0005). A statistically significant increase in CD4+ cell number through time was observed in both groups (p<0.0005). Younger patients reached higher magnitudes of absolute numbers of CD4+ cells during follow-up (p<0.0005) after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The total number of patients with clinical AIDS from baseline throughout the study period was also higher in the older age group (35.9% vs. 25.0%). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected people aged ≥50 years differ in epidemiological and clinical features to younger HIV-infected people. The issue of increasing prevalence of HIV infection is a matter of concern due to existing comorbidities, which probably lead to higher mortality rates and faster progression to clinical AIDS.

Plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity, a B cell-derived lymphoma associated with HIV infection: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of the oral cavity is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is most frequently met in human immunodeficiency (HIV) positive patients. Only a few cases have been reported worldwide since 1997. This clinical entity may escape detection due to its unusual immunophenotype and rare occurrence. Our aim is to present two cases with this rare condition that were diagnosed and treated in our department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe two cases of PBLs in HIV-infected patients, who presented with an expanding painless oral lesion and summarize the literature in order to elucidate the nature of this malignancy. RESULTS: The first patient received chemotherapy with additional radiotherapy that led to complete remission of the disease, while the second experienced a relapse 6 months after treatment with chemotherapy, that caused his death after refusal of further treatment. CONCLUSION: Because of the consistent epidemiological association of PBL with immunosuppression, any patient diagnosed with PBL should be tested for HIV. The clinical picture of PBL, including its affinity with HIV-infection, male sex, and its predilection for the oral cavity, may contribute to the differential diagnosis. Any oral mass occurring in an immunosuppressed patient should be referred for biopsy, since the early diagnosis of these tumors leads to better prognosis of the patients.

Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess as a cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Tuberculosis is known to affect almost every organ in the body, but its manifestations in the head and neck region are quite rare. A tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess is a very rare condition and can be the cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia. It is usually secondary to tuberculosis of the spine and has the potential of significant morbidity and mortality if not treated appropriately. We present a case of a 74-year-old man with a retropharyngeal abscess with no evidence of spinal tuberculosis.

Molecular and epidemiological characterization of HIV-1 infection networks involving transmitted drug resistance mutations in Northern Greece.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the contribution of transmission clusters to transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in newly diagnosed antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients in Northern Greece during 2000-07. METHODS: The prevalence of TDR was estimated in 369 individuals who were diagnosed with HIV-1 infection in the period 2000-07 at the National AIDS Reference Laboratory of Northern Greece. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using a maximum likelihood method on partial pol sequences. TDR was defined in accordance with the surveillance drug resistance mutation list (2009 update). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of TDR in our population was 12.5% [46/369, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.1%-15.8%], comprising 7.6% (28/369) resistant to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, 5.4% (20/369) resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and 3.3% (12/369) resistant to protease inhibitors. Dual class resistance was identified in 3.8% (14/369). Infection with subtype A was the sole predictor associated with TDR in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 2.15, 95% CI 1.10-4.19, P = 0.025). Phylogenetic analyses revealed three statistically robust transmission clusters involving drug-resistant strains, including one cluster of 12 patients, 10 of whom were infected with a strain carrying both T215 revertants and Y181C mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underline the substantial impact of transmission networks on TDR in our population.

Management of an extrasphincteric fistula in an HIV-positive patient by using fibrin glue: a case report with tips and tricks.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with impaired immunity are at higher risk of perianal diseases. Concerning complex anal fistulas impaired healing and complication rates are also higher. Definitive treatment of a fistula aims controlling the purulent discharge and prevents its recurrence. It depends mainly on the trajectory of the fistula and the underlying disease. We present a case of a HIV-positive patient with a complex extrasphincteric anal fistula who was treated successfully with fibrin glue application. We further, discuss tips and tricks when applying fibrin glue as plugging material in complex anal fistulas. CASE PRESENTATION: A sixty-one-year-old HIV-positive male referred to us for warts and extrasphincteric fistula. Because of the patients' immunological status, we opted against surgery and recommended fibrin glue plugging. The patient was discharged the same day. A follow-up examination was performed 5 days after the initial fibrin glue application showing that the fistula canal was obstructed. Three months and a year post-intervention the fistula tract remains closed. CONCLUSION: The best treatment for a disease gives at least the same result with the other treatments with minimised risk for the life of the patient and minimal application effort. Conservative closure of fistula with fibrin plugging is simple, safe and with less morbidity than surgery. Our patient was successfully treated without endangering his life despite his precarious medical state. Not everybody believes in the effectiveness of fibrin glue application, however we consider this solution in cases of complex fistulas at least as primary procedure in special populations such as the immunosupressed.

A prospective, controlled, randomized, non-blind, comparative study of the efficacy and safety of a once daily high dose of ceftriaxone plus ciprofloxacin versus thrice daily ceftazidime plus amikacin in empirical therapy for febrile neutropenic patients.

BACKGROUND: Empirical antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia is well established. The best regimen is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost of a once daily high dose of ceftriaxone plus ciprofloxacin versus thrice daily ceftazidime plus amikacin in neutropenic febrile patients. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with febrile neutropenia were included in a prospective, controlled, randomized, non-blind, comparative study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups (63 to the ceftriaxone/ciprofloxacin group and 32 to the ceftazidime/amikacin group) and evaluated as successes or failures according to defined criteria. Daily assessments were made of all patients and all adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: The overall incidence of documented infections was 45.9%: 24/47 (51.1%) in the ceftriaxone/ciprofloxacin group and 10/27 (37%) in the ceftazidime/amikacin group. There was a significant difference in clinical efficacy between the groups (p=0.011) at the end of therapy. The ceftriaxone/ciprofloxacin group had an overall incidence of resolution and improvement of 95.7% in comparison to 75% in the ceftazidime/amikacin group. Thirty-nine organisms were isolated, 26 (66.67%) gram-negative and 13 (33.33%) gram-positive. There was a low incidence of adverse events in both groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of a single, high dose of ceftriaxone plus ciprofloxacin daily was more effective than the standard combination of thrice daily ceftazidime plus amikacin with no significant adverse events in either group.