Unchanged Levels of Soluble CD14 and IL-6 Over Time Predict Serious Non-AIDS Events in HIV-1-Infected People.

HIV-1-infected persons have increased risk of serious non-AIDS events (SNAEs) despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Increased circulating levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14), soluble CD163 (sCD163), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at a single time point have been associated with SNAEs. However, whether changes in these biomarker levels predict SNAEs in HIV-1-infected persons is unknown. We hypothesized that greater decreases in inflammatory biomarkers would be associated with fewer SNAEs. We identified 39 patients with SNAEs, including major cardiovascular events, end stage renal disease, decompensated cirrhosis, non-AIDS-defining malignancies, and death of unknown cause, and age- and sex-matched HIV-1-infected controls. sCD14, sCD163, and IL-6 were measured at study enrollment (T1) and proximal to the event (T2) or equivalent duration in matched controls. Over ∼34 months, unchanged rather than decreasing levels of sCD14 and IL-6 predicted SNAEs. Older age and current illicit substance abuse, but not HCV coinfection, were associated with SNAEs. In a multivariate analysis, older age, illicit substance use, and unchanged IL-6 levels remained significantly associated with SNAEs. Thus, the trajectories of sCD14 and IL-6 levels predict SNAEs. Interventions to decrease illicit substance use may decrease the risk of SNAEs in HIV-1-infected persons.

Transient binocular visual loss: a rare presentation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction.

The authors report the case of a 27-year-old male with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) for hydrocephalus presenting with episodic transient binocular visual loss (TBVL) and headache. Complete physical, bedside shunt examination and funduscopy were unremarkable. Laboratory investigation, shunt series and imaging studies failed to reveal any acute abnormalities. Interrogation of the shunt system identified a valve malfunction which was corrected with resultant symptomatic relief and the patient was discharged home in stable condition. VPS malfunction occurs secondary to infection or mechanical failure such as obstruction, tubing fracture, shunt migration and over drainage. Resultant raised intracranial pressure leads to symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting and gait abnormalities. Visual defects including blindness has been occasionally reported from shunt malfunction. Rare complications include cerebrospinal fluid oedema, colonic perforation, paraparesis and parkinsonism. TBVL due to shunt malfunction remains an uncommon presentation and requires a high index of clinical suspicion while evaluating these patients.

Update on HHV-8-Associated Malignancies.

The human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the oncogenic virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and lymphoproliferative disorders, namely, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease. KS is among the most common malignancies seen in HIV-infected patients despite the decreased incidence of KS in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Advances in molecular pathology reveal HHV-8 tumorigenesis is mediated through molecular mimicry wherein viral-encoded proteins can activate several cellular signaling cascades while evading immune surveillance. This knowledge has led to the evolution of multiple therapeutic strategies against specific molecular targets. Many such therapeutic modalities have shown activity, but none have proven to be curative. Identifying possible prognostic factors is another active area of research. This review summarizes the recent developments in the fields of virus transmission, molecular biology, and treatment of HHV-8-related neoplasms.