A MULTIVARIATE PROGNOSTIC SCORE FOR PREDICTING MORTALITY OF ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME PATIENTS WITH HYPOXEMIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE AND PNEUMOCYSTIS JIROVECI PNEUMONIA.

BACKGROUND: Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure (SHRF) due to Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in AIDS patients represents the main cause of admission and mortality in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs) in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a predictive scoring system to estimate the risk of mortality in HIV/AIDS patients with PJP and SHRF. METHODS: We analyzed data of patients admitted to the RICU between January 2013 and January 2018 with a diagnosis of HIV infection and PJP. Multivariate logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier method were used in data analysis. The RICU and inhospital mortality were 25% and 26%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified four independent predictors: body mass index, albumin, time to ICU admission, and days of vasopressor support. A predictive scoring system was derived and validated internally. The discrimination was 0.869 (95% confidence interval: 0.821-0.917) and calibration intercept (α) and slope (ß) were 0.03 and 0.99, respectively. The sensitivity was 47.2%, specificity was 84.6%, positive predictive value was 89.2%, and negative predictive value was 82.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This scoring system is a potentially useful tool to assist clinicians, in low- and medium-income countries, in estimating the RICU and inhospital mortality risk in patients with HIV/AIDS and SHRF caused by PJP.

A multivariate prognostic score for predicting mortality of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia

Background Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure (SHRF) due to Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in AIDS patients represents the main cause of admission and mortality in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs) in low- and middle-income countries. Objective The objective of this study was to develop a predictive scoring system to estimate the risk of mortality in HIV/AIDS patients with PJP and SHRF. Methods We analyzed data of patients admitted to the RICU between January 2013 and January 2018 with a diagnosis of HIV infection and PJP. Multivariate logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier method were used in data analysis. The RICU and inhospital mortality were 25% and 26%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified four independent predictors: body mass index, albumin, time to ICU admission, and days of vasopressor support. A predictive scoring system was derived and validated internally. The discrimination was 0.869 (95% confidence interval: 0.821-0.917) and calibration intercept (α) and slope (β) were 0.03 and 0.99, respectively. The sensitivity was 47.2%, specificity was 84.6%, positive predictive value was 89.2%, and negative predictive value was 82.6%. Conclusions This scoring system is a potentially useful tool to assist clinicians, in low- and medium-income countries, in estimating the RICU and inhospital mortality risk in patients with HIV/AIDS and SHRF caused by PJP.

Pulmonary coinfection by Pneumocystis jiroveci, Cryptococcus neoformans and cytomegalovirus in hiv patient without antiretroviral treatment

Pulmonary diseases are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV patients. Here, we present the fatal case of a 30 year-old AIDS patient, who did not undergo antiretroviral treatment, presenting pulmonary coinfection by Pneumocystis jiroveci, Cryptococcus neoformans and cytomegalovirus diagnosed in the postmortem histological examination. Concurrent pulmonary infection by these three agents is not common and, to date, apparently had not been reported in the literature.

Neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci post inicio de tratamiento con infliximab en paciente con enfermedad de Crohn / Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia following infliximab therapy in patient with Crohn's disease

There are no evidence-based guidelines about prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of P. jiroveci pneumonia in patient with Crohn's disease receiving infliximab and methotrexate. This case emphasizes the importance of considering the possibility of this infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated on biological therapy.

Neumocistosis extrapulmonar: comunicación de un caso / Extrapulmonary pneumocystosis: a case report

We report a case of a middle-age male patient, with newly HIV infection in AIDS stage diagnosis, no comorbitidies, who was hospitalized for subacute malaise, fever, self-limited unproductive cough and no bloody chronic diarrea. The diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia was performed by imagenological suspicion and stains of cysts of this pathogen with bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Treatment was initiated with oral cotrimoxazole and starting HAART with good clinical outcome. Concomitantly, an etiologic study was conducted for chronic diarrhea and through histopathological examination of colonic mucosa, numerous extracellular cystic structures Pneumocystis characteristics were observed, performing the diagnosis of extrapulmonary pneumocystosis. Extrapulmonary pneumocystosis is a rare cause of P. jiroveci infection, requires a high index of suspicion and should be approached in HIV patients with severe AIDS which is common in co-infection of various infections and is peremptory to make an etiologic diagnosis and early treatment.

Comunicamos el caso de un varón de edad mediana, con diagnóstico reciente de infección por VIH en etapa SIDA, sin otras co-morbilidades, y cuadro subagudo de compromiso del estado general, fiebre, tos poco productiva autolimitada y diarrea crónica no sanguinolenta. Se realizó el diagnóstico de neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci mediante sospecha imagenológica y tinción de quistes de este patógeno en muestras de lavado broncoalveolar. Se inició tratamiento con cotrimoxazol y TARV con buena evolución clínica. En forma concomitante se realizó el estudio etiológico de diarrea crónica y a través del estudio histopatológico de mucosa colónica se observaron numerosas estructuras quísticas extracelulares, características de Pneumocystis por lo que se realizó el diagnóstico de neumocistosis extrapulmonar. La neumocistosis extrapulmonar es una causa infrecuente de infección por P. jiroveci, que requiere un alto índice de sospecha en pacientes con VIH e inmunocompromiso grave, en los cuales es frecuente la co-infección de infecciones oportunistas. Es perentorio realizar un diagnóstico etiológico y tratamiento precoz.

Características clínicas, diagnósticas y pronosticas de pacientes con neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci en individuos infectados por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana e individuos inmunocomprometidos por otra etiología: comparative study of cases in HIV-infected patients and immunocompromised non-HIV-infected patients / Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia

Background: Although P. jiroveci pneumonia affects immunocompromised (IC) patients of any etiology, clinical features and prognostic outcomes are different depending if they are patients with HIV infection or other causes of IC. Objectives: To compare clinical and laboratory features as well as outcomes of P. jiroveci pneumonia in HIV versus non-HIV patients. Methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of HIV and non-HIV patients with P. jiroveci pneumonia managed at the Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, between 2005 and 2007. Results: We included 28 HIV and 45 non-HIV patients with confirmed P. jiroveci pneumonia. The non-HIV population was older (65 vs 36,2 years, p < 0,01), had shorter duration of symptoms (7 [1-21] vs 14 [2-45] days, p < 0,01), required more invasive techniques (60 vs 21%, p < 0,01) and RT-PCR to confirm the diagnosis (93 vs 68%, p < 0,01), were more frequently treated at intensive care units (58 vs. 25%, p < 0,01) requiring artificial ventilation (56 vs 11%, p < 0,01), and had a higher attributable mortality (33% vs 0%, p < 0,01). Conclusions: Our study confirmed that P. jiroveci pneumonia in non-HIV IC patients is more severe, more difficult to diagnose and has higher mortality that in HIV patients. Therefore, it is mandatory to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this patients group.

Introducción: Pneumocystis jiroveci puede causar neumonía en pacientes inmunocomprometidos de cualquier etiología, pero las diferencias clínicas y pronósticas entre inmunocomprometidos por VIH y por otras causas han sido poco exploradas. Objetivo: Comparar las características clínicas, de laboratorio y pronóstico de neumonía por P. jiroveci en pacientes inmunocomprometidos por infección VIH versus no infectados por VIH. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de casos confirmados de neumonía por P. jiroveci en adultos con infección por VIH y no infectados, entre los años 2005 y 2007. Resultados: Se incluyeron 28 pacientes infectados por VIH y 45 no infectados, con neumonía por P. jiroveci confirmada. La población no infectada por VIH presentaba mayor edad (65 vs 36,2 años, p < 0,01), menor duración de síntomas previos a la consulta (7 [121] vs 14 [2-45] días, p < 0,01), mayor requerimiento de técnica invasora (60 vs 21%, p < 0,01) y estudio molecular (93 vs 68%, p < 0,01) para confirmación diagnóstica, mayor requerimiento de camas críticas (58 vs 25%, p < 0,01), y ventilación mecánica (56 vs 11%, p < 0,01), con mayor mortalidad atribuible (33 vs 0%, p < 0,01). Conclusiones: La neumonía por P. jiroveci en pacientes inmunocomprometidos no infectados por VIH ofrece más dificultades diagnósticas y presenta mayor gravedad y mortalidad que en pacientes con infección por VIH; por esto, es mandatario optimizar los procesos diagnóstico y terapéutico en esta población.

Extra-pulmonary Pneumocystis jiroveci infection: a case report.

In physical examination abdominal tenderness, gate disturbance and penile herpetic lesions were detected. Decreased disc height at T11-T12 level was detected in chest X-ray. Abdominal sonography and CT scan revealed hypo dense lesions in Lt left Lobe of liver and multiple hypo dense splenic and pancreatic lesions, ascitis, Lt left sided pleural effusion, thickening of jejuneal mucosa and edema of bowel wall. Vertebral body lesion and paravertebral abscess, bony calvarial involvement and adjacent extra axial brain lesion were observed in imaging were other findings. RNA analysis for HIV was positive. Vertebral lesion biopsy and aspiration of splenic lesion were performed and pathology revealed Pneumocystis jirovecii suggestive of extra pulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection.

Falla de la profilaxis con cotrimoxazol para la neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci con el uso concomitante de leucovorina: Reporte de un caso / Failure of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia with concomitant use of leucovorin: Case report

The concomitant use of leucovorin and cotrimoxazole in PCP can lead to therapeutic failure and increased risk of death due to antagonism. It is important to keep this possible antagonistic interaction in mind even during prophylaxis. This paper presents a case with this failure outcome.

Profilaxis de neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci en niños y adultos sometidos a trasplante de órganos sólidos y de precursores hematopoyéticos / Prophylaxis against Pneumocystis pneumonia in pediatric and adult patients undergoing solid organ or hematopoietic stem cells transplantation

Pneumocystis jiroveci is an important pathogen in patients undergoing SOT and HSCT. Universal prophylaxis is recommended for all adults and children with SOT and HSCT, considering that its use significantly reduces the occurrence and mortality associated with pneumonia by this agent. The drug of choice is cotrimoxazole (A1) three times a week, low-dose scheme, that has proved equally effective and better tolerated than the daily regimen and/or at high doses. Prophylaxis starts 7 to 14 days post transplant in SOT recipients and post-implant in HSCT, with an average duration of 6 months except in liver and lung transplant as in HSCT with significant degree of immunosuppression, that lasts for 1 year. Alternatives for prophylaxis are dapsone (B2), aerosolized pentamidine (B2) and atovaquone (C2).

Pneumocystis jiroveci es un patógeno importante en pacientes sometidos a TOS y TPH. Se recomienda proilaxis universal a todos los pacientes adultos y niños sometidos a TOS o TPH porque su uso reduce signiicati-vamente la ocurrencia y mortalidad asociada a neumonía por este agente. El medicamento de elección es cotrimoxa-zol (A1) tres veces por semana, en dosis bajas, esquema que ha demostrado igual eicacia y mejor tolerancia que el esquema diario y/o con dosis altas. La proilaxis se inicia 7 a 14 días post trasplante en TOS y posterior al implante en TPH, con una duración promedio de 6 meses salvo en trasplante de hígado y pulmón en que se prolonga por 1 año, al igual que en TPH con grado importante de inmunosupresión. Son alternativas de profilaxis dapsona (B2), pentamidina aerosolizada (B2) y atavacuona (C2).

Evaluación de la microscopía en fresco en el diagnóstico de neumocistosis pulmonar / Microscopio examination in fresh mount preparation for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis / Avaliagáo da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico de pneumocistose pulmonar

Para evaluar la utilidad de la microscopia en fresco en el diagnóstico de la neumocistosis pulmonar (PCP), se aplicó una técnica de inmunofluorescencia directa (IFD) con anticuerpos monoclonales a 50 secreciones respiratorias obtenidas por lavado broncoalveolar y procesadas en forma consecutiva en el Laboratorio de Parasitología, entre el 19 de enero y el 25 de febrero de 2011. Las mismas pertenecían a pacientes con SIDA y diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, y en todas ellas la investigación de la presencia de exudados espumosos por microscopia en fresco fue negativa. Ninguna de las muestras procesadas resultó positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci con la IFD. En base a los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que la microscopia en fresco permanece como un método rápido, económico, sencillo y seguro para el diagnóstico de la PCP en los pacientes con SIDA internados en diferentes Salas del Hospital Muñiz. Al igual que en un estudio previo, reveló poseer una sensibilidad similar a la IFD en los pacientes evaluados.

To evaluate the usefulness of fresh microscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis (PCP), direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with monoclonal antibodies technique was applied to 50 respiratory secretions obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage and consecutively processed in the Laboratory of Parasitology from January 19, 2011 to February 25, 2011. The samples belonged to AIDS patients with presumptive diagnosis of PCP, and all of them were negative for the search of foamy exudates by wet mountmicroscopy. No positive results were obtained for Pneumocystis jiroveci with the DIF. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that fresh microscopy remains being a rapid, economic, simple and accurate method for the diagnosis of PCP in AIDS patients assisted in different Wards of the Muñiz Hospital. As in a previous study, performed in a similar cohort of patients, fresh microscopy revealed a sensitivity similar to that of DIF when applied to the diagnosis of PCP.

Para avaliar a utilidade da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico da pneumocistose pulmonar (PCP), foi aplicada uma técnica de imunofluorescencia direta (IFD) com anticorpos monoclonais em 50 secregóes respiratórias obtidas por lavagem broncoalveolar e processadas de forma consecutiva no Laboratório de Parasitologia, entre os dias 19 de janeiro de 2011 e 25 de fevereiro de 2011. As mesmas pertenciam a pacientes com AIDS e diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, e em todas elas a pesquisa da presenga de esfregagos espumosos por microscopia a fresco foi negativa. Nenhuma das amostras processadas resultou positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci com a IFD. Com base nos resultados obtidos foi concluido que a microscopia a fresco permanece como um método rápido, económico, simples e seguro para o diagnóstico da PCP nos pacientes com AIDS internados em diferentes. Salas do Hospital Muñiz. Do mesmo modo que num estudo prévio, revelou possuir uma sensibilidade similar a IFD nos pacientes avaliados.

Evaluación de la microscopía en fresco en el diagnóstico de neumocistosis pulmonar / Microscopio examination in fresh mount preparation for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis / Avaliagáo da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico de pneumocistose pulmonar

Para evaluar la utilidad de la microscopia en fresco en el diagnóstico de la neumocistosis pulmonar (PCP), se aplicó una técnica de inmunofluorescencia directa (IFD) con anticuerpos monoclonales a 50 secreciones respiratorias obtenidas por lavado broncoalveolar y procesadas en forma consecutiva en el Laboratorio de Parasitología, entre el 19 de enero y el 25 de febrero de 2011. Las mismas pertenecían a pacientes con SIDA y diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, y en todas ellas la investigación de la presencia de exudados espumosos por microscopia en fresco fue negativa. Ninguna de las muestras procesadas resultó positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci con la IFD. En base a los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que la microscopia en fresco permanece como un método rápido, económico, sencillo y seguro para el diagnóstico de la PCP en los pacientes con SIDA internados en diferentes Salas del Hospital Muñiz. Al igual que en un estudio previo, reveló poseer una sensibilidad similar a la IFD en los pacientes evaluados.(AU)

To evaluate the usefulness of fresh microscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis (PCP), direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with monoclonal antibodies technique was applied to 50 respiratory secretions obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage and consecutively processed in the Laboratory of Parasitology from January 19, 2011 to February 25, 2011. The samples belonged to AIDS patients with presumptive diagnosis of PCP, and all of them were negative for the search of foamy exudates by wet mountmicroscopy. No positive results were obtained for Pneumocystis jiroveci with the DIF. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that fresh microscopy remains being a rapid, economic, simple and accurate method for the diagnosis of PCP in AIDS patients assisted in different Wards of the Muñiz Hospital. As in a previous study, performed in a similar cohort of patients, fresh microscopy revealed a sensitivity similar to that of DIF when applied to the diagnosis of PCP.(AU)

Para avaliar a utilidade da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico da pneumocistose pulmonar (PCP), foi aplicada uma técnica de imunofluorescencia direta (IFD) com anticorpos monoclonais em 50 secregóes respiratórias obtidas por lavagem broncoalveolar e processadas de forma consecutiva no Laboratório de Parasitologia, entre os dias 19 de janeiro de 2011 e 25 de fevereiro de 2011. As mesmas pertenciam a pacientes com AIDS e diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, e em todas elas a pesquisa da presenga de esfregagos espumosos por microscopia a fresco foi negativa. Nenhuma das amostras processadas resultou positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci com a IFD. Com base nos resultados obtidos foi concluido que a microscopia a fresco permanece como um método rápido, económico, simples e seguro para o diagnóstico da PCP nos pacientes com AIDS internados em diferentes. Salas do Hospital Muñiz. Do mesmo modo que num estudo prévio, revelou possuir uma sensibilidade similar a IFD nos pacientes avaliados.(AU)

Evaluación de la microscopía en fresco en el diagnóstico de neumocistosis pulmonar / Microscopio examination in fresh mount preparation for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis / Avaliagáo da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico de pneumocistose pulmonar

Para evaluar la utilidad de la microscopia en fresco en el diagnóstico de la neumocistosis pulmonar (PCP), se aplicó una técnica de inmunofluorescencia directa (IFD) con anticuerpos monoclonales a 50 secreciones respiratorias obtenidas por lavado broncoalveolar y procesadas en forma consecutiva en el Laboratorio de Parasitología, entre el 19 de enero y el 25 de febrero de 2011. Las mismas pertenecían a pacientes con SIDA y diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, y en todas ellas la investigación de la presencia de exudados espumosos por microscopia en fresco fue negativa. Ninguna de las muestras procesadas resultó positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci con la IFD. En base a los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que la microscopia en fresco permanece como un método rápido, económico, sencillo y seguro para el diagnóstico de la PCP en los pacientes con SIDA internados en diferentes Salas del Hospital Muñiz. Al igual que en un estudio previo, reveló poseer una sensibilidad similar a la IFD en los pacientes evaluados.(AU)

To evaluate the usefulness of fresh microscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystosis (PCP), direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with monoclonal antibodies technique was applied to 50 respiratory secretions obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage and consecutively processed in the Laboratory of Parasitology from January 19, 2011 to February 25, 2011. The samples belonged to AIDS patients with presumptive diagnosis of PCP, and all of them were negative for the search of foamy exudates by wet mountmicroscopy. No positive results were obtained for Pneumocystis jiroveci with the DIF. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that fresh microscopy remains being a rapid, economic, simple and accurate method for the diagnosis of PCP in AIDS patients assisted in different Wards of the Muñiz Hospital. As in a previous study, performed in a similar cohort of patients, fresh microscopy revealed a sensitivity similar to that of DIF when applied to the diagnosis of PCP.(AU)

Para avaliar a utilidade da microscopia a fresco no diagnóstico da pneumocistose pulmonar (PCP), foi aplicada uma técnica de imunofluorescencia direta (IFD) com anticorpos monoclonais em 50 secregóes respiratórias obtidas por lavagem broncoalveolar e processadas de forma consecutiva no Laboratório de Parasitologia, entre os dias 19 de janeiro de 2011 e 25 de fevereiro de 2011. As mesmas pertenciam a pacientes com AIDS e diagnóstico presuntivo de PCP, e em todas elas a pesquisa da presenga de esfregagos espumosos por microscopia a fresco foi negativa. Nenhuma das amostras processadas resultou positiva para Pneumocystis jiroveci com a IFD. Com base nos resultados obtidos foi concluido que a microscopia a fresco permanece como um método rápido, económico, simples e seguro para o diagnóstico da PCP nos pacientes com AIDS internados em diferentes. Salas do Hospital Muñiz. Do mesmo modo que num estudo prévio, revelou possuir uma sensibilidade similar a IFD nos pacientes avaliados.(AU)

A case report of pulmonary coinfection of Strongyloides stercoralis and Pneumocystis jiroveci.

A case of pulmonary coinfection by Strongyloides stercoralis and Pneumocystis jiroveci has been detected in an AIDS patient treated in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit of the Muñiz Hospital. At diagnosis, the patient presented cough with mucopurulent expectoration, dyspnea, fever, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on the chest X-ray, negative bacilloscopy for acid fast bacteria and a CD4(+) T lymphocytes count of 52 cells/µL. The microbiological diagnosis was achieved by microscopic observation of the respiratory secretions obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage, while the wet mount examination revealed rhabditiform and filariform larvae of the nematode and foamy exudates, pathognomonic of the pulmonary pneumocystosis. It was the unique case of this association among about 3 000 samples performed in our laboratory in the last 10 years and diagnosed by microscopy. Other complementary stains (a rapid modification of Grocott, Kinyoun and Giemsa) were applied to the smears after the diagnosis of mycotic and parasitary infections achieved by fresh microscopy. Both physicians and microbiologists should take into account the possible coexistence of respiratory pathogens in immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS.

Pneumonia por Pneumocystis jiroveci (PPC) em pacientes com SIDA atendidos em hospitais da Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in patients with HIV infection from hospitals of the Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Objetivos: Os autores investigaram a freqüência de P. jiroveci em pacientes sororreagentes para o Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (AIDS) atendidos em hospitais de municípios da Baixada Fluminense, bem como, reconhecer aspectos do padrão epidemiológico da infecção por P. jiroveci nesses pacientes. Método: Para a realização da pesquisa foram coletadas 266 amostras de lavado broncoalveolar de pacientes infectados pelo HIV atendidos em três hospitais da Baixada Fluminense, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Resultados: A infecção por Pneumocystis jiroveci foi diagnosticada em 26,3% das amostras, sendo 18% no sexo masculino e 8,3% no feminino. Os gêneros apresentaram freqüências semelhantes (26,8% em homens e 25,3% em mulheres) (X2= 0,07; p>0,05) e ao considerar a infecção por faixas etárias, também não se constatou diferença significativa (H=10,7; p<0,05). Entre eles ainda foram encontrados oito casos de tuberculose representando 3% do total examinado.

Objetives: The authors investigated the P. jiroveci prevalence and the epidemiological pattern of individuals with HIV infection and pulmonary infection concomitantly. Method: Were collected 266 samples of bronchoalveolar lavae of the HIV infection patients from three hospitals from Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Results: The overall prevalence of Pneumocystis jiroveci infection was 26.3%, been 18% in male and 8.3% in female. The sexes showed similar prevalence (26.8% in men and 25.3% in women) and considering the infection stratified by age category, except to female 10-15 years old group, all of them showed infection by the P. jiroveci. Both measurements without significant differences (among sex, X2= 0,07; among age category, H=10,7, p>0,05) respectively. From this survey eight cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed, representing 3.0% of the total examined.

Detección molecular de Pneumocystis jiroveci en tejido parafinado de fallecidos por VIH/sida / Molecular detection of Pneumocystis jiroveci in paraffin-embedded tissue from persons who died from hiv/aivs

Introducción: Pneumocystis jiroveci es uno de los más frecuentes patógenos oportunistas que afectan a los pacientes con el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Objetivo: detectar P. jiroveci en tejidos embebidos en parafina mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Métodos: se emplearon 6 bloques de parafina procedentes de 3 fallecidos por sida y neumonía por P. jiroveci. Se realizaron coloraciones de rutina y especiales de anatomía patológica, así como la técnica de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para el diagnóstico del microorganismo. Resultados: con la técnica de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa se identificó este agente infeccioso en los bloques de parafina estudiados. Se logró detectar P. jiroveci hasta una dilución de 1:100 del material genético extraído de cada bloque. Conclusiones: contar con métodos moleculares que permitan identificar P. jiroveci en tejido parafinado abre el camino para la determinación de los genotipos involucrados en la pandemia sida cubana y permitirá determinar si la cepa infectante, en los casos que resulten fatales, presenta resistencia a los fármacos empleados.

Background: Pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the most frequent opportunistic pathogens affecting the patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Objective: to detect P. jiroveci in paraffin-embedded tissues by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Methods: six paraffin blocks from 3 dead persons who died from AIDS and P. jiroveci pneumonia. Routine and special staining of the pathological anatomy together with the PCR for diagnosis were performed. Results: the PCR identified this infective agent in the studied paraffin blocks. It was possible to detect P. jiroveci up to 1:100 dilution of the genetic material extracted from each block. Conclusions: the availability of molecular methods to identify P. jiroveci in paraffined tissue opens up the road to determination of genotypes involved in the Cuban AIDS pandemics and will allow ascertaining whether the infective strain, in fatal cases, is resistant to the drugs that are being used.

Asociación de Pneumocystis jiroveci con otros patógenos respiratorios en el lavado broncoalveolar / Association of Pneumocystis jiroveci with others respiratory pathogens in bronchoalveolar fluids

Se evaluó la eventual asociación de Pneumocystis jiroveci con otros patógenos respiratorios bacterianos, fúngicos y parasitarios, en 52 muestras de secreciones respiratorias obtenidas por lavado broncoalveolar, pertenecientes a pacientes con sida, internados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Respiratorios del Hospital Muñiz. Todas ellas fueron procesadas en forma consecutiva en los diferentes laboratorios del Hospital Muñiz, entre enero y septiembre de 2006 y fueron positivas para la presencia de P. jiroveci. En 2 (3.84%) de las muestras se aisló Mycobacterium tuberculosis y en otras 4 (7.69%) cantidades consideradas como significativas de Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 2), Haemophilus influenzae y Pseudomonasa eruginosa. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron la presencia de al menos un copatógeno respiratorio en el 12% de las muestras examinadas, cifra menor a la esperada, teniendo en cuenta el deterioro inmunológico de los pacientes evaluados. El empleo empírico de antibióticos, la no inclusión de estudios virológicos y el transporte inadecuado podrían disminuir el número de coinfecciones detectadas con diferentes patógenos. Probablemente, el escaso número de coinfecciones podría deberse a que en el momento de tomada la muestra, es P. jiroveci el microorganismo predominante sobre otros eventualmente presentes en el aparato respiratorio.

The eventual co-infection of Pneumocystis jiroveci withbacterial, fungal and parasitological respiratory pathogensin 52 respiratory secretions was evaluated. The samples obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage belong to AIDS patients treated in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit of Muñiz Hospital. They were consecutively processed between January and September of 2006 in different laboratories of Muñiz Hospital, resulting all of them positive for P. jiroveci. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 2 (3.84%) out of the evaluated samples whilea significant number of Streptococcus pneumoniae(n = 2), Haemophilus influenzae y Pseudomonas aeruginosaappeared in other 4 (7.69%). The obtained results revealed the presence of at least one respiratory pathogenother than P. jiroveci in 12% of evaluated samples, beingthese values lower than those expected by us, on accountof the impaired immunologic status of evaluated patients. The number of detected co-infections with different pathogens could decrease probably because of the empiric treatment with antibiotic, the absence of viral studies and the inadequate transport of the sample. Thescanty number of associations was probably due to the moment of sample recollection; P. jiroveci was the predominant pathogen over the other ones eventually present in the respiratory tract.

Infecciones oportunistas en el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida: La historia en México a 20 años del inicio de la epidemia / Opportunistic infections in the acquired inmunodeficiency syndrome: the history in Mexico 20 years after the begining of the epidemic

Las infecciones oportunistas (IO's) complican la evolución de los pacientes VIH-positivos. Se han observado diferencias regionales en la incidencia y en la prevalencia de las IO's en los pacientes con SIDA en relación con deficiencias inmunológicas, factores ambientales y a las condiciones socioeconómicas y sanitarias en el entorno de estos pacientes. Al inicio de la epidemia, la incidencia global de IO's alcanzó entre 60 y 100% de los pacientes VIH-positivos. Posteriormente, la incidencia de tuberculosis, de enteropatógenos, de Pneumocystis jiroveci y de Mycobacterium avium ha disminuido en el hemisferio occidental debido a la profilaxis farmacológica, a la mejoría en la atención médica y a la introducción de la terapia antirretroviral. Este fenómeno ha sido más obvio en Estados Unidos, en Europa occidental y en la mayoría de los países de América Latina. Al inicio de la epidemia de VIH, la frecuencia de las diferentes IO's en México fue similar en todos los reportes clínicos, la mayoría de los casos mostraban candidiasis mucocutánea o esofágica seguida por neumonía por P. jiroveci y enteritis por Cryptosporidium sp. Recientemente, se ha observado un incremento en el número de episodios de retinitis por CMV y de infección diseminada por M. avium como consecuencia de la sobrevida más prolongada de los pacientes VIH-positivos. En conclusión, las tasas de morbilidad y de mortalidad en los pacientes VIH-positivos han disminuido como resultado de la mejoría de la atención en el cuidado de estos pacientes, la aplicación de medidas de prevención específicas para IO's y más recientemente por la introducción de terapia antirretroviral muy activa.

Opportunistic infections (OI's) complicate the outcome of HIV-positive patients. There have been observed regional differences in the incidence and the prevalence of OI's in AIDS patients secondary to immunological deficiencies, environmental factors and socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. At the beginning of the epidemic, the global incidence of OI's in HIV-positive patients was between 60 and 100%. Later, the incidence of tuberculosis, intestinal pathogens, Pneumocystis jiroveci and Mycobacterium avium has decreased in the western hemisphere, because of the pharmacological prophylaxis, the improvement in the medical care and the introduction of the antiretroviral therapy. This phenomenon has been more evident in the United States, in Western Europe, and most Latin American countries. At the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the frequency of the different OI's in Mexico was similar among all the clinical reports; the majority of the cases showed mucocutaneous or esofagic candidiasis, followed by P. jiroveci pneumonia, and Cryptosporidium sp. enteritis. Recently, we have seen an increased in the number of episodes of CMV retinitis and M. avium disseminated infection as evidence of a prolonged survival of the HIV-positive patients. In conclusion, the morbidity and mortality rates in the HIV-positive patients have diminished as a result of the improvement of the medical care, the application of specific IO's prevention measures and more recently to the introduction of HAART. KEY WORDS. AIDS. HAART. Pneumocystis jiroveci. Mycobacterium avium. Toxoplasma gondii. Opportunistic infections.