Tuberculosis during early antiretroviral-induced immune reconstitution in HIV-infected children.

SETTING: Referral paediatric hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical manifestations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) associated disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children during early antiretroviral-induced immune reconstitution. DESIGN: Case series. RESULTS: Eleven patients with probable or culture confirmed TB were identified. Seven presented after a median 25 (range 8-54) days on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with pulmonary TB and one also had extra-pulmonary disease. Three of the patients had a prior history of TB and presented with relapse or recurrent disease. Four patients with TB developed a tuberculous paradoxical reaction; one died of suspected tuberculous immune reconstitution pneumonitis. The duration of pre-HAART anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral treatment ranged from 21 to 59 and 6 to 105 days, respectively, when they presented with a paradoxical reaction. Drug-resistant (isoniazid and rifampicin) TB was cultured from one patient with relapse disease. Chest radiograph features present during immune reconstitution were increasing or new intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, parenchymal infiltrates and pleural effusions. CONCLUSION: This report documents the clinical presentation of TB during the early phase of HAART which may be attributed to HAART-mediated immune reconstitution. More research is needed to improve the accuracy of TB diagnosis in HIV-infected children.

Warm or cold contrast medium in the micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG): which is best?

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine what difference using room temperature ("cold") or body temperature ("warm") contrast medium had on the outcome of MCUG examinations in infants under 1 year of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred infants (50 males and 50 females) referred for an MCUG were identified. Individuals with known bladder neuropathy were excluded. Each was randomized to receive either warm or cold contrast medium. The screening time, volume of contrast instilled, number of attempts at voiding, patient distress, completeness of bladder emptying and incidence of reflux were measured and the results between the two groups compared. RESULTS: No difference was found between the two groups with regards to screening time, volume of contrast instilled or number of attempts at voiding. There was a statistically significant (p<0.05, chi square) difference in distress levels, with more children crying during instillation of cold contrast medium than warm. Bladder emptying was more often to completion when using cold contrast medium (32 compared with 16%), and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) was more commonly demonstrated when using warm contrast medium (16 compared with 6%), although these values did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Warm contrast medium causes significantly less distress than cold contrast medium, but does not prolong screening time or increase the volume of contrast required.

Paediatric manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a review of the clinical and radiological findings.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disease in children. However, its ability to present in many ways, to mimic other conditions, and to manifest itself in many organs makes it a fascinating disease for radiologists. This article reviews the history of the disease, the features that are most useful in determining prognosis, and the various radiological findings seen in paediatric patients.