Sofosbuvir plus simeprevir for the treatment of HCV genotype 4 patients with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis is highly efficacious in real life.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver-related death. Recently, multiple regimens of different direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have been registered. Although treatment with sofosbuvir (SOF) and simeprevir (SMV) is registered for the treatment of genotype 4 patients in some countries, data on efficacy of this combination are lacking. We aimed to assess the efficacy of SOF and SMV with or without RBV during 12 weeks in a real-life cohort of genotype 4 HCV patients. A retrospective multicentre observational study was conducted in 4 hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, including patients with advanced liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis treated with SOF plus SMV with or without RBV during 12 weeks for a genotype 4 chronic HCV infection from 1 January 2015 to 1 August 2015. Sustained viral response (SVR) was established at week 12 after end of treatment. A total of 53 patients with genotype 4 HCV infection, treatment naïve and experienced, were included. SVR was achieved in 49 of 53 patients (92%). The four failures all had a virological relapse and did not receive ribavirin. Three were nonresponder to earlier interferon-based treatment, and one was treatment naive. In this real-life cohort of patients with HCV genotype 4 infection and advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, we show that treatment with SOF and SMV is effective. The addition of RBV could be considered in treatment-experienced patients as recommended in guidelines.

Risk Factors for Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Case-Control Study.

Background. Since 2000, incidence of sexually acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection has increased among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). To date, few case-control and cohort studies evaluating HCV transmission risk factors were conducted in this population, and most of these studies were initially designed to study HIV-related risk behavior and characteristics. Methods. From 2009 onwards, HIV-infected MSM with acute HCV infection and controls (HIV-monoinfected MSM) were prospectively included in the MOSAIC (MSM Observational Study of Acute Infection with hepatitis C) study at 5 large HIV outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Written questionnaires were administered, covering sociodemographics, bloodborne risk factors for HCV infection, sexual behavior, and drug use. Clinical data were acquired through linkage with databases from the Dutch HIV Monitoring Foundation. For this study, determinants of HCV acquisition collected at the inclusion visit were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. Two hundred thirteen HIV-infected MSM (82 MSM with acute HCV infection and 131 MSM without) were included with a median age of 45.7 years (interquartile range [IQR], 41.0-52.2). Receptive unprotected anal intercourse (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-15.4), sharing sex toys (aOR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.04-12.5), unprotected fisting (aOR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.02-6.44), injecting drugs (aOR, 15.62; 95% CI, 1.27-192.6), sharing straws when snorting drugs (aOR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.39-8.32), lower CD4 cell count (aOR, 1.75 per cubic root; 95% CI, 1.19-2.58), and recent diagnosis of ulcerative sexually transmitted infection (aOR, 4.82; 95% CI, 1.60-14.53) had significant effects on HCV acquisition. Conclusions. In this study, both sexual behavior and biological factors appear to independently increase the risk of HCV acquisition among HIV-infected MSM.

Septic arthritis caused by Legionella dumoffii in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease.

We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease on immunosuppressive treatment who developed septic arthritis of the knee involving Legionella dumoffii. Cultures initially remained negative. A broad-range 16S PCR using synovial fluid revealed L. dumoffii rRNA genes, a finding that was subsequently confirmed by positive Legionella culture results.

Performance of two tube coagulase methods for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus from blood cultures and their impact on antimicrobial management.

Test parameters and clinical impact of the direct tube coagulase test (DTCT) for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus from blood culture were investigated. The sensitivity of the DTCT at 4 h using saline dilution was 96%, compared with 93% using serum separator tubes; specificity was 100% for both methods. Among 32 patients with S. aureus bacteraemia, treatment modifications were based on microbiology results from the primary source of infection in 12 patients, on a Gram's stain from blood culture in seven patients, and on the DTCT in nine patients. The DTCT is a valuable adjunct in the routine microbiology laboratory because of its good performance, technical simplicity and low cost.

Cytopathic effects of non-syncytium-inducing and syncytium-inducing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants on different CD4(+)-T-cell subsets are determined only by coreceptor expression.

In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, syncytium-inducing (SI) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected and depleted all CD4(+) T cells, including naive T cells. Non-SI HIV-1 infected and depleted only the CCR5-expressing T-cell subset. This may explain the accelerated CD4 cell loss after SI conversion in vivo.

Cytopathicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 primary isolates depends on coreceptor usage and not patient disease status.

It has been hypothesized that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) evolves toward increased cytopathicity in conjunction with disease progression in infected patients. A viral property known to evolve in some but not all patients is coreceptor utilization, and it has been shown that a switch in coreceptor utilization is sufficient for the development of increased cytopathicity. To test the hypothesis that the evolution of other viral properties also contributes to accelerating cytopathicity in vivo, we used human lymphoid tissue explants to assay the cytopathicity of a panel of primary HIV-1 isolates derived from various stages of disease characterized by the presence or absence of changes in coreceptor preference. We found no evidence of coreceptor-independent increases in cytopathicity in isolates obtained either before coreceptor preference changes or from patients who progressed to AIDS despite an absence of coreceptor evolution. Instead, the cytopathicity of all HIV-1 isolates was determined solely by their coreceptor utilization. These results argue that HIV-1 does not evolve toward increased cytopathicity independently of changes in coreceptor utilization.

Cystic adenoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium. Clinical, pathologic, and immunohistopathologic findings.

A 51-year-old white man was found to have a deeply pigmented mass in the ciliary body and peripheral choroid of his right eye with an associated vitreous hemorrhage. Although the tumor appeared to be a ciliochoroidal melanoma, a melanocytoma and adenoma of the pigment epithelium also were considered in the differential diagnosis. The tumor was removed by a large partial lamellar sclerocyclochoroidectomy. Results of histopathologic evaluation showed a cystic adenoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium. To the authors' knowledge, this was the first immunohistopathologic study of this tumor. Results of the study showed marked immunoreactivity for low molecular weight cytokeratins, vimentin, and S-100 protein. These immunohistochemical studies are consistent with the origin of this tumor from pigment epithelial cells.

Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. Electron microscopic and morphometric observations.

Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) is a well-circumscribed, flat, pigmented fundus lesion that is stable and generally nonprogressive. Light and electron microscopy and morphometric analysis was used to study a lesion with the clinical characteristics of CHRPE found in an eye enucleated for a posterior segment malignant melanoma. These studies showed that the lesion was composed of tall, maximally pigmented RPE cells that had a density 1.7 times greater than the density of the adjacent normal peripheral RPE. These observations suggested that cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy may contribute to CHRPE. Ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy showed no autofluorescent granules of lipofuscin in the CHRPE, suggesting that the lesion's constituent cells lack the capacity to phagocytose and digest photoreceptor outer segments. Photoreceptor degeneration in the overlying retina consequent to this functional defect could be responsible for the localized visual field defects that typically occur in patients with CHRPE.

Laparoscopic laser treatment of endometriosis with the Nd:YAG sapphire probe.

Laparoscopic surgery with the Nd:YAG laser generator and a sapphire probe was performed in 43 women for relief of pain and/or infertility associated with endometriosis and in two other women for treatment of an asymptomatic adnexal enlargement. More than half of the patients had American Fertility Society endometriosis scores of stage III or IV. Results of uterosacral denervation for pain relief were excellent, and eight of 17 patients who were attempting pregnancy with follow-up for 6 months conceived. A touch technique, reduced smoke production, and delivery via a flexible fiber constitute advantages to the surgeon compared with carbon dioxide systems.

Vesicovaginal fistula and its complications due to prolonged use of vaginal diaphragm.

The vaginal diaphragm is currently less popular than other contraceptive methods, such as the pill, IUDs or surgical sterilization. It is however, regarded as one of the safest methods of contraception available and complications of diaphragm use are rare. This report describes a case in which a vesicovaginal fistula and genitourinary tract infections complicated the use of this contraceptive method.

PIP: This article presents a case in which a diaphragm, in place in the vagina of a 61-year old woman for 37 years, caused vesicovaginal fistula and genitourinary tract infections. The patient presented with a history of foul smelling watery vaginal discharge for the preceding 10-15 years. The pathology specimen revealed vaginitis, cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis with tubo-ovarian adhesions, and chronic cystitis in conjunction with a bladder calculus. The vertically positioned diaphragm was inspissated and calcified. The position of the diaphragm had not interfered with menstruation. A hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, cystectomy and anterior vaginectomy, right nephroureterectomy, and appendectomy were performed, and the left ureter had to be anastomosed to a right lower quadrant ileal loop. The postoperative course was uneventful. This case illustrates the serious complications that can accompany prolonged diaphragm neglect; this patient had no contact with a physician following diaphragm insertion.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage in Turner syndrome. Long-term follow-up with postmortem examination.

A 57-year-old woman with Turner syndrome had severe recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Exploratory laparotomy at the age of 26 showed an extensive telanglectasia of the entire small intestine. Following death due to myocardial infraction at age 57, postmortem examination revealed only a 0.2-cm residual telangiectasia in the mucosa of the distal part of the ileum. Spontaneous regression of the intestinal telangiectasia observed in Turner syndrome may occur and account for the improved prognosis with age.

Reactive plasmacytic lesions of the bone marrow.

A consecutive series of 1,000 bone marrow aspirates was analyzed for percentage of plasma cells, incidence of plasmacytic satellitosis, associated clinical disease states, lymphoid follicles, lipid granulomas, hemosiderin content, and various combinations thereof. Plasmacytosis was a common finding, and tended to parallel the presence of lymphoid follicles, lipid granulomas and plasmacytic satellitosis. The latter is emphasized as a normal phenomenon, may reflect morphologically a physiologic response of the B cell system to antigenic stimulation, and is conspicuously absent in plasmacytic neoplasia. Various secretory forms of plasma cells are illustrated.