Hepatitis C and heart transplantation: An update.

There are limited data regarding heart transplantation in the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in either recipients or donors, as the practice was infrequent, given concerns of worse post-transplant outcomes. This changed dramatically after the development of highly effective HCV therapies, namely direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Additionally, nucleic acid testing currently in use establishes more precisely the risk of HCV transmission from donors. As a result, chronic HCV infection in itself is no longer a barrier for heart transplant candidates, and the use of HCV-positive organs for HCV-infected and non-infected transplant candidates has increased dramatically. A review of the literature revealed that in the pre-DAA era, HCV seropositive heart transplant patients had a higher mortality than their seronegative counterparts. However, short-term data suggest that the differences in survival have been erased in the DAA era. Heart transplantation from HCV-viremic donors to HCV-uninfected recipients has become increasingly common as the number of deceased donors with HCV viremia has increased over the past years. Preliminary outcome reports are very encouraging, although further data are needed with regard to long-term safety. New information continues to be incorporated to optimize protocols that guide this practice.

Multifocal Abdominal Pyomyositis From Subcutaneous Dissemination in an Immunocompetent Patient.

A 61-year-old woman presented to the emergency ward complaining of low back pain for a month. She had undergone several spinal surgeries and a right radical nephrectomy 30 years before. A few days earlier she was injected with an intramuscular painkiller in her right buttock. An abdominal CT scan revealed multiple abscesses in the psoas muscle and the right posterior abdominal wall, including cellulitis in the adjacent subcutaneous tissue and the injection site. A diagnosis of pyomyositis from subcutaneous dissemination was made, and intravenous cefazolin was initiated. After five days of favorable progress, treatment was switched to oral cefadroxil to complete four weeks, leading to full recovery.

Hepatitis C virus and kidney transplantation: Recent trends and paradigm shifts.

The management of HCV infection in kidney transplantation presents significant challenges. HCV, left untreated, worsens patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation through multiple mechanisms. The field has evolved significantly in recent years, due to the ability to effectively eliminate the virus with direct-acting antivirals. Limited data suggest that current HCV treatment improves outcomes of infected kidney transplant patients. Along with the ability to successfully treat HCV, the increased HCV prevalence among donors has led to transplantation of kidneys from HCV-viremic donors into uninfected recipients. The practice has become increasingly common, but optimization of protocols to guide this practice is currently under debate. We have searched the literature on HCV and kidney transplantation, and review here the epidemiology, clinical outcomes, HCV treatment, and studies on transplantation from positive donor to negative recipient. We also discuss the evolving clinical management paradigms and address unresolved questions, highlighting the need for additional data with longer follow up.

Diabetic Foot Infection and Select Comorbidities Drive Readmissions in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) facilitates early patient discharge, but readmissions prior to completion of therapy may offset its advantages. The objective of this study was to evaluate unplanned readmissions of patients undergoing OPAT at our institution and to identify risk factors. We hypothesized that host factors were most relevant. METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients discharged to receive OPAT during 2017 who experienced at least one unplanned readmission to the hospital prior to its completion. We determined the proportion of patients readmitted, and the causes for readmission. Using a control group, we identified risk factors through multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 684 patients, 17% had an unplanned readmission while receiving OPAT. Causes included worsening infection in 18%, venous access problems in 11%, acute events unrelated to infection in 19%, treatment intolerance in 19%, progression of underlying comorbidity in 20%, and social and other problems in 13%. In multivariate analysis diabetic foot infection (OR 3.24; 95%CI 1.38-8.31; p = 0.01), the presence of chronic kidney disease, decubitus ulcer or heart failure (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.51-4.70; p < 0.001), and narcotics prescribed at discharge (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.06-3.60; p = 0.049) were independent risk factors for readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned hospital readmissions were frequent and due to very heterogeneous causes. Diabetic foot infection, selected comorbidities, and discharge on opioids were identified as independent risk factors. In the efforts to decrease readmissions among patients receiving outpatient parenteral antimicrobial a focus on these high-risk groups is a priority.

Disgust in eating disorders, a basic emotion

The cognitive and emotional factors linked to the body image perceived by people with eating disorders and obesity can be so negative. Even, they lead to inappropriate behaviors and surgical treatments and interventions that involve health risks. As an inducing emotion, Disgust appears frequently linked to both the body and other factors related to eating disorders

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Acute Hepatitis B Surge: Opioid Epidemic Implication and Management Challenges.

We recognized a surge in acute hepatitis B at our institution and a link to the opioid epidemic since 2017. Among barriers to optimal management, we identified frequent deviations from national recommendations and patient noncompliance with follow-up.

More Frequent Premature Antibiotic Discontinuations and Acute Kidney Injury in the Outpatient Setting With Vancomycin Compared to Daptomycin.

Vancomycin and daptomycin are often used in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy for gram-positive coverage. Vancomycin's narrow therapeutic window poses challenges. We retrospectively assessed acute kidney injury (AKI) and other adverse drug events in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy patients receiving vancomycin or daptomycin at home after hospital discharge. Among 191 patients included, AKI was the most common adverse drug event. Early antibiotic discontinuation and AKI were more frequent in the vancomycin group. Vancomycin use (odds ratio [OR], 4.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-20.51); p = 0.04], female sex (OR, 3.28; 95%CI, 1.41-7.67; P < .01), and longer hospitalization (OR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.01-1.11; P = .02] independently predicted moderate-to-severe AKI. In the vancomycin group, trough concentrations increased after discharge, and were higher in female compared to male patients, and in those who developed moderate-to-severe AKI compared to those who did not. Female sex (OR, 8.37; 95%CI, 2.35-29.82; P < .01) and higher concentrations (OR, 1.12; 95%CI, 1.05-1.19; P < .01) predicted moderate-to-severe AKI in patients receiving vancomycin. In conclusion, premature antibiotic discontinuations and nephrotoxicity are more frequent in patients treated at home with vancomycin compared to daptomycin. Among patients receiving vancomycin, plasma concentrations increased after hospital discharge and predicted moderate-to-severe AKI. Women had higher vancomycin concentrations and higher risk for AKI.

Delayed spontaneous hepatitis C virus elimination in a renal transplant patient following graft rejection.

While elimination of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) following acute infection is not uncommon, spontaneous clearance once the infection becomes chronic is extremely rare. The mechanisms involved in the clearance of chronic HCV infection without intervening antiviral therapy are not well known. Herein we describe a case of a renal transplant recipient who acquired HCV infection while immunosuppressed, experienced a rapid histological progression, and thereafter cleared the virus spontaneously long after withdrawal of immunosuppression following kidney graft rejection and failure. We review the literature and summarize the reports of spontaneous clearance of chronic HCV infection in various settings.

Double invasive fungal infection due to dematiaceous moulds in a renal transplant patient.

Alternaria and Verruconis are two dematiaceous moulds that occasionally cause disease in immunocompromised hosts. We present the case of a 58-year-old man with history of deceased donor renal transplantation 14 months prior, who presented with fevers and cough. He was found to have right upper lobe pneumonia and a non-healing eschar of his right knee. Dematiaceous fungi grew from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and was sent to reference lab for identification. Meanwhile, the eschar on his right knee was biopsied and grew Alternaria spp. Pathology was consistent with invasive mould infection and he was treated as having disseminated Alternaria infection with voriconazole and amphotericin B lipid complex. Later on, the dematiaceous mould from a BAL specimen was identified as Verruconis gallopava The patient was discharged on voriconazole awaiting minimal inhibitory concentrations for V. gallopava but was readmitted 2 days later with high fevers and died from acute respiratory failure.

Trastorno del desarrollo sexual 46, XY tipo ovotesticular por síndrome de Frasier: Caso clínico

Objetivo: Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente femenina de 27 años con enfermedad renal crónica estadio V a los 19 años, en condición pos trasplante renal quien es referida a la consulta de Endocrinología por amenorrea primaria. Presentación del caso: Al examen físico se evidencia: fenotipo femenino armónico, talla normal, vello púbico Tanner IV y axilar presente, mamas Tanner I, cardiopulmonar: sin alteraciones. Abdomen: lesión ocupante de espacio en fosa ilíaca derecha, no doloroso, compatible con riñón intrapélvico y lesión ocupante de espacio en canal inguinal derecho <1cm, no doloroso, móvil, sin hernias inguinales ni lesión ocupante de espacio en hipogastrio. Genitales externos: labios mayores de aspecto y configuración normal, Prader 1, no se palpan tumoraciones. Ecosonograma inguinal y pélvico: Riñón intrapélvico, no se observó útero ni gónadas. Cariotipo 46,XY. Estudio genético: Amplificación por PCR del ADN del gen WT1: sustitución de aminoácido C> T IVS9 + 4. Se realiza gonadectomía bilateral, cuya biopsia reportó: ovotestis bilateral sin gonadoblastoma. Conclusiones: La presencia de trastornos de la diferenciación sexual tipo ovotesticular sin gonadoblastoma, es el primer caso reportado en la literatura venezolana.

Objective: Case report of female patient 27 years old, with stage V chronic kidney disease, and received a living donor kidney transplant at 19 age, who is referred to Endocrine Unit for primary amenorrhea. Case report: Physical examination evidenced: Harmonic female phenotype, normal height, Tanner IV pubic hair and axillary hair present, breast Tanner I, cardiopulmonary: unchanged. Abdomen: Space-occupying lesion in the right iliac fossa, painless, compatible with intrapelvic kidney and space-occupying lesion in the right inguinal canal <1 cm, painless, mobile, without inguinal hernia or space-occupying lesion in lower abdomen. External genitalia: Majora labia with appearance and normal configuration, Prader 1, no palpable tumors. Inguinal and pelvic sonography: intrapelvic kidney, uterus and gonads were not observed. 46, XY karyotype. Genetic study: PCR Amplification DNA of WT1 gene: Amino acid substitution C> T + 4. IVS9. Bilateral gonadectomy was performed, the biopsy reported: Bilateral ovotestis without gonadoblastoma. Conclusion: The presence of disorder of sexual development and ovotestis without gonadoblastoma and germ cell tumor are unusual presentations of this syndrome, is the first case reported in literature.

Drug-induced liver injury in hospitalized HIV patients: high incidence and association with drugs for tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of liver disease in HIV patients is cumbersome because may result from a number of different causes. The aim of this retrospective study was to estimate the incidence of severe drug induced liver injury (DILI) in a group of HIV inpatients and investigate potential risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from HIV-infected patients hospitalized between August 2010 and August 2011 in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Severe hepatotoxicity was defined as grade 3 (5.1 to 10 x ULN) or 4 (> 10 x ULN) of ALT and AST levels. Factors analyzed included demographics, infection with hepatitis viruses, alcohol history and use of hepatotoxic drugs prior to or during hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients with HIV were hospitalized during the study period. The majority were male over 42 years of age and 82 (55%) were taking HAART initiated prior to admission. Mean CD4 counts were 164 cells/mm3. Thirty three patients (22.1%) developed severe DILI during hospital stay, which had a mean duration of 26 days. Factors associated with severe DILI in the multivariate analysis were abnormal baseline ALT levels [OR 2.02 (95%CI 1.13-3.59); p = 0.017] and tuberculosis therapy [OR 2.31 (95% CI 1.27-4.19); p = 0.006]. In conclusion, in this group of HIV patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Brazil, we found a high incidence (22.1%) of severe DILI. The use of anti-tuberculosis drugs and baseline liver injury were independent factors associated with severe DILI during hospital stay.

Outcomes in HIV/HBV-Coinfected Patients in the Tenofovir Era Are Greatly Affected by Immune Suppression.

OBJECTIVES: HIV-infected patients have higher mortality when coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). With potent highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the use of tenofovir (TDF), outcomes may improve. Our objective was to determine the clinical and virological outcomes of a HIV/HBV-Coinfected cohort at our center since TDF became available. METHODS: We retrospectively studied all HIV/HBV-Coinfected adults followed between 2002 and 2012 for ≥3 months. Outcome measurements included HBV DNA suppression, HBV e-antigen (HBeAg) and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance, cirrhosis diagnosis, development of liver complications, and overall and liver-related mortality. Predicting factors were assessed with log-rank test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Median time to follow-up of the 99 patients included was 5 years. Undetectable HBV DNA and HBsAg loss were achieved by 65% and 18%, respectively. Overall and liver-related mortality rates were 4.58 and 0.91 per 100 person-years, respectively. Most patients died of causes unrelated to the liver. Four patients died from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and one, hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected, from liver failure. Higher CD4 counts at last follow-up were associated with HBV suppression (odds ratio [OR] 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.001-1.006, P=.007), HBeAg loss (OR 1.003, 95% CI 1-1.005, P=.02), HBsAg loss (CD4 count>700 cells/mm3, OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.06-13.58, P=.04), and survival (OR .994, 95% CI 0.990-0.997, P<.0001). HCV coinfection was associated with higher overall mortality (OR 7.74, 95% CI 1.47-40.81, P=.02). CONCLUSION: Mortality was high and most often unrelated to liver disease in this HIV/HBV-Coinfected cohort treated predominantly with TDF-containing HAART. Optimal CD4 counts predicted survival and the achievement of HBV virological end points. Tenofovir prevented liver decompensation but not HCC, which was the predominant cause of liver death.

Nesidioblastosis en adolescentes: A propósito de un caso

Objetivos: Describir la presentación de un caso clínico de nesidioblastosis en una paciente adolescente. Caso clínico: Adolescente femenina de 14 años de edad, con inicio de enfermedad actual en Febrero/2013, caracterizada por cefalea de moderada intensidad, concomitantemente diaforesis y mareos; en Marzo/2013 presenta movimientos tónico-clónicos generalizados, retroversión ocular con pérdida del estado de conciencia (en 2 oportunidades), es trasladada a centro médico donde evidencian glucemia en 48 mg/dl y 40 mg/dl respectivamente, colocan solución dextrosa con mejoría. Estudios complementarios revelan: hipoglucemia en ayunas: glucemia 40 mg/dl, para vun valor de insulina de 46,7 μUI/ml; es ingresada realizándose prueba de ayuno de 72 horas, a las 10 horas del inicio de la misma se evidencia triada de Whipple, y las muestras confirmaron hipoglucemia por hiperinsulinismo endógeno; se realizan estudios de localización sin evidencia de lesión. El 24/07/13 se realiza laparotomía abierta. Biopsia post-operatoria reportó: hiperplasia de las células de los islotes de Langerhans. En su post-operatorio tardío presenta síntomas de hipoglucemia. Se sugiere completar la cirugía, se inicia manejo farmacológico con Verapamilo a dosis de 40 mg cada 8 horas, con respuesta satisfactoria. Conclusión: La nesidioblastosis en una causa rara de hipoglucemia por hiperinsulinismo endógeno en el adulto, sin casos reportados en adolescentes, clínicamente es indistinguible del insulinoma; bioquímicamente es necesario documentar la hipoglucemia hiperinsulinémica mediante una prueba de ayuno de 72 horas, los estudios de extensión no aportan datos específicos, el tratamiento de elección es la cirugía, el tratamiento médico está reservado principalmente para casos con alto riesgo quirúrgico y recidivas.

Objectives: To describe a clinical case of nesidioblastosis in a teenage patient. Clinical case: This is a fourteen-year-old female teenage patient, with current illness starting on February/2013 characterized by headache of moderate intensity, concomitantly diaphoresis and dizziness. In March/2013 she presents generalized tonic-clonic movements, ocular retroversion with loss of consciousness (2 opportunities) and is referred to a medical center where they find a glycemia of 48 mg/dl and 40 mg/dl respectively, improving with glucose solution. Since complementary studies revealed fasting hypoglycemia: glycemia 40 mg/dl for insulin value 46.7 μUI/ml, the patient is hospitalized for a 72 hours fasting test, and at 10 hours from the start, a Whipple triad is evidenced, and blood tests confirmed hypoglycemia due to endogenous hyperinsulinism. Localization studies are performed with no evidence of a lesion. On 07/24/2013 an open laparotomy is carried out. Postoperatory biopsy reported: Langerhans islet cell hyperplasia. During late postoperative period, hypoglycemic symptoms reappear. It is suggested to complete surgery and pharmacological management with Verapamil at 40 mg every 8 hours is started, with a satisfactory response. Conclusion: Nesidioblastosis is a rare cause of hypoglycemia by endogenous hyperinsulinism in adults, with no case reports in teenagers. It is clinically indistinguishable from insulinoma and it is necessary to biochemically demonstrate hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with a 72 hour fasting test. Imaging studies don’t provide specific data. Surgical treatment is first choice and pharmacological treatment is reserved mainly for high-risk surgical patients and recurrence.

Suppression of HBV by tenofovir in HBV/HIV coinfected patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B coinfection is common in HIV-positive individuals and as antiretroviral therapy has made death due to AIDS less common, hepatitis has become increasingly important. Several drugs are available to treat hepatitis B. The most potent and the one with the lowest risk of resistance appears to be tenofovir (TDF). However there are several questions that remain unanswered regarding the use of TDF, including the proportion of patients that achieves suppression of HBV viral load and over what time, whether suppression is durable and whether prior treatment with other HBV-active drugs such as lamivudine, compromises the efficacy of TDF due to possible selection of resistant HBV strains. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines and using multilevel mixed effects logistic regression, stratified by prior and/or concomitant use of lamivudine and/or emtricitabine. RESULTS: Data was available from 23 studies including 550 HBV/HIV coinfected patients treated with TDF. Follow up was for up to seven years but to ensure sufficient power the data analyses were limited to three years. The overall proportion achieving suppression of HBV replication was 57.4%, 79.0% and 85.6% at one, two and three years, respectively. No effect of prior or concomitant 3TC/FTC was shown. Virological rebound on TDF treatment was rare. INTERPRETATION: TDF suppresses HBV to undetectable levels in the majority of HBV/HIV coinfected patients with the proportion fully suppressed continuing to increase during continuous treatment. Prior treatment with 3TC/FTC does not compromise efficacy of TDF treatment. The use of combination treatment with 3TC/FTC offers no significant benefit over TDF alone.

Viral hepatitis and HIV: update and management.

HCV-related liver disease is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in the HIV-infected population. Successful treatment of HIV-HCV-coinfected patients is followed by favourable clinical outcomes. While the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin remains the mainstay in the treatment of non-1 HCV genotypes, the first generation of HCV protease inhibitors are being incorporated into existing HCV genotype-1 (HCV-1) treatment protocols. Although data are limited, the triple combination does improve the sustained virological response in HIV-HCV-1-coinfected subjects. However, with still very limited data in this setting, clinical decisions for triple therapy have to be individualized and made based on multiple considerations. Chronic HBV infection increases mortality in HIV-infected subjects. In the treatment of HIV-HBV coinfection, it is very important to coordinate HBV and HIV therapies. HBV-active HAART improves the outcome of patients with HIV-HBV coinfection and tenofovir has become a key component of the treatment for these patients, although a number of clinical situations require a case-by-case approach.

JC polyoma virus interacts with APOL1 in African Americans with nondiabetic nephropathy.

Individuals with HIV infection and two apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) risk variants frequently develop nephropathy. Here we tested whether non-HIV viral infections influence nephropathy risk via interactions with APOL1 by assessing APOL1 genotypes and presence of urine JC and BK polyoma virus and plasma HHV6 and CMV by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed 300 samples from unrelated and related first-degree relatives of African Americans with nondiabetic nephropathy using linear and nonlinear mixed models to account for familial relationships. The four groups evaluated were APOL1 zero/one versus two risk alleles, with or without nephropathy. Urine JCV and BKV were detected in 90 and 29 patients, respectively, whereas HHV6 and CMV were rare. Adjusting for family age at nephropathy, gender, and ancestry, presence of JCV genomic DNA in urine and APOL1 risk alleles were significantly negatively associated with elevated serum cystatin C, albuminuria (albumin-to-creatinine ratio over 30 mg/g), and kidney disease defined as an eGFR under 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and/or albuminuria in an additive (APOL1 plus JCV) model. BK viruria was not associated with kidney disease. Thus, African Americans at increased risk for APOL1-associated nephropathy (two APOL1 risk variants) with JC viruria had a lower prevalence of kidney disease, suggesting that JCV interaction with APOL1 genotype may influence kidney disease risk.

Outcome of HCV genotype 1 treatment in HIV-coinfected patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic renal insufficiency is a barrier for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and yet virus clearance is desirable prior to kidney transplantation. Several reports document success of kidney transplantation in the setting of HIV infection. We analyzed the treatment outcome of patients with HIV and HCV genotype 1 infections and chronic kidney disease, who received pegylated interferon with or without ribavirin in our center. Of the 7 patients, 2 achieved sustained virological response. None of the responders had end-stage renal disease, suggesting that HCV treatment is most likely to be successful in earlier stages of renal disease.