Short communication: Biological and genetic characterization of HIV type 1 subtype B and nonsubtype B transmitted viruses: usefulness for vaccine candidate assessment.

Due to the extraordinary degree of genetic diversity of HIV-1 and the structural complexity of its envelope glycoproteins, designing an effective vaccine is difficult, requiring the development of viral reagents to assess vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies. The aim of this study was to improve on our previously developed panel of HIV-1 strains of different genetic forms, focusing on strains from acute and recently acquired infections as the most representative of the transmitted viruses. HIV-1 primary isolates were expanded in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Viral stocks of 40 ml each were produced. Syncytium-inducing (SI) phenotype, coreceptor use, and TCID(50)/ml were determined. Near full-length HIV-1 genomes were amplified by RT-nested PCR in four overlapping segments. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with neighbor-joining trees and bootscanning. Forty-four HIV-1 strains were included in the panel. Twenty-four (54.1%) strains were from early infections (16 acute and 8 recent); of them, 21 (87%) were sexually transmitted. NSI/R5 phenotype was detected in 37 (84.1%) viruses and SI/R5,X4 in another 7 (15.9%). TCID(50)/ml ranged between 10(4) and 10(6.6). Twelve different genetic forms constituted this panel: subtypes A1, B, C, F1, and G; circulating recombinant forms CRF02_AG, CRF14_BG, and CRF24_BG; and unique recombinant forms CRF02_AG/A3, BF1, CRF12_BF/B, and DF1G. In conclusion, in this study, we report the development of a comprehensive and well-characterized panel of HIV-1 isolates for assessing neutralization in HIV vaccine research. This panel is available for distribution through the Programme EVA Centre for AIDS Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standard and Control (NIBSC).

Neumonía neumocócica con bacteriemia en adultos: estudio descriptivo en el noroeste de España / Pneumococcal pneumonia with bacteremia in adults: a descriptive study from north-west of Spain

Objetivo: Análisis de pacientes mayores de 15 años, con neumonía neumocócica con bacteriemia (NNB), en el Complejo Hospitalario de Pontevedra. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 83 casos de NNB en los últimos 6 años (1995-2000). Resultados: Había 57 hombres y 26 mujeres. La edad media era de 56 años; en los menores de 40 años, había un 60%, infectado por el VIH. Dos tercios de los pacientes, tenían más de un factor predisponente, destacaban: el tabaquismo, el alcoholismo y la infección por el VIH. La presentación clínica típica de neumonía neumocócica, la encontramos en el 73%. El cálculo del índice de severidad de la neumonía (ISN), encuadró la mitad de los pacientes, en el grupo de bajo riesgo de mortalidad. La resistencia a la penicilina en los aislamientos, fue de 31%. Se modificó el tratamiento antibiótico inicial, en el 11% de los casos. Los fallecidos (10%) tenían: edad superior a 65 años, presencia de confusión mental, una mayor hipoxemia e hipercapnia, ingreso en la UCI, una presentación atípica, existencia de derrame pleural y un ISN mayor de 140. Conclusiones: Los pacientes NNB en nuestra área presentan unas características clínicas similares a las descritas en otras series; la mitad se incluyen en el grupo de bajo riesgo de mortalidad. Aparte de otros factores ya conocidos, un ISN superior a 140, se relaciona directamente con la mortalidad (AU)

Infección diseminada por Mycobacterium scrofulaceum en un paciente infectado por el VIH / Disseminated infection by Mycobacterium scrofulaceum in an infected HIV patient

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[Hematogenous meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus with sacro-iliitis and multiple abscesses. An infrequent association]. / Meningitis hematogéna por Staphylococcus aureus con sacroileítis y abscesos múltiples. Una asociación infrecuente.

INTRODUCTION: Meningitis due to Staphylococcus aureus (MSA) is an uncommon infectious condition. It forms from 1-9% of all cases of bacterial meningitis, and is characterized by a high morbidity and mortality. Ever since the first publications dealing with this type of meningitis, two basic mechanism have been described for the development of this infection: post-neurosurgical and hematogenous, also known as spontaneous. CLINICAL CASE: Our objective is to present the case of a 65 year old woman who developed hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus meningitis, without any predisposing factors. During clinical investigation, the meningeal infection was seen to be associated with septic arthritis of the right sacro-iliac joint (shown on isotope studies) and with retro-peritoneal and gluteal abscesses (shown on computerized tomography). In this patient the pathological findings were: MSA, retroperitoneal and gluteal abscesses, and unilateral sacro-ileitis. To date such a combination has not been described (Medline search from January 1982 up to june 1996). CONCLUSIONS: After analysis of the pathogenic findings of the MSA directly involved in this case we conclude by emphasizing the following points: 1. It is very important to make a thorough search for a primary infectious focus responsible for MSA, completing the physical examination of the patient with imaging techniques (conventional radiology, CT, isotope studies, etc.). 2. Depending on the primary focus found in an MSA, antibiotic treatment may sometimes have to be complemented by other methods of treatment to avoid subsequent complications.

[The incidence and clinical presentation of tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients]. / Incidencia y presentación clínica de la tuberculosis en pacientes VIH positivos.

To evaluate the features of tuberculous infection in HIV+ patients from our area we reviewed the 50 cases of seropositive patients admitted to a provincial hospital from 1985 to June 1989. TB was diagnosed in 18 of the 50 patients; mean patient age was 27 years, with a male predominance. PDA was the major risk practice. The most common localization were lymph nodes; 95% had fever and weight loss and 39% had nightly perspiration and cough; cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly were found in more than 50%. Tuberculin skin test was negative in 75% of cases. The diagnosis of TB represented the diagnosis of AIDS for 66% of patients. 25 of the 50 seropositive patients met the criteria for AIDS, and 68% of these had TB. TB is a common infection in HIV+ patients from our area, and it is the first cause of the diagnosis of AIDS. The index of suspicion of TB in these patients should be high, as clinical features are often nonspecific. However, it is preventable and curable superinfection.