A case of imported neurocysticercosis in Portugal.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in resource-poor countries. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman born and residing in Guinea-Bissau, who was transferred to Portugal two months after the onset of a possible meningitis (fever, headache, seizures, and coma) that did not respond to antibiotic treatment. The diagnosis of NCC was confirmed by MR imaging, which showed multiple lesions compatible with cysticercus, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid. After 28 days on albendazole and dexamethasone without improvement, she was started on praziquantel, which she completed in six weeks with progressive recovery.

Hypovitaminosis D in HIV-infected patients in Lisbon: a link with antiretroviral treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Recent data indicates that low vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels can lead to a worst prognosis in HIV-infected individuals, even in those on successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) [1]. Portugal is the European country that has the largest average sun exposure time but prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is mostly unknown. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in HIV patients in Lisbon and the possible association with ART. METHODS: From 2012 to January 2014, plasma samples from 518 HIV-infected patients were collected to 25(OH)D levels determination. Data on demographic features (age, ethnicity, country of origin) and clinical/laboratory parameters were collected from clinical files (HIV subtype, CD4+ cell count, CD4+ nadir, viral load (VL), HBV/HCV co-infection and ART). 25(OH)D status was defined as: deficiency <20 ng/mL, insufficiency 20-30 ng/mL, optimal >30 ng/mL. RESULTS: Median age was 46 years old (±11); 62.0% (321/518) were male; 81.3% (421/518) were Caucasian and 78.6% (407/518) were Portuguese. Most patients (96.1%; 498/518), were HIV-1 infected, 22.9% (114/498) and 4.0% (20/498) of them were HCV and/or HBV co-infected, respectively. Mean CD4+ cell count was 648 cells/µL (±333) and nadir was 219 cells/µL (±179). On treated patients VL was <40 HIV RNA/mL in 86.7% (417/481). The median levels of 25(OH)D was 20.0 ng/mL (range 4.1-99.7) and we found differences between values observed during Winter (median 16.7 ng/mL) and Summer (median 24.9 ng/mL) (p<0.0001). Low 25(OH)D levels were not correlated to ethnicity (p=0.066). 25(OH)D level was <30 ng/mL in 80.1% (415/518) of the patients, from which 30.9% (160/518) and 49.2% (255/518) had insufficiency and deficiency levels, respectively. Most (92.9%; 481/518) were on ART: regimens containing PI (47.5%), NNRTI (40.3%; 41.3% on NVP and 58.7% on EFV), II (1.2%), PI+NNRTI (3.9%). Comparing the 25(OH)D level along the different ART regimens (PI vs NVP; PI vs EFV; PI vs no ART) there were differences between PI and EFV (p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 80.1% of the HIV-infected patients had hypovitaminosis D and ART regimens with EFV were more often associated with low 25(OH)D levels. Understanding the impact of the different antiretroviral drugs on 25(OH)D status could help to decide in clinical practice whether 25(OH)D supplementation or drug switch are the best options for each patient.

Tuberculosis with malaria or HIV co-infection in a large hospital in Luanda, Angola.

INTRODUCTION: Three major public health problems, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, are widespread in Angola, often as co-infections in the same individual. In 2009, it was assumed that 44,151 new cases of TB occurred in Angola. Interestingly, interventions such as treatment/prevention of malaria appear to reduce mortality in HIV-infected and possibly TB co-infected patients. However, despite the seriousness of the situation, current data on TB and co-infection rates are scarce. This study aimed to characterize all TB cases seen at the Hospital Sanatório de Luanda, and to determine the co-infection rate with HIV and/or malaria. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study collected demographic, diagnostic and clinical data from all patients admitted during 2007. RESULTS: A total of 4,666 patients were admitted, of whom 1,906 (40.8%) were diagnosed with TB. Overall, 1,111 patients (58.3%) were male and most patients (n=1302, 68.3%) were adults (≥ 14 years). The rate of HIV co-infection was 37.4% (n=712). Malaria was diagnosed during admission and hospital stay in 714 patients (37.5%), with Plasmodium falciparum the predominant species. Overall mortality was 15.2% (n=290). CONCLUSIONS: Because Luanda does not have the infrastructure to perform culture-based diagnosis of TB, confirmation of TB is problematic. The HIV-co-infection rate is high, with 37.4% of patients requiring integrated approaches to address this problem. With more than 1/3 of the TB patients co-infected with malaria, even during the hospital stay, the prevention of malaria in TB patients appears to be an effective way to reduce overall mortality.

Tuberculosis with Malaria or HIV Co-Infection in a Large Hospital in Luanda; Angola

"Introduction: Three major public health problems; tuberculosis; malaria and HIV/AIDS; are widespread in Angola; often as co-infections in the same individual. In 2009; it was assumed that 44;151 new cases of TB occurred in Angola. Interestingly; interventions such as treatment/prevention of malaria appear to reduce mortality in HIV-infected and possibly TB co-infected patients. However; despite the seriousness of the situation; current data on TB and co-infection rates are scarce. This study aimed to characterize all TB cases seen at the Hospital Sanatorio de Luanda; and to determine the co-infection rate with HIV and/or malaria. Methodology: This retrospective study collected demographic; diagnostic and clinical data from all patients admitted during 2007. Results: A total of 4;666 patients were admitted; of whom 1;906 (40.8) were diagnosed with TB. Overall; 1;111 patients (58.3) were male and most patients (n=1302; 68.3) were adults (""d14 years). The rate of HIV co-infection was 37.4 (n=712). Malaria was diagnosed during admission and hospital stay in 714 patients (37.5); with Plasmodium falciparum the predominant species. Overall mortality was 15.2(n=290). Conclusions: Because Luanda does not have the infrastructure to perform culture-based diagnosis of TB; confirmation of TB is problematic. The HIV-co-infection rate is high; with 37.4 of patients requiring integrated approaches to address this problem. With more than 1/3 of the TB patients co-infected with malaria; even during the hospital stay; the prevention of malaria in TB patients appears to be an effective way to reduce overall mortality."