An autopsy case of cerebral hemorrhage in an HIV-infected patient with suspected HIV-associated cerebrovascular disease.

A male in his late 30s was found dead in his home. He was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) about six years prior. The HIV infection was well controlled before his death. He was 166 cm in height and 75 kg in weight. Aside from discoloration of the skin on the right lower patellar, there were no obvious injuries. His brain weighed 1456 g. A cut surface of the brain revealed left thalamic hemorrhage. Histologically, infiltration of phagocytic cells was observed in the bleeding site. Thalamic hemorrhage was considered to be his cause of death in this case. Due to the effects of anti-HIV therapy, the mortality rate from HIV infection has decreased and the causes of death of HIV-infected persons have changed. HIV-infected persons have been suggested to be associated with cerebrovascular disease, especially juvenile ischemic stroke. Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. Possible mechanisms of cerebrovascular disease in HIV-infected individuals include coagulopathy, secondary effects of embolism and central nervous system infection, and direct vascular disease due to HIV. At the time of autopsy, his post-mortem interval was estimated to be approximately two weeks. Therefore, it was difficult to clarify histologically the cerebrovascular disorder that caused his cerebral hemorrhage. In recent years, anti-HIV therapy has reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths, but deaths in HIV-infected people from cardiovascular disease are increasing. This case is considered to be a valuable forensic autopsy case of an HIV-infected patient who actually died due to cerebral hemorrhage in Japan.

Large adrenal leiomyoma presented as adrenal incidentaloma in an AIDS patient: A rare entity

The literature on adrenal gland tumour in HIV-infected patients is scarce. We report a 46-year-old Malay man with HIV and Hepatitis C infection presenting with a large nonfunctioning adrenal tumour. Computed tomography showed a large right adrenal tumour with heterogeneous enhancement and central necrosis. A high index of suspicion of a malignant tumour or pheochromocytoma led us to surgical removal of the adrenal gland. In this case report, we highlight important features to look for during pre-op evaluation of a large adrenal mass. Appropriate action should be taken when there is a suspicion of a pheochromocytoma or malignancy.

A pharmacogenomic prospective randomized controlled trial of CYP2B6 polymorphisms and efavirenz dose adjustment among HIV-infected Thai patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at comparing clinical/immunological outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who were treated with CYP2B6-guided and conventional efavirenz (EFV) therapy. METHODS: This study was a 24-week prospective randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients were HIV-infected adults yet to start antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-four HIV-infected patients were recruited and randomly assigned to genotype CYP2B6 polymorphism before ART initial dose. Patients with CYP2B6 *6/*6 received 400 mg EFV-based regimen and those with other genotypes received 600 mg EFV-based therapy. RESULTS: For CYP2B6 polymorphism, 12 patients were extensive metabolizers, ten patients were intermediate metabolizers, and only two patients were poor metabolizers (*6/*6). The overall mean EFV plasma concentrations were similar in both groups. The mean drug concentrations (standard deviation) were 1.675 (0.963), 1.445 (0.778), and 1.899 (0.808) µg/mL at week 4, 12, and 24, respectively. The CYP2B6 *6/*6 patient who received low dose of EFV had lower mean EFV level than those who received a normal dose, 1.916 versus 3.915 µg/mL (P<0.001), respectively. Seventy percent of the patients had neuropsychiatric adverse events, especially dizziness. DISCUSSION: There was a trend toward association of the CYP2B6 polymorphism and plasma EFV concentrations in this study. Reduced EFV dose should be considered in CYPB6 *6/*6 carrier to keep the drug concentration in therapeutic range.