Opportunistic invasive mycoses in AIDS. An autopsy study of 211 cases.

The opportunistic mycoses are an important cause of morbidity-mortality among patients with severe immunosuppression provoked by HIV. We present a study of 211 serial autopsies of patients with HIV/AIDS infection carried out by our service in a period of 10 years, observing frequency of invasive mycoses of the 44.1%. Pneumocystis carinii infection was the most frequent (32%) with a prevalence of lung affection. Candidiasis follows it in order of frequency with 31.1%, predominantly the oropharyngeal manifestation. Systemic or cerebromeningeal cryptococcosis were serious and common disorder (29%). Diseminated histoplasmosis occurred in 9.6% and in three cases (3.2%) pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed as a postmortem discovery in cavity lesions. In our series, other less common HIV-associated were not identified.     

非粒细胞减少患者肺曲霉病22例回顾性分析

目的提高对非粒细胞减少患者肺曲霉病的认识及诊疗水平。方法回顾性分析22例非粒细胞减少患者肺曲霉病的临床、影像学及实验室资料,随诊其转归。结果22例肺曲霉病（PA）患者,男性12例,女性10例,平均年龄（56．3±21．4）岁。确诊、临床诊断各8例,拟诊6例。侵袭性肺曲霉病（IPA）11例,单纯性曲霉球6例,慢性坏死性肺曲霉病（CNPA）5例。常见基础疾病为继发型肺结核（8／22）、糖尿病或类固醇性糖尿病（6／22）、高血压病（5／22）、慢性阻塞性肺疾病（5／22）,4例系原发社区感染。常见临床症状咳嗽咳痰（18／22）、咯血（11／22）、气促（7／22）。影像学表现为肺部渗出或实变病灶9例、空洞改变及典型曲霉球12例,结节或肿块1例。首选药物治疗依次为伏立康唑（10／22）、卡泊芬净（4／22）、伊曲康唑（3／22）。结论非粒细胞减少伴IPA好发于糖尿病、慢性阻塞性肺疾病,亦可发生在免疫功能正常患者。单纯曲霉球多继发或并发于肺结核。应注意鉴别CNPA与单纯曲霉球。IPA临床表现缺乏特征性。影像改变未见典型晕征及空气半月征,肺外播散少见,药物治疗首选伏立康唑。     

慢性阻塞性肺病继发曲霉菌感染96例临床分析

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）继发呼吸系统曲霉菌感染的临床特点及防治对策。方法分析浙江大学附属第一医院2007年6月至2008年6月收治的96例COPD痰培养曲霉菌阳性患者的临床表现、治疗方法及治疗结果。结果96例COPD痰培养曲霉菌阳性患者经治疗后,9例死亡,87例好转,其中45例未用抗真菌药物治疗,38例应用氟康唑针治疗,13例加用伏立康唑针治疗。结论近年来COPD患者痰培养曲霉菌阳性呈持续增多趋势,感染因素为长期反复住院、老年、抗生素及激素的不合理应用、医源性侵袭性操作,早期诊断,早期治疗及合理预防用药是减少呼吸系统曲霉菌感染发生的关键。     

侵袭性肺曲霉病临床和病理分析——附23例报告

目的 分析侵袭性肺曲霉病(IPA)临床和组织病理特征,为探讨IPA早期诊断和临床病理分型提供依据.方法 非选择性地总结本院34年来512例成人(年龄≥16岁)尸检资料,依据病理切片真菌形态确定IPA患者共23例,并进行临床和病理对照分析.结果 23例中有明确基础疾病者21例,有明确诱因者20例.临床上表现有发热等中毒症状者17例(73.91%),合并呼吸道症状者18例(78.26%),存在肺部和肺外栓塞征象者9例(3.91%).胸部影像表现和病理检查符合急性支气管肺炎型15例次,血管侵袭型12例次,急性气管支气管炎型5例次,粟粒型3例次和胸膜炎型1例次.其中急性支气管炎型和血管侵袭型常合并存在,并成为患者致死的直接原因.结论 IPA临床表现复杂多变,探讨临床尤其是胸部影像学检查和组织病理分型有利于患者的早期诊断和判断预后.     

Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis in the State of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Three cases of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis affecting aged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are reported. They had a history of recurrent episodes of respiratory infection and presented radiological lung lesions inducing a misdiagnosis of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis of the adults. The diagnosis of histoplasmosis, suggested by the immunodiffusion test and the detection of yeastlike cells in smeared and stained sputum, was confirmed by the isolation and identification of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum in selective media. The treatment was carried out with amphothericin B and ketoconazole or itraconazole. Clinical, radiologic, mycologic and serologic improvement was obtained in all the patients. However, relapses occurred within a period of 1 to 18 months after the interruption of the treatment. Mycological diagnosis and the difficulties observed in the tretament were discussed. In addition data on the epidemiology of histoplasmosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were presented. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cavitary pneumonia in an AIDS patient with cryptococcosis

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an unusual fungal infection that is most often found in AIDS or in organ transplant recipients. Although in immunocompromised patients, cryptococcal infection often causes pulmonary infections, the diagnosis of lung involvement is generally difficult. The presentation of pulmonary cryptoccosis in HIV-infected patients appears to be more acute and severe than in other immunocompromised patients, probably related with the severe immunosuppression. Diffuse infiltrates, mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes enlargement are the most common radiological findings in AIDS-associated pulmonary cryptococcosis. Cavitation is a rare form of and includes only 10% to 15% of all cases. Only a few case reports or studies with small number of patients of pulmonary cryptococcosis have been published over the past two decades. We report a case of an AIDS patient who developed cavitary pneumonia as the only clinical expression of cryptococcosis.     

Cryptococcosis as an opportunistic infection in immunodeficiency secondary to paracoccidioidomycosis

We describe the case reports of two patients with immunodeficiency secondary to paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and opportunistic Cryptococcus neoformans infections. Secondary immunodeficiency likely occurred as a consequence of the intestinal loss of proteins and lymphocytes associated with malabsorption syndrome due to obstructed lymphatic drainage. Both patients had had severe abdominal involvement during the acute PCM disease. Immunological evaluation showed cellular and humoral immunity impairment. Cryptococcosis manifested as relatively well circumscribed lesions: osteolytic lesions of the skull in one patient, and pulmonary nodules in the other. The latter was treated surgically and with amphotericin B, whereas the other was treated with the combination amphotericin-B and flucytosine. Both patients had a good response to treatment with complete regression of the lesions. They have now 2 and 4 years of follow-up with maintenance therapy and no indication of reactivation of the infection. PCM also did not reactivate. The clinical and immunological characteristics of these patients are discussed and compared to the opportunistic C. neoformans infections of AIDS and transplant patients.     

Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in an AIDS patient: a case report

BACKGROUND: Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii (EPC) infection is an uncommon condition, regardless of HIV status, and can occur as a complication of P carinii pneumonia (PCP). However, PCP is the most common severe opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. The incidence of EPC is variable, and in HIV-1-infected individuals it has been estimated to be 0.06-2.5%. CASE: A case of generalized lymphadenopathy was referred to us for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The patient was a 9-year-old boy who had a toxic facies and manifested multiple skin lesions all over the body. Fever was present during the examination. HIV status was confirmed from the history and test report. FNAC was done from a cervical lymph node and smears stained with hematoxylin-eosin and with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain. The presence of P carinii was suspected in Giemsa- and hematoxylin-eosin-stained smears, and silver methenamine stain was used to confirm the diagnosis. Fungal spores were seen as small, spherical cysts of variable sizes, more or less the size of erythrocytes. The diagnosis was thus established as EPC infection. CONCLUSION: Lymph node involvement is the most common site of pneumocystosis in AIDS patients. Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of EPC infection is a possibility in such cases with lymphadenopathy and must be included in the differential diagnosis of lymph node swellings in AIDS.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺曲菌病一例及文献复习

目的:提高对慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并侵袭性肺曲菌病(COPD合并IPA)临床特点、诊断及治疗的认识.方法:回顾性分析2011年4月收治的一例COPD合并IPA患者的临床资料及诊治经过,并复习相关文献.结果:男患,“咳嗽、咳痰30余年,气短3年,加重1月余”入院,肺部CT示双肺多发结节影、空洞影,经抗炎、抗念珠菌治疗无效,CT下肺结节病灶活检病理示肺曲菌.抗曲菌治疗后症状好转、肺部影像明显吸收.结论:COPD合并IPA正逐渐引起重视,临床特征无明显特异性,肺部影像以结节影、空洞影多见,早期常规治疗无效时应积极抗曲菌治疗,可明显改善症状,降低死亡率,病理活检是确诊的依据.     

Aspergilosis pulmonar en un paciente crítico no inmunodeprimido

BackgroundIn non-immunocompromised patients admitted to intensive care departments or units (ICU), it is difficult to establish a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis because the signs and symptoms of this infectious disease are non-specific, and serological techniques are not very specific as well. For this reason, a diagnosis of possible pulmonary aspergillosis is initially established, and the starting of the treatment is controversial.Case reportAn immunocompetent subject had a work-related accident after a fall, which resulted in multiple injuries (head, thorax, lower extremities). The patient required mechanical ventilation since admission. On the second week of ICU admission, he showed a clinical presentation of respiratory infection with fever, purulent secretions, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and repeated isolation of Mucor and Aspergillus fumigatus in bronchial secretions and pharyngeal swabs. The patient was treated with amphotericin B lipid complex and voriconazole with an excellent clinical and radiological outcome.ConclusionsCombined treatment of antifungal agents, in this case amphotericin B lipid complex and voriconazole, is a therapeutic possibility to be considered in patients who failed to respond to initial antifungal monotherapy.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并侵袭性肺曲霉菌病23例临床分析

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)合并侵袭性肺曲霉菌病(IPA)的危险因素及临床特点。方法回顾分析2008年5月至2010年6月浙江大学医学院附属第一医院收治的慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并侵袭性肺曲霉菌病患者的临床资料。结果 23例患者中,确诊7例,临床诊断16例。平均年龄(68.3±4.32)岁。其中22例使用广谱抗生素和15例长期使用激素,12例1年内住院>3次,11例年龄>70岁。病灶出现在双上肺占52.1%,双肺多发占21.7%,双下肺占13.0%,位于右中叶和左舌叶共占13.0%;其中5例(21.7%)出现晕征,4例(17.3%)出现"新月"征。结论使用广谱抗生素、长期激素治疗、频繁住院等是慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺曲霉菌的危险因素,患者临床表现缺乏特异性,胸部CT表现有一定特征性,结合患者有危险因素及实验室检查,有助于早期诊断和早期治疗,改善患者预后。     

Fifteen Cases of Penicilliosis in Guangdong,China

We analyzed the occurrence, clinical and physical features, laboratory findings, diagnostic criteria, reaction to therapy and prognosis of 15 cases Penecilliosis marneffei. Four were localized infection on skin, eleven were systemic infection, all cases were found in Guangdong province of China. We found that males were predominant in infection compared with females in 15 patients, and all patients observed had different occupations. The patients with AIDS as underlying disease were commonly drivers or unemployed. Thirteen of 15 patients had underlying diseases, i.e., connective tissue disease, aplastic anemia, kidney transplant, AIDS. Clinical features showed different symptoms, including weight loss, high fever, skin lesions, and respiratory system symptoms. Seven of 15 patients received antifungal therapy, the remaining eight patients did not receive therapy for different reasons. Nine of the patients died five recovered. Fifteen isolates were cultured from skin lesions, blood, bone marrow, peritoneum dialysis and pleural effusion and were confirmed to be Penicillium marneffei by morphology, thermal dimorphism, pathology and DNA sequence analysis. This report indicates that Penicillium marneffei may exist in nature in Guangdong province of SE China.     

Parasitoses and immunodepression

The immunodepression, related or not to AIDS, induces the emergence of opportunistic parasitosis and mycosis. Our objective is to analyze these pathogenic agents, their clinical expression and gravity in immunocompromised individuals. Our retrospective 9 years study reported parasitic and fungic infections complicating immunodepression. Among 31 HIV infected patients, we diagnosed the following parasitosis: Cryptosporidium (7 cases), Isospora belli (2 cases) and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (1 case). Pulmonary pneumocystosis was diagnosed in 6 cases, cerebral toxoplasmosis in 6 cases and meningo-cerebral cryptococcosis in 1 case. The systemic candidasis was diagnosed in 13 leukaemic patients. The intestinal anguilluliasis was found in 5 patients treated with cortico?ds for long periods. A case of Kala azar was observed in a 83 years man treated with cortico?ds. A disseminated aspergillosis occurred in a child with a Chediack Higashi syndrome. A gingivo-labial fusariosis was diagnosed in a leukaemic patient. This emergency of the new parasitic and fungal agents requires a better understanding of these affections in order to improve their early diagnosis and treatments.     

Rational antimicrobial pharmacotherapy of secondary infections in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]

The results of 3-year (2002-2004) local microbiological monitoring of secondary infections due to opportunistic microflora that complicated the treatment of the main disease in patients of a regional (Moscow) tuberculosis hospital are presented. The monitoring revealed the leading microorganisms, the etiological agents of the secondary lower respiratory tract infection in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The level of their resistance to the up-to-date antimicrobials was determined. Recommendations for optimization of antibacterial therapy of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by secondary lower respiratory tract infection due to opportunistic microorganisms were developed and validated.     

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: retrospective case record review

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a severe infection, with a sharp increase during the last decades. Our study aimed at identification of the epidemiological characteristics of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis during a period of four years. All clinical records with pulmonary isolation of Aspergillus species were reviewed, as a part of surveillance program at Reina Sofia University Hospital, from January 1995 to December 1998. Diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was based on criteria of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 50 patients identified 78% were males and 44% were current or ex-smokers. Chronic respiratory diseases were identified in 64% of them, and 60% were receiving immunosuppressives. Twenty percent of our patients had been subjected to lung transplantation and 28% to organ transplantation in general. Only 78% had received specific antifungal treatment and 56% had fatal prognosis. Our findings match with previous studies, apart from the high frequency of lung transplantation in our series. We recommend further studies on large prospective cohorts.     

Penicillium marneffei Infection: Knowledge, Gaps, and Future Directions

Penicilliosis is a disease caused by Penicillium marneffei, a fungus endemic to Southeast Asia. Prior to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, infection was exceedingly rare, but penicilliosis is currently one of the most common opportunistic infections in persons with HIV/AIDS in some Asian countries. This paper describes the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and epidemiology of this emerging opportunistic infection and will focus on some gaps in our knowledge and directions for future research.     

Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en el enfermo con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a common infection in immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancies or allogenic stem cell transplantation, and is less frequent in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Mucociliary activity impairment, immunosuppression due to the inhibition of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils by steroids, and receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, play a role in the development of IPA in COPD patients. Colonized patients or those with IPA are older, with severe CODP stage (GOLD ≥ III), and have a higher number of comorbidities. The mortality rate is high due to the fact that having a definitive diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients is often difficult. The main clinical and radiological signs of IPA in these types of patients are non-specific, and tissue samples for definitive diagnosis are often difficult to obtain.The poor prognosis of IPA in COPD patients could perhaps be improved by faster diagnosis and prompt initiation of antifungal treatment. Some tools, such as scales and algorithms based on risk factors of IPA, may be useful for its early diagnosis in these patients.     

The clinico-epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection and AIDS in Ukraine

The summarized results of the observations of 449 hospitalized patients, aged mainly 18-37 years (40 patients with active AIDS, 43 patients with AIDS, other patients were HIV carriers and infected at the stage of lymphadenopathy). In most of the HIV-infected patients the infection process progressed in 3-5 years, which was manifested by associated candidiasis in 74.7% of cases. In AIDS patients opportunistic infections of viral etiology (herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus infection, etc.) prevailed. 14 patients were found to have tuberculosis. Clinico-epidemiological analysis made it possible to come to the conclusion that the specific features of HIV carriership and AIDS were greatly linked with different groups of risk to which the patients belonged. Thus, a shorter period of carriership, the prevalence of opportunistic viral infections were mostly characteristic of drug addicts.     

Chagas' disease and AIDS

Chagas' disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is an opportunistic infection in the setting of HIV/AIDS. Some individuals with HIV and chronic T. cruzi infection may experience a reactivation, which is most commonly manifested by meningoencephalitis. A reactivation myocarditis is the second most common manifestation. These presentations may be difficult to distinguish from toxoplasmosis in individuals with HIV/AIDS. The overlap of HIV and Trypanosoma cruzi infection occurs not only in endemic areas but also in non-endemic areas of North America and Europe where the diagnosis may be even more difficult. The pathological features, diagnosis and the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease are discussed.     

艾滋病合并真菌感染研究概述

真菌感染是艾滋病患者最常见、比重最大的机会性感染,是最重要致死原因之一。常见的机会性真菌感染包括：念珠菌病、卡氏肺孢子菌病、隐球菌病、马尔尼菲蓝状菌感染、组织胞浆菌病、球孢子菌病。本文介绍了机体的CD4⁺T淋巴细胞与机会性真菌感染关系以及常见的真菌感染的流行病学、发病机制、临床表现、诊断、治疗、预防等方面研究进展。提高临床医生对这类真菌感染系统全面的认识,有助于做到早期诊断、早期治疗,合理选择抗真菌药物,从而提高患者生存质量,延长生存时间。