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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious disease, however simple tools to predict outcomes are lacking. In our previous investigation, we found that heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rhythm complexity (HRC) were associated with the detection and severity of PH, however their association with PH mortality remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate these metrics as a tool for determining long-term outcomes in PH patients. We enrolled 74 Asian PH patients with WHO PH group 1 or 4 at a single hospital in Taiwan between March 2012 and June 2018. After a median follow-up duration of 58 months (to January 2023), 22 patients had died. The patients who died had a significantly lower lean body mass index (BMI), impaired renal function, higher N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, lower very low-frequency (VLF), lower short-term detrended fluctuation analysis α1 (DFAα1), and lower multiscale entropy scale 5 value. In multivariable analysis, BMI, VLF and multiscale entropy scale 5 were significantly associated with survival. The best cut-off VLF and scale 5 values were 115.13 and 0.738, respectively. We then categorized the study population into three groups: both elevated VLF/scale 5 (group 1), either depressed VLF or depressed scale 5 (group 2), and both depressed VLF/scale 5 (group 3). The results showed that group 1 had the best outcomes, whereas group 3 had the worst survival (P < 0.001). Combining HRV and HRC metrics appears to be a good non-invasive tool to predict the long-term outcomes of patients with PH., (Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is complicated by multiple environmental and polygenetic factors. The accuracy of artificial neural networks (ANNs) incorporating the common factors for identifying AD has not been evaluated., Methods: A total of 184 probable AD patients and 3773 healthy individuals aged 65 and over were enrolled. AD-related genes (51 SNPs) and 8 environmental factors were selected as features for multilayer ANN modeling. Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine with RBF kernel (SVM) were also employed for comparison. Model results were verified using traditional statistics., Results: The ANN achieved high accuracy (0.98), sensitivity (0.95), and specificity (0.96) in the intrinsic test for AD classification. Excluding age and genetic data still yielded favorable results (accuracy: 0.97, sensitivity: 0.94, specificity: 0.96). The assigned weights to ANN features highlighted the importance of mental evaluation, years of education, and specific genetic variations (CASS4 rs7274581, PICALM rs3851179, and TOMM40 rs2075650) for AD classification. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed AUC values of 0.99 (intrinsic test), 0.60 (TWB-GWA), and 0.72 (CG-WGS), with slightly lower AUC values (0.96, 0.80, 0.52) when excluding age in ANN. The performance of the ANN model in AD classification was comparable to RF, SVM (linear kernel), and SVM (RBF kernel)., Conclusion: The ANN model demonstrated good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in AD classification. The top-weighted SNPs for AD prediction were CASS4 rs7274581, PICALM rs3851179, and TOMM40 rs2075650. The ANN model performed similarly to RF and SVM, indicating its capability to handle the complexity of AD as a disease entity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients recovering from COVID-19 may need vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 because acquired immunity from primary infection may wane, given the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Understanding the trends of anti-spike IgG and neutralizing antibody titers in patients recovering from COVID-19 may inform the decision made on the appropriate interval between recovery and vaccination., Methods: Participants aged 20 years or older and diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and December, 2020 were enrolled. Serum specimens were collected every three months from 10 days to 12 months after the onset of symptom for determinations of anti-spike IgG and neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain with D614G mutation, alpha, gamma and delta variants., Results: Of 19 participants, we found a decreasing trend of geometric mean titers of anti-spike IgG from 560.9 to 217 and 92 BAU/mL after a 4-month and a 7-month follow-up, respectively. The anti-spike IgG titers declined more quickly in the ten participants with severe or critical disease than the nine participants with only mild to moderate disease between one month and seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (-8.49 vs - 2.34-fold, p < 0.001). The neutralizing activity of the convalescent serum specimens collected from participants recovering from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection against different variants was lower, especially against the delta variants (p < 0.01 for each variant with Wuhan strain as reference)., Conclusion: Acquired immunity from primary infection with SARS-CoV-2 waned within 4-7 months in COVID-19 patients, and neutralizing cross-activities against different SARS-CoV-2 variants were lower compared with those against wild-type strain., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None to declare., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background/purpose: Suicide is a huge global health burden. High suicide rates with a low prevalence of major depressive disorder were reported in East Asia. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of suicidal behaviors in relation to the demographic characteristics and major depressive disorder in Taiwan., Methods: This study was based on the Taiwan Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, conducted between 2003 and 2005, a survey of common psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized civilians aged 18 or above. Demographic data, major depressive disorder, and suicidal behaviors were ascertained by a face-to-face interview using the paper version of the World Mental Health Survey Composite International Diagnostic Interview., Results: According to the total sample of 10,135 participants, the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts was 7.52% (S.E = 0.46%), 1.31% (S.E. = 0.16%) and 1.29% (S.E. = 0.16%), respectively. Among suicide ideators, the conditional probability of making a suicide plan was 17.39% (S.E. = 1.92%), and a suicide attempt 17.16% (S.E. = 2.15%). Age ≤ 40, female sex, and major depressive disorder were related to a higher risk of suicidal behaviors in the general population; the former two were associated with further developing suicide attempts and the latter one developing plans among ideators., Conclusion: Despite low prevalence, major depressive disorder remained a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviors in Taiwan., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (Copyright © 2021 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We presented the clinical course and immune responses of a well-controlled HIV-positive patient with COVID-19. The clinical presentation and antibody production to SARS-CoV-2 were similar to other COVID-19 patients without HIV infection. Neutralizing antibody reached a plateau from 26th to 47th day onset but decreased on 157th day after symptoms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (Copyright © 2021 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Until now, there are no approved treatment against COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was hypothesized to be active against SARS-CoV2 via antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect; however, HCQ for COVID-19 in clinical use remained debating. In this preliminary report, we presented six patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. They were treated with HCQ for 14 days from the day of COVID-19 diagnosis. Serial viral load from respiratory specimens were performed every other day. Cytokine profile was checked before HCQ initiation and on the 14th day of HCQ treatment. All patients receiving HCQ completed 14-day course without complication. Among the six patients, the mean duration from symptom onset to last detectable viral load was 34 ± 12 days, which was similar to those without specific treatment in previous reports. Low level of interferon-gamma was noted in all patients of different stage of infection and three patients had elevation of IL-17 level. Prolonged virus shedding is still observed regardless HCQ. The impact of HCQ on cytokine kinetics remained unclear; however, IL-17 could be an inflammatory marker for disease status monitor and a potential therapeutic target., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest none to declare., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Data on the efficacy and safety of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in Taiwanese patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are lacking. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BPA on clinical parameters including hemodynamics, echocardiography and functional status in patients with inoperable CTEPH in Taiwan., Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of inoperable CTEPH patients who underwent ≥3 BPA sessions. Pulmonary hemodynamic parameters of right heart catheterization, echocardiography, 6-min walk distance and World Health Organization (WHO) functional class were collected and analyzed before and after BPA treatment., Results: A total of 59 BPA sessions were performed in 13 inoperable CTEPH patients. No periprocedural deaths or major complications requiring tracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation occurred. WHO functional class significantly improved in all 13 patients (P < 0.001), and 6-min walk distance improved from 344 ± 147 to 450 ± 120 m (P = 0.014). Additionally, the plasma level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide significantly decreased (P = 0.007). Hemodynamic data were available in 11 patients after ≥3 BPA sessions. Both mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance significantly decreased from 44.6 ± 11.7 mmHg to 32.6 ± 5.1 mmHg (P = 0.005) and 745 ± 389 dyn·s·cm -5 to 366 ± 120 dyn·s·cm -5 (P = 0.002), respectively. Cardiac output also increased from 3.69 ± 1.12 L/min to 4.33 ± 0.94 L/min (P = 0.021)., Conclusion: BPA improved both clinical symptoms and hemodynamic data in inoperable CTEPH Taiwanese patients without major periprocedural complications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized as a progressive and sustained increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which may induce right ventricular failure. In 2014, the Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) conducted a review of data and developed a guideline for the management of PAH. 4 In recent years, several advancements in diagnosis and treatment of PAH has occurred. Therefore, the Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension of TSOC decided to come up with a focused update that addresses clinically important advances in PAH diagnosis and treatment. This 2018 focused update deals with: (1) the role of echocardiography in PAH; (2) new diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of PAH; (3) comprehensive prognostic evaluation and risk assessment; (4) treatment goals and follow-up strategy; (5) updated PAH targeted therapy; (6) combination therapy and goal-orientated therapy; (7) updated treatment for PAH associated with congenital heart disease; (8) updated treatment for PAH associated with connective tissue disease; and (9) updated treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Growing evidence link gut microbiome to the development and maturation of the central nervous system, which are regulated by microbiota potentially through stress response, neurotransmitter, neuroimmune, and endocrine pathways. The dysfunction of such microbiota-gut-brain axis is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, depression, and other stress-related conditions. Using affective disorders as our primary outcomes, we inspect the current evidence of microbiota studies mainly in human clinical samples. Additionally, to restore microbiome equilibrium in bacteria diversity and abundance might represent a novel strategy to prevent or treat mood symptoms. We reviewed findings from clinical trials regarding efficacy of probiotics supplement with or without antidepressant treatment, and adjuvant antimicrobiotics treatment. In microbiota studies, the considerations of host-microbiota interaction and bacteria-bacteria interaction are discussed. In conclusion, the roles of microbiota in depression and mania state are not fully elucidated. One of the challenges is to find reliable targets for functional analyses and experiments. Notwithstanding some inconsistencies and methodological limitations across studies, results from recent clinical trials support for the beneficial effects of probiotics on alleviating depressive symptoms and increasing well-beings. Moreover, modifying the composition of gut microbiota via antibiotics can be a viable adjuvant treatment option for individuals with depressive symptoms., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene is one of the candidate genes for alcohol dependence (AD). Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP2E1 gene (CYP2E1*1D, *5B, *6 and *1B) have been associated with AD previously in other ethnic populations. To date, only CYP2E1*5B and *6 SNPs have been investigated in relation to AD in our population. The objective of the study was to examine the genetic associations of CYP2E1 covering the four above-noted SNPs conjointly with AD in Han Taiwanese population based on single SNP analysis and haplotype-based approach. We enrolled a total of 340 patients fulfilling DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria of AD and 319 healthy controls and genotyped them for the above four SNPs of CYP2E1 gene. By comparing the differences of genotype, allele, and pertinent haplotype frequencies, we did not support a genetic association between CYP2E1 and AD in Han Taiwanese either by single allele tests or haplotype-based analyses., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background/purpose: Hepatic hydrothorax is an uncommon but important complication of liver cirrhosis. The optimal management of this condition remains unclear. This retrospective study evaluated the impact of therapeutic interventions on the outcome of patients with hepatic hydrothorax., Methods: From August 1996 to March 2004, the medical charts of 52 patients with hepatic hydrothorax in the National Taiwan University Hospital were reviewed. Treatment methods, outcome of interventions, and survival time were described and analyzed., Results: At the time of diagnosis, four patients were Child-Pugh class A, 20 were class B, and 28 were class C. Twenty-eight (53.8%) patients received supportive care with thoracentesis for symptom relief. Among the other 24 patients, 16 (30.8%) were treated by chemical pleurodesis, 14 (26.9%) underwent surgical interventions, and six (11.5%) received both interventions. Intervention success, defined as resolution of hydrothorax for at least 3 months after the procedure, was achieved in 37.5% and 42.9% of patients who underwent chemical pleurodesis and surgery, respectively, with an overall success rate of 50%. The median survival of all patients was 8.6 months (range, 0.2-77.6 months). The median survival of patients with intervention success (22.5 months) was significantly longer than those with intervention failure (5.4 months) and supportive care (6.3 months). Multivariate analysis showed that only intervention success (p = 0.010, hazard ratio = 0.25) was an independent predictor of survival., Conclusion: For patients with hepatic hydrothorax, aggressive medical or surgical intervention might improve survival over supportive management, especially when resolution of hydrothorax can be maintained for at least 3 months., (2010 Formosan Medical Association & Elsevier. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: During phacoemulsification for advanced cataracts, particularly when complicated by anterior segment abnormalities, capsulorhexis is very difficult and carries a high risk of complications. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted phacoemulsification in complicated or simple advanced cataracts., Methods: Thirty-two patients (35 eyes) underwent phacoemulsification for complicated advanced cataracts (group 1) or simple advanced (mature/hypermature) cataracts (group 2). Anterior segment abnormalities (corneal opacity, small pupil, or glaucoma) in group 1 complicated phacoemulsification. In both groups, 0.5% ICG was used for capsulorhexis, and subsequent procedures were performed in the same routine manner., Results: Group 1 included 15 patients (17 eyes) with a mean age of 60.0 years. Group 2 included 17 patients (18 eyes) with a mean age of 69.4 years (p<0.05). Continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was completed in all eyes in group 2, but radial tears occurred in four (23.5%) eyes in group 1 (p<0.05). Phacoemulsification was performed uneventfully in all eyes in both groups. Postoperative complications (corneal edema, vitreous prolapse, posterior capsule opacity, elevated intraocular pressure) were seen in five (27.8%) eyes in group 1 and four (23.5%) eyes in group 2 (p>0.05). None of these were attributed to the use of ICG. Visual acuity improved in all eyes in group 2, but in only 11 (64.7%) in group 1 (p<0.01)., Conclusion: ICG-assisted phacoemulsification is safe and helpful for complicated or simple advanced cataracts. Differences between the two groups in patient age, intraoperative complications, and visual outcome could be explained by differences in the cause(s) of advanced cataracts.

Emphysematous prostatitis is a rare condition that is characterized by gas and abscess accumulation in the prostate. We report a 60-year-old man with emphysematous prostatitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. He had a history of recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus and a 16-year history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. He was admitted due to fever, dysuria and difficult urination. Physical examination revealed lower abdominal tenderness and prostatic fluctuance on digital examination. Leukocytosis, pyuria and elevated C-reactive protein were found. Abdominal radiography disclosed a collection of abnormal air pockets in the lower pelvic cavity and computed tomography scans corroborated the existence of extensive air collection in the prostate. Under the impression of emphysematous prostatitis, the patient was successfully treated with transurethral incision of the prostate and antibiotics for 6 weeks; there were no urinary sequelae during 6 months of follow-up.

Background/purpose: The rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) is a weaning parameter usually measured at the start of a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). This study investigated the value of RSBI measured at the beginning and termination of SBT as a predictor of weaning outcome., Methods: RSBI was measured during the initial 1 minute (RSBI1) and at termination (RSBI2) of an SBT in 172 patients recovering from acute respiratory failure., Results: Weaning was successful in 106 patients and failed in 66 patients. Among the 66 patients with weaning failure, 12 required reintubation within 48 hours (extubation failure), and the remaining 54 patients could not be extubated after SBT (trial failure). There were no differences between RSBI1 in the three groups (69.4 +/- 27.5, 81.7 +/- 24.4 and 75.5 +/- 26.5, respectively), but RSBI2 was significantly higher in patients with extubation failure (95.9 +/- 20.6) and trial failure (98.0 +/- 50.0) than in patients with weaning success (64.6 +/- 26.3) (both p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that RSBI2 was superior to RSBI1 and various physiologic indices in predicting weaning outcome. For the 118 extubated patients, the mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for RSBI2 and RSBI1 was 0.83 and 0.63, respectively. Using a threshold value of 105, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and likelihood ratio for weaning outcome were 0.91, 0.25, 0.85 and 1.38 for RSBI2 and 0.89, 0.16, 0.60 and 1.06 for RSBI1, respectively., Conclusion: This study found that RSBI measured at the completion of SBT was superior to that measured at the start in predicting weaning outcome in critically ill patients.

Treatment of cerebral malaria with intravenous quinine is frequently associated with life-threatening cardiotoxicity. We report a case of imported cerebral malaria successfully treated with artesunate-mefloquine combination therapy. The 27-year-old woman presented with fever, sudden onset of binocular blindness and altered consciousness 10 days after a short stay in Indonesia. Hyperparasitemia with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax in more than 5% of red blood cells was demonstrated on peripheral blood smear. She was admitted to the intensive care unit due to shock, jaundice and acute renal failure. Because of a shortage of intravenous quinine, intravenous artesunate was given as an alternative. Her condition stabilized on the 3rd day of therapy, with resolution of fever and disappearance of parasitemia. Consolidation therapy with oral mefloquine and primaquine was then given to prevent recrudescence and relapse. The only adverse event associated with artesunate was transient reticulocytopenia, which resolved after discontinuation of therapy. Her vision completely recovered, along with renal and liver function.

Background and Purpose: The negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method offers a simple and rapid assessment of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during tidal respiration. This study compared the value of NEP in the assessment of the bronchodilator test (BDT) with those of spirometry and the interrupter method., Methods: Thirty two patients referred to the lung function laboratory for BDT were investigated. All patients underwent spirometry, interrupter airway resistance (Rint) and NEP measurements in the sitting position before and after inhalation of 500 microg of terbutaline. A positive BDT was defined as an increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of > or = 12%., Results: The ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) was less than 70% in 21 (65.6%) patients, but EFL as demonstrated by NEP (EFL-N) was present in only 10 patients (31.3%). The baseline EFL-N was only weakly correlated with FEV1 (r = -0.36, p = 0.04), but not with Rint or FEV1/FVC. Among the 14 patients with positive BDT results, the change in FEV1 was correlated with the change in Rint (r = -0.69, p < 0.01), but not with the change in EFL-N., Conclusions: These data suggest that, compared with spirometry and the interrupter method, NEP applied in the sitting position is not sensitive in the assessment of bronchodilator response in patients with obstructive airway disorders.

Recent studies suggest that an increase in fat-containing macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid may be helpful in the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome (FES). Nevertheless, none of these studies have explored the sequential findings of BAL fluid. We report the case of a 19-year-old man admitted to our intensive care unit because of dyspnea with radiographic evidence of bilateral alveolar infiltrate after traumatic fracture. Analysis of BAL fluid on the third hospital day revealed 8.3% fat-containing macrophages and a lipid-laden macrophages (LLM) index of 23. Pathologic examination of lung biopsy showed numerous fat globules within arterioles. For comparison, the BAL fluid from four other patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) but without FES was also analyzed. The underlying diseases leading to ARDS included Wegener's granulomatosis in one case, pneumonia in two cases, and alveolar proteinosis in one case. The percentages of fat-containing macrophages in these specimens were 1.3%, 52%, 2.3%, and 74%, respectively. The LLM indexes were 1, 133, 3, and 243, respectively. As the patient's condition improved, the percentage of fat-containing macrophages in the BAL fluid decreased to 4.7% on the eighth hospital day and the LLM index also decreased to 6. These findings suggest that the presence of fat-containing macrophages in BAL fluid is not specific for the diagnosis of FES, but serial changes in the percentage of these cells and the LLM index may be helpful in the follow-up of disease severity.

Anaphylaxis to propofol is rare and has not been previously reported in Asia. We describe a 35-year-old man with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who developed acute respiratory distress and hypotension after propofol infusion for parenteral anesthesia for Port-A-Cath insertion. Chest roentgenogram showed bilateral diffuse alveolar infiltrates. Respiratory failure ensued, and vocal cord swelling was found during endotracheal intubation. Hemodynamic data included a low cardiac index, a low systemic vascular resistance, and a high pulmonary vascular resistance. His condition and the shadows on the chest roentgenogram improved quickly after fluid challenge and the use of vasopressors, antihistamine, and intravenous steroids. Early awareness and appropriate management are necessary to prevent a fatal outcome in patients with propofol anaphylaxis.

Background and Purpose: The clinical picture of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Taiwan has seldom been reported, although new definitions of ARDS have been introduced over the past years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, modalities of management, and outcomes in patients with ARDS treated in a tertiary referral hospital., Methods: Case records were selected through a computerized search of diagnosis codified at discharge during the period from January 1995 to June 1997. Patients who met the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference definition of ARDS were included and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed., Results: A total of 145 patients (91 men, 54 women; mean age, 58 years) who fulfilled the criteria for ARDS were identified. Malignancy (n = 53) and diabetes mellitus (n = 23) were the most common co-morbid conditions. Pneumonia (n = 90), including community-acquired pneumonia in 45 (31%) patients, was the most common risk factor. The lung injury score at the time of ARDS diagnosis was 2.89 +/- 0.40 (mean +/- standard error, SE). The worst value of PaO2/FIO2 was 86.8 +/- 3.8 mm Hg (mean +/- SE). Among the 145 patients, 130 (90%) received mechanical ventilation and 118 (81%) were treated in the intensive care unit. In-hospital mortality was 87%. Seventy (48%) patients received intensive treatment for ARDS, among whom 52 (74%) died; the most common causes of death were multiple organ failure (54%) and respiratory failure (23%)., Conclusions: The mortality in patients with ARDS was high in this tertiary referral institution. Our findings suggest that aggressive ventilatory, pharmacologic, and supportive therapy may be important to achieve a higher survival rate.

Pulmonary diseases remain the most common complication associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Invasive diagnostic procedures are often needed to establish a specific diagnosis of pulmonary disease. We report our experience with ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration (PTNA) biopsy in 20 consecutive patients with advanced HIV infection who presented with a variety of pulmonary lesions with or without pleural effusion. A specific diagnosis was established in 16 patients (80%), with infection being the most common etiology. Sputum culture yielded the same causative pathogen in three patients (15%) and all had more than one bacterial or fungal isolates. Mild pneumothorax, the only complication, was observed in two patients (10%) following the procedure. Neither patient required chest tube drainage. Our findings suggest that US-guided PTNA can be a useful and safe alternative to fluoroscopy-guided PTNA in selected HIV-infected patients with focal pulmonary lesions and pleural effusion.