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Abstract: Using anti-TNF has significantly improved the management of chronic inflammatory rheumatism. However, there is clear evidence that this treatment increases the risk of reactivating tuberculosis. The intradermal tuberculin skin test (ITT) and interferon-γ-release assays (IGRAs) are currently used to detect latent tuberculosis infection. The results of ITT are difficult to analyze in patients vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and because of variation in test administration and reading. Numerous authors have compared the sensitivity and specificity of IGRA and ITT, including in two recent meta-analyses and one literature review. These authors, however, compared different populations with different ITT positive thresholds (5, 10, and 15mm). We performed a meta-analysis of studies in which the threshold was 15mm, the recommended level in France. The sensitivity of QuantiFERON, T-spot, and ITT was 79% (IC 76%–83%), 84% (IC 75%–95%), and 69% (IC 65%–73%), respectively. In France, it is recommended to detect latent tuberculosis infection on the basis of history taking, physical examination, 5-unit ITT, and lung X-ray. This screening leads to treating 20%–30% of patients, with considerable adverse-effects. Because of the sensitivity and specificity of IGRAs, it is no longer justified to systematically perform TST for detection of tuberculosis before initiating anti-TNF treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives. – The authors had for aim to identify cases of non Hodgkin''s (NHL) and Hodgkin''s (HL) lymphomas in HIV1-infected patients to assess 1) their incidence, before and after 1996, 2) the clinical features and outcome under treatment together with the survival rate of the patients, 3) the immune reconstitution of lymphoma-free patients under HAART. Patients and methods. – A retrospective study was made of HIV1-infected patients managed at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital from 1991 to 2003 for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV1-related lymphomas. Results. – Forty-one patients were included: 35 NHL and 6 HL giving a cumulative incidence rate estimate from 2.4% between 1991 and 1996 to 3.4% between 1997 and 2003 while other opportunistic diseases were decreasing. A high proportion of aggressive and disseminated disease was observed among NHL cases. Complete remission was achieved in 17 (49%) and 5 (83%) NHL and HL cases respectively. The mean survival was 109±54 months and was correlated with CD4 cell count at lymphoma diagnosis (univariate analysis). Among responding patients, 5 died: 3 from opportunistic infections, 1 commited suicide, and 1 from hepatic carcinoma. For responding patients, the mean increase of CD4 cell count under HAART was 58/mm3 over a 2 year-period and 192/mm3 over a 5 year-period of follow-up. Conclusions. – The incidence of lymphomas in HIV-infected patients has not decreased since the introduction of HAART. The immune status assessed by CD4 cell count on diagnosis is correlated with survival. Immune restoration in lymphoma-free patients under HAART is poor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The authors present 2 cases of infections in which the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APL), anticardiolipin and anti-β2-GP1, was associated to the occurrence of significant thrombotic events: 1) a 55-year-old male patient whose serology (indirect immunofluorescence) revealed Coxiella burnetii infection (phase 2 antigens) with IgG at 1,600 and IgM at 50 (significant titer: IgG≥200 and IgM≥50); 2) and a 20-year-old male patient with a CMV infection confirmed by serology (IgG: 44 U/ml, significant threshold 6, IgM: 2.1 U/ml, significant threshold 0.9). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]