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Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are frequent and well-studied nosological entities. Yet, comorbidity of MS and HIV has only been rarely reported in the medical literature. We conducted a literature search using the databases PubMed, Ovid and Google Scholar, with the aim of identifying published studies and reports concerning HIV and MS. Recent epidemiological studies indicated a negative association between MS and HIV in terms of a reduced risk of developing MS in HIV positive patients. Accumulating clinical evidence additionally suggests a possibly reduced relapse rate of MS in HIV patients. Nevertheless, it remains currently unclear whether this observed inverse correlation could be due to the HIV infection itself, HIV treatment or the combination of both. Among the limited cases of MS in HIV infected patients, MS occurrence was mainly reported during acute HIV infection or during HIV seroconversion. This finding is in line with reports of HIV-related autoimmune disorders, which also occur in early phases of HIV disease. Beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapy on MS activity were reported in few clinical cases. Yet, the single phase II clinical trial (INSPIRE), which investigated the effects of antiretroviral medication (using the integrase inhibitor raltegravir) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, failed to corroborate any beneficial effects at group level. Nevertheless, recently published experimental evidence suggests that HIV treatments may hold therapeutic potential for MS treatment. Thus, further studies are warranted to firstly, delineate the immunological mechanisms underlying possible efficacy of HIV treatments in MS, and to secondly, assess whether repurposing of HIV drugs for MS could be a worthwhile future research objective.

Atypical forms of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which indicate severe impairment of cellular immunity can be challenging to diagnose. In this paper, we report the case of an atypical HSV infection presenting as chronic nonhealing wounds, which are the first sign of HIV, in a 50-year-old female patient. The lesions had emerged as two large, chronic, and painful ulcerations on the left buttock and labia major 8 months prior. The skin biopsy revealed multinucleated keratinocytes with ground glass nuclei and intranuclear Cowdry type A viral inclusions. A serologic test for HIV-1 was positive. Her CD4+ T-cell count was 42/mm3. Clinicians should be familiar with the dermatologic manifestations of HIV, as they are occasionally key to correctly suspecting an underlying HIV infection, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous work, we reported comparative genomics studies on 3 Sinocyclocheilus fishes, including the surface-dwelling S. graham (Sg), the semi-cave-dewlling S. rhinocerous (Sr) and the cave-restricted S. anshuiensis (Sa). Here, we performed a genomic survey on the immunity differences among the 3 fishes by combination of the genome and transcriptome data. Our results demonstrate that immune-related genetic pathways in Sa and Sr present more similarities than Sg. The innate immune activity in Sa seems to be higher than Sg and Sr, while Sr owns more copy numbers of MHC-related genes (related with the acquired immune system) than Sg and Sa. These differential immune activities in the 3 Sinocyclocheilus species may be due to their differential habitats. Generally speaking, most immunity genes transcribe the lowest levels in Sa when compared with Sg and Sr, which may be associate with a less various microbial environment in the cave-restricted habitat. However, Sr has more members of MHC-related genes than those in Sg and Sa, suggesting a great contribution from the semi-cave-dwelling condition.

Atypical forms of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which indicate severe impairment of cellular immunity can be challenging to diagnose. In this paper, we report the case of an atypical HSV infection presenting as chronic nonhealing wounds, which are the first sign of HIV, in a 50-year-old female patient. The lesions had emerged as two large, chronic, and painful ulcerations on the left buttock and labia major 8 months prior. The skin biopsy revealed multinucleated keratinocytes with ground glass nuclei and intranuclear Cowdry type A viral inclusions. A serologic test for HIV-1 was positive. Her CD4 + T-cell count was 42/mm 3 . Clinicians should be familiar with the dermatologic manifestations of HIV, as they are occasionally key to correctly suspecting an underlying HIV infection, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment., (© Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia.)

In our previous work, we reported comparative genomics studies on 3Sinocyclocheilusfishes, including the surface-dwellingS. graham(Sg), the semi-cave-dewllingS. rhinocerous(Sr) and the cave-restrictedS. anshuiensis(Sa). Here, we performed a genomic survey on the immunity differences among the 3 fishes by combination of the genome and transcriptome data. Our results demonstrate that immune-related genetic pathways in Sa and Sr present more similarities than Sg. The innate immune activity in Sa seems to be higher than Sg and Sr, while Sr owns more copy numbers of MHC-related genes (related with the acquired immune system) than Sg and Sa. These differential immune activities in the 3Sinocyclocheilusspecies may be due to their differential habitats. Generally speaking, most immunity genes transcribe the lowest levels in Sa when compared with Sg and Sr, which may be associate with a less various microbial environment in the cave-restricted habitat. However, Sr has more members of MHC-related genes than those in Sg and Sa, suggesting a great contribution from the semi-cave-dwelling condition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]