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Como los otros herpesvirus alfa, el virus de la varicela-zóster (VZV) permanece en estado de latencia en los ganglios neurales después de la infección primaria (varicela). La reactivación de una infección latente por VZV en los ganglios de la raíz dorsal, produce el herpes zóster. La erupción que este provoca se caracteriza por lesiones cutáneas metaméricas que se acompañan de dolor neurítico y comprometen con mayor frecuencia a ancianos y sujetos inmunocomprometidos, en especial, aquellos infectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV). Las complicaciones que se observan en esta población de pacientes incluyen neumonía, hepatitis y compromiso del sistema nervioso central (meningitis y encefalitis). Varios síndromes clínicos se asocian con el herpes zóster de localización craneal, incluida la parálisis facial periférica y el síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt, el cual constituye la segunda causa de parálisis facial periférica y tiene una gran variedad de presentaciones clínicas. La parálisis facial se presenta en 60 a 90 % de los casos de síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt, puede preceder o aparecer después de las lesiones cutáneas y tiene peor pronóstico que la parálisis de Bell. Se describen aquí dos casos de herpes zóster del ganglio geniculado, con parálisis facial periférica que coincidió con la aparición de las lesiones cutáneas vesiculosas en el conducto auditivo externo y el pabellón auricular (síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt multimetamérico). En ambos casos, se identificó el genoma del VZV mediante PCR en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR).

Abstract Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), affecting approximately one third of the world’s population. Development of an adequate immune response will determine disease progression or progress to chronic infection. Risk of developing TB among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients (HIV-TB) is 20–30 times higher than those without HIV infection, and a synergistic interplay between these two pathogens accelerates the decline in immunological functions. TB treatment in HIV-TB coinfected persons is challenging and it has a prolonged duration, mainly due to the immune system failure to provide an adequate support for the therapy. Therefore, we aimed to study the role of the hormone 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone (7-OD) as a modulator of anti-tuberculosis immune responses in the context of HIV-TB coinfection. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-TB patients and healthy donors (HD). We characterized the ex vivo phenotype of CD4 + T cells and also evaluated in vitro antigen-specific responses by Mtb stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the presence or absence of 7-OD. We assessed lymphoproliferative activity, cytokine production and master transcription factor profiles. Results Our results show that HIV-TB patients were not able to generate successful anti-tubercular responses in vitro compared to HD, as reduced IFN-γ/IL-10 and IFN-γ/IL-17A ratios were observed. Interestingly, treatment with 7-OD enhanced Th1 responses by increasing Mtb-induced proliferation and the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α over IL-10 levels. Additionally, in vitro Mtb stimulation augmented the frequency of cells with a regulatory phenotype, while 7-OD reduced the proportion of these subsets and induced an increase in CD4 + T-bet+ (Th1) subpopulation, which is associated with clinical data linked to an improved disease outcome. Conclusions We conclude that 7-OD modifies the cytokine balance and the phenotype of CD4 + T cells towards a more favorable profile for mycobacteria control. These results provide new data to delineate novel treatment approaches as co-adjuvant for the treatment of TB.

ObjectiveChagas disease (CD) globalization facilitated the co-infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in endemic and non-endemic areas. Considering the underestimation of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi)-HIV co-infection and the risk of life-threatening Chagas Disease Reactivation (CDR), this study aimed to analyze the major co-infection clinical characteristics and its mortality rates.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional retrospective multicenter study of patients with CD confirmed by two serological or one parasitological tests, and HIV infection confirmed by immunoblot. CDR was diagnosed by direct microscopy with detection of trypomastigote forms in the blood or other biological fluids and/or amastigote forms in inflammatory lesions.ResultsOut of 241 patients with co-infection, 86.7% were from Brazil, 47.5% had ConclusionThis study showed major features on T. cruzi-HIV co-infection and highlighted the prognostic role of CD4+ cells for reactivation and mortality. Since lethality was high in meningoencephalitis and all untreated patients died shortly after the diagnosis, early diagnosis, immediate antiparasitic treatment, patient follow-up and epidemiological surveillance are essentials in T. cruzi/HIV co-infection and CDR managements.

Objectives: Trypanosoma cruzi reactivation in HIV patients is considered an opportunistic infection, usually with a fatal outcome. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of T. cruzi infection in HIV patients and to compare these findings between patients with and without Chagas disease reactivation. Methods: The medical records of T. cruzi–HIV co-infected patients treated at the Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Epidemiological and clinical features were assessed and compared between patients with and without Chagas disease reactivation. Results: The medical records of 80 T. cruzi–HIV co-infected patients were reviewed. The most likely route of T. cruzi infection was vector-borne (32/80 patients), followed by intravenous drug use (12/80). Nine of 80 patients had reactivation. Patients without reactivation had a significantly higher CD4 T-cell count at diagnosis of T. cruzi infection (144 cells/μl vs. 30 cells/μl, p = 0.026). Chagas disease serology was negative in two of nine patients with reactivation. Conclusions: Serological assays for T. cruzi infection may be negative in severely immunocompromised patients. Direct parasitological techniques should be performed in the diagnosis of patients for whom there is a suspicion of T. cruzi reactivation. HIV patients with a lower CD4 count are at higher risk of reactivation.

Summary: The tuberculosis (TB) bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and HIV-1 act synergistically; however, the mechanisms by which Mtb exacerbates HIV-1 pathogenesis are not well known. Using in vitro and ex vivo cell culture systems, we show that human M(IL-10) anti-inflammatory macrophages, present in TB-associated microenvironment, produce high levels of HIV-1. In vivo, M(IL-10) macrophages are expanded in lungs of co-infected non-human primates, which correlates with disease severity. Furthermore, HIV-1/Mtb co-infected patients display an accumulation of M(IL-10) macrophage markers (soluble CD163 and MerTK). These M(IL-10) macrophages form direct cell-to-cell bridges, which we identified as tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) involved in viral transfer. TNT formation requires the IL-10/STAT3 signaling pathway, and targeted inhibition of TNTs substantially reduces the enhancement of HIV-1 cell-to-cell transfer and overproduction in M(IL-10) macrophages. Our study reveals that TNTs facilitate viral transfer and amplification, thereby promoting TNT formation as a mechanism to be explored in TB/AIDS potential therapeutics. : Tuberculosis is a clear, yet confounding, risk factor for HIV-1-induced morbidity and mortality. In this issue, Souriant et al. reveal that a tuberculosis-associated microenvironment triggers IL-10/STAT3-dependent tunneling nanotube formation in M(IL-10) macrophages, which promotes HIV-1 exacerbation during co-infection. M(IL-10) macrophage accumulation is also observed in vivo in co-infected subjects. Keywords: AIDS, HIV-1, tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, co-infection, macrophage, monocyte, IL-10, STAT3, viral spread, tunneling nanotubes, biomarker

Toxoplasmosis is a severe opportunistic infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The lung is a major site of infection after the central nervous system. In this report we described two cases of pneumonia due to Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV patients with antiretroviral therapy. Clinical and radiological abnormalities are not specific. Pulmonary toxoplasmosis should be considered in HIV-infected patients with late stage of HIV, CD4 count less than 100 cells/µl and a poor adherence to HAART.

Neurological complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are infrequent and include various clinical pictures. The reactivation of VZV in patients with AIDS is generally associated with an acute and severe meningoencephalitis. We report the epidemiological, clinical and virological data from 11 consecutive patients with diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and central nervous system (CNS) involvement due to VZV. All patients were male and seropositive for HIV. The primary risk factor for HIV infection was unprotected sexual contact. The median of CD4 T cell count was 142 cells/µL. All of them presented signs and symptoms of meningoencephalitis. Six patients (54.5%) presented pleocytosis; they all showed high CSF protein concentrations with a median of 2.1 g/dL. Polymerase chain reaction of cerebrospinal fluid specimen was positive for VZV in all of them and they were treated with intravenous acyclovir at doses of 30/mg/kg/day for 21 days. Overall survival was 63% (7 of 11 patients). The four dead patients had low cellular counts in CSF, below the median of this parameter. VZV should be included among the opportunistic pathogens that can involve CNS with a diffuse and severe meningoencephalitis in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS disease.

Objective:To study the main clinical and histopathological features of 12 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) diagnosed primarily from bone marrow (BM) involvement.Methods:We included 12 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with HL assisted in the F. J. Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital since January 2002 to December 2013. The diagnosis of HL with primary BM involvement in patients was confirmed by clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings.Results:All patients presented "B" symptoms and pancytopenia. All of them had stage IV neoplasm disease because of BM infiltration. The median of CD4+ T-cell counts was 114 cells/μL, and mixed cellularity (MC) was the most frequent histopathological subtype of 92% cases.Conclusion:When other causes are excluded, BM biopsy should be performed in AIDS patients with "B" symptoms and pancytopenia to evaluate BM infiltration by atypical lymphocytes.

Abstract Introduction Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare entity that was first described in the jaws and the oral cavity of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Plasmablastic lymphoma is considered as a diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma with a unique phenotype and a predilection for the oral cavity. Objective The authors describe a case of an aggressive plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity as the primary manifestation of AIDS. Resumed Report We report a case of plasmablastic lymphoma involving only the oral cavity as the first manifestation of AIDS. Diagnosis was confirmed by the oral lesion biopsy and the histopathologic examination that showed a dense infiltrate composed of atypical lymphocytes with numerous plasmocytes that expressed the plasma cell markers MUM-1 and CD138 and that were negative for the B-cell markers CD3, CD20, and CD45. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization revealed the Epstein-Barr virus genome in the atypical cells. Polymerase chain reaction was also positive for human herpesvirus-8 RNA. Conclusion The HIV serologic status should be evaluated in all patients with plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity or extraoral sites.

Introduction Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycosis, especially in patients that are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, and frequently involves the central nervous system. Methods We assessed the potential of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) in preventing mortality due to uncontrollable intracranial hypertension (ICH) in 15 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cryptococcal meningitis. Results After 2 weeks of antifungal therapy consisting of amphotericin B deoxycholate with or without fluconazole, patients with persistent ICH underwent VPS, despite having persistent Cryptococcus neoformans infection. In 12 patients, the uncontrollable ICH was resolved by VPS. Conclusions Patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis who have ICH must be considered for VPS even with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures.

Abstract Introduction Extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are commonly described in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and are related with an atypical morphology and aggressive clinical course. AIDS-associated lymphomas are characterized by their rapid progression, frequent extranodal manifestations, and poor outcome. Objective The aim of this article is to remake the clinical features of head and neck (HN) NHL in patients with AIDS to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. Methods We evaluated the epidemiologic, clinical, immunologic, virologic, and histopathologic characteristics of 24 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS with primary HN NHL treated at a single institution between 2002 and 2012. Histopathologic diagnosis was made according to the criteria of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Additional immunohistochemical stains were applied in all cases. Results Eighteen patients (75%) were men and the median of age was 39 years. The gingiva and the hard palate were the most common sites of the lesions (15 patients, 62.5%). Lactate dehydrogenase levels were elevated in 16 cases (84%). Bone marrow infiltration was detected only in 4 cases (16.6%). The median CD4 T-cell count was 100 cells/µL. According to the histopathologic evaluation, the most common subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (12 cases, 50%), followed by plasmablastic lymphoma (9 cases, 37.5%) and Burkitt lymphoma (3 cases, 12.5%). Conclusion HN NHL is a severe complication of advanced HIV/AIDS disease. Early diagnosis followed by chemotherapy plus highly active antiretroviral treatment is necessary to improve the prognosis and the survival of these patients.

El adenoma de glándulas de Brunner es un tumor raro que representa solo el 0,008% de todos los tumores benignos del duodeno. Se describe un paciente varón con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) que desarrolló un cuadro grave de obstrucción pilórica debido a un adeno - ma de glándulas de Brunner que ocupaba el bulbo y la pri - mera porción del duodeno. Se efectuó la resección quirúrgica de la lesión tumoral con anastomosis gastroduodenal. El exa - men histopatológico de la pieza quirúrgica mostró una gran proliferación de glándulas de Brunner en el interior de un pólipo pediculado, lo que permitió confirmar el diagnóstico. El paciente evolucionó de manera favorable sin complicacio - nes posquirúrgicas.

Introduction. El carcinoma anal escamoso es una neopla - sia rara pero con incidencia creciente en la población infec - tada por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Pacientes y métodos. Se analizaron de manera retrospec - tiva y descriptiva las características epidemiológicas, clíni - cas, inmunológicas, virológicas y terapéuticas de 8 pacientes VIH positivos con carcinoma anal escamoso asistidos entre los años 2005 y 2011. Resultados. La mediana de edad de los pacientes fue de 39 años, 75% fueron varones y 83% mantenían relaciones homosexuales. La mediana de tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico de la infección por VIH y el de la neoplasia anal fue de 10,5 ± 9,5 años. El dolor anal y las tumoraciones de gran tamaño detectadas en el examen físico fueron las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes. La mediana de CD4 al momento del diagnóstico de la neoplasia anal para la totalidad del grupo de estudio fue de 330 cél/ul; 62,5% de los pacientes tuvieron recuentos de CD4 > 200 cél/ ul. En el análisis descriptivo, un conteo de CD4 alto se asoció de manera significativa con una supervivencia más prolon - gada. El 71% de la población total evaluada recibía terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA o HAART por sus siglas en inglés) al momento del diagnóstico y todos ellos tenían carga viral plasmática indetectable. El uso de TAR - GA se correlacionó con una mejor supervivencia. El análisis histopatológico demostró 4 casos (50%) de carcinoma in situ y 4 pacientes (50%) fueron carcinomas anales invasores. Un paciente fue tratado con resección quirúrgica de las lesiones más TARGA, 2 recibieron quimioterapia y TARGA, y 3 fueron tratados con radioterapia en dosis fraccionadas más quimioterapia sistémica y TARGA. Un paciente falleció sin posibilidades de tratamiento debido a su condición clínica y de otro paciente no se obtuvieron datos del tratamiento. En el tiempo de seguimiento de 2 años la supervivencia global fue de 71%. Conclusión. Las lesiones perianales e intraana - les con características infiltrativas deben ser cuidadosamente evaluadas en la población VIH positiva para alcanzar un diagnóstico precoz que mejore la supervivencia de este tipo de pacientes.

Primary soft tissue Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are very rare and account only for 0.1 % of the cases. Generally, Non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the soft tissue present as large subcutaneous masses without evidence of nodal or skin involvement. We describe four cases of primary Non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the soft tissue in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The most common site of involvement was the chest wall in all the patients; histopathological and immunophenotypic examination of the biopsy smears revealed two cases of plasmablastic lymphomas, one Burkitt and one diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses in human immunodeficiency virus - seropositive patients.

Squamous anal cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy that represents the 1.5% to 2% of all the lower digestive tract cancers. However, an increased incidence of invasive anal carcinoma is observed in HIV-seropositive population since the widespread of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Human papillomavirus is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of anal cancer. Anal intercourse and a high number of sexual partners appear to be risk factors to develop anal cancer in both sexes. Anal pain, bleeding and a palpable lesion in the anal canal are the most common clinical features. Endo-anal ultrasound is the best diagnosis method to evaluate the tumor size, the tumor extension and the infiltration of the sphincter muscle complex. Chemoradiotherapy plus antiretroviral therapy are the recommended treatments for all stages of localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal in HIV-seropositive patients because of its high rate of cure. Here we present an HIV patient who developed a carcinoma of the anal canal after a long time of HIV infection under highly active antiretroviral therapy with a good virological and immunological response.

La neurocisticercosis (NCC) es una infección del sistema nervioso central (SNC) originada por el estadio larvario de Taenia solium. Esta importante parasitosis es la causa más frecuente de epilepsia adquirida del adulto. Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes de las formas parenquimatosas son la cefalea y las convulsiones, mientras que las formas extraparenquimatosas suelen presentarse con hidrocefalia. En este aspecto, es importante destacar que las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad son el resultado de la muerte de la larva del cestodo y de la reacción inflamatoria perilesional que se produce en el SNC. El diagnóstico de NCC se basa en la epidemiología, las manifestaciones clínicas, los hallazgos de las neuroimágenes y la serología, y su tratamiento incluye el uso de fármacos antiepilépticos, corticoesteroides y drogas antiparasitarias, como el albendazol o el praziquantel. En este trabajo se describen dos casos de neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa con lesiones únicas que se manifestaron con cefalea y convulsiones.Neurocysticercosis is a central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. This major parasitic infection is the most common cause of adult-onset epilepsy. The most common clinical manifestations of the parenchymal form of this disease are headache and seizures, whereas extraparenchymal forms typically present with hydrocephalus. In this context, it is important to emphasize that the clinical manifestations of this disease are the result of the death of the tapeworm larvae and of the perilesional inflammatory reaction that occurs in the CNS. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is based on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, neuroimaging findings and serology. Treatment of neurocysticercosis includes the use of antiepileptic drugs, corticosteroids and antiparasitic therapy with albendazole or praziquantel. We report two cases of parenchymal neurocysticercosis with single lesions presenting with headache and seizures.

Esta iniciativa se llevó a cabo con motivo de la presencia de la Dra Saskia Sassen en Córdoba, Argentina, para la entrega del Doctorado Honoris Causa que la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba entregó a esta prestigiosa cientista social. La entrevista pública se organizó en el marco de la conmemoración de los 60 años de la Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño, pensando en el, interés de docentes y estudiantes de la Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño y de la UNC en general, por compartir y debatir acerca de los temas urbanos emergentes (uno de los temas críticos de la humanidad). Fueron las Maestrías de Gestión y Desarrollo Habitacional cuya Directora es Ana Falú, y la Maestría de Urbanismo, con dirección de Marcelo Corti quienes organizaron y convocaron a la entrevista. La Dra. Saskia Sassen, desde sus investigaciones, y numerosas publicaciones, se caracteriza por ser una intelectual extremadamente crítica, con una capacidad particular de plantear las preguntas que interpelan el paradigma actual, aquellos interrogantes que no se piensan fácilmente sobre temas diversos, los urbanos, las migraciones, acerca del complejo sistema urbano-financiero, de las relaciones nacionales, locales y globales. En este documento damos cuenta de las preguntas y las respuestas que marcaron la entrevista.

The reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in patients with AIDS can result in an acute and severe diffuse meningoencephalitis. We describe the epidemiological, clinical and outcome findings of five patients with diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and central nervous system involvement (CNS) due to HHV-6. Fever was present in all the patients. Meningeal compromise, seizures and encephalitis were present in some of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens was positive for HHV-6 in all the patients. HHV-6 should be included among opportunistic and emerging pathogens that involve the CNS in patients with AIDS.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease is widespread all over the world, and the neurological and respiratory complications have been described previously. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the commonest neurological complications of the HIV infection. In this report we describe a HIV positive male smoker who was admitted to the hospital because of community acquired pneumonia. Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis was diagnosed for which no other cause was found and was attributed to the HIV infection. Isolated phrenic neuropathy and diaphragmatic paralysis in an HIV positive patient is extremely rare and only a single such association has been described previously.

La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis sistémica, endémica de áreas tropicales y subtropicales de América Central y del Sur, causada por un hongo dimorfo denominado Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. El compromiso del sistema nervioso central es una rara complicación de la forma diseminada crónica de la enfermedad y puede comprometer el cerebro, el cerebelo, el tronco cerebral y la médula espinal. La forma clínica más común de la neuroparacoccidioidomicosis es el granuloma o absceso cerebral y, con menos frecuencia, la meningoencefalitis crónica. Se presenta un paciente con diagnóstico de paracoccidioidomicosis diseminada crónica con múltiples lesiones cerebrales compatibles con abscesos. La biopsia estereotáxica seguida del estudio histopatológico y microbiológico del material obtenido de las lesiones permitió observar las levaduras redondeadas con los brotes característicos de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic systemic disease in subtropical areas of Central and South America caused by a dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Central nervous system involvement is a rare complication of the chronic disseminated disease that can affect the brain, cerebellum, brainstem and the spinal cord. The most frequent clinical form of neuroparacoccidiodomycosis is the cerebral abscess; with less frequency, the disease presents as a diffuse chronic meningoencephalitis. Here we present a patient with diagnosis of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis and multiple cerebral lesions compatible with abscesses. Stereotactic biopsy followed by the microbiological and histopathological examination of the smears showed the characteristic yeast cells that confirmed the diagnosis of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis.

Cutaneous B cell lymphoma (CBCL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of neoplastic B cell of the skin with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Commonly, the clinical features of CBCL are plaques, nodules, or ulcerative lesions. Skin is one of the common sites for extra-nodal lymphomas in patients with AIDS and B cell type is less common than T cell type. Only recently, the existence of B cell lymphomas presenting clinically in the skin without evidence of extra-cutaneous involvement has been accepted as primary CBCL. Here, we are presenting 5 patients with cutaneous involvement in the setting of HIV/AIDS disease. Two of them were primary cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas. All were CBCL; 3 were immunoblastic, 1 was plasmablastic, and the other was a Burkitt lymphoma. We analyzed the epidemiological, clinical, virological, and immunological characteristics of this group of patients. Keywords: AIDS, HIV, cutaneous lymphoma

Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare and a relatively new entity that was first described in the jaws and the oral cavity of HIV-AIDS patients. We report a case of plasmablastic lymphoma involving the liver in an AIDS patient. Plasmablastic lymphoma is considered a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a unique phenotype and predilection for the oral cavity. The case presented had a unique hepatic lesion, localized in the left lobe of the liver. Diagnosis was confirmed by hepatic biopsy guided by Computerized Tomography scan and histopathology. The smears showed a dense infiltrate composed by atypical lymphocytes with numerous plasmocytes expressing the plasma cell markers MUM-1 and CD138 and negative for the B-cell markers CD3, CD20 and CD45. Immunohistochemical and in situ hibridization revealed the Epstein-Barr virus genome in the atypical cells. Polymerase chain reaction was negative for HHV-8 RNA.

La invaginación intestinal es poco frecuente en el adulto. Aquí se describe el caso de un paciente adulto con SIDA que desarrolló una invaginación ileocólica secundaria a un linfoma de células B localizado en el ciego. Los hallazgos quirúrgicos fueron: íleon libre de tumor, invaginado en el ciego infiltrado por la neoplasia. Se realizó la resección del hemicolon derecho debido a la tumoración localizada en el ciego, causante de la invaginación. Se revisó la literatura inglesa y española sobre este tema.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an atypical and unexpected reaction related to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. IRIS includes an atypical response to an opportunistic pathogen (generally Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex, cytomegalovirus and herpes varicella-zoster), in patients responding to HAART with a reduction of plasma viral load and evidence of immune restoration based on increase of CD4+ T-cell count. We reported a case of a patient with AIDS which, after a first failure of HAART, developed a subcutaneous abscess and supraclavicular lymphadenitis as an expression of IRIS due to Mycobacterium avium complex after starting a second scheme of HAART.El síndrome inflamatorio de reconstitución inmune (SIRI) es una reacción atípica e inesperada relacionada con el tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA) en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). El SIRI representa una respuesta inflamatoria frente a un patógeno oportunista (generalmente Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Complejo Mycobacterium avium, citomegalovirus y herpes varicela-zóster) en pacientes que responden a la TARGA con una marcada reducción de la carga viral en plasma y evidencia de una recuperación inmunológica expresada por el incremento de los niveles de linfocitos T CD4+. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida que desarrolló un absceso subcutáneo en muslo derecho y una adenitis supraclavicular izquierda como manifestación de SIRI por Complejo Mycobacterium avium luego del inicio de un segundo esquema de TARGA.

We report a case of cerebral meningoencephalitis due to Trypanosoma cruzi in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The patient presented with seizures and focal neurological signs. Definitive diagnosis of chagasic meningoencephalitis was made by demonstration of free trypomastigote forms in the cerebrospinal fluid. Benznidazol was prescribed with clinical and neurological improvement. Antiretroviral drugs improved cellular immunity and three years later the patient presents a good clinical condition with immune reconstitution and undetectable viral load. Chagasic meningoencephalitis has a poor prognosis when specific treatment is not initiated or is delayed. A high index of diagnosis is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment, especially in endemic areas for Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Introducción: el linfoma no Hodgkin (LNH) es la segunda neoplasia más frecuente en pacientes con SIDA. Una de las principales características de los LNH asociados con el SIDA es la alta frecuencia de compromiso extranodal, incluyendo el tracto gastrointestinal, como manifestación inicial de la neoplasia. Métodos: se analizaron de manera retrospectiva las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, virológicas, inmunológicas e histopatológicas de 8 pacientes con diagnóstico de linfomas del tracto gastrointestinal y glándulas anexas (hígado y parótida) asistidos en la División de VIH- /SIDA del Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas F J Muñiz de Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2004. Todos los pacientes fueronevaluados por tomografía computarizada y examen de la médula ósea, además de los exámenes endoscópicos de diagnóstico. Resultados: todos los pacientes fueron varones; 4 eran heterosexuales, 2 homosexuales, uno hemofílico y uno adicto a drogas endovenosas. Tres pacientes presentaron coinfección por el virus de la hepatitis C. La mediana de edad fue de 42 años y la mediana de linfocitos T CD4 + fue de 87 células/uL al momento del diagnóstico de la neoplasia. Ningún paciente recibía TARGA al momento del diagnóstico del linfoma. La incidencia global de linfomas (primarios del sistema nervioso central, no Hodgkin sistémicos y de Hodgkin) durante el período de estudio fue de 2,9% (54 casos); 17 pacientes (32%) tuvieron diagnóstico de LNH sistémicos; 10 (58,8%) de ellos tuvieron presentación extranodal al momento del inicio de las manifestaciones clínicas y 8 (80%) comprometieron el tubo digestivo y las glándulas anexas (parótida, cavum, esófago, estómago, duodeno, colon derecho en 2 casos e hígado en el restante), como LNH primarios, de alto grado y de fenotipo "B". Todos los pacientes presentaron síntomas "B" al momento del diagnóstico. De acuerdo con los criterios de estadificación de Lugano, 4 se encontraban en el estadio I, 2 pertenecían al IIa y uno al III y al IV, respectivamente. El linfoma de duodeno fue el único de tipo Burkitt en esta serie y se detectó el genoma del virus de Epstein-Barr en las muestras de biopsias del tumor, así como también en el que comprometió el hígado. Cuatro pacientes recibieron tratamiento con quimioterapia sistémica más factor estimulante de colonias de granulocitos y TARGA; 2 de ellos (cavum y uno de los de colon) tienen una sobrevida prolongada con reconstitución inmune luego de 5 y 6 años del diagnóstico, respectivamente. La mediana de supervivencia de los pacientes tratados con TARGA más quimioterapia fue de 33 meses. La mediana de supervivencia de los otros pacientes fue de 90 días. Conclusión: los LNH del tracto gastrointestinal son una grave complicación de la enfermedad VIH/SIDA avanzada. El diagnóstico precoz seguido del tratamiento combinado de quimioterapia más TARGA mejora el pronóstico y la supervivencia de estos pacientes.

Extranodal involvement is common in lymphomas associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, primary pulmonary AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is very rare and only few reports were published in the medical literature. Clinical presentation is nonspecific, with "B" and respiratory symptoms. Also, patients were with advanced immunodeficiency at the time of diagnosis. Generally, chest radiography showed peripheral nodules or cavitary masses. Primary pulmonary lymphoma associated with AIDS is generally a high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of these tumors. We report a patient with AIDS and primary pulmonary lymphoma which clinical presentation was a total atelectasis of the left lung.El compromiso extranodal es frecuente en los linfomas asociados con la enfermedad debida al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y su consecuencia, el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Sin embargo, el linfoma pulmonar primario es muy raro y solo existen pocos casos publicados en la literatura. La presentación clínica de esta complicación es inespecífica, con síntomas "B" y manifestaciones respiratorias. Generalmente, la radiografía de tórax muestra nódulos periféricos o masas que pueden cavitarse y los pacientes presentan inmunodeficiencia severa al momento del diagnóstico. El linfoma pulmonar primario asociado con el sida es un tumor de alto grado, de células B y asociado en su patogenia con el virus de Epstein-Barr. Se relata un caso de linfoma primario de pulmón que se presentó bajo la forma radiológica de una atelectasia global del pulmón izquierdo.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is one of the most frequent systemic and endemic mycoses of Latin America caused by a dimorphic fungus. In AIDS patients, paracoccidioidomycosis appears as a severe and disseminated disease with a wide spectrum of clinical findings. The CD4 counts are usually less than 200 cell/mu L. We present a case of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis with peripleuritis and subcutaneous abscesses on the chest wall as initial manifestation of AIDS. In endemic countries, paracoccidioidomycosis should be included as an opportunistic infection in AIDS.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) meningoencephalomyelitis is a rare but severe neurological complication of VZV reactivation in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of an HIV-infected individual who developed an acute and severe meningoencephalomyelitis accompanied by a disseminated cutaneous eruption due to VZV. The presence of VZV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The patient started undergoing an intravenous acyclovir therapy with a mild recovery of neurological manifestations. Varicella-zoster virus should be included as a cause of acute meningoencephalomyelitis in patients with AIDS. Early diagnosis followed by specific therapy should modify the rapid and fulminant course for this kind of patients.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) is an unusual skin neoplasm with a great range of clinical presentations. Here, we report a case of CBCL in an AIDS patient presented as a single and nodular/ulcerative lesion in the perianal area. The patient was started on highly active antiretroviral therapy alone with a good clinical and oncological response. Two years later, the patient is asymptomatic with undetectable viral load and immune reconstitution.

Smooth muscle neoplasms are more frequent in human immunodeficiency infected children than in HIV seropositive adults. Endobronchial leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor in HIV infected adult patients. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these tumors. Here we describe an adult patient with HIV infection with atelectasis of the left upper pulmonary lobe as the first clinical expression of an intrabronchial leiomyoma. In this case, we can not show the association with EBV. Our report suggests that smooth muscle tumors as leiomyoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of endobronchial masses in AIDS patients.Neoplasmas da musculatura lisa são mais freqüentes em crianças infectadas pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana do que em adultos HIV-soropositivos. Leiomioma endobronquial é um tumor benigno em pacientes adultos infectados por HIV. Vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV) tem sido implicado na patogenia destes tumores. Descrevemos paciente adulto infectado pelo HIV com atelectasia do lobo pulmonar superior esquerdo como primeira manifestação clínica de leiomioma intrabronquial. Neste caso não pudemos demonstrar a associação com EBV. Nosso relato sugere que tumores de musculatura lisa como leiomioma deveriam ser incluídos no diagnóstico diferencial de massas endobronquiais em pacientes com AIDS.

Psoas muscle abscess is an uncommon infection that have been diagnosed increasingly in the last years. We present a case of a patient with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection who developed a disseminated infection due to Nocardia asteroides sensu stricto type VI with psoas abscess. To our knowledge no other cases of Nocardia psoas abscess in the setting of HIV infection have been reported in the literature.O abscesso do músculo psoas é uma infecção pouco comum que tem sido diagnosticada de maneira crescente nos últimos anos. Apresentamos um caso de paciente com infecção avançada pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) que desenvolveu uma infecção disseminada por Nocardia asteroides senso estrito tipo VI, com abscesso no psoas. Em nosso conhecimento, não foram relatados na literatura outros casos de abscesso do psoas por Nocardia, no contexto da infecção por HIV.

Lymphomas of the oral cavity are a rare complication of advanced HIV/AIDS disease. The clinical appearance of these neoplasms includes masses or ulcerative lesions that involve the oral soft tissue and the jaw as the predominant manifestation. We report the case of a patient with AIDS who developed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the oral cavity during highly active antiretroviral therapy, with undetectable plasma viral load and immune reconstitution.Os linfomas da cavidade oral são uma complicação rara da AIDS/HIV avançada. A aparência clínica dessas neoplasias inclui massas ou lesões ulcerativas que envolvem o tecido mole oral e da mandíbula como manifestação predominante. Relatamos um caso de um paciente com AIDS que desenvolveu um linfoma não Hodgkin de células B difuso e extenso da cavidade oral durante a terapia antiretroviral altamente ativa com carga viral plasmática indetectável e reconstituição imune.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell type is the second most common neoplasm after Kaposi's sarcoma, among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Most non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases that are associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome involve extranodal sites, especially the digestive tract and the central nervous system. We report a case of primary lymphoma of the duodenum in a patient with AIDS. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed pseudopolypoid masses found in the second portion of the duodenum. A complete diagnostic study including histological, immunohistochemical and virological analyses showed high-grade B-cell Burkitt's lymphoma. The Epstein-Barr virus genome was detected in biopsies by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization.O linfoma não-Hodgkin de células B é a segunda neoplasia mais comum em pacientes com infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana depois do sarcoma de Kaposi. A maioria dos casos de linfoma não-Hodgkin associados com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida envolve locais extraganglionares, especialmente o trato digestivo e o sistema nervoso central. Nós relatamos um caso de linfoma primário do duodeno em um paciente com AIDS. Uma endoscopia digestiva alta mostrou massas pseudopolipóides encontradas na segunda porção do duodeno. Um estudo diagnóstico completo incluindo exames histológicos, imunohistoquímicos e virológicos mostrou um linfoma de células B tipo Burkitt. Detectou-se genoma do vírus Epstein-Barr em biópsias por hibridização in situ e imuno-histoquímica.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are the second most frequent malignancies in AIDS patients. The majority of NHL associated with AIDS involves extranodal sites, especially the digestive tract and the central nervous system. Primary liver lymphoma (PLL) is an uncommon neoplasm among these patients. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scans may be helpful in the diagnosis of focal hepatic lymphoma. Image-guided fine-needle biopsy with histopathology of the liver lesions is the gold standard for the diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma. We report a case of PLL as the initial manifestation of AIDS in a patient without any previous infection by hepatitis C or B virus, presented as multiple and large hepatic masses.Os linfomas não-Hodgkin (LNH) são as segundas neoplasias mais freqüentes nos pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (SIDA). A maioria dos LNH associados à AIDS envolvem locais extra-ganglionares, especialmente o trato digestivo e o sistema nervoso central. O linfoma não-Hodgkin primário do fígado (LPF) é uma neoplasia incomum nestes pacientes. A ultrassonografia (US) e a tomografia computadorizada (TC) podem ser úteis no diagnóstico de linfoma não-Hodgkin hepático apresentando-se como lesões multifocais. A biópsia com agulha fina guiada por imagens (US, TC) juntamente com a histopatologia das lesões do fígado constitui o padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico de linfoma hepático. Este trabalho relata um caso de LPF como manifestação inicial de AIDS em um paciente sem infecção prévia pelo vírus da hepatite C e B, que se apresentou como massas hepáticas múltiplas e de grandes dimensões.

Clinical presentation of primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection includes a wide spectrum of manifestations from asymptomatic infection to a symptomatic and severe illness. Central nervous system involvement should be always considered as a severe clinical form of primary HIV infection. Physicians should be aware to the broad clinical spectrum of primary HIV infection. We report a case of a female with diagnosis of mononucleosis-like syndrome and acute aseptic meningoencephalitis during primary HIV infection.

Disseminated histoplasmosis is a relatively common AIDS-defining illness, occurring in almost 4% of patients living in endemic areas and it may be the first clinical expression of the HIV infection. A broad spectrum of clinical skin lesions associated with Histoplasma capsulatum infection have been described in AIDS patients, such as erythematous macules, papules, nodules, and pustules. Herpetic, acneiform, erythema multiforme-like, molluscum contagiosum-like, vasculitic, and exfoliative forms have also been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an AIDS patient presented as a rupioid eruption.A histoplasmose disseminada é uma das doenças associadas à AIDS e relativamente comum, ocorrendo em quase 4% dos pacientes que vivem em áreas endêmicas e pode ser a primeira expressão clínica da infecção pelo HIV. Amplo espectro de lesões de pele associadas com a infecção pelo Histoplasma capsulatum têm sido descritas nos pacientes com AIDS, tais como máculas eritematosas, pápulas, nódulos e pústulas. Foram também relatadas lesões herpéticas, acneiformes, similares ao eritema multiforme, similares ao molusco contagioso, vasculíticas e esfoliativas. Em nosso conhecimento este é o primeiro caso de histoplamose disseminada em paciente com AIDS que se apresenta como erupção de aspecto rupióide.

Cutaneous B cell lymphoma (CBCL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of neoplastic B cell of the skin with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Commonly, the clinical features of CBCL are plaques, nodules, or ulcerative lesions. Skin is one of the common sites for extra-nodal lymphomas in patients with AIDS and B cell type is less common than T cell type. Only recently, the existence of B cell lymphomas presenting clinically in the skin without evidence of extra-cutaneous involvement has been accepted as primary CBCL. Here, we are presenting 5 patients with cutaneous involvement in the setting of HIV/AIDS disease. Two of them were primary cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas. All were CBCL; 3 were immunoblastic, 1 was plasmablastic, and the other was a Burkitt lymphoma. We analyzed the epidemiological, clinical, virological, and immunological characteristics of this group of patients.

Intestinal intussusception rarely occurs in the adult population and accounts only for 1% to 5% of all the causes of intestinal obstruction. This complication is more frequent in the small bowel and can be due to different aetiologies, including inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic diseases. Malignancies account for 50% to 60% of all cases of colon invagination. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most common site for extra-nodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), representing 5% to 20% of all the cases. However, primary NHL of the GI tract is a very infrequent clinic-pathological entity and accounts only for 1% to 4% of all the neoplasms of the GI tract. Primary NHL of the colon is a rare disease and it comprises only 0.2% to 1.2% of all colonic malignancies. Here we describe a case of an AIDS adult patient who developed an intussusception secondary to a primary large B cell lymphoma of the transverse colon. English and Spanish literature was reviewed.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare infectious disorder that often has delayed diagnosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We present a case of an AIDS patient with a SEA due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This type of SEA in AIDS patients is characterized by localized spinal pain and prolonged fever. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice in the diagnostic process. Early diagnosis, followed by specific therapy (surgical decompression combined with antituberculous drugs), is necessary to improve the prognosis of these kinds of patients.

Intracranial and intraspinal involvement is a rare complication of Hodgkin's disease. We report a case of a patient with diagnosis of AIDS and Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed brain and spinal involvement at the time of the relapse of the neoplasm disease. Mixed cellularity histology was the subtype of Hodgkin's disease in our patient; we identified the Epstein-Barr virus genome in the Reed-Sternberg cells by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) have a low incidence as pathogens in human pathology. The most frequent clinical expression is the disseminated disease in subjects with compromised cellular immunity. Bacteriological characteristics in culture can generate confusion with other pathogens, which delays the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of a disseminated infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae with scleritis, spondylodiscitis and spinal epidural abscess in a man with a medical background of cellular immunity deficit induced by therapeutic drugs. The antibiotic scheme of twenty-one weeks, during the follow-up period, controlled the infection, however, the optimum duration of treatment has not been established.