HTLV-1 is a retrovirus associated with a myriad of clinical conditions, especially hematological and neurological ones. Regarding nervous system diseases, it is of utmost importance to select those ...cases in which HTLV-1 infection could really be associated. This is particularly true for patients from endemic areas and for HIV-infected patients and drug users, since that these groups are at a higher risk for HTLV infection. This caution in selecting neurological patients for HTLV diagnostic tests is justified by the fact that in some circumstances the seropositivity may merely represent an epiphenomenon. In this paper we enroll some neurological conditions that have been associated with HTLV-1/2 infection in the literature and discuss the real need for HTLV-1/2 diagnostic tests in each one. Because HIV/HTLV-co-infected patients seem to be at an increased risk for neurological diseases development, a special consideration about this matter is also made.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by the human polyomavirus JC (JCV), results from a lytic infection of the ...oligodendrocytes that typically occurs in profound immunosuppression. Characteristically, the inflammatory response is not observed on histopathological findings, and neuroimaging studies rarely show contrast-enhancing lesions. Atypical presentations of some diseases arising from pre-existing infections and inflammatory reactions against several opportunistic pathogens have been described in AIDS patients soon after starting HAART. We describe a case of PML with an inflammatory response occurring shortly after initiating HAART that was misinterpreted as neurotoxoplasmosis.
Currently, there are almost 600,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in Brazil. From 1984 to 2004, 362,364 acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) cases were officially reported ...and 155,000 patients are under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment. Like in developed countries, universal access to treatment in Brazil has definitively changed both mortality and morbidity of AIDS. Today, the median survival time is 58 months, with a 2-year survival of 63%, versus 18 months before HAART. As expected, the incidence of nervous system opportunistic infectious diseases and tumors has also decreased in Brazil. However, few Brazilian reports about neurological manifestations of HIV infection are available, particularly after the beginning of more effective antiretroviral therapy. Autopsy series report that toxoplasmosis is the most prevalent neurological disease, followed by cryptococcosis and HIV encephalitis. A much lower incidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy has been described in Brazil than in reports from developed countries. A possibility for this discrepancy could be differences in terms of JC virus (JCV) isolates or even the interactions between JCV and local HIV strains. Some particularities about the involvement of the nervous system in Brazilian patients are worthy of note, such as the occurrence of central nervous system involvement in chronic Chagas' disease in patients with AIDS, and the concomitance of leprosy and HIV infection. National surveillance of neurological manifestations of HIV infection is needed to ascertain the real impact of HAART on nervous system diseases associated with AIDS in Brazil.
Several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of migraine. However, few commercially available NSAIDs can be administered IV. Lysine ...clonixinate (LC), an NSAID derived from nicotinic acid, has been proved effective in various algesic syndromes (eg, renal colic, muscular pain, nerve compression, odontalgia). The oral formulation of LC has been shown to be effective in the treatment of migraine of moderate severity.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the IV formulation of LC in the treatment of severe migraine.
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective study enrolled patients with severe migraine (without aura) as defined by the criteria of the International Headache Society. When patients presented to a neurology hospital with an outpatient headache unit (Instituto de Neurologia Deolindo Couto, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) with a severe migraine attack that had lasted <4 hours, they were randomized to 1 of 2 groups (IV placebo 25 mL of 0.9% saline or IV LC 21 mL of 0.9% saline plus 4 mL of LC 200 mg). Headache intensity and adverse effects (AEs) were assessed before (0 minute) and 30, 60, and 90 minutes after study drug administration. Rescue medication was available 2 hours after study drug administration, and its use was compared between groups.
Thirty-two patients (23 women, 9 men; mean SD age, 32 2 years; range, 18–58 years) entered the study. Twenty-nine patients (21 women, 8 men; mean SD age, 32 2 years; range, 18–56 years) completed the study. Three patients (all in the placebo group) did not complete the study (1 patient was unable to rate the pain severity after drug administration and 2 patients refused IV drug administration). Among study completers, 17 patients received LC and 12 placebo. At 30 minutes, 1 patient (8.3%) in the placebo group and 5 patients (29.4%) in the LC group were pain free; the between-group difference was not statistically significant. At 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, 3 (25.0%) and 5 (41.7%) patients in the placebo group and 12 (70.6%) and 14 (82.4%) patients in the LC group were pain free (P=0.021 and P=0.028 between groups at 60 and 90 minutes, respectively). Six patients (50.0%) in the placebo group and 1 patient (5.9%) in the LC group required rescue medication at 2 hours (P=0.010 between groups). Three patients (25.0%) in the placebo group experienced AEs, including vomiting, dizziness, and malaise (1 patient 8.3% each); 11 patients (64.7%) in the LC group experienced 1 AE, including burning pain at the injection site (5 patients 29.4%), heartburn (4 patients 23.5%), and dizziness and malaise (1 patient 5.9% each) (P=0.025).
NSAIDs administered by the IV route cannot be used routinely in an outpatient environment, although an attempt to improve drugs in this class is clearly justified. This study demonstrated that IV LC was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of severe migraine attacks. This finding differs from results with the oral formulation, which is effective only in migraine of moderate severity.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Tests to detect HAND are needed for early diagnosis and treatment. Validity of ...International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) has been determined in different countries. The aims of this study were validate IHDS in a Brazilian cohort of HIV-patients and verify if IHDS can be reliably administered by a non-clinician health professional. One hundred and eighty-seven (187) patients were submitted to a full neuropsychological assessment. IHDS was administered twice to each patient (by a non-clinician and by a neurologist). HAND was diagnosed in 98 individuals (68 on HAART). IHDS had sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 80%. IHDS had fair agreement with neuropsychological tests (k 0.355) and moderate-to-strong agreement between different evaluators (interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.684). HAND is prevalent nowadays. IHDS is quick and easy to administer, but has marginal sensitivity for the detection of HIV cognitive impairment other than dementia.
Distúrbios neurocognitivos associados ao HIV (HAND) ainda são comuns em pacientes usando terapia antirretroviral de alta eficácia (HAART). Testes diagnósticos para detecção de HAND são necessários para diagnóstico e terapia precoces. Nossos objetivos foram validar em uma população brasileira a escala internacional de demência pelo HIV (IHDS), já utilizada em outros países, e avaliar se pode ser confiavelmente aplicada por um profissional não médico. Avaliamos 187 pacientes com uma extensa bateria neuropsicológica. IHDS foi ministrada duas vezes (por médico e não médico). HAND foi diagnosticada em 98 indivíduos (68 em uso de HAART). A IHDS teve sensibilidade de 55% e especificidade de 80%, com pouca concordância com os testes neuropsicológicos (k 0,355) e moderada a forte concordância entre observadores (coeficiente de correlação interclasse (ICC) 0,684). HAND ainda é prevalente nos dias atuais. IHDS é um instrumento rápido e fácil de ser aplicado, mas com baixa sensibilidade para detecção de déficit cognitivo outro que não demência.
HTLV-1 is a retrovirus associated with a myriad of clinical conditions, especially hematological and neurological ones. Regarding nervous system diseases, it is of utmost importance to select those ...cases in which HTLV-1 infection could really be associated. This is particularly true for patients from endemic areas and for HIV-infected patients and drug users, since that these groups are at a higher risk for HTLV infection. This caution in selecting neurological patients for HTLV diagnostic tests is justified by the fact that in some circumstances the seropositivity may merely represent an epiphenomenon. In this paper we enroll some neurological conditions that have been associated with HTLV-1/2 infection in the literature and discuss the real need for HTLV-1/2 diagnostic tests in each one. Because HIV/HTLV-co-infected patients seem to be at an increased risk for neurological diseases development, a special consideration about this matter is also made.O HTLV-1 é um retrovírus associado tanto a doenças hematológicas quanto a doenças neurológicas. Em relação às doenças neurológicas, é fundamental que selecionemos aquelas em que de fato a infecção pelo HTLV-1 possa ser a causa. Isto é particularmente verdadeiro nos pacientes oriundos de áreas endêmicas e nos pacientes infectados pelo HIV e usuários de drogas, haja vista que estes grupos são de risco para infecção pelo HTLV. Este cuidado ao selecionarmos aquelas condições neurológicas que merecem ser investigadas com sorologia para o HTLV se justifica pelo fato de que nem sempre podemos afastar uma associação fortuita entre a infecção e a referida doença. Neste artigo, comentaremos sobre algumas condições neurológicas que podem estar associadas com a infecção pelo HTLV-1/2, discutindo a real necessidade de solicitar testes para o diagnóstico da infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 frente a elas. Uma breve consideração sobre a co-infecção HIV/HTLV será feita no final deste artigo tendo em vista que estes pacientes apresentam um risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de doenças neurológicas.
Microspheres of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) are exciting new soft-tissue fillers that are becoming increasing popular for facial rejuvenation. Some reports of side effects of this procedure are ...basically in respect to dermal reaction, with late-onset granulomatous lesion with giant cells and vacuoles. We report blindness and total ophthalmoplegia after PMMA injection into glabellar area in a healthy woman and review the literature.A injeção de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) é prática difundida na medicina estética como medida rejuvenecedora. No entanto, a injeção facial do PMMA carreia sérios riscos, especialmente se realizada na região glabelar. Descrevemos o caso de uma mulher que imediatamente após injeção glabelar de PMMA apresentou amaurose e oftalmoplegia total, revendo ainda a literatura pertinente.
OBJECTIVE: Although its role is a matter of debate, some studies described a higher prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) in young stroke patients, with higher ...risk with PFO / ASA association (OR 4.96). The aim of this study was determine the prevalence of PFO and ASA in a cohort of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) patients younger than 55 years and to follow-up after surgical or percutaneous endovascular closure (PEC). METHOD: In 21 months we identified all patients less than 55 years old with IS who were admitted to our hospital. Cryptogenic IS was considered if there is not an identifiably cause to cerebral ischemia. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in all patients. After interatrial septal abnormalities diagnosis, percutaneous device closure was offered to all. Patients were followed monthly and keeped with oral AAS or Clopidogrel. RESULTS: We identified 189 patients with IS and 32 were less than 55 years old (16.9%). In 29 the IS was cryptogenic. TEE was performed in all patients and some form of interatrial septal abnormality was identified in 12 (12/29 - 41.3%); 5 had a PFO and in 7 there was PFO plus ASA. Ten patients were submitted to PEC and 2 were submitted to surgical closure. In mid-term follow-up (28 months) no ischemic events occurred and 2 patients related disappearance of migraine symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our small series description is in accordance with other studies and suggests a possible relation between interatrial septal abnormalities and IS in a cohort of young patient.OBJETIVO: A associação das anormalidades do septo interatrial - forame oval patente (FOP) e aneurisma de septo interatrial (ASA) - com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) ainda é questão de incerteza para muitos autores. No entanto, vários estudo mostram que em pacientes jovens tais anormalidades podem estar relacionadas à gênese de eventos isquêmicos. Nosso objetivo é descrever a prevalência do FOP e ASA em uma coorte de pacientes jovens (< 55 anos) com AVCI e acompanhar estes pacientes após fechamento cirúrgico ou por prótese endovascular. MÉTODO: Em 21 meses de estudo, identificamos todos os pacientes com menos de 55 anos de idade admitidos em nosso hospital por AVCI. Consideramos AVCI como criptogenético quando não havia uma causa provável para AVCI. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao ecocardiograma transesofágico. O fechamento por prótese endovascular foi o procedimento oferecido àqueles com alguma anormalidade do septo interatrial. Os pacientes foram acompanhados mensalmente e submetidos a antiagregação plaquetária com AAS ou clopidogrel. RESULTADOS: Foram admitidos 32 pacientes jovens com AVCI. Após ampla investigação, 29 receberam o diagnóstico de AVCI criptogênico. Destes, 12 (12/29 - 41,3%) apresentaram alguma anormalidade do septo interatrial; sendo que em 7 havia a associação de FOP e ASA. Dez pacientes foram submetidos a fechamento endovascular percutâneo e 2 foram submetidos a fechamento cirúrgico. Até o momento, nenhum paciente relatou recorrência do evento isquêmico e 2 pacientes relataram melhora das crises de enxaqueca (14 meses de seguimento). CONCLUSÃO: Nossa pequena série de casos está de acordo com outros estudos e sugere uma possível relação entre anormalidades do septo interatrial e AVCI em pacientes jovens. Maiores estudos são necessários para comprovar esta associação e para definir a melhor conduta terapêutica.
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