Morbidity and mortality of haemophilia patients in Germany. Survey results 2011/2012

Since 1982, the multicenter study of the epidemiology of patients with haemophilia is carried out annually with the support of all sizes of haemophilia centers and treatment facilities. The long period of investigation has not only enabled the reporting of up-to-date mortality and morbidity status, but also of retrospective observations. The participating centers have made anonymized data available for patients with Haemophilia A, B and von Willebrand's disease (total counts for treated patients, type and severity of the disease, HIV status and causes of death). For 2011-2012 3331 patients were reported with haemophilia A or B from 32 centers. Although the mortality from HIV/AIDS in haemophilia patients continues to decline, HIV infection remains clinically relevant since an HIV/HCV coinfection can raise the risk of severe liver disease. The data from the multicenter survey were, together with the anonymized data from the Foundation for Humanitarian Aid for Persons Infected with HIV though Blood Products, comparatively descriptively compared and the temporal progression illustrated by a so-called moving average. Expectedly, haemophilia patients were shown to be under-represented by the data from the multicenter survey. Otherwise, the data are consistent.

Five-year on-treatment efficacy of lamivudine-, tenofovir- and tenofovir + emtricitabine-based HAART in HBV-HIV-coinfected patients

Data on the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM)-, tenofovir (TDF)- and emtricitabine (FTC)-based antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HBV-HIV coinfection are limited. We completed a retrospective analysis of HBV-HIV-coinfected patients treated at the Medical University of Vienna. One-hundred and ten coinfected patients were included, with 57% being initially HBV e-Antigen (HBeAg) positive. Baseline HBV load was significantly higher in HBeAg+ than in HBeAg- patients (5962 ± 3663 vs 20 ± 19 × 10(6) IU/mL; P < 0.0001). Over a median observation period of 83 month (range: 26-183), 87% received HAART and 91% showed a suppression of HBV replication. After 5 years of continuous treatment, HBeAg seroconversion was achieved in 21% of LAM-, 50% of TDF- (P = 0.042 vs LAM) and in 57% of TDF + FTC (P = 0.008 vs LAM)-treated patients, respectively. HBsAg loss after 5 years was found in 8% (LAM), 25% (TDF; P = 0.085 vs LAM) and 29% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.037 vs LAM) of HBeAg+ patients. In HBeAg- patients, HBsAg loss was achieved in 11% (LAM), 27% (TDF; P = 0.263 vs LAM) and 36% (TDF + FTC; P = 0.05 vs LAM), respectively. Pretreatment CD4+ counts did not influence rates of HBeAg seroconversion and of HBsAg loss. Patients with HBsAg loss had lower baseline HBV-DNA levels and higher AST/ALT levels than patients without HBsAg loss. Transient HAART-related hepatotoxicity was found in 32% (Grade I: 21%; II:7%; III:2%; IV:0%). Most HBV-HIV-coinfected patients achieve complete suppression of HBV replication despite high baseline viremia. TDF-based HAART leads to high rates of HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss after 5 years of continuous exposure. One-third of HBV-HIV-coinfected patients may experience transient HAART-related hepatotoxicity.

[Intranasal fentanyl for breakthrough cancer pain. A pilot study.]

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Despite regular administration of analgesics, a high percentage of patients with chronic malignant pain experience break-through cancer pain or incident pain. Such pain peaks in patients with chronic malignant pain require "rescue" medication in addition to basic analgesia with for example slow-release morphine or buprenorphine. For rescue medication a fast acting and powerful analgesic should be available to the patient. Recent studies have shown that intranasal fentanyl provides rapid onset of pain relief.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this open pilot study five patients with chronic cancer pain (age: 42-62 years; weight: 55-80 kg) received demand-adapted intranasal fentanyl titration for treatment of acute breakthrough cancer pain. Intranasal fentanyl doses (0.027 mg) were repeated at 5-min intervals until the patients experienced marked pain relief. Pain intensity was evaluated (0-30 min: 5-min intervals; 30-120 min: 10-min intervals) with the aid of a numerical rating scale (0 = no pain; 100 worst pain possible).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The patients received 2, 4, 6, 7 or 8 fentanyl boluses (totalling 0.054 mg, 0.108 mg, 0.162 mg, 0.189 mg or 0.216 mg, respectively). Rapid onset and marked reduction of pain intensity was achieved in all five patients. There were no clinically relevant changes in arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation, heart rate, arterial blood pressure or respiratory rate. All five patients scored the pain relief obtained as good or very good. There were no reports of pain or burning sensations in the nose or other side-effects.

Primary syphilitic chancre on the upper arm in an HIV-1-infected patient

A 32-year-old HIV-infected man presented with an ulcerating skin lesion with indurated borders on the upper right arm. Both dark-field microscopy and syphilis serology confirmed the diagnosis of primary syphilis. Extragenital syphilitic chancres are uncommon but nevertheless have to be kept in mind as they often delay diagnosis.

The risk of infections in HIV-HCV coinfected patients during antiviral therapy with pegIFN+RBV

OBJECTIVES

Antiviral treatment with pegIFN/RBV decreases ANC and CD4+ cell count. An association between neutropenia, a low CD4+ cell count and infections has not been demonstrated so far in HIV-HCV coinfected patients.

METHODS

The incidence, type, and severity of infections were recorded in 85 HIV-HCV coinfected and 164 monoinfected patients receiving pegIFN/RBV for 48 weeks. ANC and CD4+ cell count were assessed every 4 weeks during therapy.

RESULTS

The incidence of infections was significantly higher in HIV-HCV than HCV-Mono (38% vs. 15%; p = 0.001). Types of infections: pneumonia (n = 16/n = 24), bacteraemia/sepsis (n = 5/n = 2), skin infections (n = 15/n = 12), urinary tract infections (n = 4/n = 1), OIs (n = 10/n = 1). The incidence of neutropenia grade 1, 2 3 or 4 was similar in HIV-HCV and HCV-Mono, respectively. The incidence of infections was not associated with neutropenia (HCV-Mono: p = 0.584; HIV-HCV: p = 0.23) or with CD4+ cell counts <200/μL (HIV-HCV: p = 0.29). OIs occurred more often in HIV-HCV patients with CD4+ cell count <200/μL (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 38% and 15% of HIV-HCV coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients develop infections during pegIFN+RBV therapy but without any correlation to neutropenia. Antibacterial prophylaxis/treatment should be considered early in HIV-HCV coinfected patients developing CD4+ cell counts <200/μL during antiviral therapy as these patients have an increased risk of OIs.

[Morbidity and mortality of patients with haemophilia in Germany--update 2010/2011]

Since 1982 an annual multicentric survey regarding the epidemiology of patients suffering of haemophilia is performed with support of haemophilia treating centres of any size. Again, the actual compilation is resting upon a broad database returning to over 30 years of inquiry well representing both the actual and retrospective status of mortality. Prompted was exclusively information about patients with haemophilia A, B and von Willebrand disease. In particular anonymous data concerning the preceeding 12 months about number of treated patients, type and severity of illness, HIV-status and detailed information about causes of death was inquired. This data was merged with existing data and analysed statistically. In the 2009/2010 survey, a total number of 9448 patients with bleeding disorders have been reported from 47 participating centres. Despite mortality from HIV in patients with haemophilia is keeping on decreasing, HIV still remains an important factor as an HIV/HCV coinfection seems to increase risk of progression of severe liver disease. In the actual investigation the findings of the foundation "Humanitäre Hilfe für durch Blutprodukte HIV-infizierte Personen" were compared for the first time to our data. Time trends were visualised with a moving average. Our investigation has a smaller number of deceased patients, but contains consistent data.

First Experiences with Navigated Radio-Guided Surgery Using Freehand SPECT

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in melanoma using one-dimensional gamma probes is a standard of care worldwide. Reports on the performance are claimed by most groups to successfully detect the SLNs during the surgical procedure in almost 100% of the patients. In clinical practice, however, several issues remain which are usually not addressed: the difficulty of intraoperative detection of deeply located nodes, SLN detection in obese patients or in the groin and the impossibility to make a scan of the entire wound after SLN resection to avoid false negative testing for eventually remaining SLNs.

Materials and Methods

The concept behind freehand SPECT is to combine a gamma probe as used for conventional radio-guided surgery with a tracking system as used in neurosurgical navigation. From this combination and a proper algorithm framework the 3D reconstruction of radioactivity distributions and displaying these intraoperatively is possible.

Conclusion

In summary, the feasibility of freehand SPECT could be shown and provides an image-guided SLNB and a truly minimally invasive and optimized surgical procedure.

Raltegravir in pregnancy: a case series presentation

Adequate antiretroviral therapy is essential for HIV-positive pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission. We report a small case series of five women receiving raltegravir as part of their antiretroviral regimen during pregnancy.

HIV-HCV co-infected patients with low CD4+ cell nadirs are at risk for faster fibrosis progression and portal hypertension

Patients co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are fraught with a rapid fibrosis progression rate and with complications of portal hypertension (PHT) We aimed to assess the influence of immune function [Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage] on development of PHT and disease progression in HIV-HCV co-infection. Data of 74 interferon-naïve HIV-HCV co-infected patients undergoing liver biopsy, measurement of portal pressure and of liver stiffness and routine laboratory tests (including CD4+ cell count, HIV and HCV viral load) were analysed. Time of initial exposure (risk behaviour) was used to assess fibrosis progression. Fibrosis progression, time to cirrhosis and portal pressure were correlated with HIV status (CDC stage). HIV-HCV patients had rapid progression of fibrosis [0.201 +/- 0.088 METAVIR fibrosis units/year (FU/y)] and accelerated time to cirrhosis (24 +/- 13 years), high HCV viral loads (4.83 x 10(6) IU/mL) and a mean HVPG at the upper limit of normal (5 mmHg). With moderate or severe immunodeficiency, fibrosis progression was even higher (CDC-2 = 0.177 FU/y; CDC-3 = 0.248 FU/y) compared with patients with higher CD4+ nadirs (CDC-1 = 0.120 FU/y; P = 0.0001). An indirect correlation between CD4+ cell count and rate of fibrosis progression (R = -0.6654; P < 0.001) could be demonstrated. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) showed early elevation of portal pressure with median values of 4, 8 and 12 mmHg after 10, 15 and 20 years of HCV infection for CDC-3 patients. Patients treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) had similar rates of progression and portal pressure values than patients without HAART. Progression of HCV disease is accelerated in HIV-HCV co-infection, being more pronounced in patients with low CD4+ cell count. A history of a CD4+ cell nadir <200/microL is a risk factor for rapid development of cirrhosis and PHT. Thus, HCV treatment should be considered early in patients with HIV-HCV co-infection and largely preserved CD4+ cell counts.

[Is bioptic assurance reasonable in patients with Sjögren's syndrome? From focus score to diagnosing vasculitides]

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease which targets the salivary and lacrimal glands in particular, causing sicca syndrome. Extraglandular manifestations are often seen. Chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland is the most common symptom to be assessed for differential diagnosis. Common HE and Giemsa slices are histopathologically examined and graduated for lymphocyte infiltration (focus): grade 0: absent, grade 1: slight, grade 2: moderate non-focal infiltration, grade 3: 1 focus (> or =50 lymphocytes) per 4 mm2, grade 4: >1 focus. Grade 3 infiltrates correspond to a focus score of 1, which is one of four disease-classifying criteria acknowledged for diagnosis. Bioptic examination is also performed to rule out different (non-) immunologic sialadenitises, such as the necrotizing or epithelioid-like form (in sarcoidosis), and the extranodal marginal-zone lymphoma. Extraglandular manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome can also be safely diagnosed by histopathological examination. Emphases lie on vasculitides and myositides. Bioptic work-up, therefore, is not only reasonable but also an essential tool for diagnostics in Sjögren's syndrome.

Rapid progression of an anal Buschke-Lowenstein tumour into a metastasising squamous cell carcinoma in an HIV-infected patient

BACKGROUND

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT) of the anogenitalia is a locally invasive, destructively growing verrucous carcinoma that does not metastasise. Histologically BLT resembles benign condylomata acuminata. Nevertheless, the tumour grows relentlessly and may rarely progress into squamous cell cancer (SCC).

RESULTS

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected immunosuppressed patient developed (peri)anal warts accompanied by recurrent abscesses and fistulae. Histology revealed condylomata acuminata, and low-risk genital human papillomavirus (HPV) type 11b was detected. Six months later, the tumour had progressed into an ulcerated SCC that destroyed the rectum and perineum, with metastases to the inguinal lymph nodes. Whereas highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effectively suppressed HIV replication, radiochemotherapy plus anti-EGFR antibody did not halt tumour progression, and the patient died from tumour-cachexia.

DISCUSSION

As far as is known, this is the first report demonstrating rapid progression of a BLT into a metastasising SCC in an HIV-infected patient.

The effect of rosiglitazone on insulin sensitivity, beta cell function, bone mineral density, and body composition in hiv-positive patients on highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) leads to lipodystrophy and is associated with detrimental changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. This study investigated the impact of rosiglitazone on insulin sensitivity, beta cell function, bone mineral density, and body composition in HIV+ nondiabetic subjects under HAART. In this randomized, double blind, placebo controlled parallel group study, 40 HIV+ subjects were treated with rosiglitazone 4 mg/day (R, n=23) or placebo (P, n=17) for 6 months. Glucose, insulin and C peptide concentrations were analyzed for assessing insulin sensitivity and secretion. Adiponectin and leptin were evaluated. Body fluid compartments were measured with bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy, and bone mineral density and body composition with Dual X Ray absorptiometry. Rosiglitazone improved peripheral insulin sensitivity (+36.7+/-15.7 ml/min/m (2), p=0.03, means+/-SEM), while no change was observed in P (+4.5+/-19.5 ml/min/m (2), p=0.55). Liver insulin resistance, beta cell activity, and hepatic insulin clearance did not change. Plasma adiponectin increased (R: +2.47+/-0.86 microg/ml, p=0.01 vs. P: +0.45+/-0.60, p=0.28). Rosiglitazone had no influence on body composition, fat distribution and bone mineral density but expanded extra-cellular fluid volume in HIV infected persons (R: +0.50+/-0.21 l, p=0.02 vs. P: 0.10+/-0.25 l, p=0.32). Lipid metabolism in P remained unchanged, in R total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels increased significantly (p<0.05). Rosiglitazone treatment resulted in improved peripheral insulin sensitivity with increased circulating adiponectin in HIV patients under HAART. No effect was seen on body fat distribution, bone mineral density, and weight. These side effects and their potential for cardiac risk must be weighed against the beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.

Efficacy of interferon in immunocompromised HCV patients after liver transplantation or with HIV co-infection

BACKGROUND

Interferon (IFN)-based antiviral therapy is increasingly used in immunocompromised patients with chronic hepatitis C after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and HIV-HCV co-infection. Differences in early viral kinetics have not been compared in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 76 patients (31 OLT, 20 HIV-HCV and 25 HCV control patients) undergoing IFN sensitivity testing before starting antiviral therapy with pegylated IFN-alpha 2a (180 microg week(-1)) plus ribavirin (0.8-1.2 g day(-1)) for 48 weeks. We compared baseline parameters, response to IFN and treatment outcome between the groups and assessed the influence of specific calcineurin inhibitors in OLT patients and immune status in HIV-HCV patients on treatment response.

RESULTS

Viral loads pretherapy were higher in OLT compared to nontransplanted HCV controls (P = 0.003). The same trend was present in HIV-HCV (P = 0.09). The log-drop after test dose was less in OLT compared to HCV (P = 0.02), while no significant difference was found between HIV-HCV and HCV. In HIV-HCV patients viral load log-drop correlated significantly with CD4(+) cell counts (P = 0.001). No difference in viral load pretherapy, log-drop and treatment outcome was noted between different calcineurin inhibitors in OLT patients. Sustained virological response rates were 28% in OLT, 50% in HIV-HCV and 56% in HCV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunosuppression results in high HCV viral loads. Initial efficacy of IFN is significantly impaired in OLT patients, but not in HIV-HCV with largely preserved CD4(+) cell counts. Sustained virological response rates of 28% in OLT patients are suboptimal, but encouraging results are shown for HIV-HCV patients with relatively high CD4(+) cell counts.

Comparison of 11C-choline-PET/CT and whole body-MRI for staging of prostate cancer

Aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography and computed tomography with (11)C-Choline (Cho-PET/CT) and whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) for diagnostic work-up of prostate cancer.

PATIENTS, METHODS

We evaluated retrospectively 42 patients with untreated prostate cancer (n = 17), or increasing levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after curative therapy (n = 25) who had been investigated by both Cho-PET/CT and WB-MRI. MRI, CT, and PET images were separately analyzed by experienced radiologists or nuclear medicine experts, followed by consensus reading. Validation was established by histology, follow-up, or consensus reading.

RESULTS

88/103 detected lesions were considered as malignant: 44 bone metastases, 22 local tumor, 15 lymph node metastases, 3 lung, and 3 brain metastases. One further lesion was located in the adrenal gland, which was a second tumor. Overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for Cho-PET/CT were 96.6%, 76.5%, and 93.3%, resp., and for WB-MRI 78.4%, 94.1%, and 81.0%, resp. 3 vertebral metastases had initially been missed by Cho-PET/CT and were found retrospectively. MRI identified 2 bone metastases and 1 lymph node metastasis after being informed about the results of Cho-PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Cho-PET/CT and WB-MRI both presented high accuracy in the detection of bone and lymph node metastases. The strength of MRI is excellent image quality providing detailed anatomical information whereas the advantage of Cho-PET/CT is high image contrast of pathological foci.

Temperature gradient between brain tissue and arterial blood mirrors the flow-metabolism relationship in uninjured brain: an experimental study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present experimental study was to determine the feasibility and usefulness of brain temperature measurement (T(br)) and the calculated difference between brain temperature and arterial blood temperature (DeltaT(br-a)) in uninjured brain during variations of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and concomitant changes of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).

METHODS

Nine anaesthetized pigs were subjected to controlled CPP decrease to assess the lower cerebral autoregulation threshold. A parenchymal intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor combined with a microthermistor for temperature measurement, a miniaturized Clark-type electrode measuring brain tissue oxygenation (p(ti)O(2)), a small flexible intraparenchymal thermodilution probe for measuring rCBF and cerebral microdialysis were inserted carefully in the frontal white matter.

RESULTS

Analysing the p(ti)O(2) during controlled CPP decrease, we found significant breakpoints of p(ti)O(2) at a CPP of 40 mmHg and 20 mmHg, related to an rCBF of 20 ml/100 g/min and approximately 10 ml/100 g/min. Similarly, the relationship between DeltaT(br-a), and CPP or rCBF revealed a characteristic increase of DeltaT(br-a) in the negative direction up to more than -0.30 degrees C assuming a strong flow dependency.

CONCLUSION

The temperature difference between brain tissue and arterial blood DeltaT(br-a) mainly reflects the cerebral blood flow-brain tissue oxygenation-metabolism relationship as far as the estimation of the individual lower cerebral autoregulation threshold.

Human papillomavirus type 26 infection causing multiple invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the fingernails in an AIDS patient under highly active antiretroviral therapy

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nail unit is a rare disorder. An association with high-risk genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been reported. We report a 28-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected bisexual man who had multiple invasive SCC of the fingers, infected with the rare type HPV 26. Classification of HPV 26 as high- or intermediate-risk type has been uncertain, due to its rare presence in cervical cancer. Despite successful treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the patient developed extensive hyperkeratotic nailbed proliferations of all fingers. Tumours were refractory to treatment and invaded into adjacent tissues. X-rays of the hands demonstrated bone invasion, necessitating amputation of distal phalanges of several fingers. Histologically, highly differentiated preinvasive and invasive verrucous SCCs were identified. Molecular DNA typing identified HPV 26 in the SCCs and in some premalignant lesions. By in situ hybridization HPV 26 DNA was detected in numerous tumour cells, indicating productive infection with high-level amplification of the viral genome. In the remaining proliferations, high-risk HPV type 58, cutaneous HPVs and a putative new HPV type were identified. HPV 26 infection appears to be causally involved in the development of SCC of the nail unit in this immunosuppressed patient. Timely evaluation of chronic verrucous nailbed tumours is recommended, especially in immunocompromised patients. Identification of HPV 26, besides known high-risk HPV types, may identify patients at risk for developing SCC of the nailbed and possibly at other locations.

Effect of rosiglitazone on visfatin and retinol-binding protein-4 plasma concentrations in HIV-positive patients

Thiazolidinediones (TZD) may improve insulin resistance in patients with diabetes and HIV. The novel adipocytokines visfatin and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) have been proposed to influence the development of impaired glucose tolerance. The impact of TZD on these cytokines is yet unknown. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study, 37 lean HIV-positive subjects aged 19-50 years were treated with 8 mg/day rosiglitazone (n=20) or placebo (n=17) for 6 months. Insulin sensitivity was estimated from the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Fasting visfatin, RBP-4, leptin, and adiponectin plasma concentrations were analyzed by immunoassays. Rosiglitazone had no effect on impaired insulin sensitivity, but increased median plasma visfatin from 6.2 ng/ml (95% CI: 5.9; 6.5) to 13.7 ng/ml (12.6; 19.1) (P<0.001) and adiponectin from 3.2 ng/ml (2.2; 4.0) to 4.0 ng/ml (3.3; 8.5; P<0.001). RBP-4 was lowered from 21.0 ng/ml (19.6; 23.1) to 16.3 ng/ml (15.2; 17.0; P<0.001), and leptin concentrations were unchanged. Adipocytokine concentrations were stable in subjects receiving placebo, where a deterioration in insulin sensitivity was detectable (P<0.05). Changes in visfatin and RBP-4 were correlated in subjects receiving rosiglitazone (r=-0.64, P<0.01) but not placebo (r=0.12, P=0.15). TZD treatment affects circulating adipocytokine concentrations in subjects with HIV. Reductions in RBP-4 and increases in visfatin may contribute to the pharmacodynamic action of TZD on glucose homeostasis. Quantification of adipocytokines might be useful to assess TZD treatment effectiveness in insulin-resistant subjects with HIV.

Impact of antiretroviral therapy on visfatin and retinol-binding protein 4 in HIV-infected subjects

To determine circulating levels of adipocytokines, especially the recently characterized visfatin, and the fat-derived factor retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) in HIV-infected subjects and their respective changes following treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Fourteen HIV-positive, HAART-naïve subjects were compared with 10 HIV-negative healthy controls and reassessed after a 1-year treatment with HAART. Plasma visfatin and RBP-4 were determined by ELISA, whereas leptin and adiponectin by RIA. Body composition was measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was assessed using insulin and glucose levels. Visfatin and RBP-4 levels in HIV-positive subjects were comparable with those of HIV-negative controls before treatment with HAART. Treatment with HAART for 12 months resulted in a 6.9-fold and 7.1-fold increase of visfatin and RBP-4 levels (+54.0 +/- 9.7 ng mL(-1), P < 0.0001 and +95.3 +/- 31.7 ng mL(-1), P < 0.01), respectively. Leptin (-2.7 +/- 1.6 ng mL(-1), P = 0.054) was unchanged and adiponectin (-2.8 +/- 0.7 microg mL(-1), P < 0.01) decreased. Changes of visfatin concentrations correlated significantly with the increases of RBP-4 (r = 0.78, P = 0.001), fat-free mass (FFM, r = 0.75, P < 0.05) and change of HOMA-IR (r = 0.64, P < 0.05). Parameters of glucose metabolism and body fat mass were unchanged during the observation period. Treatment with HAART induced a pronounced increase of plasma visfatin and RBP-4 as well as a decrease of adiponectin in HIV-infected patients on HAART. Although body weight, fat mass and parameters of glucose metabolism remained stable, the changes in the adipocytokines might herald subsequent alterations of these parameters.

Local and systemic hemorheological effects of cerebral hyper- and hypoperfusion in a porcine model

Using a well defined pig model, we investigated whether cerebral hypertension and hypotension influence hemorheological factors. After surgical preparation and stabilization, periods of hyperventilation, controlled periods of cerebral perfusion pressure increases and decreases were utilized. After each period, blood samples were collected from the cannulated femoral artery and vein, and from the superior sagittal sinus. Erythrocyte deformability, whole blood and plasma viscosity and hematological parameters were determined. Erythrocyte deformability significantly worsened in arterial samples after hypertension and hypotension, and in sinus samples it was impaired after hypotension period. Hematocrit significantly increased in arterial and sinus samples during hypertensive period, accompanied by similar alterations in whole blood viscosity. We conclude that hemodynamic changes caused by hyperventilation, hyper- or hypotension can influence hemorheological factors, and suggest that the rheological alterations can affect local hemodynamic and metabolic conditions.

A Randomized Trial to Evaluate Lopinavir/Ritonavir versus Saquinavir/Ritonavir in HIV-1-Infected Patients: The Maxcmin2 Trial

Objective

To assess the rate of protocol-defined treatment failure and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and saquinavir/ritonavir (SAQ/r).

Design

Open-label, prospective, randomized (1:1), international multi-centre trial.

Methods

Adult HIV-1-infected patients were assigned LPV/r 400/100 mg twice daily or SAQ/r 1000/100 mg twice daily with two or more nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)/non-NRTIs. All patients, whether on or off the assigned treatment, were followed for 48 weeks.

Results

Of 339 randomized patients, 324 initiated assigned treatment (intention-to-treat/exposed [ITT/e] population). At 48 weeks, treatment failure occurred in 29/163 (18%) and 53/161 (33%) of patients in the LPV/r and SAQ/r arms, respectively (ITT/e, P=0.002, log rank test). In an analysis that also considered those patients who discontinued treatment as having failed treatment (ITT/e/discontinuation=failure), 40/161 (25%) LPV/r-treated individuals versus 63/161 (39%) SAQ/R-treated individuals failed treatment ( P=0.005, log rank test). Discontinuation of the assigned treatment occurred in 23/163 (14%) patients in the LPV/r-treated group, compared with 48/161 (30%) in the SAQ/r-treated group (ITT/e; P=0.001). The primary reasons for premature discontinuation were non-fatal adverse events (LPV/r: 12/163; SAQ/r: 21/161) and patients’ choice (LPV/r: 7/163; SAQ/r: 8/161). In the on-treatment analysis of time to treatment failure, no difference was observed between the two arms ( P=0.27, log rank test).

Conclusion

LPV/r had better antiretroviral effects compared with SAQ/r at the doses and in the formulations studied. This may have been a result of patients’ preferences and ability to adhere to assigned therapy, rather than a result of differences in the intrinsic potency of the study protease inhibitors.

Brain tissue oxygen monitoring for assessment of autoregulation: preliminary results suggest a new hypothesis

Brain tissue oxygen monitoring (P(ti)O2 (Neurotrend, Codman, Germany) was employed in addition to standard intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) monitoring in seven patients with severe neuronal damage of heterogeneous etiology. The correlation between P(ti)O2 changes and CPP fluctuations during periods of 30 minutes were analyzed, when CPP was above 70 mmHg and lower than 100 mmHg. A new ratio, the CPP-oxygen-reactivity (COR) index was calculated as COR=delta p(ti)O2 %/delta CPP%. The patient COR values were compared to those found in the brain of six noninjured anesthetized piglets. The analysis was performed to determine the significance of synchronous fluctuations of CPP and P(ti)O2, when CPP is above the lower threshold of autoregulation. The correlation between CPP variations and p(ti)O2 variations was found to be strong (R(mean)) = 0.74 +/- 0.17) in the patients and was weak in the uninjured animals (R(mean)) =0.38 +/- 0.43). The COR (mean) was 2.05 +/- 0.57 in patients and 0.78 +/- 0.6 in the animals. In the injured brain of our patients, we observed an unexpectedly close correlation between P(ti)O2 and CPP variations when CPP levels were within a therapeutically targeted range (70 to 100 mmHg). In a porcine model, we could not find this relationship in the noninjured brain. We speculate that an increased COR might be indicative for an impaired local pressure autoregulation. The preliminary data suggest that COR values above "1" might be pathologic. However, the reported sample sizes are too small to provide sufficient statistical power to justify inferential statistical analyses. As such, results are presented with descriptive statistics only, and should be regarded as a hypothesis.