We report a 12% incidence of adenovirus infections among 532 recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) from January 1986 through March 1997. The median time from day of stem cell infusion to first positive culture was 41 days. Recipients of allogeneic stem cells, as opposed to autologous stem cell recipients, were more likely to have a culture positive for adenovirus (16% vs. 3%; P<.0001). Pediatric patients were also more likely than adults to have a positive culture (23% vs. 9%; P<.0001). Among stem cell recipients with partially matched related donors, pediatric recipients appear to be at significantly greater risk for infection than adult recipients (P<.001). Positive cultures were associated with evidence of invasion in 64% of cases (41 of 64). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that isolating adenovirus from more than 1 site correlated with greater risk for invasive infections (P=.002). Invasive infections were associated with poorer chance of survival.

This narrative medicine essay emphasizes the undue disease burden carried by minority populations in the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes collection and reporting of data by race/ethnicity and multilingual targeted educational efforts delivered by celebrities or faith leaders as first steps to reduce the imbalance.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can cause serious disease in immunocompromised patients. Recipients of solid organ and bone marrow transplants, persons with malignancies, and those receiving immunosuppressive medications are at risk. When CMV infection of the GI tract causes disease, symptoms include pain, ulceration, bleeding, diarrhea, and perforation. All levels of the GI tract, from the oropharynx to the anus, may be involved. Pathological examination of involved gut typically reveals diffuse ulcerations and necrosis with scattered CMV inclusions, although a variety of other abnormalities have been described. Before the introduction of antiviral therapy effective against CMV, mortality was high. However, the use of ganciclovir or foscarnet has improved the prognosis of CMV disease of the GI tract dramatically. CMV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of GI disease in immunocompromised patients, and the clinician should pursue appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions aggressively.

Commonly referred to as "poppers," inhaled nitrites have a long history of abuse. Poppers are rapid-onset, short-acting potent vasodilators that produce a rush characterized by warm sensations and feelings of dizziness. Poppers sometimes are used to facilitate anal intercourse because of their actions on the anal sphincter. Epidemiologically, the frequent use of nitrites by men who have sex with men has led some experts to implicate these chemicals in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Controlled clinical trials to examine this potential correlation have not been conducted, and the use of nitrites simply may be a marker for other high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex. Although regulated in the United States, many nitrite compounds and isomers are sold at various venues including bars, bookstores, and over the Internet. Adverse effects associated with these products vary from mild allergic reactions to life-threatening methemoglobinemia. The potential for drug-drug interactions and a propensity toward unsafe sex also exist. Clinicians should be familiar with the populations most likely to abuse these agents and with the clinical effects and management guidelines for acute ingestions.