Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated respiratory infections, most notably Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), but also bacterial pneumonia (BP), result in reductions in lung function that have been studied mainly during the course of acute infection. Whether HIV-associated pneumonias also cause permanent changes in pulmonary function is unknown. In this study we investigated the long-term effects of PCP and BP on pulmonary function in a cohort of HIV-infected persons. One thousand, one hundred forty-nine HIV-infected persons were followed in a prospective, observational cohort study at six centers in the United States. Study participants had pulmonary function testing performed at regular preset intervals. PCP and BP diagnoses were verified with defined criteria. Longitudinal multivariate analysis was used to model pulmonary function in terms of demographic data and occurrence of PCP or BP. We found that PCP or BP was associated with permanent decreases in FEV(1), FVC, FEV(1)/FVC, and the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. Neither infection resulted in statistically significant changes in TLC. We conclude that PCP and BP result in expiratory airflow reductions that persist after the acute infection resolves. The clinical implications of these changes are unknown, but they may contribute to prolonged respiratory complaints in HIV-infected patients who have had pneumonia.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a significant source of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. However, little is known about the clinical presentation and course of acute HCV infection in this population. This study reports the outcomes of acute HCV infection in 9 HIV-infected men. Sex with men was the only reported risk factor for HCV infection in 6 of the subjects. Clinical presentation of acute HCV ranged from incidentally discovered elevated transaminases to severe liver dysfunction requiring hospitalization. At the time of HCV diagnosis, 8 of 9 patients had CD4+ counts >250 cells/mm(3), and 6 had HIV viral loads of < or =5000 copies/mL. Eight patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Outcome of these acute HCV infections varied. Five patients experienced virologic clearance, 2 in whom virus cleared spontaneously and 3 who were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Four patients developed chronic infection, one of whom had a relapse during HCV treatment and 3 of whom were untreated. All 4 patients to whom HCV therapy was administered experienced significant anemia or neutropenia, necessitating dose reduction or support with growth factors. Prompt recognition of acute HCV infection may minimize antiretroviral treatment interruption and will allow early treatment, which may improve virologic clearance. Unexplained transaminase elevations in HIV-infected patients, including men who have sex with men, should trigger an evaluation for acute HCV infection.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common neoplasm in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, information about the presenting features of pulmonary KS is limited. To describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of pulmonary KS, medical records and chest radiographs of 168 patients with pulmonary KS diagnosed by bronchoscopy during a 7-yr period were reviewed. All of the patients were HIV-seropositive males, of whom 95% identified homosexual or bisexual sex as a risk factor for HIV infection. The median CD4 lymphocyte count was 19 cells/microliter. The most common symptoms were cough, dyspnea, and fever. Patients with a concurrent opportunistic pneumonia had a higher median serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration than did those with pulmonary KS alone (p<0.001). The most common chest radiograph findings were bronchial-wall thickening, nodules, Kerley B lines, and pleural effusions. The presence of granular opacities or cystic spaces usually indicated concomitant Pneumocystitis carinii pneumonia (p < 0.001). Twenty-six patients (15.5%, 95% CI = 10.2% to 20.8%) had pulmonary KS in the absence of mucocutaneous involvement. The presentation of pulmonary KS is characterized by symptoms that cannot be distinguished from those of a superimposed infection. An elevated serum LDH concentration or a chest radiograph with granular opacities or cystic spaces should raise the suspicion of concurrent opportunistic pneumonia. The diagnosis of pulmonary KS should be considered in an HIV-infected homosexual or bisexual male with respiratory symptoms even in the absence of mucocutaneous lesions.
In U.S. patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the most frequent AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. Sputum induction and bronchoscopy are effective techniques for obtaining specimens used to identify P. carinii although debate continues over their optimal use, specifically whether to perform bronchoscopy after a negative induced sputum examination for P. carinii. To evaluate the usefulness of bronchoscopy in this situation, we reviewed all cases of suspected P. carinii pneumonia in which sputum induction for P. carinii was performed at San Francisco General Hospital during a 4-yr period. Bronchoscopy, performed after a negative induced sputum examination, yielded a diagnosis in 50.5% of evaluations. The most frequent diagnoses were P. carinii pneumonia (192), tracheobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma (93), tuberculosis (28), and Cryptococcus neoformans pneumonia (9). Bronchoscopy provided either the only or an earlier diagnosis in 64.3% of tuberculosis cases. Bronchoscopy with BAL was free of complications, and, importantly, a negative BAL examination for P. carinii allowed physicians to discontinue empiric P. carinii pneumonia treatment in 95%. In patients with suspected P. carinii pneumonia with a negative induced sputum examination for P. carinii, early bronchoscopy with BAL should be performed.
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