The sample size for this study was smaller than planned, and no differences in survival and clinical end points were found. Slower rates of decline in CD4 lymphocyte counts and weight, however, were noted for the zalcitabine group.
In contrast to toxoplasmosis in non-AIDS immunocompromised hosts, AIDS patients rarely have been reported to be infected at extra-CNS sites. We report the case of a 45-year-old homosexual male with AIDS who presented with pneumonitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii following a previous illness consistent with CNS toxoplasmosis.
Generalized lymphadenopathy in intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) at risk for AIDS has not been well studied. We have retrospectively analyzed the results of lymph node biopsies obtained from 27 patients referred to the Infectious Diseases Service for evaluation of generalized lymphadenopathy and suspected AIDS during a recent 18-month period. Fourteen of the patients were heterosexual IVDAs, 7 were male homosexual IVDAs, and 6 were male homosexual non-IVDAs. All of the patients were residents of the Bronx, New York. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) was the most frequent diagnosis established on lymph node biopsies from IVDAs, in 12 out of 21 (57%). Tuberculous adenitis was not diagnosed in the 6 non-IVDAs. All TB patients were febrile, 11 (91%) had lost weight, and 10 (84%) had an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The 5TU PPD skin test, however, was reactive in only 2 (16%) of 12 patients. Tuberculosis is important to consider in patient populations with exposure histories to both AIDS and TB. The alarmingly high prevalence of TB in this drug addict population emphasizes the importance of lymph node biopsies with acid-fast smears and mycobacterial cultures in symptomatic IVDAs. Preventive antituberculosis therapy for HIV-positive persons, especially IVDAs, with a history of positive tuberculin reactions or of recent household contact should be seriously considered.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.