Comprehensive whole genome sequencing with hybrid assembly of multi-drug resistant isolate causing cerebral abscess.

Comprehensive whole genome sequencing (WGS) with hybrid assembly of a multi-drug resistant (MDR) (CA) isolate causing cerebral abscess was performed using Illumina paired end and Oxford Nanopore long read technologies. The innovative technologies utilized here enabled us to resolve fragmented assemblies, and implement comprehensive and detailed genomic analyses involved in antifungal resistance of Functionally important genes (MDR1, CDR2 and SQN2) involved in antifungal resistance were identified and a phylogenetic analysis of the clinical isolate was performed. Additionally, our clinical isolate was found to share 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms with two other sequenced strains of MDR (381 and 386) including translation elongation factor EF1α and EF3, ATPase activity associated proteins, and the lysine tRNA ligase.

HCV reinfection incidence and spontaneous clearance rates in HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Western Europe.

Background & Aims: Moderate cure rates of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections with pegylated interferon and ribavirin have been described in the last decade in men who have sex with men (MSM), who are also coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, a subsequent high incidence of HCV reinfections has been reported regionally in men who both clear the infection spontaneously or who respond to treatment.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of reinfections in HIV infected MSM in eight centers from Austria, France, Germany, and the UK within the NEAT network between May 2002 and June 2014.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to chronic HIV infection.

As patients infected with HIV live longer due to effective anti-retroviral therapy, new disease manifestations are becoming apparent. We describe the case of a 59-year-old patient who presented to our unit with atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to chronic HIV infection. Given the high mortality associated with atraumatic splenic rupture, we believe it should be included in the differential diagnosis of HIV-positive patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.

Hepatitis C virus reinfection incidence and treatment outcome among HIV-positive MSM.

Objective: Liver disease secondary to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the context of HIV infection is one of the leading non-AIDS causes of death. Sexual transmission of HCV infection among HIV-positive MSM appears to be leading to increased reports of acute HCV infection. Reinfection after successful treatment or spontaneous clearance is reported among HIV-positive MSM but the scale of reinfection is unknown.