Rare HCV subtypes and retreatment outcomes in a cohort of European DAA-experienced patients.

Background And Aims: Data on the prevalence and characteristics of so-called rare HCV genotypes (GTs) in larger cohorts is limited. This study investigates the frequency of rare GT and resistance-associated substitutions and the efficacy of retreatment in a European cohort.

Methods: A total of 129 patients with rare GT1-6 were included from the European resistance database.

Long-term persistence of HCV resistance-associated substitutions after DAA treatment failure.

Background & Aims: Data on the long-term persistence of HCV resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) after treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are limited. This study evaluated the persistence of NS3, NS5A, and NS5B RASs for up to 5 years after the end of treatment (EOT).

Methods: We included samples from 678 individuals with an HCV genotype (GT) 1 or 3 infection and virologic DAA treatment failure collected in the European Resistance Database.

Hodgkin Lymphoma after Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense Infection, Germany.

Mycobacterium genavense infection, a rare nontuberculous mycobacteria infection, occurs in heavily immunocompromised patients (i.e., those with advanced HIV disease, genetic disorders, or acquired immunologic disorders and those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy).

Influence of gender on cytokine induced depression and treatment: Gender aspects of IFN-α-induced depression.

Background: Cytokine treatment with Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) represents a clinical model of immune associated depression, but it remains unclear if it is of the same entity as major depressive disorder (MDD). The study focuses on possible gender differences in IFN-α induced depression and effects of a pre-emptive antidepressant treatment.

Methods: Data from 181 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection (cHC) without history of mental illnesses undergoing treatment with IFN-α 2a and ribavirin were re-analyzed for gender effects.

Sexual Health in HIV-Positive Men Under Stable Antiretroviral Therapy During a 12-Month Period.

Background: Sexual health is becoming increasingly important for many HIV-positive men undergoing highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) but remains frequently unaddressed in routine clinical consultation.

Aim: To comprehensively evaluate sexual health in male patients with HIV on stable ART over a 12-month period.

Methods: The prospectively registered cohort study comprising 87 HIV-positive men on stable ART (median age: 43 years) was conducted between 2011 and 2015 at a university hospital.

Treatment outcomes in hepatitis C virus genotype 1a infected patients with and without baseline NS5A resistance-associated substitutions.

Background&aims: The presence of baseline resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) reduced sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1a infected patients treated with Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (EBR/GZR). This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of NS5A RASs and treatment outcomes in patients for whom EBR/GZR was intended.

Methods: We sequenced NS5A in 832 samples from German genotype1a-infected DAA-naïve patients population-based, which were collected in the European Resistance Database.

The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Background: The reported incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Germany is rising. For example, the number of new reported cases of syphilis rose from 3034 in 2010 to 4410 in 2012.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE, and on guidelines and systematic reviews from Germany and abroad.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lung as an Alternative for a Pregnant Woman with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

We report a case of a pregnant 21-year-old woman with pulmonary tuberculosis in which magnetic resonance imaging of the lung was used to assess the extent and characteristics of the pathological changes. Although the lung has been mostly ignored in magnetic resonance imaging for many decades, today technical development enables detailed examinations of the lung. The technique is now entering the clinical arena and its indications are increasing.

Lack of awareness in both patients and physicians contributes to a high rate of late presentation in a South West German HIV patient cohort.

Purpose: To assess rate of late presentation with HIV in Southwestern Germany and to identify patient characteristics correlated with CD4 nadir.

Methods: Patients with primary diagnosis who presented to one of ten participating clinics rated on knowledge and behavior towards HIV testing on a self-developed questionnaire, whereas clinical data was assessed by the physician.

Results: 161 patients were included.

Semen quality in HIV patients under stable antiretroviral therapy is impaired compared to WHO 2010 reference values and on sperm proteome level.

Objectives: To investigate semen quality in HIV patients under stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with WHO 2010 reference values and on the sperm proteome level.

Design: Between 2011 and 2013, we prospectively enrolled 116 HIV-positive men without hepatitis B or C co-infections from our outpatient department for infectious diseases.

Methods: Patients received a comprehensive andrological work-up.

Escitalopram for the prevention of peginterferon-α2a-associated depression in hepatitis C virus-infected patients without previous psychiatric disease: a randomized trial.

Background: Depression is a major complication during treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon-α (IFN-α). It is unclear whether antidepressants can prevent IFN-induced depression in patients without psychiatric risk factors.

Objective: To examine whether preemptive antidepressant treatment with escitalopram can decrease the incidence or severity of depression associated with pegylated IFN-α in HCV-infected patients without a history of psychiatric disorders.

Neurosyphilis manifesting with unilateral visual loss and hyponatremia: a case report.

Background: Syphilis is called the chameleon of the diseases due to its variety of its clinical presentations, potentially affecting every organ of the body. Incidence of this ancient disease is once again on the increase worldwide.

Case Presentation: We here report an unusual case of neurosyphilis manifesting with unilateral visual loss and hyponatremia.

Bone mineral density in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infected men with hypogonadism prior to highly-active-antiretroviral-therapy (HAART).

Alterations of bone metabolism have been observed in numerous studies of HIV-infected patients. Sex steroids are known to profoundly influence bone mass and bone turnover. Hypogonadism is common in HIV-infection.

Growth hormone and bone mineral densitiy in HIV-1-infected male subjects.

The aim of this study was to characterize the GH-IGF-I axis of patients with HIV-1-infection without any symptoms of AIDS-associated wasting. A special emphasis was placed on determine bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism. Therefore 42 male fasting HIV-1-infected outpatients were included and estimation of serum GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and 3, osteocalcin, TNF-alpha, 1,25dihydroxycholecalciferol, and endocrine markers of the gonad function by commercially available RIA's performed.

Variable ratio of hepatitis C virus RNA to viral core antigen in patient sera.

Quantification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen and RNA in serum samples leads to a highly variable ratio of both. It is not clear whether this is due to the inaccuracy of RNA quantification or whether both are independent parameters in a certain range. We established a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for HCV RNA that combines very high sensitivity with a large dynamic range and minimal standard deviations.

Inhaled iloprost is a potent acute pulmonary vasodilator in HIV-related severe pulmonary hypertension.

As antiretroviral therapy has improved life expectancy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the life-limiting complication of HIV-related pulmonary hypertension has come into focus. Inhalation of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost is an effective treatment for various forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of inhaled iloprost in HIV-related pulmonary hypertension.

Extensive abdominal splenosis: imaging features.

We present the case of a 22-year-old patient who had splenectomy in childhood after trauma and had a known chronic active infection with hepatitis C. Imaging procedures in different radiologic modalities diagnosed diffuse intraabdominal splenosis. Splenosis is a rare, severe complication of splenic trauma or surgery, but the pathogenesis is not clear.

Osteopenia in HIV-infected women prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background And Objectives: Multiple endocrine and metabolic consequences of human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection exist that alter bone metabolism in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Osteopenia in AIDS patients has been associated with antiretroviral therapy particularly with protease inhibitors. However, there is very little data on bone metabolism in female subjects with AIDS prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Longitudinal evaluation of serum estradiol and estrone in male patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

In patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection alteration of various endocrine functions have been described. However, there is limited information available on estrogens and their function in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pituitary and testicular endocrine markers: 14 HIV-positive men were included into the longitudinal study with a follow up to of 18 month period.

Changes in calciotropic hormones and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Data on the bone metabolism of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are still extremely rare. To investigate the influence of HIV infection on the calciotropic hormones and markers of bone metabolism, we therefore performed a cross-sectional study on 100 patients (65 males and 35 females) with proven HIV infection. The following criteria were used for exclusion from the study: age less than 20/more than 50 years, confinement to bed, wasting symptoms, treatment with agents containing ketoconazole, renal or hepatic insufficiency, clinical or echographic signs of liver cirrhosis, endocrine diseases, or treatment with medications known to influence bone metabolism.

Evaluation of serum and urinary estrogen levels in male patients with HIV-infection.

Several endocrine functions are described which are altered in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, there is limited information available on estrogens and their function in these patients. The aim of this study was to relate the stage of the disease with urinary and serum estrogens and the influence of heroin consumption on gonadal steroids.

Elevated serum-calcium and parathormone-levels in HIV afflicted female heroin addicts.

Alterations of calcium and bone metabolisms have been observed in numerous studies of small groups of male HIV-infected patients. However, our knowledge regarding the manifestation of AIDS-associated hypoparathyroidism in female subjects is limited. In order to investigate the influence of heroin on the calciotropic hormones we performed a cross-sectional study on 45 female patients with proven HIV infection.