Idiopathic chylous ascites in a patient with HIV infection: response to total parenteral nutrition and octreotide therapy.

The authors describe a 47-year-old man infected with human immunodeficiency virus admitted for ascites and weight loss. Ascitic fluid analysis revealed chylous ascites (triglycerides 444 mg/dl) with negative microbiological tests. Neoplasia, cardiac disease and liver cirrhosis were excluded after an extensive diagnostic workout.

Evaluation of the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination technique (TP.PA) in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis.

The Treponema pallidum particle agglutination technique (TP.PA) was evaluated, in comparison with the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum antibodies (MHA-TP), and fluorescent treponemal antibody-ABS (FTA-Abs) test for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. We have studied 198 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with syphilis, including neurosyphilis, treated syphilis, and with other neurological manifestations than neurosyphilis.