Risk factors for 'unmasking immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome' presentation of tuberculosis following combination antiretroviral therapy initiation in HIV-infected patients.

Objective: To determine characteristics and risk factors for unmasking tuberculosis (TB)-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) following initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-infected patients, which have not yet been assessed to date.

Design: Retrospective single-center cohort study.

Methods: Medical records of HIV-infected patients diagnosed with tuberculosis following cART initiation were reviewed.

Incidence of lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders in patients starting non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in Benin.

Background: The incidence and risk factors for lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders among patients in Africa on first-line combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) mostly containing non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is poorly documented.

Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 88 HIV-infected patients initiating cART between October 2004 and June 2005 in Cotonou, Benin. Patients were followed for 24 months.

Staphylococcus aureus brain abscess in an HIV-infected patient exposed to enfuvirtide.

Brain abscesses are common among HIV-infected immunocompromised patients. Encephalitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection has to be presumed, on which treatment is initiated. The authors report an unusual case of a brain abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus in an HIV-infected patient exposed to enfuvirtide, for which this empirical strategy failed.

Efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment versus chloroquine prophylaxis to prevent malaria during pregnancy in Benin.

Background: In West Africa, treatment for the prevention of malaria during pregnancy has recently changed from chloroquine (CQ) prophylaxis to intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp). We assessed the benefits of IPTp with respect to those of CQ, using a before-after study.

Methods: CQ efficacy was evaluated during a cross-sectional survey conducted in Benin between April 2004 and April 2005.

Predicting pneumonia and influenza mortality from morbidity data.

Background: Few European countries conduct reactive surveillance of influenza mortality, whereas most monitor morbidity.

Methodology/principal Findings: We developed a simple model based on Poisson seasonal regression to predict excess cases of pneumonia and influenza mortality during influenza epidemics, based on influenza morbidity data and the dominant types/subtypes of circulating viruses. Epidemics were classified in three levels of mortality burden ("high", "moderate" and "low").

Is chloroquine chemoprophylaxis still effective to prevent low birth weight? Results of a study in Benin.

Background: In areas of stable transmission, malaria during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal and foetal outcomes, especially low birth weight (LBW). To prevent these complications, weekly chloroquine (CQ) chemoprophylaxis is now being replaced by intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in West Africa. The prevalence of placental malaria and its burden on LBW were assessed in Benin to evaluate the efficacy of weekly CQ chemoprophylaxis, prior to its replacement by intermittent preventive treatment.