[False negative diagnosis of HIV-1].

We report a case of a false negative diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in an African girl. Two HIV-1 DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were negative at the second and fourth months of life. Because anti-HIV antibodies persisted when the patient was 18 months old, the HIV-1 RNA PCR test was performed with a positive result, confirming HIV-1 non-B subtype, recombinant A-G.

[Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses: study of 13 years].

Introduction: Peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses are the most common deep head and neck infections. We present a series of patients with these infections.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective study of peritonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses in children admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit of our hospital between January 1991 and January 2004.

[Disseminated histoplasmosis].

We describe two cases of disseminated histoplasmosis, which are of interest due to their severity and the infrequency of this infection in our environment. Both children were immunocompromised immigrants from Latin America who developed prolonged fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. One patient had respiratory symptoms with associated alterations on x-ray, while no radiological alterations were found in the other patient.

Prevalence of fat redistribution and metabolic disorders in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

Unlabelled: In this study we assessed the prevalence of fat redistribution and metabolic disorders in a population of HIV-infected children on antiretroviral treatment. To make associations with epidemiological parameters, clinical-immune status, viral load and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we performed a cross-sectional study in HIV-infected children. Epidemiological parameters (age, sex, family history), clinical and immune status, viral load, and duration of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and HAART, including protease inhibitors, were recorded.