Publications by authors named "Melinda Tenant-Flowers"

This case illustrates a rare cause of lymphadenopathy as a presenting feature of HIV and highlights the importance HIV testing in all patients who present with lymphadenopathy.

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Objectives: CODOX-M/IVAC (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin-methatrexate/ifusamide, etoposide, cytarabine) chemotherapy is commonly used to treat Burkitt lymphoma and in the HIV-negative population. Rituximab is often added with suggested survival benefits. Concerns over increased toxicity in an already immunocompromized population have prevented its routine addition in people living with HIV (PLWH).

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Objective: To compare the outcome of patients diagnosed with HIV infection and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP in the cART era with that of a HIV-negative control group.

Methods: From 2003 to 2011, 305 patients (97 HIV-positive) were diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with R-CHOP. Clinical features were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test.

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Article Synopsis
  • The analysis examines the response rate, treatment toxicity, and overall survival for HIV-positive patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving different chemotherapy regimens.
  • Out of 50 patients, most received rituximab along with either the R-CHOP or CODOX-M/IVAC treatment, achieving a 68% complete remission rate.
  • Both treatment groups had similar outcomes regarding response and survival, but the CODOX-M/IVAC group experienced more infections and non-hematological toxicities, indicating that while treatment intensification is possible, it does not provide additional benefits over R-CHOP.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the outcomes of HIV-positive patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with the ABVD chemotherapy regimen, comparing them to HIV-negative patients during the HAART era.
  • 224 patients were analyzed, revealing HIV-positive patients generally had more severe disease characteristics than their HIV-negative counterparts.
  • Results showed no significant difference in overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) between the two groups, indicating that HIV status does not negatively impact treatment outcomes when both groups receive the same chemotherapy.
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Objectives: To explore staff attitudes towards and experiences of the implementation of routine HIV testing in four healthcare settings in areas of high diagnosed HIV prevalence.

Methods: As part of the HINTS (HIV Testing in Non-traditional Settings) Study, routine offer of an HIV test to all 16-65-year-old patients was conducted for 3 months in an emergency department, an acute admissions unit, a dermatology outpatients department and a primary care practice. The authors conducted focus groups with staff at these sites before and after the implementation of testing.

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Background: UK guidelines recommend routine HIV testing in healthcare settings if the local diagnosed HIV prevalence >2/1000 persons. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and acceptability, to patients and staff, of routinely offering HIV tests in four settings: Emergency Department, Acute Care Unit, Dermatology Outpatients and Primary Care. Modelling suggested the estimated prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection in attendees would exceed 1/1000 persons.

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Innovative and non-stigmatizing interventions are required to reduce ethnic inequalities in rates of sexually transmitted infections among young people. We therefore designed an intervention, 'You can't tell by looking,' which combined health promotion with testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia using nucleic acid amplification technology and treatment and partner notification delivered in the non-clinical settings. One hundred and eighty-one participants were seen in 13 sessions in local further education colleges.

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A cross-sectional study of new clients with either gonorrhoea or chlamydia attending King's College Hospital in 1998. One thousand two hundred and thirty-nine women and 1141 men had gonorrhoea, chlamydia or both. Overall, 24.

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