Patient Demographics and the Utilization of a Novel 3-Anatomic-Site Testing Panel Including Rectal Self-Collection as Compared With Usual Care Testing.

Background: At Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, we designed a 3-anatomic-site panel (urine, oropharynx, and rectum) with a self-collect feature for rectal sites. We compared the proportion tested at each anatomic site, demographic factors, and HIV status between those who received the 3-site panel versus usual care.

Methods: Patients entered our laboratories without a prior appointment and underwent urine (usual care [patient collected]), oropharynx (laboratory technician collected), and rectal site (patient collected) testing.

Gender differences in HIV drug resistance mutations and virological outcome.

Background: Previous studies have shown that female gender has higher odds of developing HIV drug resistance mutations. We aimed to evaluate the gender differences in HIV drug resistance mutation patterns and outcomes in a cohort of an HIV-infected population who underwent genotype resistance testing (GRT).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from January 2004 to April 2007 of patients >12 years of age who underwent GRT in the HIV Outpatient Program Clinic (HOP) at the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.

Mycobacterium avium-avium-associated typhlitis mimicking appendicitis in an immunocompetent host.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) primarily causes respiratory infection in patients with underlying lung disease or disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients. We report a unique case of MAC disease in the terminal ileum of a healthy patient, mimicking appendicitis. This case emphasizes the need to further explore MAC pathogenesis in immunocompetent hosts.