Association of immune cell subsets with incident heart failure in two population-based cohorts.

Aims: Circulating inflammatory markers are associated with incident heart failure (HF), but prospective data on associations of immune cell subsets with incident HF are lacking. We determined the associations of immune cell subsets with incident HF as well as HF subtypes [with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)].

Methods And Results: Peripheral blood immune cell subsets were measured in adults from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS).

Agreement between Mantoux skin testing and QuantiFERON-TB assay using dual mycobacterial antigens in current and former injection drug users.

Background: Individuals infected with non-tuberculous mycobacteria may elicit false-positive reactions on tuberculin skin testing. The QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) assay utilizes tuberculin and M. avium antigens and, therefore, may be more specific for latent tuberculosis infection.

Relationship of serum immunoglobulin and IgG subclass levels to race, ethnicity and behavioral characteristics in HIV infection.

Background: To determine whether demographic and behavioral factors affect immunoglobulin regulation in HIV infection, we studied injection drug users, women, and minority ethnic and racial groups with and without HIV infection.

Material/methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of ambulatory persons with or at risk for HIV infection was conducted. We enrolled 48 injection drug users (IDUs) and 43 non-IDUs seropositive for HIV and 22 seronegative at-risk individuals in the Bronx, New York City.

Cryptococcal fungemia in a neutropenic patient with AIDS while receiving caspofungin.

Empiric choice of anti-fungal therapy in febrile neutropenia should be based upon a host's susceptibility to specific fungal pathogens. We present a case of a patient with multiple risk factors for fungemia including HIV infection, Hodgkin's disease, corticosteroid use and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia who developed disseminated cryptococcal infection while receiving caspofungin.

Risk behavior for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among HIV-seropositive individuals in an urban setting.

We conducted interviews with 256 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who attended an HIV clinic in New York City to assess ongoing risk behaviors for HIV transmission. After learning that the result of an HIV test was positive, 106 subjects (41%) had unprotected sex, 63 (25%) had a new sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, and 38 (15%) used injection drugs. Unprotected sex was reported by 50% of women, 29% of heterosexual men (P=.

Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with lactic acidosis and stavudine therapy.

We describe the first case of Miller Fisher syndrome (opthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia) associated with lactic acidosis as an adverse effect of receipt of an antiretroviral regimen containing stavudine. We review this syndrome in the context of recent descriptions of neuromuscular toxicities attributed to nucleoside analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor-induced mitochondrial toxicity.

Rickettsial, ehrlichial and Bartonella infections of the myocardium and pericardium.

Myocarditis and pericarditis are uncommon complications of human rickettsial, ehrlichial and Bartonella infections. Myocardial inflammation usually occurs in the setting of acute disseminated infection. Organisms associated with myocarditis include: Rickettsia rickettsii, R.

Comorbid conditions, treatment, and health maintenance in older persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection in New York City.

We retrospectively examined comorbid conditions and health maintenance in 198 patients aged > or =55 years who attended 3 New York City human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics between 1 January 1990 and 30 June 1998. Annual influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations within 5 years were given in 82% and 86% of patients, respectively. Among 57 women, 79% had a Papanicolaou smear within 1 year, and 53% had a mammogram within 2 years.