A mutation in the Gardos channel is associated with hereditary xerocytosis.

The Gardos channel is a Ca(2+)-sensitive, intermediate conductance, potassium selective channel expressed in several tissues including erythrocytes and pancreas. In normal erythrocytes, it is involved in cell volume modification. Here, we report the identification of a dominantly inherited mutation in the Gardos channel in 2 unrelated families and its association with chronic hemolysis and dehydrated cells, also referred to as hereditary xerocytosis (HX).

[Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in onco-hematology. PICC line in onco-hematology].

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have the advantage of limiting the risk of accidents during installation and are easy to remove. Its use in oncology remains debated because of possible infectious complications. We analyzed 52 PICC in patients with hematological tumor from Nice Hospital.

In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, why are HIV-infected patients still admitted to hospital for an inaugural opportunistic infection?

Objectives: To identify factors related to delayed testing, and delayed or interrupted care-seeking or treatment uptake, among HIV-infected patients.

Design: HIV-infected patients hospitalized for an opportunistic infection (OI) cases were included in a prospective study and compared with controls matched by age and sex who had regular follow-up and treatment. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their therapeutic itinerary and their socioeconomic, psychological and medical characteristics.

[Kaposi disease and sex hormones: apropos of a case, review of the literature].

The authors report one case of AIDS-related-like Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a 59-year-old bisexual man without HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. KS developed while the patient was receiving both androgen and steroid therapy for aplastic anemia, and regressed after their simultaneous interruption, despite the persistence of aplastic anemia. The authors discuss the etiology of KS in the patient, with a special regard to a putative role of the androgen therapy.

MACOP-B chemotherapy for the treatment of high-grade lymphomas in patients with HIV-1 infection.

Recent studies showed that patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection may benefit from an intensive chemotherapeutic regimen. We report on our experience in the treatment of NHL-associated HIV-1 infection, with excellent prognostic factors, with MACOP-B regimen.

[Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in elderly subjects].

During an 8-year period, 35 patients aged over 60 and presenting with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura were observed. At the time of diagnosis, 51.5 percent had haemorrhages which were major in 26 percent of the cases.