[Osteitis in secondary syphilis].

Background: The aim of this study is to report two patients with osteitis in secondary syphilis. The increase in the number of cases of syphilis, linked to the changes in sexual behavior and to the increase of immigrants from areas of high prevalence of STD, as well as its relationship with HIV infection, makes important to clinicians become aware of unusual presentation of secondary syphilis.

Patients: We report two patients diagnosed of secondary syphilis, one of them with HIV infection.

[HIV superinfection: clinical and biological implications].

The recognition of HIV-1 particles including recombinant virus sequences suggests that a single individual has been infected with more than one HIV subtype. This circumstance may result from superinfection or coinfection. In the first case, the new infection occurs in subjects already carrying HIV-1, whereas coinfection refers to a concomitant exposure to diverse HIV-1 variants.

[Dilated cardiomyopathy and autoimmunity: an overview of current knowledge and perspectives].

The diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is assigned to patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and dilatation in the absence of any other documented cause. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is presumed to have a multifactorial origin, possibly including autoimmune mechanisms. We reviewed the current state of knowledge of this topic, including a pathophysiological hypothesis postulating a relation between an autoimmune process and sympathetic over-stimulation and systolic dysfunction.

[Toxicity associated to efavirenz in HIV-infected persons enrolled in an expanded access program].

Background: Efavirenz (EFV) is one of the latest antiretroviral compounds appeared in the market. Its toxicity profile is not well known.

Patients And Methods: The rate of adverse events was examined in 250 subjects enrolled in the expanded access program in a single institution located in Madrid, Spain.