Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 89 in total

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  1. Mohammad Z, Naing NN
    PMID: 15272757
    To characterize the demographic profiles, clinical features, radiological patterns and outcomes of treatment of HIV-infected TB patients, a descriptive study was carried out on 149 HIV-infected TB cases diagnosed from 1998 through 2001 at Kota Bharu Hospital, Kelantan, Malaysia. The majority of the patients were males (94.6%), single (45.0%), ethnic Malay (94.0%) with a mean age of 34 years (standard deviation 7.8, range 18-76). The most common HIV transmission category was through injecting drug use (73.8%) and being the inmates or former inhabitants of drug rehabilitation centers and prisons were the commonest high-risk groups. One hundred and seventeen patients were diagnosed as having pulmonary TB, while about 20% were extra-pulmonary in type with 9 cases of milliary TB. The majority (45%) presented with cough symptoms while only 51% had a positive sputum smear. Fifty-five percent were found to have pulmonary lesions on chest x-ray, such as localized, milliary or diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, or opacities. Eight (5.4%) had pleural lesions while another 8 cases had hilar or mediastinal lymph node lesions. Overall, fifty-eight (38.9%) patients had died by the completion of data collection. The median weeks or survival from the time of starting TB treatment was 13.5 (range 1-56) and the majority of them (74%) died without completing the 6-month regime of treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods
  2. Guan R
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl B:52-6.
    PMID: 16108174
    In the Asia Pacific region Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often acquired in individuals already infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The immune suppression caused by HIV infection reduces cellular immune response against HBV and liver inflammation may improve, but the risk of developing cirrhosis is not. HBV infection does not affect the progression of HIV disease. Anti-retroviral agents may be directly hepatotoxic and cause ALT elevations in patients with chronic hepatitis. Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) improves immunity and as cytotoxic lymphocyte responses improve, hepatitis flares can occur, usually r within 3 months of initiation of HAART. These hepatitis flares may be followed by normalization of ALT and clearance of HBVDNA. If lamivudine is included in the HAART regime, hepatitis flares may not occur till late and these late flares signal the development of lamivudine resistant HBV strains (90% of HBV/HIV co-infection). Treatment options for chronic HBV infection include interferon (IFN), and nucleoside analogues. Lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF) are nucleoside analogues with activity against both HBVDNA polymerase and HIV reverse transcriptase. The latter two compounds have added activity against lamivudine resistant HBVDNA. Lamivudine should be avoided in the initial treatment of both hepatitis B as well as HIV because of the high incidence of resistance. Interferon should be considered first for treatment of HBV in HIV co-infected individuals and is usually unsuccessful in the later stages of HIV infection when immune suppression is extreme. As new and improved agents in HAART continue to prolong survival, the use of liver transplantation for cirrhotic patients co-infected with HIV and HBV may increase.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  3. Chow YW, Leong CL, Chow HL, Hooi LS
    Med J Malaysia, 2007 Mar;62(1):78-80.
    PMID: 17682581
    Exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may lead to adverse effects related to mitochondrial toxicity such as lactic acidosis. We describe two cases of severe lactic acidosis in HIV-positive patients to illustrate the clinical symptoms and abnormal laboratory results associated with this condition. There is a lack of awareness about the risk factors for developing severe lactic acidosis and recognition of its onset with dire consequences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects*
  4. Arijit G, Shalini C
    Med J Malaysia, 2007 Mar;62(1):88.
    PMID: 17682586
    Nepal is a low prevalence country for HIV/AIDS but has progressed into the category of a "concentrated" epidemic. The epidemic remains concentrated in a few vulnerable populations, namely Female Sex Workers and their clients, Intravenous Drug Users and Seasonal Migrant Workers. There is a big difference between estimated and reported cases for HIV, >60000 and almost 5000 respectively1 . There might be many more undiagnosed cases. Mother–to–child transmission is the largest source of HIV infection in children in Nepal so far.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  5. Lim A, Tan D, Price P, Kamarulzaman A, Tan HY, James I, et al.
    AIDS, 2007 Jul 31;21(12):1525-34.
    PMID: 17630546
    To examine the relationships between blood CD4 natural regulatory T (Treg) cells, plasma HIV RNA level, CD4 T-cell count and immune activation in untreated HIV-infected patients and immunodeficient patients beginning antiretroviral therapy (ART), using a novel phenotype to define Treg cells (CD25CD127CD4). Data were compared with established Treg cell markers (FoxP3, CTLA-4 and GITR).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  6. Leng LK, Pancharoen C, Bunupuradah T, Thisyakorn U, Trinavarat P, Sosothikul D, et al.
    J Med Assoc Thai, 2007 Sep;90(9):1937-42.
    PMID: 17957942
    This report documents a case of infiltrating cervical spinal mass, most likely a spinal tumor, in a girl with HIV infection that regressed following HAART and without treatment of the tumor or any anti-infectives.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  7. Lian YL, Heng BS, Nissapatorn V, Lee C
    Curr. HIV Res., 2007 Sep;5(5):484-9.
    PMID: 17896968
    Attempts to address the significant impact of HAART on medical variables on the Malaysian HIV/AIDS population have yet to be evaluated. This study aims to analyze the proportions of AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) before and after HAART. A retrospective study was carried out on 128 new cases of HIV infected patients who first commenced HAART in 2004 at the national HIV reference center. Before commencement of HAART, 76 clinical episodes of ADIs were recorded in 52 patients. Most common being pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (28.9%), PCP (27.6%) and disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (11.8%). During HAART, 8 clinical episodes of ADIs were documented in 7 patients with a median time of onset of 10 weeks after initiation of HAART (range, 4-36 weeks). The median CD4 count at the time of the commencement of HAART for these patients was 11 cells/mm(3). ADIs reported include PCP (2 episodes), disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 episodes), extrapulmonary cryptococcosis (1 episode), esophageal candidiasis (1 episode), recurrent pneumonia (1 episode) and disseminated or extrapulmonary histoplasmosis (1 episode). Three (37.5%) of these occurred despite a reduction of viral load by at least 2 log(10) and an increased in the CD4 cell count. In conclusion, ADIs can still present after the initiation of successful HAART especially in those with CD4 counts below 100 cells/mm(3). In Malaysia, ADIs are the major causes of HIV/AIDS associated morbidity and mortality, thus increased awareness on the management of these illnesses is warranted especially in the months following HAART.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  8. Khairy-Shamel ST, Shatriah I, Adil H, Zunaina E, Bakiah S, Rohaizan Y, et al.
    Orbit, 2008;27(5):388-90.
    PMID: 18836940 DOI: 10.1080/01676830802336629
    We reported a case of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma with an intracranial extension in an HIV-infected child. It was an uncommon sarcoma in a retroviral-positive patient that resulted in a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The child is currently asymptomatic following surgery, chemotherapy, and reinstitution of highly active retroviral therapy (HAART).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  9. George C, Yesoda A, Jayakumar B, Lal L
    J Clin Pharm Ther, 2009 Feb;34(1):33-40.
    PMID: 19125901 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2008.00988.x
    This prospective, observational, study evaluates the clinical outcomes, drug utilization patterns, and adherence to treatment of patients on highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) at a government institution in Kerala, India.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/economics*
  10. Asmal HS, Mustafa M, Abdullah S, Zaidah AR, Nurhaslindawati AR, Sarimah A, et al.
    PMID: 20578464
    Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has become the most common opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients with a CD4 count < or = 200. The incidence of PCP has declined as a result of prophylaxis and better highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The objective of this study was to review the demographic data of HIV patients diagnosed clinically as having PCP at the Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II) in Malaysia. This was a prospective study. All HIV patients admitted to HRPZ II with respiratory symptoms were enrolled in this study after giving informed consent. Their demographic data were collected. The total number of HIV patients reviewed in this study was 107. Nearly 60% of patients were clinically diagnosed as having pneumocystis pneumonia based on their signs, symptoms and chest x-ray findings. A CD4 count was available in 83 out of 107 patients. The fifty-three percent of patients(44) had a CD4 < 200 and were clinically diagnosed as having pneumocystis pneumonia. Thirty percent had a CD4 < 200 but did not have clinical pneumocystis pneumonia. Sixteen point nine percent had a CD4 > 200 and had clinical pneumocystis pneumonia, three of whom had received HAART, four patients had received prophylaxis. Overall, 94 patients (87.8%) received prophylaxis for pneumocystis pneumonia. Thirty-three patients (30.8%) received HAART. The occurrence of pneumocystis pneumonia was common before full implementation of HAART. Pneumocystis pneumonia can occur in patients with a CD4 >200.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  11. Nissapatorn V
    PMID: 20578449
    Toxoplasmosis has historically been considered one of the most important opportunistic infections detected in HIV/AIDS patients. The prevalence rates of latent Toxoplasma infections in HIV-infected patients has been found to vary greatly from 3% to 97%. Prevalence has been found to be related to ethnicity, certain risk factors, and reactivation of toxoplasmosis. Prior to antiretroviral therapy, toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) was the most common focal cerebral lesion detected in AIDS patients with Toxoplasma infection, occurring in approximately half of Toxoplasma-seropositive patients. Other forms of dissemination have also been reported in AIDS patients in sites such as the eyes, lungs, heart and spinal cord. Anti-Toxoplasma therapy and chemoprophylaxis have shown effectiveness in reducing the incidence of TE, while noncompliance has been identified as a cause of relapse in these settings. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common neuropathological complications found at autopsy. Rapid progress in the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the observed patterns with TE, for which there has been a marked decrease in overall incidence. Subsequently, TE has been found to be significantly associated with the so-called "neurological immune restoration inflammatory syndrome" (NIRIS). Toxoplasma screening programs are recommended for all newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients. Chemoprophylaxis should be considered in HIV-infected patients who have a CD4 < 200 cells/mm3, particularly in settings where resources are limited and there is not access to HAART. TE remains a cause of morbidity and mortality among AIDS patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  12. HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration, Ray M, Logan R, Sterne JA, Hernández-Díaz S, Robins JM, et al.
    AIDS, 2010 Jan 02;24(1):123-37.
    PMID: 19770621 DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283324283
    OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) on mortality among HIV-infected individuals after appropriate adjustment for time-varying confounding by indication.

    DESIGN: A collaboration of 12 prospective cohort studies from Europe and the United States (the HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration) that includes 62 760 HIV-infected, therapy-naive individuals followed for an average of 3.3 years. Inverse probability weighting of marginal structural models was used to adjust for measured confounding by indication.

    RESULTS: Two thousand and thirty-nine individuals died during the follow-up. The mortality hazard ratio was 0.48 (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.57) for cART initiation versus no initiation. In analyses stratified by CD4 cell count at baseline, the corresponding hazard ratios were 0.29 (0.22-0.37) for less than 100 cells/microl, 0.33 (0.25-0.44) for 100 to less than 200 cells/microl, 0.38 (0.28-0.52) for 200 to less than 350 cells/microl, 0.55 (0.41-0.74) for 350 to less than 500 cells/microl, and 0.77 (0.58-1.01) for 500 cells/microl or more. The estimated hazard ratio varied with years since initiation of cART from 0.57 (0.49-0.67) for less than 1 year since initiation to 0.21 (0.14-0.31) for 5 years or more (P value for trend <0.001).

    CONCLUSION: We estimated that cART halved the average mortality rate in HIV-infected individuals. The mortality reduction was greater in those with worse prognosis at the start of follow-up.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/mortality*
  13. Yap FB, Thevarajah S, Asmah J
    Dermatol. Online J., 2010;16(7):2.
    PMID: 20673530
    Penicilliosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Penicillium marneffei. The infection is most commonly seen in Southeast Asia, Southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It is rarely seen among individuals of African descent. Here, we report a case of penicilliosis in an African man from Namibia who was studying in Malaysia. He presented with multiple umbilicated papules associated with cough, fever, loss of appetite, and weight. He also had urethral discharge and admitted to unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Histopathological examination of a skin papule showed the presence of multiple 2 to 4 microm intracellular yeast cells. Culture of the papule revealed Penicillium marneffei. The serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was positive. This case illustrates the need to recognize penicilliosis in any individuals staying or travelling to Southeast Asia and the need to look for underlying HIV infection in adults with umbilicated papules.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  14. Hasanah CI, Zaliha AR, Mahiran M
    Qual Life Res, 2011 Feb;20(1):91-100.
    PMID: 20737215 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-010-9729-y
    PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the socio-demographic, clinical and psychological factors influencing the quality of life (QOL) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 271 patients with HIV infection attending an HIV clinic in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Participants completed the Malay version of the Functional Assessment of HIV Infection (FAHI) and Malay Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS).
    RESULTS: The patients functioned satisfactorily in the physical domain. They were mostly impaired in the social domain. Those who acquired the HIV infection via a heterosexual route seemed to have a significantly lower social well-being, while those who acquired HIV via drug injection were not associated with losses in the overall QOL or any of its domains. Non-disclosure paradoxically had a greater effect on social well-being. About 38% had possible anxiety, depression or both, and these emotional disturbances were significantly associated with total FAHI and its five domains.
    CONCLUSIONS: Psychological and social well-beings were more affected than physical well-being in out-patients with HIV infection in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. The study suggests that the patients with HIV infection should receive better psycho-education and psychological intervention.
    Study site: Infectious Disease clinic, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  15. TREAT Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database (TApHOD), International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Southern Africa Paediatric Group
    J Int AIDS Soc, 2011 Feb 09;14:7.
    PMID: 21306608 DOI: 10.1186/1758-2652-14-7
    BACKGROUND: To better understand the need for paediatric second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), an ART management survey and a cross-sectional analysis of second-line ART use were conducted in the TREAT Asia Paediatric HIV Observational Database and the IeDEA Southern Africa (International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS) regional cohorts.

    METHODS: Surveys were conducted in April 2009. Analysis data from the Asia cohort were collected in March 2009 from 12 centres in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Data from the IeDEA Southern Africa cohort were finalized in February 2008 from 10 centres in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    RESULTS: Survey responses reflected inter-regional variations in drug access and national guidelines. A total of 1301 children in the TREAT Asia and 4561 children in the IeDEA Southern Africa cohorts met inclusion criteria for the cross-sectional analysis. Ten percent of Asian and 3.3% of African children were on second-line ART at the time of data transfer. Median age (interquartile range) in months at second-line initiation was 120 (78-145) months in the Asian cohort and 66 (29-112) months in the southern African cohort. Regimens varied, and the then current World Health Organization-recommended nucleoside reverse transcriptase combination of abacavir and didanosine was used in less than 5% of children in each region.

    CONCLUSIONS: In order to provide life-long ART for children, better use of current first-line regimens and broader access to heat-stable, paediatric second-line and salvage formulations are needed. There will be limited benefit to earlier diagnosis of treatment failure unless providers and patients have access to appropriate drugs for children to switch to.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods*
  16. Mohd NM, Yeo J, Huang MS, Kamarul AM, Koh MT, Khor GL
    Malays J Nutr, 2011 Apr;17(1):19-30.
    PMID: 22135862 MyJurnal
    Nutrition and HIV are closely related. Any immune impairment as a result of HIV leads to malnutrition, which in turn, can also lead to reduced immunity, thus contributing to a more rapid progression to AIDS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  17. Chitra P, Bakthavatsalam B, Palvannan T
    Clin Chim Acta, 2011 May 12;412(11-12):1151-4.
    PMID: 21300045 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2011.01.037
    Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) defines the end stage of Human immunodeficiency viral (HIV) infection before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This study was carried out to assess the serum β-2 microglobulin (B2M) as a marker for progression of HIV infected patients undergoing HAART.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  18. Tan WC, Chan LC
    Med J Malaysia, 2011 Oct;66(4):383-4.
    PMID: 22299569
    Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is strongly associated with Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV). It was the first malignancy to be linked with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). We report a case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a newly diagnosed retroviral homosexual patient with CD4 count of 21. He had multiple firm discrete violaceous plaques and nodules scattered over the face, scalp, hard palate, trunk and genitalia. Biopsy of a skin nodule over the trunk and a biopsy of a lesion from the gastric mucosa confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma. He was started on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) was given for the lesions over the skin. He responded well to treatment. Liquid nitrogen is a useful adjuvant treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  19. Nissapatorn V, Sawangjaroen N
    Indian J Med Res, 2011 Dec;134(6):878-97.
    PMID: 22310820 DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.92633
    After 30 years of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, parasites have been one of the most common opportunistic infections (OIs) and one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-infected patients. Due to severe immunosuppression, enteric parasitic pathogens in general are emerging and are OIs capable of causing diarrhoeal disease associated with HIV. Of these, Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli are the two most common intestinal protozoan parasites and pose a public health problem in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. These are the only two enteric protozoan parasites that remain in the case definition of AIDS till today. Leishmaniasis, strongyloidiasis and toxoplasmosis are the three main opportunistic causes of systemic involvements reported in HIV-infected patients. Of these, toxoplasmosis is the most important parasitic infection associated with the central nervous system. Due to its complexity in nature, toxoplasmosis is the only parasitic disease capable of not only causing focal but also disseminated forms and it has been included in AIDS-defining illnesses (ADI) ever since. With the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and toxoplasmosis are among parasitic diseases reported in association with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This review addresses various aspects of parasitic infections in term of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with HIV-infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects*
  20. Basavaprabhu A, Mahalingam S, Deepak M, Satish R
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):214-6.
    PMID: 22822648
    CNS toxoplasmosis presenting as hydrocephalus is a very rare entity. We present three cases of HIV positive patients whose brain imaging revealed hydrocephalus and who improved with anti toxoplasma medication along with intravenous steroids and did not require any CSF shunting procedures. The mechanism of hydrocephalus in CNS toxoplasmosis is usually due to compression of CSF outflow pathway by ring enhancing lesions but even in their absence hydrocephalus can be rarely seen due to ventriculitis. Hence in HIV positive patients with unexplained hydrocephalus CNS toxoplasmosis should be considered and such patients if started on treatment early have a good prognosis without requiring neurosurgical intervention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
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