1.
Inflammatory Myositis Secondary to Anti-Retroviral Therapy in a Child; Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Monaghan, M, Loh, C, Jones, S, Oware, A, Urankar, K, Roderick, M, Majumdar, A
Journal of neuromuscular diseases. 2021;(6):1089-1095
Abstract
Here, we describe a five year old girl with congenital HIV who had a six-week onset of rapidly deteriorating mobility and progressive proximal muscle weakness, associated with a raised Creatine Kinase (CK) level of 4330 U/L [25-200 U/L], subsequently diagnosed with an inflammatory myositis. Potential causes were investigated by paediatric neurology and immunology teams. Her viral load had been undetectable over the preceding two years, excluding a primary HIV myositis. While MRI scanning did not show evidence of definite myositis, a muscle biopsy showed evidence of an inflammatory process, comprising a moderate endomysial, perimysial and perivascular mononuclear (CD8 + T cell) infiltrate with increased MHC expression. No particular features of dermatomyositis or immune-mediated necrotising myopathy were identified and there were no features of an inclusion body myositis.Given the absence of active HIV infection, the role of anti-retroviral medications was considered. She had had a recent switch in medication, from twice daily Raltegravir (an Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor, INSTI) to once daily Dolutegravir (an INSTI) while continuing on an established daily protocol of Abacavir and Lamivudine (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors). Changing the Dolutegravir back to Raltegravir, in combination with continuing Lamivudine and Abacavir for two months made no difference to her weakness or CK levels. Moreover, this drug regimen had been well-tolerated over the preceding 19 month period. Changing the anti-retroviral regime completely to a single drug class (Protease Inhibitors) of Ritonavir and Darunavir, resulted in a dramatic improvement in her symptomatology. Within ten days she regained the ability to stand and walk, with a reduction in her CK from 1700 U/L at time of switch to 403 U/L [25-200]. This case highlights the potential risk of developing inflammatory myositis from anti-retrovirals even 19 months into treatment.
2.
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and HIV: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.
Kunitomi, A, Hasegawa, Y, Lmamura, J, Yokomaku, Y, Tokunaga, T, Miyata, Y, Iida, H, Nagai, H
Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan). 2019;(16):2387-2391
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is very rare. There is currently no consensus regarding the use of anti-cancer drugs with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in these patients due to their small number. We herein report two cases of APL with HIV-infected patients. Both cases received all-trans-retinoic acid-containing chemotherapies and achieved complete remission. ART was continued throughout the treatment course. The clinical course of these cases suggests that it is preferable to perform standard chemotherapy for APL with ART if patients have an adequate performance status.
3.
Worsening hypertriglyceridemia with oral contraceptive pills in an adolescent with HIV-associated lipodystrophy: a case report and review of the literature.
Patni, N, Diaz, EG, Cabral, MD, Siqueira, LM, Diaz, A
Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM. 2014;(11-12):1247-51
Abstract
Abstract We report a case of a 17-year-old girl with a history of congenital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and lipodystrophy secondary to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). She developed severe worsening of preexisting hypertriglyceridemia after treatment with oral contraceptive pills (OCP) for polycystic ovary syndrome. Her hypertriglyceridemia improved upon OCP discontinuation. Although it is known that estrogen combined with progestins have a negative effect on triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, to our knowledge the association of HAART-related lipodystrophy and severe hypertriglyceridemia after OCP use has not been reported in the literature. We recommend avoiding the use of OCPs in patients with lipodystrophy due to the increased risk of worsening hypertriglyceridemia.