Tuning procedure for traveling wave structures and its application to the C-Band cavities for SPARC photo injector energy upgrade

n/

The C-Band accelerating structures for SPARC photoinjector energy upgrade

n/

Systemic infections associated with tattoos or permanent makeup. a systematic review

Introduction: The aim of this article is to summarize published information on systemic infective complications of tattoos to gain an update of the current picture. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed database (2009–2019), and compared with a search without year restriction. Eligibility criteria were studies on systemic tattoo-related infections, including case reports, case series, outbreak investigations, reviews, and systematic reviews. Results: We identified 17 manuscripts with systemic infections between 2009 and 2019, with one reported fatality. In contrast to the historical records, no reports of systemic tuberculosis, syphilis or viral (hepatitis or HIV) infections were reported within the study period. A few sporadic cases or Mycobacterium leprae (India) or regional lymphadenopathy associated with skin lesions in non-tuberculosis mycobacteria were identified. Persistent fever with rigour was common in bacterial bloodstream infections. One episode of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome and several episodes of septic shock were reported, associated with cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis within two weeks of the procedure, predominantly caused by pyogenic bacteria (S. aureus or streptococcus). Identification of lung or systemic embolisms in the absence of local symptoms, was indicative of (right or left) infective endocarditis. Conclusions: Bacterial bloodstream infections should be considered in subjects developing fever and rigour after tattoos, regardless of local symptoms. A shift in causative organisms has been documented, when comparing with historical reports. NTM are emerging organisms causing lymphadenopathy. Strict hygiene conditions are essential when performing a tattoo

Remission of an HHV8-related extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma in an HIV-positive patient during antiretroviral treatment containing dolutegravir

BackgroundHuman herpes virus 8 (HHV8) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and has been associated with an increasing number of hematologic diseases such as primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) (both classic and extracavitary form), multicentric Castleman disease and the germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder. PEL is a rare B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects immunocompromised patients; aggressive chemotherapy and antiretroviral therapy (ART) with protease inhibitors have been used, with poor results. We present a case of extracavitary PEL in an HIV-infected patient, regressed after ART initiation.Case presentationA 42-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room because of several months of malaise, fever and progressive deterioration of the general conditions. On physical examination soft non-painful subcutaneous masses were palpable at retronuchal, retroauricolar and thoracic regions. HIV serology resulted positive: HIV plasma viremia was 782,270 copies/mL, CD4 103 cells/mL. The excision of one of the masses, metabolically active at a positron emission tomography (PET-CT) scan, revealed an HHV8-related extracavitary PEL. HHV8 plasma viremia was 44,826 copies/mL. ART with tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/dolutegravir was started together with ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus chorioretinitis. The progressive disappearance of the masses was seen after 6weeks of ART, and a PET-CT scan resulted completely negative at 3months. After 19months of ART the patient was in remission of PEL, HIV viremia was undetectable (<20 copies/mL), CD4 count was 766 cells/mL and HHV8 viremia was undetectable.ConclusionsIn this clinical case, the complete regression of PEL has been achieved after the immune recovery, as a consequence of ART introduction, without chemotherapy. It cannot be excluded that ganciclovir, used for the treatment of CMV chorioretinitis, may have contributed to the control of HHV8 replication. Whether to try or not a conservative approach in HIV-infected PEL patients must be carefully evaluated, considering the patient's characteristics and the prognostic factors

Multiple hepatic and brain abscesses caused by Parvimonas micra: A case report and literature review

Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) are responsible for 30% of anaerobic infections. Parvimonas micra is an emergent pathogen that is part of the oral and gastrointestinal commensal flora, and its role in several infection processes has recently emerged thanks to the improvement of diagnostic techniques. P. micra bacteraemia is reported in immunocompromised patients and is often complicated by abscesses. Here, we present a case study of multiple hepatic and brain abscesses caused by P. micra bacteraemia in a patient with complicated diverticulitis.(c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Poor CD4/CD8 ratio recovery in HBcAb-positive HIV patients with worse immune status is associated with significantly higher CD8 cell numbers

Low CD4+ cell count in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been described; however, notably few studies have investigated coinfected patients positive for antibodies to the HBV c antigen (HBcAb). An observational retrospective study enrolling 190 patients was conducted by grouping patients with respect to HBV status and recording CD4+ T cell counts and percentages (CD4%), CD8+ T cell counts and percentages (CD8%), and the CD4+ to CD8+ T cell ratio (CD4/CD8) at the time of HIV diagnosis, at the start of treatment and at months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, and 24 after beginning cART. One hundred and twenty patients (63.2%) were negative for previous HBV infection, while 70 (36.8%) were HBcAb-positive. A significant increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio was recorded in HIV monoinfected subjects compared to HBV coinfected patients from months 4 to 12 from the beginning of cART (p value=0.02 at month 4, p value=0.005 at month 5, p value=0.006 at month 6, and p value=0.008 at month 12). A significant increase in the absolute count of CD8+ T lymphocytes was described from months 2 to 24 from the start of cART in the subgroup of HBV coinfected patients with an AIDS event at the onset of HIV infection. The presence of HBcAb was observed to be associated with reduced CD4/CD8 ratio growth and a significantly higher proportion of subjects with CD4/CD8<0.45 in the HIV/HBV coinfected group. A significant increase in the CD8 T cell count was shown up to 24 months after the initiation of effective cART in the subgroup of patients with the worst immune status