Mediastinitis due to cryptococcal infection: a new clinical entity in the HAART era

OBJECTIVES: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) produces a rapid decline in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels with concomitant immune reconstitution. Probably due to the enhanced immune function, shortly after starting HAART, some latent opportunistic infections precipitated. The aim of this study was to illustrate the results of a survey on Cryptococcus associated mediastinitis occurring after HAART introduction, carried out at a referral centre of Infectious Diseases in the north-east of Italy, between October 1999 and October 2000. METHODS: All consecutive HIV-positive patients, naive to HIV-protease inhibitor therapy, and diagnosed with culture-proven cryptococcal infection were included in the study. Clinical and immuno-virological parameters before HAART and subsequently for 12 months were evaluated. RESULTS: Three of five patients were diagnosed with cryptococcal mediastinitis within a median time of 90 days (range, 60-150) after commencing HAART and fluconazole prophylaxis. Diagnosis was established by lymph node biopsy alone. Clinical improvement was documented when systemic anti-fungal therapy was combined with surgical drainage of the suppurative lesions. The role of immune restoration was confirmed by the significant increase in CD4 cell count, the reduction of HIV-RNA to undetectable levels and the prominent inflammatory reactions of lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our report suggests that HIV-positive patients with prior cryptococcal systemic infection may present a re-exacerbation of atypical cryptococcosis as a manifestation of immune restoration, even when fluconazole prophylaxis is ongoing

Care across all phases of schizophrenia and initiation of treatment: discrepancy between routine practice and evidence. The SIEP-DIRECT'S Project.

AIMS: To evaluate the quality of psychiatric care in Italian community-based services and the discrepancy between real practices and NICE recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia concerning the elements common to all phases of care and the first episode of psychosis. METHODS: Data concerning 14 indicators on common aspects of care in all phases and 11 indicators concerning psychosis onset, drawn from NICE Recommendations, were collected in 19 Departments of Mental Health. RESULTS: An optimistic attitude seems to prevail in the staff in all phases of care, while remarkable discrepancies between service practice and recommendations have been found in relation to systematic assessment, availability of informative leaflets and support to relatives. Concerning the treatment of first episode, a lack of specific services and differentiated activities, and paucity of practices based on specific guidelines has been detected. However, Italian community based services proved to have a good capacity to provide help quickly to those seeking help for a psychotic onset, to maintain regular contact with them in the subsequent year, and provide pharmacological treatment reasonably in line with the scientific evidence. Instead, little specific support is provided to the relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The results show critical points concerning capacity of assessment and treatment standardization, in all aspects of care and specifically in the treatment for the first episode. Differentiation of activities specifically dedicated to the patients at their first episode should be promoted as well as strategies to support relatives in a more specific way