Intravenous Drug Addicts Research Articles

Isolated tricuspid valve endocarditis

We present two non-HIV-infected patients with isolated native non-rheumatic tricuspid valve endocarditis who were not intravenous drug abusers. The patients presented with fever and chills. Plain radiography or high-resolution computed tomography of the chest revealed consolidation or infiltrate of the left parenchyma in both patients. Large vegetation located on the tricuspid leaflets was detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Staphylococcus aureus grew in two out of three blood cultures for one patient. Tricuspid valve endocarditis imitates illnesses with fever and pulmonary symptoms or signs of acute or chronic onset, and might be present even without abnormal chest X-rays or intravenous drug addiction.

Phylogenetic reconstruction of HCV genotype 1b dissemination in a small city centre: The Camporeale model

Several seroepidemiological population-based surveys carried out in Italy have shown a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Camporeale (CP), a small Sicilian town with a 10.4% prevalence of HCV mostly genotype 1b, probably represents a specific context, since intravenous drug addiction, and sexual promiscuity are almost absent. In order to reconstruct the pattern of introduction and diffusion of HCV in this ecological niche, the NS5 genomic region of 72 HCV genotype 1 isolates (39 from CP and 33 collected throughout Sicily) was amplified and sequenced. Sequences were aligned and analyzed by BioEdit, PAUP and BEAST, and their molecular evolution compared. Thirty-eight HCV genotype 1b isolates from CP were associated in a monophyletic "transmission cluster." By applying Monte Carlo Markov simulation, it was calculated that HCV was introduced between the end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s. The phylogenetic distance between the CP cluster and other Sicilian isolates confirmed its uniqueness and the local diffusion from a common ancestor. The data obtained from classic phylogenetic analysis, combined with the application of the Bayesian analysis to the study of the coalescence of phylogenetic trees, have shown that, in CP, few HCV native strains have been transmitted in a limited length of time probably through iatrogenic routes, and then have not spread further.

A Nontraumatic, Noniatrogenic Pseudoaneurysm of the Cephalic Vein Presenting as an Upper Arm Mass

We report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the cephalic vein which was diagnosed in a 13-year-old boy who presented with a superficial mass in the right upper arm. The patient had no history of trauma, venipuncture, or intravenous drug addiction. Ultrasonic examination revealed a defect in the anterior wall of the cephalic vein and a surrounding vascular pool which included the inner thrombus. The mass was easily peeled off and completely excised after ligation of the afferent and efferent cephalic vein. Pathologic examination revealed it to be a pseudoaneurysm of the cephalic vein. This may represent the first case of venous pseudoaneurysm in the English-language medical literature without causative preceding events. Clinical features, including etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and complications, of this extremely rare lesion are also discussed.

GB virus type C infection in hemodialysis patients considering co‐infection with hepatitis C virus

GB virus type C is a well-known viral agent with capability of infecting patients undergoing hemodialysis. Liver enzyme levels in infected individuals have been reported to remain within the normal range. Simultaneous infection of GBV-C and other viral agents may occur due to common routes of transmission. A total of 104 hemodialysis patients living in Tehran were included in this case-control study (53 patients with HCV infection, group I; and 51 with no HCV infection, group II). Diagnosis was made by detection Anti-E(2) protein using ELISA and HCV-RNA using RT-PCR. History of HBV-infection, organ transplantation, depression, malignancies, chemotherapy, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders and chronic cutaneous disorders were considered. Patients were evaluated for high- risk behaviors such as intravenous drug injection, addiction or substance abuse. A total of 14 patients (13.6%) were GBV-C-infected. Four of them were co-infected with HCV. All patients with GBV-C infection had viral genotype 2. Thirteen patients (12%) had a history of multiple blood transfusions. Mean (+/-SD) age of GBV-C-infected patients was 48.7+/-13.8 years. Among GBV-C infected patients, three patients had a history of organ transplantation and three had a co-morbidity of diabetes mellitus. This study as the first case-control study to evaluate the association between GBV-C and HCV infection, to our knowledge, shows hemodialysis patients living in Tehran are infected with GBV-C with intermediate level of frequency. The association of GBV-C transmission with other viral blood-borne agents might be necessary.

Primäre pulmonale Hypertonie und mesangioproliferative Glomerulonephritis bei HIV-Infektion

Four years after an HIV infection and without any preceding illness characteristic of AIDS, a 24-year-old woman developed dyspnoea on exertion and peripheral oedema. She had for several years been an intravenous drug addict and contracted hepatitis A and B. There were no symptoms of the HIV infection. Clinical, radiological and echocardiographic examination demonstrated right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary hypertension not due to pulmonary embolism or another known aetiology. The patient died suddenly 9 months after the diagnosis from heart failure. Autopsy established primary pulmonary hypertension with pathognomonic plexogenic pulmonary arterial disease which had led to cor pulmonale with overload myocarditis. Although there had been no clinical signs of renal failure, there was histological evidence of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis and non-destructive interstitial nephritis. This case demonstrates that, in addition to the typical AIDS-associated diseases, other rarer syndromes may, in uncertain ways but connected with the HIV infection, decide the prognosis of such patients.

Total joint replacement in HIV positive patients

Recent HIV therapies have improved life expectancy in HIV positive patients. For the purpose of the following retrospective investigation, we analyzed the results of total joint replacement in HIV positive patients. This study exemplifies orthopaedic treatment options and perioperative problems in HIV positive patients. Our population included a high proportion of hemophilic patients. Between 1988 and 2000, we performed 55 endoprosthetic procedures (20 total hip replacements (THR), 33 total knee replacements (TKR), two shoulder replacements) in 41 patients suffering form HIV. Thirty patients are afflicted with hemophilia, seven patients were intravenous drug addicts. The mean follow-up was 81 months (2-14) years. Patients were seen annually; either the Harris Hip Score or the Knee Society Rating System was applied. The following septic complications were observed: a mycotic abscess of both hips 5/10 months after bilateral THR, two early infections following coxitis in patients with intravenous drug abuse, and one further case of septic loosening after 15 months in one patient after THR. Furthermore, one aseptic loosening of a THR after 14 months in a hemophilic patient was seen. After TKR, two early infections in patients with intravenous drug addiction were seen. The total complication rate was 12.7%. A coherency between the infection rate and the CD4+ count was not seen. An analysis of the results shows that the complications occurred in patients living under difficult social circumstances. Whereas total joint replacement in hemophilic patients with or without HIV seems to be a fairly safe procedure concerning the postoperative infection rate, intravenous drug abuse increases the risk. Functional outcome does not differ from an HIV negative population both in the TKR and THR groups.

Endophtalmie endogène à Candida secondaire à l’utilisation de la buprénorphine par voie intraveineuse

To analyze patients presenting ocular candidiasis caused by intravenous drug addiction to buprenorphine. We have listed all the cases of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis hospitalized between 1996 and 2005 in the ophthalmology department of the university-affiliated hospital of Rouen, France. Posterior vitrectomy was performed for each patient, with direct examination and bacterial and fungal cultures. The treatment was begun both with an intravitreal injection of amphotericin B and oral fluconazole, modified in the event of resistance. Seven men, drug addicts, all using intravenous buprenorphine users, were included in the study. The vitreal culture revealed four cases of Candida albicans candidiasis and one case of Candida tropicalis candidiasis. In two cases, oral fluconazole had to be replaced with oral voriconazole. Of the seven patients, three evolved unfavorably despite treatment. Intravenous drug use is known to be a risk factor for ocular candidiasis. However, buprenorphine does not seem to be related to endogenous endophthalmitis, since this was also observed among patients using methadone or heroine. Salivary contact during the preparation of the syringe being used for the injection of the substitute appears to be the source of the candidemia in our series and in the literature. Inappropriate intravenous use of oral buprenorphine in drug users is a significant risk factor of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Visual monitoring by pharmacists of the oral intake of buprenorphine seems essential. We underline the advantages of removing the vitreous in ocular candidiasis.

Complications on skin and subcutaneous tissue among drug addicts caused by non sterile intravenous injections and burns

The use of psychoactive substances causes various consequences and is harmful for all organs. Some of the health consequences among intravenous drug users are HIV infections, hepatitis C, local tissue infections after drug injection, family, professional and social consequences. Throught the world various harm reduction programs are established in order to educate drug users about safer drug injecting techniques, with the use of sterile needles and materials for disinfection of the drug injecting area. Authors presented epidemiological data, consequences on extremities after non sterile drug injecting and accidental burns, harm reduction programs as well as other guidelines in this field. In three case reports of intravenous drug addicts with surgical complications on the extremities and burns, surgical and anaesthesiological approaches were described. Special emphasis was given to preoperative preparations and the postoperative treatment as well as social-psychiatric aspect.

Fighting addiction's death row: British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Ian Pitfield shows a measure of legal courage

The art in law, like medicine, is in its humanity. Nowhere is the humanity in law more poignant than in BC Supreme Court Justice Ian Pitfield's recent judgment in the legal case aimed at protecting North America's only supervised injection facility (SIF) as a healthcare program: PHS Community Services Society versus the Attorney General of Canada. In order to protect the SIF from politicization, the PHS Community Services Society, the community organization that established and operates the program, along with two people living with addiction and three lawyers working for free, pro bono publico, took the federal government of Canada to court. The courtroom struggle that ensued was akin to a battle between David and Goliath. The judge in the case, Justice Pitfield, ruled in favour of the PHS and gave the Government of Canada one year to bring the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) into compliance with the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If parliament fails to do so, then the CDSA will evaporate from enforceability and law in June of 2009. Despite the fact that there are roughly twelve million intravenous drug addiction users in the world today, politics andprejudice oards harm reduction are still a barrier to the widespread application of the "best medicine" available for serious addicts. Nowhere is this clearer than in the opposition by conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his faithful servant, federal health minister Tony Clement, towards Vancouver's SIF ("Insite"). The continued angry politicization of addiction will only lead to the tragic loss of life, as addicts are condemned to death from infectious diseases (HIV & hepatitis) and preventable overdoses. In light of the established facts in science, medicine and now law, political opposition to life-saving population health programs (including SIFs) to address the effects of addiction is a kind of implicit capital punishment for the addicted. This commentary examines the socio-political context of the legal case and the major figures that contributed to it. It reviews Justice Pitfield's ruling, a judgment that has brought Canada one step closer to putting a stop to addiction's death row where intravenous drug users are needlessly, for political and ideological reasons alone, forced to face increased risks of death due to AIDS, hepatitis and overdose.

Emerging trends of community acquired infective endocarditis

Background To obtain epidemiological information and to evaluate the emerging trend of incidence and clinical features of community acquired infective endocarditis (IE) in Hong Kong. Methods Population-based survey in a regional hospital in Hong Kong which served 0.55 million population over an 11-year period was conducted. 172 patients diagnosed to have IE between 1995 and 2005 were analyzed. Incidence, underlying heart disease, causative microorganisms and clinical outcomes of IE were studied. Results The standardized annual incidence of community acquired IE was 2.8 cases per 100,000 person–year and remain stable over the past 10 years in Hong Kong ( P = 0.57 for trends). The most common underlying heart diseases for IE were intravenous drug addict (30%), followed by chronic rheumatic heart disease (18%). There was a time trend of increasing age in patients suffered from IE, both in patients with or without intravenous drug abuse (overall P = 0.004). Although there were no significant changes in the overall proportion of IE patients with different underlying etiologies, site of IE involvement and types of microorganisms, non-addict patients showed an increasing trend of staphylococcal IE during the study period ( P = 0.01). The adverse clinical outcome of IE during the study period remained unchanged ( P = 0.71). Conclusions The results of this study have demonstrated that IE continued to be an important disease with stable incidence and high morbidity and mortality over time in Asia. Furthermore, our study also highlighted that IE is an emerging disease with continuously changing clinical and microbiologic patterns, and significant differences are still present between different countries.

Correlates of HCV seropositivity among familial contacts of HCV positive patients

BackgroundDeterminants of intrafamilial HCV transmission are still being debated. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlates of HCV seropositivity among familial contacts of HCV positive patients in Italy.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 175 HCV positive patients (index cases), recruited from Policlinico Gemelli in Rome as well as other hospitals in Central Italy between 1995 and 2000 (40% female, mean age 57 ± 15.2 years), and 259 familial contacts. Differences in proportions of qualitative variables were tested with non-parametric tests (χ2, Yates correction, Fisher exact test), and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. A multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression in order to verify which variables statistically have an influence on HCV positivity in contact individuals.ResultsSeropositivity for HCV was found in 8.9% of the contacts.From the univariate analysis, risk factors significantly associated to HCV positivity in the contacts were: intravenous drug addiction (p = 0.004) and intercourse with drug addicts (p = 0.005).The only variables associated significantly and independently to HCV seropositivity in patients' contacts were intercourse with drug addicts (OR = 19.28; 95% CI: 2.01 – 184.94), the retirement status from work (OR = 3.76; 95% CI: 1.17 – 11.98), the time of the relationship (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00 – 1.11) and tattoos (OR = 7.68; 95% CI: 1.00 – 60.20).ConclusionThe present study confirms that having intercourse with a drug addict is the most significant risk factor for intrafamilial HCV transmission. The association with retirement status from work could be related to both a long-term relationship with an index case and past exposure to common risk factors.

Puffy hand syndrome due to drug addiction: a case–control study of the pathogenesis

We studied the pathogenesis of puffy hand syndrome of intravenous drug use. We hypothesized that injections of high-dose sublingual buprenorphine, instead of the recommended sublingual administration, could play an important role in lymphatic obstruction and destruction. We set up a case-control study in substitution centres, recruiting intravenous drug addicts with and without puffy hands, respectively. The subjects were asked to answer anonymously a questionnaire of 40 items comprising social and demographic status, history of illicit drugs use, buprenorphine misuse and injection practices. We included 33 cases and 33 controls, mean age of 34 years. They were past heroin users, mainly methadone-substituted. In multivariate analysis, sex (women) (OR = 8.9, P = 0.03), injections in the hands (OR = 5.9, P = 0.03), injections in the feet (OR = 6.5, P = 0.01) and the absence of tourniquet (OR = 7.0, p = 0.02) were significant risk factors for puffy hand syndrome. In 69.7% of the cases and 59.4% of the controls, respectively, there was a high-dose sublingual buprenorphine misuse, although it appeared not to be a significant risk factor for puffy hand syndrome. Injection practices are likely to cause puffy hands syndrome, but buprenorphine misuse should not be considered as a significant risk factor. However, intravenous drug users must still be warned of local and systemic complications of intravenous drug misuse.

Inmunofenotipo de progresión a sida: deficiencia, activación y disfunción de células T CD4 y CD8

One key piece of information required when deciding whether to initiate antiretroviral therapy is the risk of AIDS. The aim of this study was to better characterize the baseline immunophenotypic profile of patients with progression to AIDS. A cross-sectional analysis of the distribution of functional subpopulations of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in 85 intravenous drug addicts with HIV infection. The values observed on patient enrolment in a prospective study were analyzed. Those patients who progressed and did not progress were compared to the HIV-negative controls. Lymphocyte subpopulations were studied by flow cytometry, including the markers: CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, CD45RO, CD38, HLA-DR and CD25. The immunophenotypic profile that precedes progression to AIDS was mainly characterized by an increase in memory (CD45RO) activated cells and total activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and by an increase of T CD4+ cells that have loss expression of markers as receptor or the differentiation marker CD7 (CD7-). Patients not meeting laboratory criteria to initiate antiretroviral therapy (> 350 CD4+ T-cells and < 30,000 HIV-ARN-copies/ml) also showed increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ activation subsets (CD4+CD38+DR+, CD8+CD38+). The fact that immunological activation may contribute to immunological and clinical deterioration of HIV-positive patients might be an additional factor which should be taken into account when deciding whether to initiate antiretroviral therapy.

El suicidio en la España de hoy

Spain presents one of the lowest suicide rates (8.7 per 100,000) but, as well as Ireland, it has also experienced one of the highest rate increases both within Europe and within the world. In our country, it can be observed an increase in the suicide rates from 1975 to 1994, being this increase greater in men than in women. It can also be noted that there was a stabilisation in the following years. Social factors, specially those which have to deal with gender roles and changes in these roles, are the most common explanations. Another possible explanation for the observed increase in mortality due to suicide among young men could be the AIDS epidemic and intravenous drug addiction, that was observed in Spain during the eighties and nineties. Furthermore, we are witnessing an epidemic related to violence against children and women. Literature strongly suggests that child abuse (psychological and sexual) is associated with increased suicide risk in adolescent or adult life. Women experience violence from their intimate partners and have a greater risk of suffering from chronic pain, diverse somatisations, greater substance use like drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide attempt. The association between work precariousness and suicide seems to be due to economic and social and family support factors, which can lead to greater vulnerability to mental health problems. These factors are of great relevance, since Spain presents one of the highest unemployment and temporary employment rates in the European Union. It seems reasonable that, due to the individualism that characterises the contemporary society, its demands and the new role of women in the work market that cause, among others, a greater difficulty in combining work and family life, are factors that could explain the lack of decrease in suicide rates.

Mortality among HIV-infected intravenous drug addicts in Stockholm in relation to methadone treatment

The aim of the study was to estimate the mortality rate and evaluate the causes of death in all diagnosed HIV-positive IDUs in the Stockholm area, 1986-90, and to compare the risk of death of those who received methadone treatment with that of those never admitted to or discharged from the programme. Data were collected from the Swedish National Bacteriological Laboratory, the Methadone Maintenance Programme (MMTP) and the Department of Forensic Medicine, as well as from hospitals in the Stockholm region. In Sweden 90% of all IDUs are HIV-tested. Most deceased IDUs are examined forensically. This examination always includes HIV-testing. During the observation period, 472 HIV-infected IDUs were reported from the Stockholm area. Of these addicts 135 participated in the methadone maintenance programme for a shorter or longer time during the study period. Most of them had received the HIV-diagnosis more than 1 year before first entering the programme. Sixty-nine subjects died during the observation period. A majority, 52 persons, died from violence or poisoning. Seventeen died from somatic complications of drug abuse. Nine of them were diagnosed as suffering from AIDS. Eight of the deceased had participated in the MMTP. The relative risk of death from external violence and poisoning was 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.1-1.0) when participants in the MMTP were compared with HIV-infected IDUs never attending the programme. When all causes of death are compared the relative risk was 0.8. Those patients discharged from the programme have a higher mortality rate than those who never participated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Infected femoral pseudoaneurysm in intravenous drug abusers.

The result of surgical treatment of 21 infected femoral pseudoaneurysms in 19 intravenous drug addicts was evaluated. Eight pseudoaneurysms involved only the common or superficial femoral artery and 13 involved the femoral bifurcation. Excision and ligation was performed as the sole procedure in 19 instances, and revascularization by bypass through the obturator route was carried out in two. The mean follow-up was 12.3 months. One patient required an above-knee amputation. The resultant ischaemia was greater after triple vessel ligation (mean ankle:brachial pressure index (ABPI) 0.41) than single vessel ligation (mean ABPI 0.58). Postoperative bleeding occurred in one patient. Intermittent claudication was present in 14 patients after excision and ligation. Claudication was universal and more severe after triple than after single vessel ligation. There was no subsequent limb loss. Excision and ligation is safe and is the treatment of choice for infected femoral pseudoaneurysm in drug addicts.

Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 5 in Southern Belgium: Epidemiological Characteristics and Response to Therapy

Data are scarce on patients infected with hepatitis C virus of genotype 5, due to the low prevalence of this genotype around the world. To better define the characteristics of these patients, we reviewed the files of 16 genotype 5 patients. Mean age was 38 +/- 14. All patients were of European origin. Most of them (75%) had been contaminated by transfusion within a short time period (between 1980 and 1991). There were no intravenous drug addicts. Seven patients received treatment. One patient did not respond to interferon (IFN) monotherapy. Of four patients treated with IFN and ribavirin, three became sustained viral responders. Two patients treated with pegylated IFN and ribavirin became sustained viral responders. In our region, genotype 5 patients seem to have been contaminated within a relatively short time period. Treatment with IFN or pegylated IFN and ribavirin gave a high rate (83%) of sustained viral responses.

Paciente con infección por el VIH en tratamiento con metadona

Objective HIV infection is frequent in intravenous drug users. These patients require simultaneous treatment for the addiction, for HIV/aids and for intercurrent infections Such as tuberculosis. This work describes a case report which brings to light certain specific aspects of the interaction between antiretrovirals, methadone and tuberculostatics. Material and methods The case of a 45 year old HIV positive male in treatment with methadone for an intravenous heroine dependence is examined. A detailed toxicological and clinical history is carried out as well as a review of the medications used for the HIV/aids and the most frequent opportunistic illness in this population (tuberculosis). Results The patient shows abstinence syndrome to opiates on receiving treatment with rifampicine and methadone. Priority is given to the tuberculosis treatment and other options are reviewed for the simultaneous treatment of the HIV and TB, as well as updating and reviewing the indications of how and when to start the antiretroviral treatment. Conclusions In HIV positive patients with a history of intravenous drug addiction, the appearance of pharmacological interactions requiring changes or adjustments to the usual dosages to treat the different associated illnesses.

Tricuspid valve endocarditis and septic pulmonary emboli illustrated by ECG-gated multi-slice CT of the chest

A 27-year-old man, an intravenous drug addict, was referred to our institution for treatment of a tricuspid valve endocarditis. Clinical examination revealed a normal cardiopulmonary auscultation and multiple sites of drug injection on both arms. A chest radiograph on admission showed bilateral multiple nodules. Blood culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus , oxacilline-resistant. Septic arthritis of the knee was discovered during clinical work-up. A retrospective ECG-gated …

L’hépatite C aiguë en 2005

There have been numerous new data in the field of acute hepatitis C in the past few years. The goal of this study was to gather recent results in the literature to determine the best current therapeutic strategy of acute hepatitis C. Epidemiology has made enormous progress with the disappearance of acute post transfusion hepatitis C. Infection by intravenous drug-addiction has became prevalent, and nosocomial and sexual modes of transmissions are now seen. At the same time, the average age of the infected patients has dropped by 13 years, and the proportion of acute forms with a spontaneously favourable outcome have increased compared to the period before 1995. Understanding of the predictive factors of cure have become important, particularly not to treat acute hepatitis C which will have a spontaneously favorable outcome. Waiting from 8 to 12 weeks after jaundice or symptomatic forms is recommended. The decision to treat must be made in the first 6 months, since the results are better compared to a late and longer treatment. Monotherapy by pegylated interferon for 6 months ensures more than 90% of sustained viral response. Shorter treatment is possible but high daily doses of interferon are necessary, reducing tolerance. Finally bi therapy with a interferon and ribavirin is not beneficial