The usefulness of diagnostic bone marrow examination in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Article Abstract:

Opportunistic infections occur when infectious agents that are normally present in the body and kept in check by the immune system are able to cause infection because of the immune system's inability to function properly. Persons who are infected with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, are particularly susceptible. Because many of these infections affect the bone marrow, individuals who are known to be or suspected of being HIV-infected may undergo diagnostic bone marrow examination. While the information gathered from such examinations has been useful in the diagnosis of certain infections, little is known about the range of possible infections that can be detected in this way. A retrospective study was performed in which records were examined of 387 patients who underwent bone marrow examinations. In each of these cases, the primary reason for doing bone marrow examination was because the physician believed there might be an HIV-related opportunistic infection present. It was found that no infections were diagnosed using bone marrow examination that could not have been identified using other, less invasive procedures such as blood tests. However, it is important to note that the accuracy of diagnostic bone marrow examination was similar to blood cultures, so it is an effective technique even if it is not the first choice. In the case of lymphomas (tumors of lymph tissue), however, bone marrow examination was not a useful diagnostic tool but it was able to provide information regarding the extent of lymphoma that had been diagnosed by other techniques. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Diagnosis, Opportunistic infections, Bone marrow biopsy, Bone marrow examination

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Oral CMV lesions and the HIV infected: early recognition can help prevent morbidity

Article Abstract:

Dental patients who are HIV-positive may develop oral lesions caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV is a herpesvirus that can be transmitted through close personal contact, breast milk, blood transfusion or organ transplantation. A study surveyed the reports published in the medical literature between Jan 1980 and Apr 1992 for cases of oral lesions caused by CMV infection in HIV-positive individuals. Among 12 HIV-positive men with oral CMV lesions, five had disseminated CMV infection or CMV retinitis at the time of their diagnosis. Three others subsequently developed CMV retinitis and one later developed CMV encephalitis. Ten patients were treated with ganciclovir, acyclovir, foscarnet or a combination of these drugs. The oral CMV lesions healed within 10 to 14 days in eight of these patients. Different types of CMV infections are common among HIV-positive individuals.

Care and treatment, Cytomegalovirus infections, Oral manifestations of general diseases, Oral manifestations

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