An endoscopic and pathological survey of digestive tract disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases from Tirgu Mures, Romania

Vol. 55 No. 3 Suppl., 2014
This supplement was not sponsored by Outside Organizations.

ROMANIAN JOURNAL of MORPHOLOGY and EMBRYOLOGY

Nina-Ioana Sincu, Simona Mocan, Lucia Carmen Chiriac, Simona Bataga

Gastrointestinal symptoms are among the most frequent complaints of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Purpose: An endoscopic and histopathological survey of digestive tract diseases among HIV-infected patients monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, observational study, on a group of 38 HIV-positive patients admitted to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania, during 2006-2013, undergoing upper/lower endoscopy. We collected data regarding the results of endoscopy and histopathological examination, CD4+ T-lymphocytes levels, microbiological examinations and outcome. Statistical analysis, performed by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and GraphPad Prism 5 programs, included contingency tables analysis and comparing means. Results: Our study depicted a variety of digestive disorders among HIV-infected patients, ranging from opportunistic infections to HIV enteropathy and non-HIV-associated conditions. The presence of Candida esophagitis implied significantly lower levels of CD4+ T-cells (p=0.0043). We found a statistically significant negative association between antiretroviral therapy and the presence of opportunistic infections (p=0.0375, OR=0.2030, 95% CI 0.0423-0.9741). Thirteen (34.21%) patients died, mostly due to tuberculosis and central nervous system infections. All were diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Conclusions: HIV-infected patients experience a wide variety of digestive tract disorders, both AIDS-defining illnesses and non-HIV-associated conditions. Gastrointestinal opportunistic infections occur more often among patients with low CD4+ T-cells levels and in those not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Although digestive conditions did not represent direct causes of death in our study, they may predict an unfavorable outcome in AIDS-stage patients.

Corresponding author: Lucia Carmen Chiriac, Lecturer, MD, PhD; e-mail: carmen.l.chiriac@gmail.com

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ROMANIAN JOURNAL of MORPHOLOGY and EMBRYOLOGY

Romeo Teodor Cristina, Flavia Hanganu, Diana Brezovan, Eugenia Dumitrescu, Florin Muselin, Viorica Chiurciu, Adrian Constantin Stancu, Marius Cristian Pentea, Andrei Gheorghe Marius Motoc

The objective was the cytoarchitecture evaluation of known steroid dependent target tissues after administering of testosterone, compared to action of its more active ester, nortestosterone (nandrolone decanoate) in castrated rat males in the aim of Hershberger bio test. Study was performed on 30 castrated male Wistar rats, aged between 35 and 39 days, in peripubertal period, divided into five groups. Androgen doses administration begun at the rats age of 49 days. Animals were injected i.m., daily, for 10 consecutive days as follows: Aquatest (Balkan Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Moldova) testosterone aqueous solution: Testosterone I group (0.4 mg/animal); Testosterone II (0.8 mg/animal); (Deca-Durabolin, Balkan Pharmaceuticals); nandrolone decanoate oily solution: Nortestosterone I (1.5 mg/kg body weight); Nortestosterone II (7.5 mg/kg body weight) and Control (White sesame oil, Manicos, Romania, 0.1 mL/animal). Gonadectomy (GDX) induced modifications of target tissues wet weight accompanied by important modifications in cytoarchitecture. Changes following exogenous administration of testosterone and nortestosterone decanoate were found in: liver (granular dystrophy, mega-mitochondria, tubular intumescences), prostate (increasing of the structural elements), seminal vesicles (hyalinosis, thickening of cell walls and the hyaline presence), levator ani-bulbo-cavernosus muscle (muscle fibbers dilacerations), bulbourethral glands (muscular fibbers rarefaction by fluid accumulation) demonstrating the disruptor activity especially for overdosed nandrolone decanoate.

Corresponding author: Romeo Teodor Cristina, Professor, DVM, PhD; e-mail: rtcristina@yahoo.com

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