This study evaluates clinical, virological and immunological responses to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy based on Lopinavir/ritonovir (LPV/r) in previously protease -inhibitor-experienced children. The study included 29 Brazilian children (median age = 5.91 years) who had failed previous ARV therapy and had begun a regimen based on LPV/r. At 12 months follow-up, a good virological response to LPV/r therapy was defined as achieving an undetectable viral load or as a decrease in plasma HIV RNA levels to > 1 log. A good immunological response was defined as an increase in CD4+ cell count from baseline sufficient to attain a better CDC immune stage classification. The number of infectious episodes 12 months before and 12 months after beginning LPV/r was assessed. Sixteen (55.2%) and 19 (65.5%) of 29 patients exhibited good virological and immunological responses, respectively. Baseline CD4+ values (>500) predicted both virological and immunological responses (p<0.05). Older children were less likely to develop an immunological response (p<0.001) than younger children. Nine children receiving 3 ARV drugs plus LPV/r showed an immunological response (100%) compared to 10/20 (50%) children receiving 2 drugs plus LPV/r (p=0.01). A lower number (n<5) of infectious episodes was noted after 12 months follow-up in children using the LPV/r regimen (p=0.006). There was a positive correlation between children whose baseline CD4+ values were greater than 500 cells/mm³ and virological responses. Although virological responses to therapy were seen in about half the children (55.2%), the use of HAART containing LPV/r provided clinical and immmunological benefits.

O envolvimento do sistema nervoso central SNC na infecção pelo HIV-1 em crianças pode estar evidente desde o início ou demorar muitos anos para se manifestar. Microcefalia, rebaixamento cognitivo, sinais piramidais, distúrbios do humor e do comportamento e complicações pelo uso da terapia antiretroviral são comuns. Este é um trabalho observacional, descritivo e seccional cuja finalidade é descrever as alterações do exame neurológico em um grupo de crianças e adolescentes expostos pelo HIV-1 durante o período perinatal. Foram avaliados 173 pacientes. Muitos pacientes tinham superposição de alterações de exame neurológico e/ou mais de um diagnóstico. As alterações mais comuns foram: retardo do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, atraso de linguagem, deficiência mental, síndrome piramidal, hiporreflexia. O exame neurológico foi alterado em 67% dos casos, mesmo naqueles pacientes soro-revertidos. Sugerimos que existe alto risco para doença neurológica nesse grupo de pacientes e que a progressão da infecção pelo HIV-1 acentua o aparecimento de co-morbidades e comprometimento de seu prognóstico.

The CNS infection by HIV-1 in infancy could be present immediately after infection or became manifest later. Microcephalia, mental retardation, pyramidal signs, humor and behavioral disorders and antiretroviral therapy complications are common. This is an observational, sectional and descriptive study about findings on neurological examination of 173 patients in a group of children and adolescents infected and exposed to HIV-1 in perinatal period. Most of them had more than one neurological finding or different diagnosis. The more common findings were: encephalopathy, mental retardation, language delay, pyramidal signs, hyporreflexia. The neurological examination was abnormal in 67% of all patients even in sororeverters. We sugest that this group has a high risk to neurological disease and the development of co-morbidity is directly correlated to clinical deterioration by HIV-1 infection.

Objetivo: Enfatizar aspectos importantes para o diagnóstico e manejo clínico de pacientes com actinomicose cervicofacial na infância. Casuística e método: O presente estudo é um relato de caso de actinomicose na forma cervicofacial, acompanhando de revisão da literatura dos últimos anos através dos bancos de dados Lilacs e Medline. Resultados: Paciente do sexo masculino acompanhado na enfermaria de moléstias infecciosas pediátricas por actinomicose cervicofacial. O diagnóstico foi realizado através de biópsia de nódulo cervical e isolamento da bactéria. O antibiótico utilizado foi a penicilina específica para o actimomices, por 14 dias. Alta após diminuição do nódulo, com orientação de amoxicilina por mínimo de 6 meses e acompanhamento ambulatorial. Conclusão: O diagnóstico precoce da actinomicose resulta em tratamento adequado e imediato, evitando-se o acometimento de áreas nobres em SNC, face e pescoço.

Objective: To emphasize important features in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with childhood cervical actinomycosis. Subject and methods: This study is a case report about the occurrence of actinomycosis in cervicofacial form. We conducted literature review of the last years by means of the Lilacs and Medline databases. Results: A male patient was monitored in an infirmary of pediatric infectious diseases. The diagnosis was made through cervical node biopsy and isolation of the bacteria. Specific penicillin for actinomycosis had been given to the patient for 14 days. After the node decreased, the patient was released but, at the same time, a prescription of amoxycillin, for the minimum of 6 months, was given to him with simultaneous ambulatorial monitoring. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of actinomycosis enables appropriate and prompt treatment, thus preventing the involvement of other areas such as CNS, face, and neck.