deoxycholic-acid and Anemia

Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) is the recommended induction treatment for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Its use is hampered by toxicities that include electrolyte abnormalities, nephrotoxicity, and anemia. Protocols to minimize toxicity are applied inconsistently. In a clinical trial cohort of AmBd-based CM induction treatment, a standardized protocol of preemptive hydration and electrolyte supplementation was applied. Changes in blood counts, electrolyte levels, and creatinine levels over 14 days were analyzed in relation to the AmBd dose, treatment duration (short course of 5 to 7 days or standard course of 14 days), addition of flucytosine (5FC), and outcome. In the 368 patients studied, the hemoglobin levels dropped by a mean of 1.5 g/dl (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 1.9 g/dl) following 7 days of AmBd and by a mean of 2.3 g/dl (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.6 g/dl) after 14 days. Serum creatinine levels increased by 37 μmol/liter (95% CI, 30 to 45 μmol/liter) by day 7 and by 49 μmol/liter (95% CI, 35 to 64μmol/liter) by day 14 of AmBd treatment. Overall, 33% of patients developed grade III/IV anemia, 5.6% developed grade III hypokalemia, 9.5% had creatinine levels that exceeded 220 μmol, and 6% discontinued AmBd prematurely. The addition of 5FC was associated with a slight increase in anemia but not neutropenia. Laboratory abnormalities stabilized or reversed during the second week in patients on short-course induction. Grade III/IV anemia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.3; P = 0.028) and nephrotoxicity (aOR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.8 to 11; P = 0.001) were risk factors for 10-week mortality. In summary, routine intravenous saline hydration and preemptive electrolyte replacement during AmBd-based induction regimens for HIV-associated CM minimized the incidence of hypokalemia and nephrotoxicity. Anemia remained a concerning adverse effect. The addition of flucytosine was not associated with increased neutropenia. Shorter AmBd courses were less toxic, with rapid reversibility.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Anemia; Antifungal Agents; Blood Cell Count; Coinfection; Creatinine; Cryptococcus neoformans; Deoxycholic Acid; Drug Combinations; Female; Flucytosine; Hemoglobins; HIV; HIV Infections; Humans; Hypokalemia; Induction Chemotherapy; Kidney; Male; Meningitis, Cryptococcal; Neutropenia; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome

Visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar is an endemic parasitic disease in some parts of the world which is characterized by fever, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia in most of the cases. Herein we report an 11 month-old male infant with diagnosis of kala-azar who presented with pallor, hepatosplenomegaly, failure to gain weight, and no history of fever. Surprisingly, fever started after beginning of meglumine antimoniate treatment in this patient. As far as we are aware of, this is a rare presentation of visceral leishmaniasis. Therefore, clinicians especially in endemic areas are highly recommended to include kala-azar among differential diagnosis of unexplained anemia without fever to prevent misdiagnosis of this potentially fatal, but treatable condition.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anemia; Antiprotozoal Agents; Deoxycholic Acid; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Combinations; Endemic Diseases; Fever; Humans; Infant; Iran; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Meglumine; Meglumine Antimoniate; Organometallic Compounds; Splenomegaly

Topics: Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases; Anemia; Animals; Cell Nucleus; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Chickens; Chromatin; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Chromosomes; Deoxycholic Acid; DNA; Molecular Weight; Phenols; Phenylhydrazines; Pronase; Reticulocytes; Ribosomes; RNA; RNA, Ribosomal; RNA, Transfer; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Transcription, Genetic; Transfer RNA Aminoacylation