Human KS-27

The prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)/Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus was investigated in the semen of 99 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men (median CD4 cell count, 357/mm3) by use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of detecting <10 copies of HHV-8 DNA. Of the subjects, 95 (96%) self-identified as men who have sex with men (MSM), and 3 had a history of clinical KS. Seminal cell specimens were negative for HHV-8 in 98 subjects. None of the 26 without KS (27.1% of 96 tested) who were seropositive for HHV-8 by IFA for latency-associated nuclear antigens had HHV-8 detected in their semen. The only subject with any evidence for seminal HHV-8 DNA was seropositive for HHV-8 and had active KS. HHV-8 was detected in 10 (10.4%) of 96 peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens. The prevalence of HHV-8 DNA by PCR in semen of HIV-infected MSM without KS is low.

Objective: To identify clinical and laboratory data which differentiate Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients according to age group. Methods: The study included all cases of hypogonadism, gynecomastia and/or infertility whose karyotype was performed at a university hospital from January 1989 to December 2011, in a total of 105 subjects. The following data were retrospectively analyzed: age at first visit, ratio of arm span to height, pubic hair, gynecomastia, testicular volume, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T), and spermiogram. Results: During the study period, 33 patients were diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome (KS+) and 72 were not (KS-). Out of all KS cases, only seven (21.2%) were diagnosed before 20 years old and two (6.1%) before 10 years old. Age at first consultation (in years) was similar in both groups (KS+ = 31.3±12.9 and KS- = 27.6±12.1), as were ratio of arm span to height and frequency of gynecomastia. However, in KS+ patients, pubic hair was less developed, testicular volume was smaller and testosterone levels were lower, while LH and FSH levels and frequency of azoospermia were higher. Conclusions: Klinefelter syndrome is both an under and late diagnosed condition. The most important data for diagnosis are testicular volume, hormone levels and presence of azoospermia in spermiogram, especially in puberty and adult life.

Background: As the survival rate of preterm infants constantly improves, knowledge on the impact of prematurity on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for clinical and parental guidance. We aimed to assess HRQoL in a national cohort of young adolescents born very preterm, and to identify predictors for poorer HRQoL. Patients and methods: All surviving Swiss live-born children below 30weeks of gestation during the year 2000 (290 subjects) were contacted at age 12years, together with their parents (262 families). HRQoL of the study children was assessed using both the Kidscreen-27 (KS-27) self- and parent forms. Neonatal data of the cohort were prospectively collected. Results: Among the contacted families, 176 returned the complete set of questionnaires for 194 adolescents (67%): 100 (51%) females, mean (range) gestational age was 27.8 (24.1-29.9) weeks, birth weight 1025 (420-1730) grams, mean age at assessment 12.0 (11.0-13.0) years. Included children had similar neonatal and socio-demographic characteristics as non-responders. Average self- and parent-reported HRQoL of former preterms was similar to Swiss KS-27 norms. According to the multivariable models (r2=0.2), surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, severe neurodevelopment impairment were negatively associated with both self- and parent-reported HRQoL. Conclusions: HRQoL in this population-based cohort of adolescents born very preterm is good. Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, severe neurodevelopment impairment were identified as predictors of poorer HRQoL using multivariable models, explaining however only a low proportion of variance in HRQoL.