View clinical trials related to Communicable Diseases.
Filter by:RATIONALE: Antivirals such as valganciclovir act against viruses and may be effective in preventing cytomegalovirus. It is not yet known if valganciclovir is effective in preventing cytomegalovirus. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying valganciclovir to see how well it works in preventing cytomegalovirus in patients who have undergone donor stem cell transplantation.
The purpose of this study is to determine if 2 doses of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) followed by 1 dose of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) in HIV-infected children on anti-HIV therapy is helpful and safe in fighting pneumococcal infections in this group of children. This study will also look at the protection provided by childhood vaccination against measles, pertussis, and hepatitis B virus. Pneumococcal infections are the most common AIDS-related infection in HIV-infected children. PCV may help reduce the chances of HIV-infected children getting pneumococcal infections. This study will look at whether pneumococcal vaccines are safe and effective in HIV-infected children receiving HAART. It will look at whether HIV-infected children are protected by childhood vaccines received previously and if more doses are safe and improve protection.
The purpose of this study is to follow responses to treatment with vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) for safety and clinical benefit [during HIV vaccine research]. VIG is purified from human blood and used to treat serious infections of the vaccinia (smallpox vaccine) virus or similar viruses. It is the only treatment available for those viruses. The only available supply of VIG has developed a discoloration over time and therefore is considered an investigational new drug by the FDA. This study will allow it to be used for intramuscular injection in a controlled setting for people who may need it [during HIV vaccine research].
The purpose of this study is to compare changes in HIV levels and certain immune cells among patients at different stages of HIV infection. This study will also see how a combination of stavudine (d4T), lamivudine (3TC), indinavir (IDV), and nelfinavir (NFV) affects these levels. Current findings in anti-HIV drug treatment have led to a greater understanding of the background of HIV. To find the best anti-HIV treatment to eliminate all HIV viruses, cells and tissues infected with the HIV virus are examined after combination anti-HIV treatment, when the level of HIV infection is low. The ERADICATE study will examine the idea that HIV viruses can be eliminated at any stage of infection over time.
The purpose of this study is to find out if it is possible to conduct a group counseling program for women at risk for HIV infection. Women have been the fastest-growing group with new AIDS diagnoses. The need for ways to reduce HIV infection in women is urgent. It is important to reduce the risk of HIV infection through sexual contact, but it is also important to address drug use. Group counseling may be an effective method.
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of an anti-HIV drug combination with and without hydroxyurea in patients with early HIV infection. Certain combinations of anti-HIV drugs have been effective in lowering levels of HIV in the blood and keeping them down. However, these treatments are not effective in some patients. This study will see if using a combination containing more drugs will help in patients with early HIV infection.
The purpose of this study is to look at the effectiveness of combination anti-HIV drug therapy (with protease inhibitors [PIs] or without) in patients with early HIV infections. This study also looks at whether a drug called interleukin-2 (IL-2) can boost the immune system of these patients. Doctors are not sure which anti-HIV drug combination is best to use in patients who have early HIV infection and have never received anti-HIV treatment. PIs are anti-HIV drugs that decrease viral load (level of HIV in the blood). However, PIs can cause serious side effects in some patients. Doctors would like to know if a drug combination that does not contain a PI is just as good as one that contains PIs.
The Hyper IgE Syndromes (HIES) are primary immunodeficiencies resulting in eczema and recurrent skin and lung infections. Autosomal dominant Hyper IgE syndrome (AD-HIIES; Job's syndrome) is caused by STAT3 mutations, and is a multi-system disorder with skeletal, vascular, and connective tissue manifestations. Understanding how STAT3 mutations cause these diverse clinical manifestations is critical to our complete understanding of bone metabolism, bronchiectasis, dental maturation, and atherosclerosis. Bi-allelic mutations in DOCK8 cause a combined immunodeficiency previously described as autosomal-recessive Hyper IgE syndrome. These individuals suffer from extensive viral infections as well as have a high incidence of malignancy and mortality. The pathogenesis of this disease and long-term natural history is being investigated. Therefore, we seek to enroll patients and families with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of HIES syndrome for extensive phenotypic and genotypic study as well as disease management. Patients will be carefully examined by a multidisciplinary team and followed longitudinally. Through these studies we hope to better characterize the clinical presentation of STAT3-mutated HIES, DOCK8 deficiency and other causes of the hyper IgE phenotype, and to be able to identify further genetic etiologies, as well as understand the pathogenesis of HIES. We seek to enroll 300 patients and 300 relatives.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common opportunistic infection (OI) in HIV patients. The purpose of this study is to find out whether valganciclovir, an antiviral approved by the FDA for the treatment of CMV in the eye, is safe and effective in preventing CMV organ damage in people with HIV.
The purpose of this study is to understand how changes in the immune system of HIV-infected patients affect their risk for 3 serious infections: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, or CMV organ disease. The purpose also is to understand how anti-HIV medicines may improve the immune system in these patients. (This purpose reflects a change in the AIDS-related [opportunistic] infections studied.) Presently, HIV-infected patients who have had PCP or CMV disease stay on lifelong therapy to prevent the return of the disease. This study is trying to see if a special lab test can help identify which patients can stop this preventive therapy without having another episode of PCP or CMV organ disease. (This rationale reflects a change in the AIDS-related infections studied.)