Immune Activity Against CVM Retinitis

HIV Infection Clinical Trial

Official title: Efficacy of Elevated CD4 Cell Counts on CMV Retinitis

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will investigate whether medication for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis-a viral infection of the eye-can safely be stopped in HIV-infected patients whose immune function has improved from anti-HIV therapy. Medicines taken to fight CMV infection (ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir) can cause serious side effects, such as low blood counts and kidney damage. Stopping these medications may, therefore, be beneficial.

Patients with HIV infection who develop CVM retinitis usually have very low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells called CD4 cells-less than 50 cells per microliter of blood. New anti-HIV medications have been able to raise CD4 levels and improve immune function in many patients. This study will see if patients with CD4 levels above 150 cells per microliter can fight CVM retinitis without additional anti-CVM drugs.

HIV-infected patients with CVM retinitis will have a physical examination and complete eye examination. These tests will be repeated after 2 weeks. If there is no evidence that the CMV infection has progressed, and if it is in a location that is not immediately sight-threatening, anti-CMV medications will be stopped. Patients will be examined every 2 weeks for 3 months and then every 3 weeks for the next 3 months. Patients whose CD4 count has remained above 100 after 6 months will continue to be followed every 4 weeks until the CVM infection becomes active again. At that time, anti-CVM medicines will be re-started. Patients will also have blood and urine samples taken to test for levels of HIV and CMV in the blood and urine, and will be interviewed about their vision and how it affects daily activities.

Clinical Trial Description

This is a clinical trial to determine whether elevated CD4 counts resulting from medications against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are effective in controlling cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Patients with non-progressive retinal disease consistent with inactive CMV retinitis in a location that is not immediately sight threatening, who are currently receiving systemic maintenance therapy with ganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir, and who have a total CD4 cell count greater than 150 cells per microliter will have their anti-CMV therapy discontinued. Patients will then be closely followed for progression of their CMV retinitis. The primary endpoint of the study will be progression of CMV retinitis. Secondary endpoints will include the occurrence of extraocular CMV disease, morbidity, mortality, virologic data, and HIV burden. ;

Study Design

N/A

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
• HIV Infection
• HIV Infections
• Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
• Retinitis

• NCT number: NCT00001611
• Study type: Observational
• Source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 1997
• Completion date: April 2004