View clinical trials related to Infection.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to monitor patients who recently have been infected with HIV in order to learn how their immune systems respond to HIV infection and to study how the virus acts in their bodies. Primary HIV infection occurs within 20 days to 8 weeks following exposure to HIV. The symptoms of primary HIV infection are usually fever, tiredness, headache, or muscle aches. However, symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and some people might not experience any symptoms at all. Because these symptoms also resemble the cold or the flu, it is difficult to identify patients with primary HIV infection. Information gathered from this study will help doctors decide what kind of treatment is best to give patients who recently have been infected.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of stopping preventive therapy for DMAC in HIV-positive patients who (1) have been treated for DMAC for at least 12 months and are now free of any signs of DMAC for at least 16 weeks, and (2) have improved immune systems (CD4 cell counts greater than or equal to 100 cells/mm3) due to anti-HIV drug therapy. DMAC is a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection that usually affects only HIV-positive patients with CD4 cell counts (cells of the immune system that fight infection) less than 50 cells/mm3. It is recommended that people who are likely to get DMAC be placed on preventive medications which help reduce the risk of infection. New anti-HIV combination drug therapies can increase CD4 cell counts and can reduce the level of HIV in the blood. When CD4 counts are increased, risk of DMAC infection is less. This study examines whether it is possible to stop preventive therapy for DMAC when CD4 counts are high without placing individuals at risk for getting DMAC again.
The purpose of this study is to see if there are any changes in sugar and fat levels in the blood when patients take anti-HIV therapy for many years. Another goal is to test memory and mental concentrations to determine if anti-HIV drugs protect the brain from damage caused by HIV. (The purpose of this study has been changed from the original version.) HIV-infected patients with low CD4 cell counts are at risk for getting opportunistic (AIDS-related) infections. CD4 cells are cells of the immune system that help fight infection. Anti-HIV therapy may increase CD4 counts, which may lead to a decrease in AIDS-related infections. Problems that anti-HIV therapy is associated with include metabolic problems, neurologic problems, abnormal opportunistic infections, and cancer. Patients in ACTG 362 have been exposed to anti-HIV therapy longer than any other large group in the ACTG. These patients appear to benefit from their therapy, but also suffer problems from it. Observation of these patients should provide more information about long-term anti-HIV treatment and may detect unexpected problems. (This study as been changed. More information about the reasons for conducting this study has been added.)
To compare two different routes of intermittently administered rhIL-2 with a highly active antiretroviral regimen (HAART) to HAART alone. The comparison is based on the following: proportion of patients achieving at least 50-percent increase in CD4 counts above prerandomization baseline values after 1 year of rhIL-2 and the rate of change in CD4 counts. To compare the safety and tolerance of these regimens and their effect on quality of life. To assess the effects of rhIL-2 when combined with HAART on changes in immune cell phenotypes and function and on HIV viral load and the rate of antiviral drug resistance development. The poor responsiveness of late stage HIV-infected patients to rhIL-2 is thought to occur because of low T cell regenerative capacity and high viral burden. If means were available to effectively suppress virus replication, the indigenous immune restorative responses of the host may be further stimulated and enhanced by rhIL-2. The use of protease inhibitors with nucleoside-analogue combination regimens appears to be most effective in controlling virus replication. High-dose intermittent rhIL-2 administered either intravenously or subcutaneously has been shown to be effective in inducing CD4 responses in a number of studies.
To determine if treatment of MAC infection in HIV-1 infected persons is associated with the decreases in plasma levels of TNF-alpha. Infection with MAC is a poor prognostic indicator in persons with AIDS. Evidence suggests that this poor outcome is not simply a reflection of greater immune impairment in AIDS patients with MAC infection, but rather may be a direct or indirect consequence of infection with mycobacterium. Survival of AIDS patients with MAC is shorter than those without MAC. Studies show that treatment for MAC improves the survival of MAC infected patients to nearly the survival of AIDS patients without MAC. Treatment of MAC with clarithromycin containing regimens is associated with decreased symptoms and prolonged survival. There is evidence, however, that mycobacterial infection may enhance propagation of the human immunodeficiency virus through mechanisms that may involve enhanced expression of pro inflammatory cytokines. It is unclear to what extent cytokine abnormalities contribute to this symptom complex and to what extent treatment of MAC infection will reverse these cytokine abnormalities.
To correlate HIV-1 viral load in vaginocervical secretions (VCS), as measured by culture and nucleic acid detection, with that found in peripheral blood and HIV clinical status. To determine whether systemic and local HIV specific antibody influences the quality and type of virus isolated from VCS. To ascertain whether the presence of specific infectious agents (e.g., HPV, HSV, CMV, etc.) influences the amount and type of virus isolated from VCS. Predictors for the development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in HIV infected individuals have been studied primarily among adult males and in selected small populations. Although many of these predictors may be relevant to women, HIV infection does manifest itself differently between the sexes. Therefore, it is important to study the spectrum of HIV disease in women and to identify unique and common markers, cofactors, and predictors of disease progression.
To examine, in HIV-infected patients, the safety of allogeneic lymphocyte transfer (i.e., infusion of white blood cells taken from an HIV-negative parent, sibling, or adult offspring who has a compatible blood type). To measure the distribution and survival of allogeneic lymphocytes in the circulation of HIV-infected patients, and to determine whether their infusion results in enhanced immunity. To determine whether enhanced immunity is passively transferred or actively induced. There is evidence that periodic infusion of allogeneic lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of HLA-matched HIV-1 seronegative siblings of patients with AIDS can, in some instances, restore the number of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes. However, more controlled studies are needed to better quantitate the immunologic reconstitution seen with this type of therapy.
To study the anti-HIV activity of the various doses of Ro 24-7429 monotherapy based on virologic and immunologic endpoints. To study the safety and tolerance of Ro 24-7429. To explore relationships between exposure to Ro 24-7429 and its metabolites and antiviral activity and drug toxicity. To determine a safe, tolerable, and active dose regimen of Ro 24-7429, and to make preliminary observations of Ro 24-7429 in combination with another antiretroviral nucleoside. The HIV genome contains a number of genes that regulate viral replication. Control of the activity of these genes and their encoded proteins represents a potential target for development of new antiretroviral drugs. The tat (transactivator of transcription of HIV) antagonist Ro 24-7429 is the first compound for clinical testing that utilizes this approach for therapy of HIV infection.
AS PER AMENDMENT 10/24/96: To develop a domain/construct-driven neuropsychological and neurological battery. Scaling of instruments to allow measurement of functions from infancy to early adulthood; establish reliability and validity of the new instruments developed for the NIMH Neurodevelopmental Battery. Downward extension of cognitive domains into infancy and early childhood. To describe and compare outcomes when assessing level of development versus rate of change. Describe and compare the outcomes from a global assessment of neurodevelopment (e.g., a standardized I.Q. score) versus discrete assessments (e.g., functional domains such as motor or language skills). Develop guidelines for multicultural neuropsychological and neurological assessment within a clinical trials design. Describe the nature of impaired developmental abilities and course of the disease in infants and children. The assessment of children who sustain central nervous system (CNS) insult requires approaches that differ in several ways from adult-based assessment. The rapid changes that occur in the developing CNS as well as in behavior reflect underlying processes of growth and development.
To evaluate the safety and tolerance of oral zidovudine (AZT) when given over a period of 24 weeks to children between 3 months and 12 years of age. The effectiveness of AZT in treating HIV infection in infants and children will also be evaluated. HIV infection in children is most often associated with symptomatic disease and poor prognosis. Treatment with antiviral therapy may be effective in altering the course of the disease and decreasing mortality in these children. AZT has been shown to be effective in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. It is therefore likely that infected children may also benefit from this treatment.