View clinical trials related to Virus Diseases.
Filter by:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem, which may lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, treatment with peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin has become the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C. While genotype 2 patients can have higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates to 80-90%, genotype 1 patients generally have low SVR rates of only 40-50%. In contrast, genotype 1 Taiwanese patients have superior SVR rates than those in Western countries. Despite the overall improved response to this combination therapy, more than 75% of patients suffer from treatment-related adverse events and the costs remain high, which make individualized therapy of paramount importance to maximize treatment response and minimize adverse events. HCV viral kinetics with interferon-based therapies have been studied recently to evaluate patient responses. Early viral kinetics shown to have favorable SVR rates, which make shorter treatment duration possible. However, different viral kinetics were found through ethnicity. Recently, a pilot study to evaluate the viral kinetics of 6 Taiwanese patients with HCV infection who received peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin therapy has shown superior early viral kinetics to those in Caucasian patients. Based on the favorable SVR rates in treating Taiwanese patients with chronic hepatitis C, the investigators aimed to conduct a large confirmatory study to evaluate the viral kinetics and try to define the optimal treatment for these patients.
Given the possible prognostic relationship between exhaled breath condensate pH and clinical symptoms, it is quite plausible that exhaled breath condensate pH can prove useful in the intensive care unit. For example, if exhaled breath condensate pH falls prior to the onset of clinical symptoms, it is likely that it can be useful as an early marker, heralding the onset of various inflammatory lung diseases. Specifically, exhaled breath condensate pH could be used as a safe, non-invasive screening tool for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. Similarly, just as changes in exhaled breath condensate pH might predict the onset of disease, exhaled breath condensate pH changes might also mark the progression or resolution of disease (e.g. alerting clinicians to possible readiness for extubation). Although such notions are hypothetical, they are beginning to be supported by anecdotal evidence.
A relatively large proportion of patients with chronic HCV infection have normal or mildly elevated ALT. Many of these patients are not being treated, and are not being sent for a liver biopsy. The present study will determine the ability of Methcetin BreathID Test(MBIT) to detect those patients who will be candidates for anti-viral treatment, as an alternative measure for liver biopsy in decision-making prior to treatment in clinical hepatology.
The purpose of this study is to examine gene expression profiles by DNA microarray in patients who are responders and non-responders to interferon and ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis and mediators of the Th-1 lymphocyte response will be looked for. It is hoped that genetic targets for future more effective and less toxic treatments will be identified.
BACKGROUND: - A number of important scientific advances can be made through the study of blood, bone marrow, tumor, or other tissue samples from patients with HIV infection, infection with Kaposi s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), infection with other oncogenic viruses, or cancer. - This protocol provides a mechanism to affect a variety of such studies. OBJECTIVES: -Acquisition of serum, circulating cells, bone marrow, and tumor or normal tissue samples from participants with HIV infection, KSHV infection, or with cancer. ELIGIBILITY: -Eligibility criteria include age 18 years or older and at least one of the following: Exposure risk to HIV, KSHV, or HPV; HIV seropositive; KSHV seropositive; EBV seropositive; HTLV-1 seropositive; malignancy, Castleman s disease, or skin lesions with appearance of Kaposi s sarcoma; or cervical or anal intraepithelial lesion. DESIGN: - Up to 999 subjects will be enrolled in this study. - Blood samples may be collected at the initial visit, and at follow-up visits. - Other fluids/excretions may be collected (such as urine, saliva, semen, and stool). - Tumor samples may be obtained by fine needle aspirate, by removal of pleural or peritoneal fluid, by skin punch biopsy, or by excisional biopsy, providing the tumor is accessible with minimal risk to the participants. - Specific risks will be described in a separate consent to be obtained at the time of the biopsy. - Samples will be studied in the HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, CCR, NCI; laboratories in NCI-Frederick; or those of collaborating investigators.