A new definition for AIDS surveillance
Article Abstract:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with state and territorial health departments have expanded the definition of AIDS. The definition now includes a CD4 T-cell count less than 200 per microliter and three new clinical conditions: tuberculosis, recurrent pneumonia and cervical cancer. CD4 T-cells are depleted in HIV infection. The new definition still retains the 23 previously recognized clinical conditions. Using CD4 levels can help physicians in monitoring the progress of infection and in selecting therapy. The three new clinical conditions are especially common among the fastest growing AIDS populations: women, minorities and intravenous drug users and their partners. The expanded definition should help physicians in reporting AIDS cases to health departments. It also more accurately reflects the incidence of HIV immunosuppression and illness, which will help in projecting trends and guiding public health efforts on treatment and prevention.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1993
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Predicting progression to AIDS
Article Abstract:
New blood tests of HIV-infected patients can predict the progression to AIDS. In view of side effects and drug resistance, physicians are tailoring treatment to the individual needs of each HIV patient. CD4 counts have been an inconsistent marker of disease progression. Recent data indicate a new technique to chart future complications and AIDS-defining illness from HIV messenger RNA in peripheral mononuclear cells. There are concerns how practicing physicians can access this new technology easily. This need has prompted the use of alternative tests measuring viral RNA in plasma. Although early results are promising, the two techniques may not be equivalent. Each technique may capture different aspects of numerous cell processes. Each day, as many as two billion CD4 cells are constantly replacing infected HIV cells, indicating an actively fighting immune system.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
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Using mutual information to measure the impact of multiple genetic factors on AIDS
Article Abstract:
A new statistic, the explained fraction (EF), which uses mutual information to quantify the effect of casual factors on disease is presented. It is shown that genetic factors could cumulatively explain slow progression to AIDS, an effect comparable to the effect of smoking on lung cancer.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999)
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1525-4135
Year: 2006
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