A preliminary evaluation of 566C80 for the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Article Abstract:

Pneumonia caused by infection with Pneumocystis carinii is one of the most common life-threatening infections suffered by AIDS patients. However, in recent years, treatments for pneumocystis pneumonia have improved. Many AIDS patients now receive the prophylactic antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. 566C80 is a new antimicrobial compound that has been found to be effective against Pneumocystis carinii in vitro and in animals. It has also should efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii, another microbial threat to AIDS patients. A study of 34 AIDS patients with untreated pneumocystis pneumonia was conducted to determine if 566C80 is also useful to treat patients. All 34 patients survived their bout with this potentially lethal pneumonia. In 27 cases, 566C80 was the only treatment required. In five patients, the experimental drug treatment was ineffective and was discontinued. In two other patients, toxic side effects necessitated termination of the treatment. Treatment was also discontinued because of toxic side effects in two other patients, but in these patients the discontinuation was not required until after two weeks of therapy, and treatment was considered successful in these two cases. Four of the 27 patients successfully treated for pneumonia suffered relapses within three months, and another three had suffered relapses by six months. These results indicate that the experimental drug 566C80 appears to be both safe and effective in treating AIDS patients with mild-to-moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, AIDS (Disease)

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Controlled trial of interleukin-2 infusions in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Article Abstract:

Interleukin-2 infusions may effectively raise CD4 counts in patients with HIV infection. Restoring immune function in HIV by infusing interleukin-2 every two months combined with antiretroviral drugs was successful in 30 patients. Specifically, CD4 counts increased from an average of 428 cells per cubic milliliter to 916 cells after one year. CD4 levels fell slightly in the 29 patients who took only antiretroviral drugs. Interleukin-2 produced fever, malaise, fatigue, and raised bilirubin levels in a number of patients. Overall toxicity decreased after dose adjustment.

Health aspects, Measurement, HIV infection, HIV infections, Interleukin-2, Cellular immunity, CD4 lymphocytes

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