Antibody responses to Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines in men with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

Bacterial pneumonia caused by Hemophilus influenzae infection is one of the many infections to which AIDS patients are especially susceptible. Many of these infections are caused by type b Hemophilus influenzae (Hib). Effective vaccines are available to prevent infection with this bacteria, and some physicians have recommended the routine immunization of HIV-infected patients with this vaccine. However, since the immune system of HIV-infected patients is already afflicted, it is uncertain how effective a vaccine might be in this group. A study was conducted to compare two types of Hib vaccine in a population of men infected with HIV. Seventy-nine men had asymptomatic HIV infection, 47 were symptomatic, and 55 had AIDS. Sixty-seven HIV-negative men served as control subjects. In asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-infected men, the PRP-CRM vaccine, in which a bacterial antigen is conjugated to a mutant diphtheria toxoid, proved to elicit a superior immune response. Among the men with actual AIDS, however, the PRP bacterial antigen alone elicited a better antibody reaction. As expected, the uninfected controls developed the best immune response to either bacterial vaccine. HIV-infected men without symptoms mounted the second best responses. Nevertheless, significant increases in antibodies against the bacteria could be measured in all patient groups. The level of antibodies required to confer protection against H. influenzae in an adult is not known. It is unclear, therefore, if the levels of antibodies measured in this study will actually protect the HIV-infected men against H. influenzae pneumonia. The decline in responsiveness to the vaccine with the progression of HIV infection, however, suggests that immunization may be appropriate and should be started while HIV-infected patients are still asymptomatic. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, HIV patients, Hemophilus infections, Hemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae

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A controlled trial of itraconazole to prevent relapse of Penicillium marneffei infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Article Abstract:

Itraconazole may prevent a relapse in HIV patients who have been successfully treated for Penicillium marneffei infection. This fungal infection is common in HIV patients in Southeast Asia. Researchers in Thailand randomly assigned 71 HIV patients who had been successfully treated for this infection to take oral itraconazole or a placebo. Within one year, 57% of those taking a placebo had a relapse, compared to none of those taking itraconazole. In those taking a placebo, the average time to relapse was 24 weeks.

Evaluation, Drug therapy, Itraconazole, Mycoses

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Tuberculosis in Africa - combating an HIV-driven crisis

Article Abstract:

The growing rate of the tuberculosis epidemic in Africa is attributed to several factors and the most common is the HIV epidemic. Africa, to combat the mortality rate, desperately needs funding, facilities, personnel, drug supplies and laboratory capacity, as well as adopting new strategies for improving disease-control outcomes.

Government domestic functions, Goods & services distribution, Africa, Channels of Distribution, Reports, Mortality, Distribution, Tuberculosis, Epidemics, Company distribution practices, Health policy

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