Infraclinical neuropathies related to immunodeficiency virus infection associated with higher T-helper cell counts

Article Abstract:

Neurological symptoms occur in approximately 40 percent of patients with AIDS, affecting both the brain and the peripheral nerves. The conduction of nerve impulses was examined in patients who were grouped according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classifications. CDC II-III was defined as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but without clinical symptoms (infraclinical), and those who had persistent abnormalities of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). This group was compared with those who were CDC IV, having ARC (AIDS-related complex) or AIDS, and with individuals who were not infected. Of the 57 patients with an HIV classification, 20 (35 percent) had decreased conduction of nerve impulses. More patients (10 out of 17) who were classified as CDC IV had decreased conduction than those in stage CDC II-III (10 out of 40). More of the patients in the CDC IV group (9 out of 10) had two or more abnormalities compared with those in the CDC II-III group (4 out of 10). Patients in the CDC II-III group with neural abnormalities had higher numbers of helper T cells and lower numbers of T cell suppressor cells, along with a higher T-helper/T-suppressor ratio than those without neural abnormalities. This indicates less immunosuppression in those with neural abnormalities compared with those without. The reason for is not understood, but it is thought that different strains of HIV might cause different symptoms of disease. Thus, abnormalities in conduction of peripheral nerve impulses are often seen in patients who are infected with HIV. These abnormalities may occur early in HIV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Causes of, Physiological aspects, Demographic aspects, HIV (Viruses), HIV, T cells, Peripheral nerve diseases, Peripheral nervous system diseases, Virus-induced immunosuppression

---

Zidovudine disposition during hemodialysis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Article Abstract:

The drug zidovudine prevents the replication or multiplication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC). This antiviral agent is effective in reducing disease activity and death rate among patients with those conditions. However, long-term use of zidovudine has been associated with the development of various toxic effects, such as anemia (a decrease in red blood cells and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood) and neutropenia (a decreased number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell). There is limited knowledge about the action of zidovudine in AIDS patients with advanced kidney disease. A case is described of a 24-year-old man with HIV infection and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli, the blood-filtering units of the kidney). The patient was being treated with zidovudine for HIV infection, and hemodialysis for kidney failure. The pharmacokinetics of zidovudine and its metabolic product, glucuronidated zidovudine (G-ZDV), were assessed during a hemodialysis session. The action of zidovudine was similar to that of AIDS patients with normal kidney function, although the levels of G-ZDV were markedly increased in the AIDS patient with kidney disease. Zidovudine and G-ZDV levels were not decreased by hemodialysis. The implications of elevated G-ZDV levels are not clear. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Zidovudine, Hemodialysis

---

Histoplasmosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): treatment with itraconazole and fluconazole

Article Abstract:

Itraconazole may be more effective than fluconazole for the treatment of histoplasmosis in AIDS patients. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus Histoplasma. Among 20 AIDS patients with histoplasmosis, 12 took 400 milligrams (mg) of itraconazole per day and 10 took between 100 and 800 mg of fluconazole per day. Two patients treated with itraconazole had initially been treated unsuccessfully with 100 mg per day of fluconazole. Seven patients treated with itraconazole went into remission, two improved and three did not respond to treatment. Three patients treated with fluconazole went into remission, one improved and six failed to respond to treatment. No significant difference in response to treatment occurred between the patients treated with high-dose and low-dosage fluconazole.

Health aspects, Histoplasmosis, Itraconazole, Fluconazole

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Mycobacterial disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy
• Abstracts: Rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency in breast-fed infants in the southern United States. Blood lead, calcium status, and behavior in preschool children
• Abstracts: A comparison of patterns of metastasis in gastric cancer by histologic type and age. Associations between data for male lung cancer and female breast cancer within five countries
• Abstracts: Radical hysterectomy versus radiation therapy for Stage IB squamous cell cancer of the cervix
• Abstracts: Relationship between CA 125 and progesterone production in women with ovarian carcinoma. Cytofluorometric analysis of the DNA content in ovarian carcinoma and its relationship to patient survival

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.