The risk of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia among men infected with human immunodeficiency virus type I

Article Abstract:

Pneumonia due to the Pneumocystis carinii organism is extremely common in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV. The organism is found everywhere and more than 80 percent of the population show evidence of infection at sometime during their lives. Individuals whose immune systems are compromised, such as malnourished newborns, transplant patients and patients suffering from AIDS or other immunodeficiencies, are often infected. It is estimated that 75 percent of all individuals who test positive for HIV will at one time or another develop Pneumocystis pneumonia. Current statistical analysis projects 40,000 cases of this pneumonia during 1990, and more than 60,000 cases are anticipated during 1992. The data in this study on the risk of developing Pneumocystis pneumonia were derived from a large multicenter study of 1,665 homosexual and bisexual men who were known to be infected with HIV (AIDS Cohort Study), but who had not developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). During a 48-month period, 168 men (or approximately 10 percent of the study group) developed their first episodes of Pneumocystis pneumonia. The development of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was found to strongly correlate with a reduced number of circulating helper T cells (or CD4+ cells), below 200 for each cubic milliliter of blood. These white blood cells are involved in the body's cellular immune reaction which is responsible for identifying and destroying foreign organisms such as Pneumocystis carinii. Thus, Pneumocystis pneumonia primarily affects HIV-infected individuals who have an insufficient level of T helper cells. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Immunological deficiency syndromes, Immunologic deficiency syndromes, Immunosuppression, Opportunistic infections

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Survival from early, intermediate, and late stages of HIV infection

Article Abstract:

Survival rates in AIDS patients have improved since the introduction of AZT, other antiviral drugs, and drugs to prevent opportunistic infections. Researchers analyzed survival rates in the 4,954 gay men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study in 1984-1985. A total of 1,809 were HIV-positive at enrollment, and 432 of those who were HIV-negative seroconverted during the study. Men followed between 1985 and 1988 were considered to have received no drug treatment and those followed between 1989 and 1993 were considered to have received adequate drug treatment. In both groups, survival rates 2.5 years after diagnosis were greater in men with higher CD4 cell counts. Over 90% of those with CD4 cell counts greater than 350 were alive 3 years after diagnosis, whether or not they received treatment. Survival rates were better in the group that received drug treatment, mostly in those with CD4 counts less than 350. Among men who did not have AIDS, mortality rates were 1.6 to 2.3 times higher in those who had symptoms.

Patient outcomes, Mortality

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Seroconversion to antibodies against Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-related latent nuclear antigens before the development of Kaposi's sarcoma

Article Abstract:

A new type of herpes virus called Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) appears to be linked to Kaposi's sarcoma. In a study of HIV-infected men with and without Kaposi's sarcoma, 80% of those with Kaposi's sarcoma had antibodies against KSHV, compared to 18% of those without Kaposi's sarcoma. None of the control group consisting of 122 blood donors, 22 Epstein-Barr virus-infected people and HIV-infected hemophiliacs had antibodies to KSHV. Half of the HIV-infected men with Kaposi's sarcoma became KSHV-positive 6 months to 6 years before developing Kaposi's sarcoma.

Physiological aspects, Development and progression, HIV infection, HIV infections, Herpesviruses, Kaposi's sarcoma

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