Zidovudine improves response to pneumococcal vaccine among persons with AIDS and AIDS-related complex

Article Abstract:

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of AIDS. This virus attacks and destroys cells in the immune system, the body's natural defense system for fighting infection. The resulting immunodeficiency makes patients with AIDS susceptible to life-threatening infections. The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia in patients with HIV infection. Pneumococcal vaccines have been given to patients with AIDS in an attempt to prevent pneumonia, but have produced mixed results. For a vaccine to work, the immune system must make substances (antibodies) that will destroy the invading microorganism. However, it is difficult for immunodeficient patients with AIDS to produce antibodies. Zidovudine (also known as AZT) has been shown to prolong the lives of patients with AIDS. This drug gives the immune system a boost by temporarily increasing the number of immune cells. Consequently, it was suggested that prior AZT treatment might improve the effectiveness of the pneumonia vaccine in this patient population. To test this notion, 38 patients with HIV infection were studied. Twenty-four of the patients, who had AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC), were treated with zidovudine for an average of 18 weeks. Eight patients with AIDS/ARC and six asymptomatic patients with HIV infection did not receive AZT. Vaccines were administered to all 38 patients and blood samples were taken to measure the amount of antibody that was produced in response to the vaccine. Following vaccination, the AIDS/ARC patients who received AZT had higher levels of specific antibody in the blood than those who were not treated. The patients with asymptomatic HIV infection had similar amounts of antibody, compared with AZT-treated AIDS/ARC patients. The authors recommend that pneumococcal vaccine should be given early in the course of HIV infection. Patients who have developed AIDS should be treated with AZT for four weeks prior to receiving the vaccine. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Prevention, Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccines, HIV infection, HIV infections, AIDS patients, Pneumonia, Dosage and administration, AIDS (Disease), Zidovudine

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Prevalence and risk factors for HTLV-II infection in 913 injecting drug users in Stockholm, 1994

Article Abstract:

Few injecting drug users in Stockholm, Sweden, are infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2), but most have viral hepatitis. Three percent of drug users tested were HTLV-2-positive, none had HTLV-1 infection, and 41-92% had hepatitis. HTLV-II infection was most common among heroin users.

Sweden, Health aspects, Statistical Data Included, Risk factors, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, HTLV-II infections, Heroin habit

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