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Influenza virus testing remains the most common respiratory virus test requested by clinicians. In part, this is driven by estimates that 10 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population [...]

Zidovudine (AZT) has altered the course of HIV infection significantly by greatly enhancing the survival time of infected individuals. However, several problems have been associated with use of this antiretroviral agent. (AIDS is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is a retrovirus.) Side effects of AZT may be so severe and uncomfortable that patients may be unable to receive the full recommended dosage. In addition, the effectiveness of the drug has been seen to diminish after about one year of therapy, possibly due to the development of resistant strains of HIV. These complications and the fact that AZT is not curative underscore the need for further research and development of antiviral agents to combat HIV infection and AIDS. Progress has recently been made by studying the effects of combinations of antiviral agents. Promising results have been obtained using AZT and interferon alpha, particularly because both drugs inhibit the replication of HIV in the body, but do so through different mechanisms. They produce different side effects and, in combination, have been shown to delay the development of AZT-resistant strains of HIV in treated individuals. Another combination of antiviral agents is AZT and ddC (2',3'-dideoxycytidine). Again, both agents inhibit HIV replication by different pathways. In trials it was found that both drugs produce their antiviral effects early in treatment, prior to the emergence of side effects. One of the common side effects of antiviral treatment is a reduction of the numbers of white blood cells (which help to fight infection) and red blood cells (which carry oxygen). These effects have been partially compensated for by administering growth factors, which stimulate the production of these blood cells. Such treatment may protect patients from the development of anemia and other complications related to blood cell deficiencies. In general, antiviral drug trials have provided evidence of the usefulness of combined antiviral treatment of HIV infection. Benefits include fewer and less severe side effects, improved treatment responses, and significant changes in the development of drug-induced viral resistance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

[AIDS Reader. 2007;17:338-339] Key words: HIV/AIDS; Eradication; Latency; Integrase; Seroconversion In a midsummer issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci1-who is as close as the United States [...]

TMC125 (Etravirine), a Second Generation Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Abstract & Commentary By Dean L. Winslow, MD, FACP, Chief, Division of AIDS Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center; Clinical Professor [...]

No Stupid Questions should I start using anti-viral tissues? No. The new Kleenex Anti-Viral will kill 99.9 percent of the cold and flu viruses that it touches, but "it will […]

In response to a request from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), FDA will review the November 2000 approval of abacavir, lamivudine (3TC), and zidovudine (AZT) (Trizivir, GlaxoSmithKline). The AHF is [...]

2003 APR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Zidovudine prophylaxis against vertical HIV transmission has no long-term adverse effects. Treatment with the antiretroviral agent "is recommended to reduce perinatal HIV-1 [...]

Cohort analysis helps clinch superiority of efavirenz-containing HIV therapy. This cohort analysis looked at time to treatment failure and change in plasma HIV-1 RNA (from baseline in treatment-naive patients) among [...]

The clinical effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy has improved markedly over the last few years. Since 1996 in the developed world there have been dramatic falls in the incidence of new [...]

Background: Treatment options for anogenital warts in patients with HIV-1 are unsatisfactory because they fail to eradicate latent human papillomavirus. Goal: To determine tolerability and efficacy of topical 1% cidofovir cream for the treatment of external anogenital warts in HIV-infected patients. Study Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, crossover pilot study of either 1% cidofovir cream or placebo applied once daily 5 days a week for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of observation was performed. Results: Six patients were randomized to 1% cidofovir cream and six to placebo. The latter patients eventually received 1% cidofovir cream. Thus, 12 treatment rounds of cidofovir were compared with six rounds of placebo. A reduction of more than 50% in the total wart area achieved by seven cidofovir treatments (58%), as compared with no placebo regimen (P = 0.02). Local reactions occurred in 10 of the 12 patients treated with cidofovir, as compared with 0 of the 6 subjects in the placebo group (P [is less than] 0.001). Conclusions: For the initial clearance of anogenital warts in HIV-infected patients, 1% cidofovir cream is significantly more effective than vehicle cream. Local mucosal erosion is a common side effect.

Drug Watch HIV/AIDS[*] New drugs Product type/proposed indication (Ampligen) nucleic acid compound in combination Hemispherx Biopharma with AZT; Tx of HIV infection BMS-232632 protease inhibitor; for once-daily Tx Bristol-Myers Squibb [...]

Emtricitabine Molina JM, Ferchal F, Rancinan C, et al. Once-daily combination therapy with emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. J Infect Dis 2000;182:599-602. Sargramostim Angel JB, High [...]

The nucleoside analogue didanosine has been approved in a new delayed-release formulation containing enteric-coated beadlets (Videx EC, Bristol-Myers Squibb). It is indicated for once-daily treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults [...]

Most significant therapeutic breakthrough Zyvox (linezolid) The first antibacterial agent from a new class, the oxazolidinones, approved for the Tx of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria 'The only antibiotic available [...]

Recommendations for initial antiretroviral treatment for persons with HIV infection have changed rapidly with the availability of potent regimens, new information from clinical trials of effectiveness and durability and accumulating [...]

Background: Recently published research based on selected samples of patients treated at human immunodeficiency virus clinics documents that use of more intensive antiretroviral drug therapies is responsible for significant declines in morbidity and mortality in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (PLWHAs). In this study, we evaluate whether receipt of more recently developed antiretroviral therapies varies by sex and race/ ethnicity in a large population-based sample of PLWHAs and whether receipt of such drugs has any impact on survival. Methods: Analysis of Florida Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and claims data for PLWHAs for 1993 through 1997. Receipt of 2 nucleoside analogs (TWONUKES) and receipt of 1 protease inhibitor and a nucleoside combination (PI+NUKES) was constructed from claims data. The probability of dying was constructed from eligibility and enrollment data. Results: The probabilities of receiving TWONUKES and PI+NUKES are 0.16 and 0.09, respectively, lower for women relative to men (P [is less than] .01 for both). Blacks are more likely to receive TWONUKES than whites, whereas the reverse is true for Hispanics; this probability is almost 0.04 higher for blacks and 0.03 lower for Hispanics relative to whites (P [is less than] .01). In contrast, blacks are significantly less likely to receive PI+NUKES (P [is less than] .01). Both drug variables have large statistically significant negative effects on the probability of death. The PLWHAs who received PI+NUKES are 60% as likely to die each month (P [is less than] .01). Receipt o f TWONUKES lowers the relative hazard of death by close to 66% each month (P [is less than] .01). Survival varies significantly by sex and race/ethnicity. Controlling for receipt of drug therapy and diagnosed health throughout the period, women are 56% as likely to die as men (P [is less than] .01). Hispanics are almost 14% less likely to die each month relative to whites (relative hazard, 0.87), and blacks are 20% more likely to die than whites (relative hazard, 1.21). Conclusions: States need to investigate why women are less likely to receive antiretroviral drug therapies than men and to consider policies that might foster better access to antiretroviral therapies for women with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome because these efforts might yield even further reductions in mortality in women. Given the large reductions in mortality that accompany receipt of antiretroviral therapies, states need to foster policies that promote widespread use of new drug treatment protocols. Arch Intern Med. 2000; 160:3114-3120

This is a preliminary report of an ongoing study to test the efficacy of intralesional injections of the antiviral drug cidofovir in adults with recurrent laryngeal papillomas in whom multiple [...]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Physicians should choose one of five leading drug regimens when starting anti-HIV therapy, Dr. Scott M. Hammer advised at a symposium on AIDS management sponsored by the [...]

Synopsis: An open label, randomized, multicenter trial comparing efavirenz plus zidovudine and lamivudine, efavirenz plus indinavir, and indinavir plus zidovudine and lamivudine in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults [...]