Active clinical trials for "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome"

The purpose of this study is to examine the postprandial (anytime after a meal) effect of different dietary fats on endothelial function in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men.

The purpose of this study is to determine the social and economic outcomes of anti-HIV treatment in South African adults, with data collected from interviews, detailed questionnaires, and patients' medical records.

Recent studies have shown that HIV infected individuals have an increased risk of developing heart disease, but the reason for this is not fully understood. This study will examine ultrasound test results of blood vessels and laboratory data of HIV infected and HIV uninfected women to examine the link between heart disease and HIV infection.

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses and immune responses dependent upon these CD4 responses that develop when antiretroviral drugs are started during acute or recent HIV infection, whether these CD4 responses can be enhanced with a therapeutic HIV vaccine (HIV-1 immunogen), and what pattern of HIV-specific immune responses is associated with control of HIV upon discontinuation of antiretroviral drugs during an analytical therapeutic interruption. Participants will be treatment-naive adults with acute or early HIV infection who will choose to start or not start anti-HIV drugs at the beginning of the study. NOTE: In August 2007 we were notified by the manufacturer of the candidate vaccine that they were no longer making the vaccine, and that the vaccine would no longer be available. Unfortunately too few participants have received either the vaccine or placebo to conclude anything about efficacy. No safety problems occurred.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the quality of life (QOL) and longitudinal patterns of change in QOL outcomes in children and youth with HIV infection; to identify demographic, social, disease status, treatment, and health care utilization factors that predict longitudinal changes in outcomes; to develop a conceptual model that characterizes the effects of specific factors that predict longitudinal changes in QOL; and to characterize the influence of HIV symptoms on QOL outcomes in the domains of health perceptions, physical, psychological, and social role functioning.

Some patients with HIV/AIDS suffer from a dangerous viral infection of the retina (and other organs) called cytomegalovirus infection (CMV). The medications currently used to treat CMV all have serious side effects. AIDS patients are prone to this infection because their immune system produces a lower number of CD4+T lymphocytes, the type of blood cells that fight viral infections. Some new HIV medications strengthen the immune system. This study will investigate the possibility that CMV patients on these HIV medications can develop immune systems strong enough to fight CMV without CMV medication. The study will enroll a maximum of 15 adult HIV/AIDS patients who have a CD4+T cell count over 150 cells/microliter and who have inactive CMV retinitis that is not immediately sight threatening. It is expected to last approximately 2 years. Each prospective participant will have a physical examination and complete eye examination, including retina photographs, with the eye examination and retina photographs repeated 2 weeks later. If there is no evidence of active CMV retinitis, the participant will be enrolled in the study, and CMV medication will be stopped. The participant will have physical and eye examinations every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of the study, and every 3 weeks for the next 3 months. After 6 months, the frequency of the examinations will be 2-8 weeks, depending on the participant's CD4 count. After one year, a participant with a CD4 count remaining over 150 cells/microliter may return to the care of a local ophthalmologist with HIV/CMV experience, revisiting the clinical center every 6 months. The participant's CMV medication will be restarted when CMV retinitis becomes active, which will terminate participation in the study.

The purpose of this study is to find out what might increase nerve damage in people with HIV who have taken drugs for treatment of HIV disease. Another purpose is to see if nerve exams are done correctly before clinical research sites enroll HIV-infected patients. Nerve damage is common in patients with HIV infection and can cause serious problems. The factors that place patients at risk are not well understood. This study will examine these factors in patients with advanced HIV infection and who have been taking anti-HIV drugs.

This 2-part study will examine 1) the immune response to influenza (flu) vaccine in HIV-infected patients, and 2) the effect of flu vaccine on HIV viral loads. Earlier studies have shown that people with HIV infection do not respond as well to flu vaccine as healthy subjects; that is, they don't make as many antibodies in response to the vaccine. Also, studies done before the use of HAART (highly active antiretroviral treatment) have shown that HIV levels increase for a period of time after flu vaccination. One small study showed a small brief increase in HIV even in patients taking HAART. The current trial will examine whether the flu vaccine does, in fact, cause an elevation in viral load and whether this increase is harmful or indicates a better response to the vaccine. HIV-infected patients and healthy normal volunteers between 18 and 60 years of age may be eligible for part1of this study. (Healthy volunteers will serve as control subjects to make sure the flu vaccine stimulates production of enough antibody to protect against the flu). Part 2 will include only HIV-infected patients with fewer than 50 copies per milliliter of HIV. Patients in both parts of the study must have been receiving HAART (consisting of at least two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or a protease inhibitor) for at least 3 months before enrollment in the study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and blood tests, including HLA testing (a genetic test of immune system markers). Women who are able to have children will have a pregnancy test. Pregnant women are excluded from the study. Participants will undergo the following procedures: Part 1 - Immune Response to Flu Vaccine In the first of two visits, participants will have blood drawn for flu antibody levels before vaccination and, in HIV-infected patients, measures of T cell count and viral load. They will then receive the flu vaccine. Blood will be drawn at a second visit 28 days later for the same tests. Part 2 - Effect of Flu Vaccine on Viral Levels Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the flu vaccine either at the beginning of their enrollment in the study (immediate) or 3 weeks after enrollment (deferred). Those in the immediate group receive the flu vaccine on the first day (day 0) and have blood drawn on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, 35, 38 and 42. Those in the deferred group are vaccinated on day 21 and have blood drawn on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, 35, 38, 42 and 49. The blood is tested for viral load, CD4 cell counts and antibody levels.

The goal of this research study is to compare 2 different phone-based programs for quitting smoking for people with HIV/AIDS.

Background: - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection appears to cause problems with blood vessel function. These problems may add to some thinking and mood disorders found in people with HIV infection. Researchers want to evaluate HIV infected patients to see if blood vessel function contributes to thinking and mood disorders, such as early dementia and depression. To do so, they will compare study results between people with and people without HIV infection. Objectives: To compare the thickness of blood vessel walls between people with and without HIV infection. To study the relationship between blood vessel thickness and thinking and mood disorders. Eligibility: Individuals between 25 and 55 years of age who have HIV infection. Healthy individuals between 25 and 55 years of age. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Blood and urine samples will be collected. Participants will have imaging studies of the brain and major blood vessels in the head and neck. Participants will also have neuropsychological testing. These tests will look at memory, learning and thinking ability, attention, and mood. Participants will have the option of coming back for repeat blood tests every six months and repeat imaging studies and neuropsychological tests every year, over 1- 4 years period.