
Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS)
Choroidal NeovascularizationMacular Degeneration1 moreTo evaluate laser treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) through randomized, controlled clinical trials. The Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) consisted of three sets of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline was the primary outcome for all MPS trials. Other measures of vision are evaluated in each set of trials. The purpose of each is described below. Argon Study: To determine whether argon blue-green laser photocoagulation of leaking abnormal blood vessels in choroidal neovascular membranes outside the fovea (200 to 2,500 microns from the center of the foveal avascular zone [FAZ]) is of benefit in preventing or delaying loss of central vision in patients with age-related (senile) macular degeneration (AMD), presumed ocular histoplasmosis (POH), and idiopathic neovascular membranes (INVM). A separate trial was conducted for each of the three underlying conditions. Krypton Study: To determine whether krypton red laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular lesions with the posterior border 1 to 199 microns from the center of the FAZ is of benefit in preventing or delaying large losses of visual acuity in patients with AMD, POH, and INVM. A separate trial was conducted for each of the three underlying conditions. Foveal Study: To determine whether laser photocoagulation is of benefit in preventing or delaying further visual acuity loss in patients with new (never treated) or recurrent (previously treated with laser photocoagulation) choroidal neovascularization under the center of the FAZ. Two separate trials, one for each type of lesion, were carried out.

Ranibizumab Versus PDT for Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis
Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis (POHS)The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in visual activity of ranibizumab to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to presumed ocular histoplasmosis

Withdrawal of Antifungal Treatment for Histoplasmosis in Patients After Improved Immune Response...
HIV InfectionsHistoplasmosisThe purpose of this study is to determine whether stopping preventive histoplasmosis medications in patients who are currently receiving effective anti-HIV drugs will place them at risk for getting histoplasmosis again. Histoplasmosis is a serious opportunistic (AIDS-related) infection that responds well to antifungal medications. Before anti-HIV drugs, patients with histoplasmosis required lifelong antifungal therapy. Patients who take anti-HIV drugs for a long time may see an improvement in their immune system functions. Improved immune function may eliminate the need for long-term preventive treatment with antifungal agents. Doctors want to see if the improved immune functions allow preventive treatment for histoplasmosis to be stopped. (This study has been changed to include histoplasmosis treatment with drugs other than itraconazole.)

Prevalence of Histoplasmosis in HIV + Patients With a Rapid Diagnostic Test in West Indies
HIVHistoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum histoplasmosis is the leading cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death in French Guiana and probably in the Amazon. The diagnosis of this disease requires invasives procedures, laboratory performance, and delays up to several weeks. The Mycotic Diseases Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established a rapid, sensitive and specific ELISA test for blood and urine samples that looks interesting in endemic areas, particularly in developing countries. The study aims to measure the proportion of HIV-infected patients hospitalized or in outpatient awaiting hospitalization for a suspicion of infectious syndrome whose serum and/or urinary antigen detection tests are positive for Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum.