Active clinical trials for "HIV Infections"

Randomised study comparing two pneumococcal vaccination strategies in HIV-infected adults with moderate immunossupression (CD4 between 200 and 500 cells/uL and viral load under 5logs), one with conjugated heptavalent vaccine(Prevenar, Wyeth-Lederle) followed by polysaccharide vaccine 4 weeks after (Aventis-Pasteur), and two with one dose of polysaccharide vaccine. Determination of secondary effects related to both vaccines and determination of antibody concentration (ELISA) and avidity (ELISA with thiocyanate) and opsonophagocytosis killing activity against the seven serotypes included in the heptavalent vaccine before vaccination, at 4 weeks, at 8 weeks, at48 weeks and 96 weeks. A sample of 220 HIV-infected adults (110 in each group) will be needed to detect differences of 10% for a type I error o 5% for a limited population of 2500 HIV-infected adults. The main hypothesis are :the immunogenicity of pneumococcal vaccination with conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines is superior to immunogenicity induced by polysaccharide vaccination alone(antibody concentration), the avidity and opsonophagocytosis induced by two vaccines is better than the one after polysaccharide vaccine alone, both vaccinations are safe.

While medication adherence is critical to successful treatment of HIV, there are few studies of interventions demonstrating improvements in adherence. This may be a particular challenge in the developing world, which has a larger burden of HIV but fewer resources than industrialized countries. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial of cellular phone text message reminders to improve medication adherence. Our pilot study will be set in a large HIV clinic in Gaborone, Botswana, where Penn researchers have collaborated on research projects in the past. The primary study outcome will be antiretroviral medication adherence.

Early identification of tuberculosis (TB) is of particular importance in HIV-infected individuals, as a delay of therapy can be devastating in those with compromised immune systems. Diagnosis of TB in HIV is difficult, however, because 24-61% of HIV co-infected individuals with pulmonary TB have negative TB test results. In addition, conventional testing can take 6 weeks or longer and may not be available at all in many settings. This study is being conducted to see whether some new tests for identifying TB and for identifying resistance to TB drugs are at least as accurate as the current testing methods when used on HIV-infected individuals. The study will also assess whether the new tests can provide accurate results faster than the current methods.

This study will look to see if there are changes in the blood cells that are associated with bone disease and sort out effects that are due to the HIV virus itself, the medications and see if faster aging occurs in the cells of HIV infected persons. Bone disease will be measured by a special X-ray called a DEXA scan. A DEXA scan is used by doctors to see if someone has normal bone mass for their age or if there is thinning of the bones. The purposes of this study are: to learn how common bone disease is in HIV infected patients over the age of 50 years that receive their care at the CORE Center to see what are the common causes of bone disease in older HIV infected persons to see if there are differences in blood cells and levels of cytokines in patients who do or do not have bone disease, as this may help researchers determine the cause of bone disease.

HVTN 908 is a sub study of the HIV vaccine trial, HVTN 205. The purpose of this sub study is to better understand how a person's immune system responds to vaccines, particularly HIV vaccines. More specifically, researchers will determine whether early responses in the immune system help predict strong and long-lasting immunity.

The purpose of this study is to investigate T-cell mediated immune responses to HIV-1 and HCV and determine how these responses are affected by HCV treatment and correlates to response. Furthermore, to study Interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) dynamics during HCV treatment, and correlate this to treatment outcome.

This is the second phase of a two-phase, cross-sectional study of linkage to medical care of HIV positive youth. Social, psychological and behavioral factors associated with receipt of care will be evaluated. This study will also compare three methods for recruitment of out-of-care youth using a randomized permuted block list of possible sequences.

Background: About 10,000 children in the United States have been living with HIV infection since birth. Little is known about the long-term effects of HIV infection and its treatment on the growth and development of these children. Because of their disease, many children with HIV face additional difficulties with their health, well-being and development, such as success in school and peer relationships. Objectives: To better understand how HIV infection and the medicines used to treat it affect the growth and development of children, adolescents and young adults who have been infected since birth or when they were very young. To develop ways to improve the quality of life for these individuals. Eligibility: -HIV-infected patients who were followed by the pediatric HIV program in NCI as of December 2004, or an HIV-infected sibling of a participant. Design: Periodic evaluation of pubertal development; bone mineralization; body composition and fat distribution; liver, kidney and heart status; and behavioral, cognitive and academic or vocational outcome of the study group. Evaluations include the following: Physical examinations, including height and weight measurements and skin-fold thickness testing to measure body fat. Review of medical records and family history. Blood and urine tests, including pregnancy test in females who can bear children. DEXA scans (X-ray test to measure bone strength and how much fat, muscle and bone is in the body). Neuropsychological testing, including evaluation of language, thinking and problem-solving abilities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Test using a magnetic field and radio waves to examine brain structure and function. Oral glucose tolerance test: Blood sampling before and one time after the subject drinks a sugary solution to measure the body's ability to use sugar

This laboratory-based sub-study of ATN 061 and ATN 071 will examine the effect of early treatment followed by treatment de-intensification to atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) monotherapy on steady-state frequencies of replication-competent CD4+ T cell Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 reservoirs or cell-associated infectivity (CAI) and persistent low-level viremia (LLV), and their contribution to successful long-term control of HIV-1 replication among HIV-1 infected adolescents and young adults.

The purpose of this research study is to learn about levels of antiretroviral drug levels and response to HIV virus in the genital tract of women who are post-menopausal. The investigators in this study think that the levels of hormones post-menopausal HIV-infected women may have in their bodies may affect the levels of antiretroviral drug, and therefore affect how much HIV virus they have in their bodies. Since women who have already gone through menopause have different levels of hormones, such as estrogen, than women who are pre-menopausal, the investigators would like to check the levels of antiretroviral drugs in their blood, their genital secretions, and their genital tissue.