Active clinical trials for "Infections"

To make stavudine (d4T) available to patients with advanced HIV disease for whom no alternative antiretroviral is satisfactory. To study the safety and efficacy of two dose levels in a twice-daily regimen.

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of a drug called interleukin-12 (IL-12) in fighting severe infectious (other than tuberculosis) caused by a group of bacteria called mycobacteria. IL-12 is similar to a substance the body produces naturally to strengthen immune function (infection-fighting ability). It works by stimulating white blood cells to increase production of a chemical called interferon gamma, which can improve or cure mycobacterial infections in some patients. In previous studies, IL-12 has improved immune function against mycobacteria in test tube experiments and in mice. A recent study of three patients with mycobacterial infections treated with the drug showed encouraging results. The drug has also been studied more extensively in patients with cancer, HIV infection and hepatitis C. Patients in this study will receive IL-12 injections under the skin twice a week for one year. They will be taught how to self-administer the drug, but a home care nurse or a physician may also give the injections. The drug dosage will be increased each week to determine the safest and most effective dose for fighting this infection. If intolerable side effects develop at a certain dose, the previous dose level will be used for the next injection. That dose will then be used for the rest of the study, unless unacceptable side effects develop at that level, in which case the dose will again be lowered. Patients will receive an antibiotic against mycobacteria. Physical examinations and blood and urine tests will be done once a month for at least the first year and then every 3 months the following year to evaluate kidney, liver, and immune function. The first evaluation-at the start of the study-is done on an inpatient basis.

To assess the safety and efficacy of subcutaneously administered sargramostim ( granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF ) in increasing and maintaining the neutrophil count in HIV-infected adults who have developed neutropenia as a result of receiving the antiretroviral agent, zidovudine ( AZT ). To assess the safety and efficacy of subcutaneously administered GM-CSF in increasing and maintaining the neutrophil count in HIV-infected adults with pre-existing neutropenia who are at high risk of developing hematologic intolerance while receiving the antiretroviral agent, AZT, for the first time. To assess the potential therapeutic benefit of concomitant GM-CSF and AZT on the natural history of HIV infection and associated infectious complications.

To evaluate the safety of repeated courses of sargramostim ( recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF ) administered subcutaneously to patients with HIV infection and leukopenia. To determine if administration of GM-CSF will prevent some or all of the hematologic toxicity associated with zidovudine ( AZT ) treatment in patients with pre-existing leukopenia. To assess any clinical and/or virologic benefits from administering alternating weeks of GM-CSF and AZT to patients with symptomatic HIV infection who have a history of cytologically confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia ( PCP ) or a circulating absolute CD4 lymphocyte count less than 200 cells/mm3.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of azithromycin in combination with ethambutol for the treatment of patients with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, and to determine whether an azithromycin-containing regimen is at least as safe and effective as the same regimen containing clarithromycin..

To evaluate the safety of topically applied SP-303 gel and to compare the efficacy of SP-303 gel in combination with acyclovir, relative to acyclovir alone, for the treatment of recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 and 2 infections, affecting the genital, perianal and neighboring areas, in patients with AIDS.

To determine the safety and tolerance of subcutaneous injections of natural interferon alpha (IFN) in asymptomatic HIV-positive persons and record its effects on the HIV virus in these individuals.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin given chronically for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium (MAC) bacteremia in patients failing or intolerant of current available MAC therapy.

PRIMARY: To determine whether pentoxifylline changes the self-reported measures of quality of life status, using measures of scores from double-blinded drug withdrawal and drug restart periods. SECONDARY: To measure the changes in monthly CD4 counts, fasting serum triglyceride levels, and weight; to assess the safety of pentoxifylline in HIV-infected persons.

To demonstrate, in patients with tubercular or nontubercular mycobacterium infections with or without HIV infection, the safety of thalidomide use as judged by symptoms, physical exam, and studies of microbiologic, immunologic, hematologic, renal, and hepatic status. To demonstrate efficacy of the drug as judged by status of fever, nutrition, tuberculosis lesions, and immune responses.