Active clinical trials for "Infections"

To compare the safety and effectiveness of a new drug, fluconazole, with that of the usual therapy, amphotericin B, in the prevention of a relapse of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in patients with AIDS who have been successfully treated for acute CM in the last 6 months. Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infectious complication of AIDS. Because relapse after treatment occurs in over 50 percent of cases, chronic maintenance therapy with intravenous (IV) amphotericin B is usually given. However, amphotericin B is not always effective, has toxic effects, and must be given by the intravenous route. Fluconazole is an antifungal agent that can be given orally and has been shown to be effective against cryptococcal infections in animals and against acute CM in a few AIDS patients. Also, the side effects experienced by over 2000 patients or volunteers given fluconazole have seldom been severe enough to require withdrawal of the drug.

To determine the safety and tolerance of methotrexate in HIV-infected patients. To determine the dose effective in modulating key markers of immune activation. To determine a dose suitable for Phase II or III evaluation in HIV-infected patients. In HIV infection, complete immunological clearance of the foreign antigen does not occur, resulting in chronic immune activation. Because chronic immune activation may contribute to disease progression in HIV infection, immunomodulators may have therapeutic value in early HIV disease prior to development of opportunistic infections. The clinical benefits of methotrexate appear to derive from an anti-inflammatory effect; thus, it may reduce the state of chronic immune activation.

To evaluate the single-dose pharmacokinetic profile and acute toxicity of bis-POM PMEA ( adefovir dipivoxil ) in HIV-1 infected children, and to determine whether age-related differences exist. To ascertain dosages that may be suitable for a multiple-dose evaluation in this patient population. Although the oral bioavailability of PMEA ( adefovir ) is low, the prodrug bis-POM PMEA has resulted in increased bioavailability in adult patients in clinical trials. However, the safety and pharmacokinetic patterns of drugs in infants often differ from those of adults and the direction of the variation is not predictable. This study will assess these parameters of bis-POM PMEA in children.

The purpose of this study is to see if there are any changes in sugar and fat levels in the blood when patients take anti-HIV therapy for many years. Another goal is to test memory and mental concentrations to determine if anti-HIV drugs protect the brain from damage caused by HIV. (The purpose of this study has been changed from the original version.) HIV-infected patients with low CD4 cell counts are at risk for getting opportunistic (AIDS-related) infections. CD4 cells are cells of the immune system that help fight infection. Anti-HIV therapy may increase CD4 counts, which may lead to a decrease in AIDS-related infections. Problems that anti-HIV therapy is associated with include metabolic problems, neurologic problems, abnormal opportunistic infections, and cancer. Patients in ACTG 362 have been exposed to anti-HIV therapy longer than any other large group in the ACTG. These patients appear to benefit from their therapy, but also suffer problems from it. Observation of these patients should provide more information about long-term anti-HIV treatment and may detect unexpected problems. (This study as been changed. More information about the reasons for conducting this study has been added.)

This study compares 2 different treatments administered to try to prevent serious bacterial infections (such as pneumonia) in HIV-positive children. A combination of drugs (azithromycin plus atovaquone) will be compared to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) alone. This study also evaluates the long-term safety and tolerance of these different drugs. SMX/TMP is a commonly prescribed drug for the prevention of bacterial infections. However, the combination of azithromycin and atovaquone may be safer and more effective than SMX/TMP. This study compares the 2 treatments.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of giving IL-2 plus anti-HIV (antiretroviral) therapy to HIV-positive patients with CD4 cell counts (cells of the immune system that fight infection) of at least 350 cells/mm3. This study will also examine the ability of antiretroviral therapy combined with IL-2 to boost the immune system. IL-2, given through injection under the skin, in combination with anti-HIV therapy can increase CD4 cell counts. This study examines 3 doses of IL-2 in order to determine the safest and most effective dose to use.

To restore immunologic function and virus-free state in HIV-infected patients. Based on previous studies showing temporary improvement in immune function in HIV-infected patients using peripheral lymphocyte transfers and bone marrow transplantation, and based on studies documenting the antiretroviral effects of zidovudine (AZT) and interferon-alfa (IFN-A) as well as the preliminary test tube and patient studies suggesting anti-HIV effects of recombinant CD4-IgG, we propose to treat HIV-infected patients using combination antiretroviral therapy with transplantation of bone marrow and peripheral lymphocytes from previously immunized donors in an attempt to restore immunologic function and a virus-free state.

To assess the safety and tolerance of the combination of zidovudine (AZT) and didanosine (ddI) in children with HIV infection. New approaches to using available agents may provide increased or improved treatment options for AIDS. Combination therapy is expected to play a major role in improving survival and quality of life for HIV-infected individuals. AZT and ddI are two agents that have been most extensively evaluated and for which the evidence for antiretroviral effectiveness is strongest.

To determine the pharmacokinetics (blood levels) of three dose treatment plans of oral ganciclovir during a 28-day dosing period. Other purposes of the study are to determine in a population of HIV seropositive persons with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, the safety, tolerance, and patient acceptability of oral ganciclovir given for 28 days, to collect preliminary laboratory evidence for antiviral activity and effectiveness of three dose regimens of oral ganciclovir based on blood and urine cultures of CMV, and to relate antiviral activity to dosage and to serum ganciclovir levels. CMV retinitis is an important sight-threatening opportunistic infection which affects about 10 to 15 percent of people with AIDS. A previous study has shown that treatment with ganciclovir resulted in a significant delay in time to first retinitis progression compared to untreated controls. More studies are warranted to evaluate effects at different doses.

Surgical site complications generate a series of consequences that prolong hospital stay, increase interventions and procedures, and consequently considerably increase healthcare costs. Hence, the importance of studying measures to reduce these complications and the most feared of them is surgical site infection. The objective of the study is to analyze the complications of the surgical site in a group of participante with risk factors for developing them after undergone abdominal surgery in the period described.