
Treatment With Probiotics (Saccharomyces Boulardii) and Its Role in Bacterial Translocation and...
HIV -1 InfectionObjectives: MAIN: To evaluate the parameters of microbial translocation after treatment with probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii) in HIV+ patients and its role on immune reconstitution and the changes in gut microbiota composition. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 1) To analyze the progress of immune activity markers after the administration of probiotics. 2) To determine the improvement of CD4+ lymphocytes and HIV viral load in patients after taking probiotics. Methods: Design: A prospective randomized open controlled double-blinded trial, to be performed at a tertiary care hospital in Barcelona. Subjects: Chronic HIV infected patients. Sample size: 44 cases. They´ll be divided in 2 groups: (1) Patients with CD4 +> 400 cells / ml and undetectable viral load for more than two years (22 cases) and (2) Patients with immunodiscordancy, defined as patients with CD4 + T cells lower than 350 cells / ml despite 4-7 years of effective antiretroviral therapy. (22 cases). Intervention: Patients were randomized in 2 subgroups: (A) they´ll receive daily oral supplementation with S. boulardii for 3 months and (B) they ´ll receive placebo. Variables: bacterial lipopolisaccharide levels measured by the Lipid-Binding protein (LBP), parameters of immune activation in plasma (soluble CD14, IFN-Υ, TNF-Alpha, IL (interleukine)-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12)and gut microbiota composition prior to the use of probiotics (baseline), at 3 and 6 months. Immunological and clinical data. Outcome measures: quantification of bacterial translocation levels, markers of activity and immune recovery. Analysis: Comparison of variables before and after the intervention. The analysis will be performed by biological and immunological effectiveness.

Efficacy and Safety Study of Antibiotic Treatment to Treat Hip Prosthetic Joint Infection
Hip Prosthetic Joint InfectionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of oral linezolid-rifampin combination therapy (over 4 or 6 weeks) versus the standard of care in the treatment of Gram-positive prosthetic hip joint infection with a one-stage surgical treatment.

Empirical vs 2nd Line Antibiotic Therapy in Health-care Associated Infections in Cirrhosis
CirrhosisBacterial infections are a frequent complication in liver cirrhosis with a bad prognosis. However, the clinical outcome of cirrhotic patients with serious infections is significantly improved over the last 30 years due to early diagnosis and to the use of a more appropriate antibiotic therapy. As in the general population, empirical treatment should be initiated soon after diagnosis, after making the necessary sampling and should be based on the use of an antibiotic with low toxicity and broad spectrum antibacterial efficacy, taking into account the local epidemiology and prevalence of antibiotic resistance. The third generation cephalosporins are considered the gold standard in the treatment of most infections in cirrhotics due to their effectiveness against enterobacteriaceae and against non-enterococcal streptococci and due to their low toxicity. However, the recommendations for the antibiotic therapy are currently based on results of trials of '80s and '90s, when the proportion of resistant pathogens was lower. Similarly to nosocomial infections, the increasing rate of infections due to multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria represents the rational for a different choice of empirical antibiotic therapy with a higher resistance barrier. This change in the epidemiology of community acquired infections is mainly due to the increased contacts with healthcare system of these patients and for the larger use of antibiotic prophylaxis. With this regard, it was recently proposed to introduce a third epidemiological class of infection "Health care-associated": Infections occurring in community in patients who have been in contact with the health system shortly before the infection. This epidemiological class of infection should be distinguished from "community-acquired" because they are more similar to"nosocomial" in terms of their sensitivity to antibiotics. Therefore for this class should be taken into consideration the use of a different empirical antibiotic therapy. The investigators aim was to evaluate prospectively the effectiveness of a broad spectrum antibiotic treatment in a cohort of cirrhotic patients with "healthcare-Associated"infections Cirrhotic patients with "Healthcare Associated" admitted to the gastroenterology department of the Policlinico Umberto I and in the Department of Hepatology of the Hospital of Marino will be consecutively enrolled. Randomized controlled trial with randomisation stratified by epidemiological class of infection.

Rabeprazole Based Sequential-Concommitant Hybrid Therapies for H. Pylori Infections
Helicobacter Pylori InfectionThis prospective controlled randomized open-label clinical trial is designed to determine the optimal eradication rate of rabeprazole based sequential-concommitant hybrid therapies for adults infected with Helicobacter pylori in Eastern Taiwan. Enrolled patients will receive 3, 5 or 7 days of pre-concommitant (sequential part) treatment with rabeprazole + amoxicillin, then 7 days of concommitant treatment with rabeprazole + amoxicillin + clarithromycin + metronidazole.

Effect of Maraviroc (MCV) on the Immunological Recovery of HIV-1 Discordant Patients With CD4 Lymphocyte...
HIV-1 InfectionMaraviroc is an antiretroviral drug that belongs to the family of the CCR5 coreceptor inhibitors. It has proven to be effective in increasing CD4 lymphocyte counts in both in treated and naïve patients, irrespective of the viral load. The investigators hypothesize that adding Maraviroc to the antiretroviral treatment of discordant patients, defined as those having CD4 lymphocyte counts below 200 cells /mm3 during the last year, could lead to its immunological recovery. 60 patients will be included in this unicentric, prospective, randomized and stratified clinical trial. They will be randomized to either continue with its usual high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment or to receive 300 mg of Maraviroc every 12 hours plus its usual treatment. After 24 weeks, lymphocyte counts will be assessed, as well as safety, clinical progression, immunological profile of the patients and the potential benefit of Maraviroc for HIV+ cirrhotic patients.

Safety of and Immune Response to an HIV DNA Plasmid Vaccine Followed by HIV Adenoviral Vector Vaccine...
HIV InfectionsThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of and immune response to an HIV DNA vaccine followed by an adenoviral vector HIV vaccine in healthy African adults at risk for HIV infection.

Esomeprazole, Moxifloxacin and Amoxicilin for Rescue Therapy of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Helicobacter Pylori InfectionChronic GastritisSuccessful H. pylori eradication therapy remains a challenge in medical practice. Despite promising data for first-line, second-line and rescue treatment options based on clinical trials as well as guidelines and expert recommendations, success rates can often not be reproduced in general practice. Rescue options for patients with failed initial or second-line therapy are definitely needed. The new fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin may represent an effective and save treatment option (in combination with a PPI and amoxicillin) for rescue therapy of H- pylori positive patients.However, optimal duration of therapy (7-day course vs 14-day course) has to be determined

Daptomycin With Rifampin for Treatment of Staphylococcal Prosthetic Joint Infection
Staphylococcal InfectionsTo determine the outcome and safety of a combined antimicrobial treatment involving daptomycin and surgical approach involving retention or short-interval two-stage exchange of the implant. Patients with hip, knee and shoulder Prosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) caused by methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant staphylococci will be included and followed during 2 years.

Comparison Between Dexchlorpheniramine and Dexchlorpheniramine/Pseudoephedrine/Guaifenesin in Respiratory...
Viral Infections of the Upper Respiratory TractPatients with allergic rhinitis frequently present exacerbation of the atopic symptoms during viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Also, allergic rhinitis makes the mucosa more reactive to infectious agents and potentiates mucus production. The combination of dexchlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin elicits antihistaminic, decongestant and expectorant effects. The study hypothesizes is that this product is superior to dexchlorpheniramine alone in the relief of allergic symptoms and in promoting mucus elimination in atopic patients with viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Efficacy and Safety of Colistin for Therapy of Infections Caused by ESBL Producing K.Pneumoniae...
InfectionsIn patients with documented ESBL-producing E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae will be allocated to receive colistin or conventional antibiotic regimen.