Active clinical trials for "Communicable Diseases"

This study will examine the effectiveness of clofazimine in the prophylaxis of Mycobacterium avium complex infection in HIV infected individuals who are at risk to develop this untreatable opportunistic disease. In the absence of truly effective antiretroviral therapy, a potential mode of treatment of patients with HIV infection is to prevent the development of the life-threatening opportunistic infections. Current studies demonstrate a possible efficacy of clofazimine in the prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), the most common AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. Future studies will examine the potential for prophylaxis against the other opportunistic infections. This proposal hopes to define the role of prophylactic clofazimine in preventing the currently untreatable Mycobacterium avium complex infection. AMENDED: To include prophylaxis for Asymptomatic and ARC.

To determine the safety and efficacy of oral valacyclovir hydrochloride ( 256U87 ) compared to acyclovir in the treatment of recurrent anogenital herpes in HIV-infected patients with CD4 counts = or > 100 cells/mm3.

To determine the change in CD4 count after 4 and 8 weeks in HIV-infected patients treated with cimetidine compared to placebo. To observe time-associated trends at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 in the change of CD4 counts for patients taking cimetidine for the full 16 weeks. To establish a safety record for cimetidine use in HIV-positive patients.

The best anti-HIV treatment regimen for pregnant women is not known. Protease inhibitors (PIs) are often used, but they have side effects that may be harmful for pregnant women. It is not known if treatment regimens that do not include PIs are as effective in pregnant women as those that include PIs. This trial will compare two anti-HIV treatment plans, one with and one without PIs, in women who start HIV treatment during pregnancy. The study will evaluate the effects of the anti-HIV drugs on the developing infant and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of ganciclovir (12 mg/kg per day) versus no treatment in neonates with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection with central nervous system disease.

This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of posaconazole for treating invasive fungal infections. New therapies for these infections are needed for patients who do not respond, to or cannot tolerate, standard treatment. These patients include those with immune defects who have significant side effects from treatment with amphotericin or other antifungals. Patients 13 years of age or older who are on other primary NIH protocols with an invasive fungal infection 1) that does not respond to standard antifungal therapies; 2) for which there is no effective therapy; 3) who develop serious side effects from their current treatment; or 4) who have organ dysfunction that does not permit use of standard antifungal treatments may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, including a review of current and previous antifungal treatments, pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential, electrocardiogram (EKG), and detailed neurologic examination. Participants will take either 200 mg (1 teaspoonful) of liquid posaconazole by mouth four times a day or 400 mg (two teaspoonfuls) twice a day for a period of 28 days to 24 months. (The physician will determine the duration of treatment.) Patients will have monthly follow-up visits during the treatment period and 1 month after treatment is completed for the following procedures: Detailed neurologic exam every 3 months Blood tests every month EKG every month Imaging studies, including chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radionuclide scanning or ultrasound, every month until the infection has been stable for three determinations. Thereafter, imaging studies will be done every 3 months as long as the infection remains stable or improves. On the last day of the study treatment period, participants will have a detailed neurologic exam and review of medications and medical complaints since their last visit.

To examine, in HIV-infected patients, the safety of allogeneic lymphocyte transfer (i.e., infusion of white blood cells taken from an HIV-negative parent, sibling, or adult offspring who has a compatible blood type). To measure the distribution and survival of allogeneic lymphocytes in the circulation of HIV-infected patients, and to determine whether their infusion results in enhanced immunity. To determine whether enhanced immunity is passively transferred or actively induced. There is evidence that periodic infusion of allogeneic lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of HLA-matched HIV-1 seronegative siblings of patients with AIDS can, in some instances, restore the number of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes. However, more controlled studies are needed to better quantitate the immunologic reconstitution seen with this type of therapy.

PRIMARY: To determine the pharmacokinetics, MTD, and long-term safety and tolerance of oral ganciclovir in HIV-infected infants, children, and adolescents. SECONDARY: To evaluate the effect of oral ganciclovir on the virologic parameters of CMV. Maintenance treatment with intravenous (IV) ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients is now standard therapy, but daily IV therapy can be complicated by catheter infections and thrombosis. An oral regimen of ganciclovir has been administered safely in adult AIDS patients and may be of significant benefit to children and infants as well.

To determine the effects of fluconazole and either rifabutin or clarithromycin, alone and in combination, on the pharmacokinetics of first sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and then dapsone in HIV-infected patients. Although prophylaxis for more than one opportunistic infection is emerging as a common clinical practice in patients with advanced HIV disease, little is known about possible adverse drug interactions. The need exists to define pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic adverse interactions of the many combination prophylactic regimens that may be prescribed.

To compare the effectiveness and toxicity of two combination drug treatment programs for the treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in HIV seropositive patients. [Per 03/06/92 amendment: to evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin when given in conjunction with either ethambutol or clofazimine as maintenance therapy.] Disseminated M. avium infection is the most common systemic bacterial infection complicating AIDS in the United States. The prognosis of patients with disseminated M. avium is extremely poor, particularly when it follows other opportunistic infections or is associated with anemia. Test tube studies and clinical data indicate that the best treatment program may include clofazimine, ethambutol, a rifamycin derivative, and ciprofloxacin. Test tube and animal studies indicate that amikacin is a bactericidal (bacteria destroying) drug that works better when used with ciprofloxacin. Its role in treatment programs is a key issue because of toxicity and because it must be administered parenterally (by injection or intravenously).