Active clinical trials for "Communicable Diseases"

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), the most common cause of genital herpes, increases a woman's risk of HIV acquisition from 3-6 fold, perhaps because HSV2-infected women have increased numbers of HIV "target cells" (CD4 T cells and dendritic cells) in the cervical mucosa. However, recent clinical trials showed no impact of HSV2 suppression on HIV acquisition rates. The reasons for this negative result are unclear. The investigators propose to examine the effect of valacyclovir (a widely used herpes medication) treatment on cervical immunology and HIV target cells in the cervix. The study will take the form of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Primary endpoints will be (1) the number of CD4 T cells on a cervical cytobrush and (2) the number of immature dendritic cells per cervical cytobrush.

Given the potential of skin cleansing with chlorhexidine as a safe, feasible, and cost-effective intervention for reducing neonatal death in developing country settings, this study follows a trial already underway in Nepal to test the impact of a single cleansing of the skin with baby wipes cotaining chlorahexidine.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the gentamicin-collagen sponge is safe and effective for preventing surgical wound infections in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the Health Love Workshop, a group-level HIV behavioral intervention, reduces HIV-related sex risk behaviors and increases HIV protective behaviors of African American women and women of African descent. The intent of this program is to support an evaluation of the efficacy of the intervention and to provide feedback to the implementing organization to increase intervention effectiveness.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency of urinary tract infections with symptoms in spinal cord injured patients requiring intermittent catheterization for emptying the bladder. Patients will use either a coated catheter or an uncoated catheter with gel.

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) are among the most frequent reasons for seeking medical attention in primary care. Although from predominantly viral origin, ARTIs are the most important condition for the prescription of antibiotics (AB), mainly due to the difficulty in primary care to differentiate between viral and bacterial etiology. Unnecessary AB use increases drug expenditures, side effects and AB resistance. A novel approach is to guide AB use by procalcitonin (ProCT), since serum levels are elevated in bacterial infections but remain lower in viral infections and inflammatory diseases. We aim to compare a strategy based on evidence-based guidelines with ProCT guided AB therapy in ARTIs with respect to outcome (days with restriction) and AB use. Patients presenting with ARTIs to primary care physicians and are intended to be treated with AB based on guidelines will be included and randomized 1:1 either to standard management or to the ProCT guided prescription of AB. All participating physicians will receive evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with ARTIs. Patients with ARTI and in need of ABs by physicians' clinical judgment and with informed consent will be randomized to ProCT plus guidelines ("ProCT group") versus only guidelines guided AB treatment ("control group"). In patients randomized to the ProCT group, the use of antibiotics will be more or less discouraged (<0.1 or <0.25 ug/L) or encouraged (>0.5 or >0.25 ug/L), respectively. A re-evaluation in patients with ProCT (<0.1 or <0.25 ug/L) after 6 to 24 hours is mandatory. All patients will be reassessed at day 3 and it is recommended to stop AB in the ProCT group as described above. Structured phone interviews at days 14 and 28 will be done in all patients from both groups.

The majority of HIV infected people worldwide became infected with the virus through heterosexual contact. BufferGel and PRO 2000 Gel are vaginal gels designed to prevent women from becoming infected with HIV during sexual intercourse with an HIV infected partner. This study will test the safety and effectiveness of these gels.

The purpose of this study is determine whether a vaginal mucosal vaccine given to women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections can reduce the number of infections occurring in a six-month study period, as compared to placebo treatment.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the preventive effects of catechin gargling on the influenza infection.

The purpose of the Study is to determine the prophylactic effects of CVT-E002 treatment for upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adult employees working with residents in continuing care facilities. It is hypothesized that the use of CVT-E002 will effectively reduce the incidence, severity and duration of upper respiratory infections among the participants when compared to placebo.