Active clinical trials for "Communicable Diseases"

The working hypothesis is that the low HDL serum level predict favorable response to anti viral treatment in chronic HCV (genotype 1) viral infection. This might be used to improve the rate of sustained virologic response.

This study focuses on a new drug delivery system (Direct Antibiotic Delivery) to treat soft tissue infections. In this study, cefazolin is delivered directly to the target tissues using subcutaneous injection of antibiotic solution and then dispersed using high-frequency external ultrasound. Using this system, a much higher concentration of antibiotic can be achieved than through traditional treatment methods. Unlike traditional delivery methods, Direct Antibiotic Delivery does not rely on blood supply and is beneficial for subjects with Diabetes or subjects who have received radiation therapy and blood supply is limited.

Background: - Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection is a respiratory infection that is sometimes difficult to diagnose. Proper diagnosis depends on accurate collection of respiratory secretions, but these secretions may be contaminated by bacteria present in the mouth at the time of collection. In addition, some individuals may have difficulty providing respiratory secretions, because the infection affects lung function and sputum production. By collecting new samples from individuals who have already been diagnosed with this infection, and comparing the methods of collection, researchers hope to better understand and improve the ability to accurately diagnose and treat the infection at an early stage. Objectives: - To compare throat cultures and coughed-up and induced phlegm or sputum in individuals with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection and inflammation. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 79 years of age who have been diagnosed with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection and are currently participating in selected NIH protocols on this infection. Design: The study will require a single 90-minute visit to provide research specimens. Participants must not eat or drink for 2 hours prior to the collection of the early morning respiratory specimens. Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation level readings will be taken on the day of collection to ensure that participants may safely provide the specimens. Participants will provide the following samples: Blood sample: Participants will provide a blood sample to measure indicators of inflammation in the blood. Throat swab: Participants will brush their teeth thoroughly before allowing researchers to swab the inside of their throat with a sterile swab. Sputum collection (regular and induced): Participants will brush their teeth thoroughly and then provide both a regular sputum sample (produced normally) and an induced sputum sample (produced after using a nebulizer to stimulate sputum production). No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.

This study is a multicenter, open label, observational, postmarketing surveillance study of the ON-Q® Silver SoakerTM in the United States and Canada. This study was developed to investigate specific aspects of infection rates and hospital length of stay following routine use of this device in patients undergoing colorectal surgical procedures.

The population of HIV infected women seen at Boston Medical Center may have a higher frequency of anal cytologic and histologic abnormalities than what is reported for the non-HIV infected population.

This study of neurotropic viral infection and Tuberculous CNS infection is the comprehensive investigation of CSF PCR arrays (Hybrydiaztion technique,Sybergreen and Taqman real time PCR arrays of CSF ) in suspected cases of viral CNS infection, Tuberculous CNS infection in both AIDS and non AIDS patients. Patients with clinical viral encephalitis and all meningoencephalitis including all patients with HIV/AIDS CSF and non AIDS will be banked and test for RNA and DNA viral sequence by Real time PCR arrays and IS6110 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Clinical data and final diagnosis will be used to analyze the result of this PCR arrays technique compared to clinical gold standard criteria.

The objective of this study is to estimate the costs of empiric antibiotic therapy and hospitalization costs for patients with a complicated intra-abdominal infection, and to assess the impact of treatment failure of initial antibiotic empiric therapy on pharmacological and total healthcare costs for these patients in Greece.

This study is for those who had nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection with higher a serum inflammatory marker than those who had colonization.

The purpose of this registry is to better understand (1) complicated skin and soft-tissue infections requiring hospitalization, and (2) clinical and economic outcomes in hospitalized patients receiving intravenous antibiotic therapy.

The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension in individuals with HIV infection and to investigate its pathogenesis. We propose to conduct a prospective observational cohort study to determine the association between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and viral suppression in HIV-infected patients who have been identified to have pre-clinical pulmonary hypertension (Aim 1). In addition, we will investigate the mechanistic role of the HIV-1 Nef protein and HHV-8 infection in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension in individuals with HIV (Aim 2). We will also investigate endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with pulmonary hypertension (Aim 3).