Description of an efficacious behavioral peer-driven intervention to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in AIDS clinical trials

AIDS clinical trials (ACTs) are critical to the development of new treatments for HIV infection. However, people of color living with HIV/AIDS are involved in ACTs at disproportionally low rates, with African-Americans experiencing the greatest under-representation. In this article, we describe the core elements and key characteristics of a highly efficacious multi-component peer-driven intervention (PDI) designed to increase rates of screening for and enrollment into ACTs among African-American and Latino/Hispanic individuals, by addressing the main complex, multi-level barriers they experience to ACTs. We discuss the process of developing the intervention, the theoretical models guiding its delivery format and content, and provide an overview of the intervention's components. We then use brief case studies to illustrate a number of key issues that may arise during intervention implementation. Finally, we describe lessons learned and provide recommendations for the PDI's uptake in clinical and clinical trials settings.

Gender differences in attitudes toward AIDS clinical trials among urban HIV-infected individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds

Racial/ethnic minorities and women are under-represented in AIDS clinical trials (ACTs). We examined gender differences in willingness to participate in ACTs among urban HIV-infected individuals (N = 286). Sixty percent of participants were male, and most were from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds (55% African-American, 34% Latino/Hispanic, 11% White/other). Knowledge of ACTs was poor. Males and females did not differ substantially in their distrust of AIDS scientists, or in barriers to ACTs. Almost all (87%) were somewhat or very willing to join ACTs. Females were less willing than males to join, including trials testing new medications or new medication combinations. Males and females differed in correlates of willingness to participate in ACTs. Despite long-standing barriers to medical research among minorities and women, willingness to participate was substantial, particularly for men, although the factors that might motivate them to join differed by gender. Women appeared more averse to trials involving new anti-retroviral regimens than men. Gender-specific outreach, behavioural intervention, and social marketing efforts are needed.

Changes in Weight and Lean Body Mass during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND

Few studies have prospectively evaluated the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on body weight and lean body mass (LBM) or explored the impact of baseline immunologic or virological changes on these parameters.

METHODS

Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) protocol 892 was a prospective, 48-week, multisite observational study of body composition conducted during 1997-2000 among 224 antiretroviral-naive and antiretroviral-experienced subjects coenrolled into various adult ACTG antiretroviral studies. Assessments included human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA load (by polymerase chain reaction); T lymphocyte subset analysis; Karnofsky score; height (baseline only); weight, LBM, and fat (by bioelectrical impedance analysis); and functional performance (by questionnaire).

RESULTS

Overall, only modest median increases in body weight (1.9 kg) and LBM (0.6 kg) occurred after 16 weeks of therapy. Significantly greater median increases in body weight (2.1 vs. 0.5 kg; P=.045) occurred in subjects who achieved virological suppression (HIV-1 RNA load, <500 copies/mL) at week 16 than in subjects who did not. Subjects who were antiretroviral naive at baseline gained more weight (median increase in body weight, 2.6 vs. 0.0 kg; P<.001) and LBM (1.0 vs. 0.1 kg; P=.002) after 16 weeks of treatment than did subjects who were antiretroviral experienced. Subjects with lower baseline CD4 cell counts (<200 cells/mm3) and subjects with higher baseline HIV-1 RNA loads (> or =100,000 copies/mL) were more likely to show increases in LBM of >1.5 kg (P=.013 and P=.005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

HAART had modestly favorable effects on body composition, particularly in patients with greater pretreatment immunocompromise and virological compromise. The difference between antiretroviral-naive and antiretroviral-experienced subjects with regard to the ability to achieve increased body weight and LBM requires more study.

Evaluation of the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on immune recovery in antiretroviral naive patients

OBJECTIVES

To examine the extent of immune reconstitution in treatment-naive patients with CD4 T-cell counts <500 cells/microL following 48 weeks of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

METHODS

Thirteen antiretroviral naive patients were evaluated longitudinally for 48 weeks on HAART utilizing immune functional and lymphocyte phenotyping assays, including lymphocyte proliferation assay, flow cytometric evaluation of cell surface markers, and delayed type hypersensitivity skin tests. Virologic responses were monitored using commercially available viral load assays and gag/pol mRNA quantification using simultaneous immunophenotyping/UltraSensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization (ViroTect In Cell HIV-1 Detection Kit; Invirion, Frankfort, MI). Thymic function was evaluated for a subset of four patients using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) quantification and thymic scans using computerized axial tomography (CT) of the thymus.

RESULTS

HAART initiation resulted in a significant decline in plasma viremia and percentage of infected peripheral blood cells, and a rise in CD4 T cells from a baseline median of 207 cells/microL to a week-48 median of 617 cells/microL. The rise was predominately in CD4 memory cells. Naive T cells also increased in number, but at a slower rate. Activated (HLA-DR CD38) CD4 and CD8 T cells were elevated at baseline (24 and 62%, respectively) and declined by week 48 (17 and 36%, respectively) but did not reach normal levels. The number of Fas CD4 T cells increased from a baseline median of 169 to 381 cells/microL at week 48. Both soluble interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) II receptors declined by week 48. HIV p24 lymphocyte proliferation assay responses were transiently detected in three patients. TREC values increased from a median 6400 copies/microg at baseline to a week-48 median value of 26 697 copies/microg.

CONCLUSION

Immune functional reconstitution was not achieved in these HAART naive patients.

Prototype trial design for rapid dose selection of antiretroviral drugs: an example using emtricitabine (Coviracil)

Antiretroviral monotherapy for initial drug characterization risks the selection of resistant virus, yet monotherapy is the only setting where many fundamental properties of a new drug can be reliably determined. Using data on viral replication kinetics and dynamics, we designed an accelerated (14 day) open-label study of single agent emtricitabine (formerly known as FTC)--a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor--to select a dosing regimen for further therapeutic study. Five regimens (25 mg bd, 100 mg od, 200 mg od, 100 mg bd and 200 mg bd) were evaluated in HIV-1-infected subjects over a 14 day dosing period to determine the optimal dose and pharmacokinetics. Serial blood samples for virological, pharmacokinetic and intracellular FTC-triphosphate measurements were drawn frequently. A dose-response relationship for the antiviral activity of emtricitabine was established, with total daily doses of 200 mg or more producing the greatest median HIV-1 viral load suppression: 1.72-1.92 log10. Based on virological outcomes, dose-response analysis and intracellular triphosphate levels, a once-daily dose of 200 mg was selected for further long-term clinical study. Adverse events possibly related to emtricitabine were unremarkable. The antiviral activity of emtricitabine correlated well with intracellular FTC-triphosphate concentrations. This study design is a safe, useful tool for early dose selection for drugs with potent antiretroviral activity and linear pharmacokinetics.

Effect of ritonavir/saquinavir on stereoselective pharmacokinetics of methadone: results of AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 401

The effect of ritonavir 400 mg/saquinavir 400 mg twice daily on the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of methadone was examined in 12 HIV-infected, methadone-using study subjects.

DESIGN

A 24-hour methadone pharmacokinetic study was performed before antiretroviral therapy was begun and after 15 days of therapy. Methadone concentration was measured by a chiral plasma assay because the drug is administered as a racemic mixture of R- and S-methadone, but only the R-isomer is active. Both changes in plasma protein binding and changes in objective and subjective opioid effect were monitored.

RESULTS

Ritonavir/saquinavir administration was associated with 40% decrease in total S-methadone AUC0-24hr and 32% decrease in R-methadone area under the curve (AUC)0-24hr, and both changes were statistically significant (p =.001 for both). When AUC was corrected for the changes in protein binding induced by ritonavir/saquinavir, R-methadone free AUC0-24hr decreased 19.6% whereas the S-methadone decreased 24.6%, neither of these changes was statistically significant (p =.129 and p =.0537, respectively). This change in methadone exposure was not associated with any evidence of withdrawal from narcotics and no modification of methadone dose was required.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that ritonavir/saquinavir administration is associated with induction of metabolism of methadone but this is greater for the inactive S-methadone. However, approximately 37% of the decrease in the total R-methadone exposure can be explained by protein binding displacement. Ritonavir/saquinavir can be used in HIV-infected people taking methadone without routine dose adjustments.

Predictive markers of HIV-related weight loss and determination of differences between populations with weight loss stratified by opportunistic processes

OBJECTIVE

To describe factors predictive of >10% weight loss among enrolled participants in clinical trials of the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG).

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of data from selected ACTG antiretroviral clinical trials completed prior to 1996 (ACTG 116, 117, 155, 175, and 241), which did not include protease inhibitors.

METHODS

Data were analyzed in Cox proportional hazards models to determine significant predictors for >10% weight loss while on study. Weight loss occurring within 30 days before or after an opportunistic infection (OI) was defined as "OI-associated." Both univariate and multivariate models were considered; gender-specific models were also analyzed to provide insight into potential gender differences in predictors of weight loss.

RESULTS

We found that substantial weight loss is a frequent occurrence among those enrolled in clinical trials of antiretroviral agents; approximately 15% of subjects in the studies considered experienced >10% weight loss. CD4 cell count and HIV-1 RNA at week 8, Karnofsky score, and injection drug use status were significant multivariate predictive markers for weight loss associated with an OI; baseline weight, hemoglobin, triglycerides, and gender were additional predictors for weight loss not associated with an OI.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to characterize the association between baseline viral load and future weight loss. Baseline and week 8 immunologic parameters as well as measures of baseline symptomatology were significant predictors of weight loss associated and not associated with an OI.

Abnormalities of serum amylase and lipase in HIV-positive patients

OBJECTIVE

We sought to study asymptomatic pancreatic enzyme abnormalities in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

METHODS

Serial serum amylase and lipase determinations were performed in ambulatory HIV-seropositive patients in whom pancreatitis was not suspected.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Fifty-two patients (60%) were found to have abnormal amylase or lipase values on at least one determination. Only 12 (14% of all patients) had a more than twofold elevation of pancreatic enzymes. Seven patients had transient elevations of lipase within 3 months after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Independent factors associated with abnormal pancreatic enzymes were: positive serology for chronic hepatitis B or C, history of intravenous cotrimoxazole administration for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, stage B of HIV disease, and HIV risk factors other than male homosexuality (mainly intravenous drug use). None of the patients developed clinical pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic mild to moderate elevations of amylase or lipase are common in HIV-positive patients, and are usually associated with positive serology for chronic hepatitis B or C, and medications, especially antiretrovirals and intravenous cotrimoxazole.

Evaluation of an intensive intermittent-induction regimen and duration of short-course treatment for human immunodeficiency virus-related pulmonary tuberculosis. Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA) and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)

This study examined whether adding levofloxacin to a standard four-drug regimen improved the 8-week culture response and compared effectiveness of 9 versus 6 months of intermittent therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-related pansusceptible pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients were randomized to receive either four or five drugs, the fifth being levofloxacin. Patients who completed induction therapy were randomized to complete 9 versus 6 months of intermittent therapy with isoniazid and rifampin. In the randomized induction phase, 97.3% of patients in the four-drug group and 95.8% in the five-drug group had sputum culture conversion at 8 weeks (P = 1.00). In the continuation phase, one patient (2%) assigned to 9 months and two patients (3.9%) assigned to 6 months of therapy had treatment failure/relapse (P = 1.00). In conclusion, this study showed that levofloxacin added no benefit to a highly effective, largely intermittent, four-drug induction regimen. Both 9 and 6 months of intermittent therapy were associated with low treatment failure/relapse rates.

An approach to the validation of markers for use in AIDS clinical trials

Dr. Mildvan and coauthors have thoroughly reviewed and documented what is known about the validation of surrogate markers for use in clinical trials. They have proposed a classification system based on the usefulness of available immunologic and virological assays as measures of prognosis, drug activity, and therapeutic efficacy. The latter, a type II marker in the proposed classification, should estimate the proportion of treatment effect explained by change in the marker induced by therapy and, if complete, can substitute for clinical endpoints. HIV clinical trialists have had a long-standing interest in using surrogates for clinical endpoints to facilitate conduct of experimental protocols and to decrease the time and effort required to develop new treatment strategies. The approach outlined in this review by experienced clinicians, biostatisticians, and immunologists provides a framework to evaluate currently available and potential surrogate markers.

Comparative in-vitro activities of RP59500 (quinupristin/dalfopristin), CL 329,998, CL 331,002, trovafloxacin, clinafloxacin, teicoplanin and vancomycin against Gram-positive bacteria

The in-vitro activities of five investigational antibiotics, RP59500 (a semisynthetic injectable streptogramin), CL 329,998 and CL 331,002 (two new glycylcyclines), trovafloxacin (a naphthyridone), and clinafloxacin (a dihalogenated quinolone), were examined and compared with those of minocycline, teicoplanin and vancomycin against 190 clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci. The MICs for RP59500 against all isolates with the exception of Enterococcus faecalis were low. RP59500 was bactericidal against all except enterococcal isolates. CL 329,998 and CL 331,002 were significantly more active than minocycline against oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90 0.25 versus 8 mg/L) and all enterococcal isolates (MIC90 0.125 versus 16 mg/L). Clinafloxacin was the most active agent against all staphylococcal isolates and was bactericidal. Trovafloxacin showed good activity against oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci and alpha-haemolytic streptococci (MIC90 < or = 0.125 mg/L). This study demonstrates the potential of the five investigational antibiotics as therapeutic agents for infections caused by Gram-positive cocci.

Concentrations of soluble CD95 and CD8 antigens in the plasma and levels of CD8+CD95+, CD8+CD38+, and CD4+CD95+ T cells are markers for HIV-1 infection and clinical status

Apoptosis mediated via the CD95 (FAS/APO-1) receptor is thought to play a role in the depletion of CD4+ T cells in HIV infection. In the present study expression of the CD95 antigen on lymphocyte subsets and the plasma level of soluble CD95 (sCD95) were determined in HIV-1-infected adults. The expression of CD95 was increased on CD8 cells in all groups of HIV+ individuals, while increased expression of CD95+ cells on CD4 cells was limited to individuals with CD4 counts of < 200 mm3. The proportion of CD4+ that expressed CD95 was inversely correlated with the percentage of CD4+ PBL. The concentration of sCD95 was significantly higher in the plasma of HIV-infected individuals than in normal controls. The level of sCD95 in HIV-infected subjects showed no correlation with the percentage of PBL expressing CD95, indicating that the increased level of sCD95 did not reflect release from CD95+ PBL. The plasma sCD95 concentration was significantly correlated with the percentage of CD8+ cells and, particularly, with CD8+ CD38- cells. A striking inverse correlation was found between the sCD95 plasma concentration and the proportion of CD4+ CD95+ cells out of the total CD4+ population. There was no correlation between the serum level of sCD95 and that of soluble CD8 (sCD8), both of which were increased in the plasma of HIV+ individuals. Unlike the level of sCD95, the level of sCD8 in the plasma of HIV+ individuals. Unlike the level of sCD95, the level of sCD8 in the plasma of HIV+ individuals was correlated with the percentage of CD95+ and CD8+ CD38+ cells. The present study indicates that plasma sCD95 may be one of the factors that regulate apoptotic death of lymphocytes in HIV infection.

Clinical features and outcomes of HIV-related cytomegalovirus pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and outcomes of HIV-infected patients with biopsy-proven cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

A 900-bed acute facility in New York City.

PATIENTS

Eighteen HIV-infected patients with pathologically confirmed CMV inclusions in lung tissue without other pathogens and 36 control patients with biopsy-proven Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) selected for comparisons by computer-generated random sequential numbers.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological findings, and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Eighteen HIV-infected patients were found to have CMV lung infection alone. Pathologic findings were pneumonitis (n = 11); pneumonitis and pulmonary vasculitis (n = 1); and CMV inclusions alone (n = 6). All presented with respiratory symptoms (cough or dyspnea), 89% had fever, 83% had radiological abnormalities, and 56% had severe hypoxemia. The pulmonary presentation was similar except for higher lactate dehydrogenase (median, 449 versus 329 IU/l; P = 0.03) and presence of pleural effusions (33 versus 0%; P = 0.001) in CMV patients. Multivariate analysis showed that CD4 counts < or = 12 x 10(6)/l (odds ratio; 9.2; P = 0.029) and extrapulmonary CMV (odds ratio, 20.4; P = 0.039) were independently associated with CMV pneumonia. Seventeen patients received specific anti-CMV therapy for a mean of 22 +/- 13 days. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with CMV pneumonia (odds ratio, 11.9; P = 0.002). The median time from admission to death was 31 days.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV lung infection was seen in severely immunosuppressed HIV-positive patients and associated with clinical pneumonitis with high early mortality. Although the clinical features resemble PCP, the presence of extrapulmonary CMV disease should suggest the diagnosis of CMV pneumonia.

Prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 DNA sequences in several patient populations

We have undertaken a large-scale study of various tissues from normal controls and patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) or other malignancies, both with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection, to determine the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA. A total of 566 specimens were analyzed by PCR for the presence of HHV-8 DNA. Of the samples tested, 251 were obtained from patients with KS and 315 were obtained from patients without KS. HHV-8 DNA was detected in 103 (41%) of the 251 samples from patients with KS. In particular, 92% of KS tumor specimens were positive. None of the tissues from patients without KS showed evidence of HHV-8 DNA. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses indicate a high degree of conservation (97.5 to 100%) among the HHV-8 strains tested.

Weight loss associated with HIV seroconversion among injection-drug users

To describe symptoms associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion, we studied a cohort of 366 injection-drug users (IDUs) with a study design that included recall every 3 months to collect symptom histories using a structured questionnaire. Eleven HIV seroconversions were observed in 621.5 person years at risk (PYAR), equivalent to 1.8 seroconversions/100 PYAR. Cox regression analysis showed age < or = 35 years to be a significant risk factor for HIV seroconversion after controlling for gender, race, and the frequency of drug injection. An embedded case-control analysis then compared symptom histories of HIV seroconverters with those of age-(+/- 5 years) and visit number-matched controls who remained HIV seronegative for > or = 3 months longer than the HIV-seroconverters. Multivariate case-control analysis adjusted for injection frequency yielded significant associations of HIV seroconversion with histories of weight loss > or = 4.5 kg (seven of 11 cases; odds ratio [OR] = 11.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1, 43.1) and oral ulcers (three of 11 cases; OR = 7.6, 95% CI = 1.2, 48.2) in the 3 months before the subjects' first HIV-seropositive study visit. We conclude that histories of recent symptoms reported by HIV-seroconverting IDUs differ from those reported by non-HIV-seroconverting IDUs, and weight loss may be particularly common among IDUs experiencing primary HIV infection.

Synergy, activity and tolerability of zidovudine and interferon-alpha in patients with symptomatic HIV-1 infection: AIDS Clincal Trial Group 068

Thirty-four subjects with symptomatic HIV-1 infection, p24 antigenaemia, and CD4 cell counts > 200/mm3 were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either zidovudine (ZDV) orally, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) subcutaneously, or both at respective low (200 mg ZDV/ 2 million international units IFN-alpha (MIU)), middle (400 mg/4 MIU) or high (600 mg/6 MIU) daily dose levels for 12 weeks. Thereafter, all patients received combination therapy at the initially assigned dose level to a total of 96 weeks. This design permitted analysis by the combination index (CI) method, which demonstrated antiretroviral synergy between ZDV and IFN-alpha with respect to p24 antigen suppression. Over the first 12 weeks, combination therapy was acceptably tolerated, more so than IFN-alpha monotherapy, and it was significantly more active in suppressing antigenaemia than either of the monotherapies. Similarly, the high-dose combination was the most active dose level over weeks 12 to 96. Combination ZDV/IFN-alpha at the optimal dose level defined by this trial merits further study. In addition, the CI design strategy employed here may be useful for the investigation of new antiretroviral combinations.

Amphotericin B lipid complex compared with amphotericin B in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS

The study objective was to obtain preliminary information regarding the safety and efficacy of amphotericin B (AmB) lipid complex (ABLC) in the treatment of AIDS-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Of 55 patients randomly assigned to 6 weeks of therapy with ABLC (1.2-5.0 mg/[kg.d], with ascending doses for three sequential cohorts) or AmB (0.7-1.2 mg/[kg.d]), 46 received > or = 12 doses. Transfusion requirements, mean decreases in hemoglobin level, and mean increases in creatinine level were significantly greater with AmB than with ABLC. The total number of adverse events, infusion-related events, and occurrences of hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia associated with each form of therapy were similar. Among 21 recipients of ABLC at a dosage of 5 mg/kg (daily for 2 weeks and then thrice weekly for 4 weeks), symptoms and signs resolved for 18 (86%). Of those receiving > or = 12 doses of ABLC, cultures converted to negative for 8 (42%), were undeterminable for 3 (16%), and remained positive for 8 (42%) despite resolution of symptoms. Although preliminary, these data suggest ABLC has significant activity in patients with AIDS-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Because this formulation has less hematologic and renal toxicity than does AmB, further evaluation of ABLC is warranted.

Predictors and outcome of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

We identify early predictors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and describe improved clinical outcomes, including survival, for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) when they are prospectively identified and receive treatment under direct observation. Analysis by means of a Cox proportional hazards model revealed that failure to defervesce while receiving a standard four-drug antituberculous regimen was independently associated with multidrug resistance (P = .004). When patients with HIV-related MDR-TB were prospectively identified and treated with at least two agents that were active in vitro, 100% bacteriologic conversion and improved survival (> or = 4 months for 88% of patients and > or = 1 year for 59% of patients) were observed. For patients with HIV-related tuberculosis, poorer survival was associated with a CD4+ lymphocyte count of < 25 mm3 (P = .03); multidrug resistance was not a predictor of poor outcome (P = .82). These data suggest that patients with prolonged fever who are receiving antituberculous therapy may be an appropriate subgroup to target for broader empirical therapy. The findings also demonstrate that improved outcomes can be achieved with HIV-related MDR-TB when patients are prospectively identified and treated with agents that are active in vitro.

Continuity and change within an HIV epidemic. Injecting drug users in New York City, 1984 through 1992

OBJECTIVES

To examine trends in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) risk behavior and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) in New York City from 1984 through 1992.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Comparisons were made between two surveys of IDUs at the same hospital-based New York City drug abuse detoxification program: 141 IDUs in 1984 and 974 IDUs in 1990 through 1992. National Death Registry, New York City Health Department, and drug treatment program records were also used.

PARTICIPANTS

Persons attending detoxification program randomly selected for participation. Eligibility was based on injection within previous 2 months; 99% acceptance rates were obtained. Participants in the 1984 and 1990 through 1992 surveys were 66% and 79% men, 21% and 19% white, 33% and 34% African American, and 45% and 46% Latin American, respectively.

INTERVENTIONS

Community-based AIDS prevention programs, including underground syringe exchanges.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome risk behaviors; HIV serostatus; CD4+ cell counts; death rates among 1984 subjects; and injection and intranasal routes of drug administration.

RESULTS

The HIV seroprevalence remained stable at slightly more than 50%. Mean CD4+ cell counts declined from 0.716 x 10(9)/L (716/microL) to 0.575 x 10(9)/L (P < .009). Annual death rate among 1984 subjects was 3%, with a significantly higher rate among HIV-seropositive subjects (relative risk, 2.57; 95% exact binomial confidence interval, 1.12 to 6.61). Large-scale declines were observed in AIDS risk behaviors, eg, use of potentially contaminated syringes declined from 51% to 7% of injections (P < .001). Recent additional risk reduction was associated with use of the underground syringe exchanges. Intranasal heroin use was the primary route of drug administration for 46% of heroin admissions to New York City drug treatment programs.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIV seroprevalence has remained stable among this population of New York City IDUs for almost a decade. Continuation of current trends should lead to further reduction in HIV transmission, although reversal of the trend to intranasal use could lead to substantially increased transmission.

CD4 lymphocytopenia among injecting drug users in New York City

Recent cases of "AIDS-like" CD4 lymphocytopenia in the absence of HIV infection have generated considerable scientific and public interest. We studied CD4 cell counts and percentages from 1984 to 1992 among 1,246 HIV-seronegative injecting drug users in New York City, a population at very high risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Severe CD4 lymphocytopenia was rare, and there was no evidence of an increase over time. Of 229 subjects with longitudinal data, only four met the surveillance definition for "idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia" (ICL). CD4 cell counts of < 500 cells/microliters were, however, associated with subsequent HIV seroconversion (12.7/100 person-years at risk, relative risk (RR) = 4.53, 95% exact binomial confidence interval (CI) 1.7-10.7, p = 0.002).

The spectrum of HIV-1-related disease among outpatients in New York City

OBJECTIVES

To define the spectrum of HIV-1-related disease in New York City (NYC) and to determine how the clinical spectrum of illness differs in various populations.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The medical records of the 2983 HIV-infected individuals who had received care through 1989 at four hospital outpatient clinics and two private physicians' offices were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Sixty-one per cent of the study patients and 48% of patients seen in 1989 had AIDS. HIV-infected women were significantly less likely to have AIDS and CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 200 x 10(6)/l than men. For every 100 AIDS patients seen in 1989, there were 88 non-AIDS patients with CD4 counts less than 500 x 10(6)/l, of whom 41 had CD4 counts less than 200 x 10(6)/l; thus, in addition to an estimated 16,425 individuals living with AIDS in NYC, we estimate that there are at least 14,454 HIV-infected individuals without AIDS with CD4 counts less than 500 x 10(6)/l, of whom 6734 have CD4 counts less than 200 x 10(6)/l. Men who have sex with men were significantly more likely to have Kaposi's sarcoma, cytomegalovirus disease and retinitis, cryptosporidiosis and lymphoma, and significantly less likely to have Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, esophageal candidiasis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and bacterial pneumonia than intravenous drug users. Whites were significantly less likely to have pulmonary TB than Hispanics, non-Haitian and Haitian blacks, toxoplasmosis than Hispanics and Haitian blacks, and salmonella septicemia than non-Haitian blacks. The frequencies of most diagnoses did not differ by sex; gynecologic diseases were recorded infrequently in the medical records of women in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that there are more than 30,000 HIV-infected adults living in NYC with significant immunosuppression, that an increasing proportion of AIDS cases in NYC will occur among women, and that the spectrum of HIV-related disease varies markedly in different populations.

Comparative in vitro activities of teicoplanin, daptomycin, ramoplanin, vancomycin, and PD127,391 against blood isolates of gram-positive cocci

The in vitro activities of teicoplanin, daptomycin, ramoplanin, and PD127,391, a new quinolone, were compared with that of vancomycin. Teicoplanin showed the lowest MICs against Enterococcus faecalis. Ramoplanin was slightly more active than the other peptide antibiotics against oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The MICs of the four peptide antibiotics were similar for the oxacillin-susceptible S. aureus. Daptomycin had good activity against staphylococci but was the least active agent against E. faecalis. The MICs of vancomycin against all isolates were in general higher than those of the new antibiotics, with the exceptions of the MICs of daptomycin against E. faecalis and teicoplanin against oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. PD127,391 was the most active agent against all staphylococcal isolates.

Endogenous interferon and triglyceride concentrations to assess response to zidovudine in AIDS and advanced AIDS-related complex

To improve evaluation of new antiretroviral drugs in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), sensitive biological markers that accurately predict response to treatment are needed. Two possible markers are endogenous interferon (E-IFN), which is a cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of AIDS, and serum triglycerides (TG), which are raised in patients with AIDS, possibly reflecting enhanced cytokine activity. E-IFN, TG, body-mass index, CD4 count, and HIV p24 were measured in 19 patients (15 with AIDS, 4 with AIDS-related complex), who were part of the phase II licensing trial of zidovudine (ZDV). 10 received ZDV and 9 received placebo. Rapid, significant, and sustained declines from initial values in E-IFN and TG concentrations were observed in ZDV patients but not in placebo patients. Baseline values of E-IFN and TG concentrations after 4 months on ZDV treatment were both important contributors to long-term survival. The findings suggest that these indicators of abnormal cytokine expression may be useful measures of not only disease severity but also efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in AIDS.

Thoracic surgery in the AIDS patient

AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV. The virus is spread by homosexual or heterosexual transmission and by infected blood or certain body fluids. Respiratory infections are the commonest cause of death, and diagnosis may be difficult. The fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) plays an essential role in diagnosing respiratory infections in AIDS and is important in minimizing the need for open lung biopsies. Various problems require thoracic surgical consultation and treatment. We do not consider it ethical to deny these patients help. There can be no "double standard" in the care of patients in the hospital or in the operating room since any of our patients may have HIV without our knowledge.

Surrogate markers for survival in patients with AIDS and AIDS related complex treated with zidovudine

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether early effects of zidovudine treatment on CD4+ lymphocyte count and concentrations of beta 2 microglobulin, neopterin, or HIV p24 antigen or antibody are correlated with survival in patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of changes in laboratory markers and survival.

SETTING

Multicentre trial at university hospital clinics.

SUBJECTS

90 Patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex.

INTERVENTION

Patients started zidovudine 200 mg orally every four hours. Fifty six of the patients died a median 17 months after starting zidovudine; the remaining 34 patients were followed up for a median 25.5 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in CD4+ lymphocyte count and serum concentrations of p24 antigen and antibody, beta 2 microglobulin, and neopterin; survival of the patient.

RESULTS

The pretreatment characteristics that independently predicted poor survival were determined using a multivariate proportional hazards model: a diagnosis of AIDS (v AIDS related complex), age over 45 years, and the logarithm of serum neopterin concentration. When these baseline characteristics were controlled for the logarithm of CD4+ lymphocyte count at weeks 8-12 of treatment (p = 0.007) and an increase in serum beta 2 microglobulin concentration at weeks 8-12 (p = 0.05) also independently correlated with survival. In the 38 patients with a better pretreatment prognosis, 24 month survival estimated by the product-limit method was 88% for those with a good response on both surrogate markers during early treatment compared with only 50% for those with a poor response on either marker. In the 38 with a worse pretreatment prognosis, 24 month survival was estimated to be 49% for those with a good response on both surrogate markers compared with only 18% for those with a poor response on either.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that CD4+ lymphocyte count at 8-12 weeks and, perhaps, change in serum beta 2 microglobulin concentration could be surrogate end points for clinical outcome in trials of antiretroviral drugs for patients with HIV disease.

Patterns of HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II in intravenous drug abusers from the middle atlantic and central regions of the USA

Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I/II) was determined among 1160 intravenous (iv) drug abusers from five drug treatment or medical centers (Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, Detroit, and New Orleans). HIV-1 infection ranged from 5% in New Orleans to 48% in New York City. Hispanics and blacks had a significantly higher rate of HIV-1 infection than whites (P less than .01), but within each group rates were similar between males and females and by age stratum. HTLV-I/II seroprevalence increased with age from 3% in the 20-29 year age group to 37% in the group greater than 50 years. New Orleans and Manhattan (24%) had the highest rate, and blacks (19%) had a higher rate than either Hispanics (6.3%) or whites (7.3%). No association between HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II infection was observed except in Manhattan. When compared with iv drug abusers infected only with HIV-1, dually infected subjects had more clinical symptoms related to immune deficiency but a lower prevalence of HIV antigenemia. These data document the frequent occurrence of retroviral infections in iv drug abusers. The contrast between the two classes of virus suggests that HIV-1 is more efficiently transmitted, while the age-dependent rise in HTLV-I/II seroprevalence suggests cumulative exposure of a less-transmissible agent.

Prognostic significance of quantitative levels of HIV p24 binding capacity in HIV infection

Human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1), produces a chronic infection with a long latency before clinical disease. We followed 214 untreated subjects for 12-42 months to study the natural history of HIV infection: 110 were classified as asymptomatic, 11 as AIDS-related complex (ARC), 15 as AIDS with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), 31 as AIDS with opportunistic infections (AIDS/OI), and 47 were HIV-seronegative controls. The quantitative capacity of serum to complex HIV p24 antigen, termed the p24 binding capacity (p24 BC), and quantitative levels of HIV p24 antigen in serum were determined at regular intervals. For people in all diagnostic groups, a p24 BC below 31 ng/ml was more closely associated with progression to AIDS/OI than was p24 antigen positivity; 94% of AIDS/OI, 86% of ARC, 56% of AIDS/KS, and 19% of asymptomatic subjects had p24 BC less than 31 ng/ml during the study period, while 67% of AIDS/OI, 27% of ARC, 61% of AIDS/KS, and 20% of asymptomatic subjects were p24 antigenemic. Prospective analysis of 47 asymptomatic seropositive men followed for 3 years, who showed actuarial progression rates to ARC at 4%, 13%, and 23% and to AIDS at 5%, 8%, and 8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, indicated that entry levels of p24 BC below 31 ng/ml were as strongly associated with progression to ARC/AIDS as was p24 antigenemia (p = 0.0003 vs. p = 0.008). The p24 binding capacity assay is a new and convenient methodology to measure immunocomplexing antibody to HIV p24 and is a powerful indicator of progressive HIV disease.

[Aspergillus osteomyelitis of the sternum. Description of a case and review of the literature]

Fungal infections by Aspergillus are rare in hosts with and uncompromised immunological status, but are not uncommon in immunologically compromised patients. Bone involvement is exceedingly rare, except for infections of the sinuses and periorbital area, and is usually due to the direct extension of the infection from a neighboring organ or to hematogenous dissemination in critically ill patients. The authors report a case of sternal osteomyelitis by Aspergillus flavus in a diabetic, immunologically competent patient, and review the literature on that condition.

Prolonged zidovudine therapy in patients with AIDS and advanced AIDS-related complex. AZT Collaborative Working Group

We examined the long-term safety and efficacy of zidovudine therapy in 229 subjects with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex who previously participated in a placebo-controlled study of zidovudine. One hundred two placebo recipients (delayed treatment group) and 127 zidovudine recipients (original treatment group) were followed up while receiving zidovudine therapy for a mean of 21 months. Survival rates for the original treatment group were 84.5% and 57.6% at 12 and 21 months, respectively; for the delayed treatment group, 78.8% and 64.6% at 12 and 21 months, respectively, and 78.8% and 47.5% at 12 and 21 months, respectively, for 77 subjects with AIDS and 93.0% and 71.8%, respectively, for 50 subjects with AIDS-related complex in the original treatment group. Adverse reactions decreased over time and newly observed toxic reactions were unusual. The clinical course of these subjects suggests continued survival benefits with long-term zidovudine therapy.

Prevalence of human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV) type II infection among high-risk individuals: type-specific identification of HTLVs by polymerase chain reaction

The extent of human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type II (HTLV-II) infection and its rate of spread have been difficult to determine owing to the serological cross-reactivity between HTLV-I and HTLV-II. The present study overcame this problem by directly detecting type-specific proviral sequences by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and liquid hybridization. Screening was performed on a cohort of primarily white intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), and individuals of other behaviorally defined risk groups from the New York City area. Eleven percent (19 of 169) of the individuals in these high-risk groups were determined by PCR to have HTLV-II proviral infections. One of these patients displayed an exfoliative erythrodermatitis. Thirteen of the 19 subjects were positive in an HTLV-II enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The remaining six individuals, although negative in the HTLV-II ELISA, were confirmed as HTLV-II positive by analyzing their DNA with a second HTLV-II-specific primer detector system. Four additional individuals were reactive in the HTLV-II ELISA but were PCR-negative for HTLV-II. PCR analysis for HTLV-I revealed that all four were positive for that virus. Thirty-seven percent (seven of 19) of the HTLV-II PCR-positive subjects were also PCR-positive for HTLV-I, and 84% (16 of 19) of the HTLV-II positive individuals were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Six individuals were triply infected with HTLV-I, HTLV-II, and HIV-1.

Primary cerebral lymphoma in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)--CT manifestations

Primary lymphoma of the brain in AIDS is being observed with increased frequency; five pathologically proven cases are presented. Although the CT patterns may correlate well with patterns previously described in lymphoma, occasionally an irregular ring-like lesion may occur which is difficult to distinguish from toxoplasmosis or other inflammatory processes without appropriate pathological material.

HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users in Manhattan, New York City, from 1977 through 1987

Intravenous drug users are the second largest group to develop the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and they are the primary source for heterosexual and perinatal transmission in the United States and Europe. Understanding long-term trends in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug users is critical to controlling the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome surveillance data and seroprevalence studies of drug treatment program entrants are used to trace seroprevalence trends among intravenous drug users in the borough of Manhattan. The virus entered this drug-using group during the mid-1970s and spread rapidly in 1979 through 1983. From 1984 through 1987, the seroprevalence rate stabilized between 55% and 60%--well below hepatitis B seroprevalence rates. This relatively constant rate is attributed to new infections, new seronegative persons beginning drug injection, seropositive persons leaving drug injection, and increasing conscious risk reduction.

A larger spectrum of severe HIV-1--related disease in intravenous drug users in New York City

Increasing mortality in intravenous (IV) drug users not reported to surveillance as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has occurred in New York City coincident with the AIDS epidemic. From 1981 to 1986, narcotics-related deaths increased on average 32% per year from 492 in 1981 to 1996 in 1986. This increase included deaths from AIDS increasing from 0 to 905 and deaths from other causes, many of which were infectious diseases, increasing from 492 to 1091. Investigations of these deaths suggest a causal association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These deaths may represent a spectrum of HIV-related disease that has not been identified through AIDS surveillance and has resulted in a large underestimation of the impact of AIDS on IV drug users and blacks and Hispanics.

Entamoeba histolytica antigen-specific induction of human immunodeficiency virus replication

Replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be initiated in infected lymphocytes by antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. A soluble protein derived from an invasive strain of Entamoeba histolytica (amoebic antigen [AA]) was used to study the lymphoblastic responses of T lymphocytes derived from 8 HIV-seronegative homosexual men (controls) and 15 HIV-seropositive homosexual men (patients). The soluble protein was also used in long-term cultures as a stimulus for HIV replication. No control or patient produced detectable lymphoblastic responses to AA in a 6-day tritiated-thymidine incorporation assay. Of 15 patients, 5 (33%) produced HIV p24 (ranging from 31 pg/ml to 151 ng/ml) in response to AA in 30-day cell cultures. HIV p24 was expressed in three of seven patients in response to AA but not to the T-lymphocyte mitogen phytohemagglutinin. Implications for managing HIV-infected patients are discussed.

Bone invasion in secondary syphilis: case reports

The affinity of treponemes for bone tissue is well known, but the incidence of bone infection in the early stages of syphilis is uncertain. Although case reports of early bone invasion are few, reviews of large numbers of patients with early syphilis indicate that the incidence is probably greater than at present believed. Two case reports are presented.

Suramin therapy in AIDS and related disorders. Report of the US Suramin Working Group

Suramin sodium is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor with in vitro activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ninety-eight patients with AIDS manifest as opportunistic infections (n = 38), AIDS with Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 38), AIDS-related complex (n = 20), or AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (n = 2) were treated with suramin sodium at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/wk for six weeks followed by maintenance therapy with 0.5 or 1.0 g/wk. Of 72 patients who were HIV culture positive before therapy and were assessable for subsequent HIV culture 40% became culture negative during treatment, with no apparent correlation between virus recovery and serum suramin concentration. No immunologic improvement was noted. One complete clinical remission was noted in a patient with Kaposi's sarcoma and stage IV NHL. Seven minor clinical responses were also noted. Toxic reactions were generally reversible, and included fever (78%), rash (48%), malaise (43%), nausea (34%), neurologic symptoms (33%), and vomiting (20%). Suramin-induced neutropenia was noted in 26%, thrombocytopenia in 12%, a serum creatinine level of 180 mumol/L or higher (greater than or equal to 2.1 mg/dL) in 12%, liver dysfunction in 14%, and clinical and/or laboratory evidence of adrenal insufficiency in 23%. Sixteen patients died while receiving suramin or within three weeks of discontinuation of drug therapy due to infection (n = 6), hepatic failure (n = 3), pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 2), AIDS encephalitis (n = 2), AIDS-associated NHL (n = 1), iatrogenic hemo-pneumothorax (n = 1), or pulmonary disease of uncertain etiology. Suramin as currently administered cannot be recommended as effective therapy for AIDS.

Nonrandom development of immunologic abnormalities after infection with human immunodeficiency virus: implications for immunologic classification of the disease

Blood specimens from 165 intravenous drug users who were seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from 158 seropositive homosexual men with lymphadenopathy, and from 77 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were assessed immunologically. Immunologic parameters were analyzed by the Guttman scalogram technique to determine if immunologic abnormalities occurred in a nonrandom pattern. The following four patterns emerged: (i) seropositivity for HIV with no immunologic abnormalities; (ii) seropositivity for HIV with a depressed T4/T8 cell ratio; (iii) seropositivity with a depressed T4/T8 cell ratio and T4-cell depletion; and (iv) seropositivity with a depressed T4/T8 cell ratio, T4-cell depletion, and lymphopenia. Ninety-two to 100% of subjects in each of the three groups of patients were found "to scale" because the abnormalities occurred in the cumulative, ordered fashion described. This nonrandom occurrence of abnormalities indicates an ordered progression of immunologic abnormalities in individuals infected with HIV, a finding useful in the staging of both symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects.

Ganciclovir for the treatment and suppression of serious infections caused by cytomegalovirus

Ganciclovir is a congener of acyclovir with in vitro activity against cytomegalovirus. Ninety-seven patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a serious cytomegalovirus infection received ganciclovir, 3.0 to 15 mg/kg per day. Viremia cleared during drug therapy in 88 percent of patients. Viral shedding from urine and throat ceased or became inapparent during treatment in 78 percent and 68 percent of patients, respectively. Among patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis, 87 percent of evaluable patients had improvement in (30 of 60) or stabilization (22 of 60) of their disease. However, when the drug was discontinued, progression or recurrence of disease always occurred. Long-term suppressive therapy with ganciclovir, 5.0 mg/kg five to seven times weekly, prevented the recurrence of cytomegalovirus disease (p less than 0.001). The drug was eliminated by renal excretion, and in patients without renal impairment (creatinine clearance rates of more than 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2), ganciclovir has a mean half-life of 4.2 hours. Significant neutropenia and leukopenia occurred in 55 percent and 32 percent of patients, respectively.

The efficacy of azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of oral azidothymidine (AZT) in 282 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) manifested by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia alone, or with advanced AIDS-related complex. The subjects were stratified according to numbers of T cells with CD4 surface markers and were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg of AZT or placebo by mouth every four hours for a total of 24 weeks. One hundred forty-five subjects received AZT, and 137 received placebo. When the study was terminated, 27 subjects had completed 24 weeks of the study, 152 had completed 16 weeks, and the remainder had completed at least 8 weeks. Nineteen placebo recipients and 1 AZT recipient died during the study (P less than 0.001). Opportunistic infections developed in 45 subjects receiving placebo, as compared with 24 receiving AZT. The base-line Karnofsky performance score and weight increased significantly among AZT recipients (P less than 0.001). A statistically significant increase in the number of CD4 cells was noted in subjects receiving AZT (P less than 0.001). After 12 weeks, the number of CD4 cells declined to pretreatment values among AZT recipients with AIDS but not amonG AZT recipients with AIDS-related complex. Skin-test anergy was partially reversed in 29 percent of subjects receiving AZT, as compared with 9 percent of those receiving placebo (P less than 0.001). These data demonstrate that AZT administration can decrease mortality and the frequency of opportunistic infections in a selected group of subjects with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, at least over the 8 to 24 weeks of observation in this study.

The toxicity of azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral azidothymidine (AZT) in 282 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex. Although significant clinical benefit was documented (N Engl J Med 1987; 317:185-91), serious adverse reactions, particularly bone marrow suppression, were observed. Nausea, myalgia, insomnia, and severe headaches were reported more frequently by recipients of AZT; macrocytosis developed within weeks in most of the AZT group. Anemia with hemoglobin levels below 7.5 g per deciliter developed in 24 percent of AZT recipients and 4 percent of placebo recipients (P less than 0.001). Twenty-one percent of AZT recipients and 4 percent of placebo recipients required multiple red-cell transfusions (P less than 0.001). Neutropenia (less than 500 cells per cubic millimeter) occurred in 16 percent of AZT recipients, as compared with 2 percent of placebo recipients (P less than 0.001). Subjects who entered the study with low CD4 lymphocyte counts, low serum vitamin B12 levels, anemia, or low neutrophil counts were more likely to have hematologic toxic effects. Concurrent use of acetaminophen was also associated with a higher frequency of hematologic toxicity. Although a subset of patients tolerated AZT for an extended period with few toxic effects, the drug should be administered with caution because of its toxicity and the limited experience with it to date.

Development of AIDS, HIV seroconversion, and potential co-factors for T4 cell loss in a cohort of intravenous drug users

A cohort of 334 intravenous (IV) drug users from New York City drug treatment programs were followed over a mean 9-month period. Among the 165 who were seropositive at enlistment, four developed clinical AIDS, for an annual rate of 3%. Elevated IgA was a significant predictor of developing AIDS. Among 72 subjects who were initially seronegative and who were re-interviewed, four were seropositive at follow-up, for a seroconversion rate of 7% per year among seronegatives. Among seropositive subjects who did not develop AIDS or fatal AIDS related complex (ARC), continued drug injection was associated with rate of T4 cell loss, and there was a non-significant trend for males to lose T4 cells more rapidly than females. While it was not possible to distinguish the mechanism underlying the relationship between continued drug injection and T4 cell loss, seropositive IV drug users should be warned that continued injection may lead to increased HIV-related immunosuppression as well as, if injection equipment is shared, risking viral transmission to others.

Combined short- and long-term therapy for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis using ganciclovir (BW B759U)

A total of 66 eyes in 41 patients were treated for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis with a new acyclic nucleoside, ganciclovir (BW B759U). At the completion of the short-term therapy period of 21 days, 87.7% of eyes had stabilized or improved. Seventy-two percent of eyes stabilized or improved during long-term home maintenance therapy. Leukopenia and increased liver function abnormalities were the most common adverse drug reactions seen in this series. Ganciclovir dramatically improved the quality of life in these patients, but clinical evidence suggests that it is a virostatic medication requiring indefinite long-term maintenance therapy.

Risk factors for infection with human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug abusers in New York City

We report here the results of a survey of 308 intravenous drug abusers recruited from hospital-based methadone maintenance or drug detoxification programmes located in Manhattan, New York City. Complete interviews and serological analyses for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent and Western blot assays were obtained from 290 (94%) of the subjects. HIV antibodies were found by both assays in 147 (50.7%) of the tested subjects; conflicting results were found in three (1%) of the subjects; and negative results on both tests were found in 140 (48.3%) of the subjects. Logistic regression analysis identified significant relative risks for HIV infection associated with the frequency of drug injection and the proportion of injections in 'shooting galleries'. Additional risk among men was associated with a history of homosexual relations. Traditional efforts taken by subjects to clean syringes between uses, such as washing with water or alcohol, showed no evidence of being protective. Programmes aimed at prevention of HIV infection should focus on reducing use of shooting galleries and sharing of needles and syringes as well as reducing intravenous drug abuse generally.

Tuberculosis and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome at a New York City hospital: 1978-1985

Recent reports have described an increase in cases of tuberculosis in several urban centers. To investigate the possible relationship between tuberculosis and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we reviewed case records at a New York City hospital between 1978 and 1985. During this period, tuberculosis occurred in 15.1 percent of AIDS patients with a history of parenteral drug use and 4.4 percent of all other patients with AIDS. The yearly rate of tuberculosis more than doubled during the study period; this increase was entirely attributable to cases among patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex and parenteral drug users, a group at high risk for the development of AIDS. Patients with AIDS and tuberculosis were younger and more frequently men than other patients with tuberculosis, and were more likely to have extrapulmonic disease. In the majority of patients, tuberculosis occurred prior to confirmation of CDC-defined AIDS. Forty-four percent of patients with AIDS-related complex at the time of diagnosis of tuberculosis subsequently developed AIDS. Mycobacterium tuberculosis appears to be yet another opportunistic agent to which patients with AIDS retroviral-induced immunodeficiency are susceptible.