Combination therapy from a clinician's perspective
Article Abstract:
Not all scientific discoveries about the progression of HIV infection can be utilized in clinical practice. Some promising drugs are not readily available in all countries, limiting the choice of the prescribing physician. For example, only special programs have access to 3TC, a drug used in combination with AZT. Patient compliance is questionable if dosing schedules vary throughout the day, involving a daily intake of up to 10 pills. AZT should probably be included in any drug protocol in order to avoid the development of AIDS dementia. In view of the controversy over CD4 counts and other physiological measurements as markers of therapeutic progress, measurements of viral load may be preferable. Toxic side effects and the cost increase associated with combination therapy and additional monitoring of viral load are further deterrents currently under debate.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1995
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HIV-related ocular microangiopathic syndrome and cognitive functioning
Article Abstract:
A reduction in cognitive function may occur in patients with severe HIV infection or AIDS who have ocular microangiopathic syndrome, an eye disease often found in AIDS patients. Among 37 individuals infected with HIV who had an ophthalmological and neuropsychological examination, 24 had AIDS. Fifteen patients with AIDS and one patient with severe HIV infection had ocular microangiopathic syndrome. Both eyes were affected by ocular microangiopathic syndrome in six patients, and one eye was affected in 10 patients. Seventeen patients had reduced cognitive function. A significant association was found between the development of ocular microangiopathic syndrome and reduced cognitive function, especially in short-term memory.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0894-9255
Year: 1993
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Absorption and elimination kinetics of zidovudine in the cerebrospinal fluid in HIV-1-infected patients
Article Abstract:
Zidovudine enters the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) soon after intravenous administration, reaches peak concentration in two hours, then falls in a similar pattern to the drug's pharmacokinetics in the bloodstream. In a test with six HIV patients, the half-life of the drug was 76 minutes in blood and 188 minutes in the CSF. At the lowest concentration in CSF that was observed, zidovudine levels remained at twice the 50% inhibitory dose against HIV.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1997
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- Abstracts: Clinical presentation and course of acute hepatitis C infection in HIV-infected patients. CCR5 and CXCR4 expression on memory and naive T cells in HIV-1 infection and response to highly active antiretroviral therapy
- Abstracts: Complement activation and immune complexes in early congenital HIV infection. Diminished expression of cell-surface complement regulatory proteins in HIV-infected children and with HIV infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro
- Abstracts: Early and prolonged decrease of viremia in HIV-1-infected patients treated with didanosine. Studies of zidovudine in combination with didanosine and zalcitabine