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Biomedical subjects

Bruce Polsky

Publications and source records attributed to Bruce Polsky.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Cytomegalovirus-specific immunity and protection against viremia and disease in HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

To define the immune correlates of protection against cytomegalovirus (CMV) end-organ disease, CMV-specific interferon (IFN)- gamma enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and CD8(+) and CD4(+) intracellular IFN- gamma synthesis assays were performed for subjects with CD4(+) cell counts of < or =50 cells/ microL who were enrolled in a prospective observational study of CMV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Of 87 subjects, 46 developed viremia, 14 developed end-organ disease, and 20 died. Positive ELISPOT assay results, but not positive results for CD4(+) or CD8(+) intracellular IFN- gamma synthesis, were associated with delayed development of viremia and CMV end-organ disease or death. CMV viremia did not appear to boost CMV-specific immunity. ELISPOT assays may be used to identify HIV-infected patients who might benefit from anti-CMV prophylactic interventions.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Randomized controlled study of tenofovir and adefovir in chronic hepatitis B virus and HIV infection: ACTG A5127.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in subjects coinfected with HIV. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) are licensed for the treatment of HIV-1 and HBV infection, respectively, but both have in vivo and in vitro activity against HBV. This study evaluated the anti-HBV activity of TDF compared to ADV in HIV/HBV-coinfected subjects. ACTG A5127 was a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of daily 10 mg of ADV versus 300 mg of TDF in subjects with HBV and HIV coinfection on stable ART, with serum HBV DNA >/= 100,000 copies/mL, and plasma HIV-1 RNA </= 10,000 copies/mL. This study closed early based on results of a prespecified interim review, as the primary noninferiority end point had been met without safety issues. Fifty-two subjects were randomized. At baseline, 73% of subjects had a plasma HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL, 86% were HBeAg positive, 94% were 3TC resistant, median serum ALT was 52 IU/L, and 98% had compensated liver disease. The mean time-weighted average change in serum HBV DNA from baseline to week 48 (DAVG(48)) was -4.44 log(10) copies/mL for TDF and -3.21 log(10) copies/mL for ADV. There was no difference in toxicity between the 2 treatment arms, with 11 subjects (5 ADV and 6 TDF) experiencing elevations of serum ALT on treatment. In conclusion, over 48 weeks, treatment with either ADV or TDF resulted in clinically important suppression of serum HBV DNA. Both drugs are safe and efficacious for patients coinfected with HBV and HIV.

Adenine↗

Failure to implement respiratory isolation: why does it happen?

BACKGROUND: Respiratory isolation for 90% of individuals with acid-fast bacillus (AFB)-smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) is a recommended performance indicator in recent Infectious Diseases Society of America and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. However, compliance with respiratory isolation reported from multiple centers in the United States and Europe falls short of that goal. OBJECTIVE: To identify missed clues in TB patients who are not appropriately isolated. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. SETTING: A 900-bed voluntary hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with AFB-smear-positive TB admitted between January 1995 and December 1999 who were not appropriately isolated. RESULTS: There were 173 TB cases admitted, including 106 with pulmonary TB. AFB smears were positive in 82 cases; 24 (29%) of these were not appropriately isolated. During the study period, the number of TB cases declined, but the proportion of appropriately isolated patients did not change. Most isolation failure cases were men (median age, 45.5 years); 21 of these patients were black, 2 were Hispanic white, and 1 was Asian, but none was non-Hispanic white. All isolation failure cases had at least one characteristic predictive of TB that could have been elicited at admission (eg, abnormal chest radiograph findings consistent with TB, fever, weight loss, a history of TB, a positive result on tuberculin skin test, hemoptysis, and human immunodeficiency virus infection). CONCLUSION: Consistent with experiences at other hospitals, we found that the rate of isolation failure remained unchanged despite an overall decline in TB cases. In our experience, almost all isolation failures could be avoided by careful review of the history, physical examination, and chest radiograph for characteristics classically considered predictive of TB.

Adult↗

Guidelines for using body composition measurement in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Wasting remains a significant condition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection despite antiretroviral treatment. Early identification requires the measurement of various body composition parameters, particularly body cell mass (BCM). Anthropometry may provide some useful information. Cost and complexity issues make many body composition techniques unsuitable for the clinical setting. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may be the best method available to caregivers for monitoring serial changes in BCM over time and for determining the occurrence of wasting. It is not useful, however, for detecting body composition changes in patients with fat redistribution syndromes. Portability, low cost, ease of use, and patient acceptance make anthropometry and BIA ideally suited for the clinical setting.

Anthropometry↗