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Biomedical subjects

C Tuazon

Publications and source records attributed to C Tuazon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Randomized trial of itraconazole oral solution for oropharyngeal candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients.

PURPOSE: Oropharyngeal candidasis (thrush) is the most common opportunistic infection in individuals who are positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those who have progressed to AIDS. Itraconazole has a broad in vitro spectrum of activity, including a wide variety of Candida species. Our study determined the relative efficacy of a new oral solution formulation of itraconazole and fluconazole tablets in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomized, third-party-blind, multicenter trial conducted at 12 centers in the United States. One hundred seventy-nine HIV-positive patients with mycologically documented oropharyngeal candidiasis were treated with itraconazole oral solution 200 mg/ day for 7 or 14 days, or fluconazole tablets 100 mg/day for 14 days. Severity of disease was scored clinically before treatment and at clinical evaluations on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 35, and 42. Semi-quantitative cultures of mouth washings were also obtained on these days. RESULTS: Both 14-day and 7-day regimens of itraconazole oral solution were equivalent to fluconazole for most efficacy parameters. The clinical response rate was 97% after 14 days of itraconazole and 87% after 14 days of fluconazole. Itraconazole oral solution given for 7 days was also equivalent to fluconazole treatment for 14 days. Approximately one half of patients in all three groups relapsed by 1 month after completion of treatment. There were few adverse reactions to either drug. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole oral solution is well tolerated and offers an alternative at least as effective as fluconazole in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Syndromic approach to detection of gonococcal and chlamydial infections among female sex workers in two Philippine cities.

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries, STD control efforts often involve registration and periodic examinations of female sex workers (FSW). Non-availability of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests frequently constrain this approach. METHODS: A model for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae in FSW on the basis of risk assessment and examination was developed from data gathered in Manila and evaluated in a second city (Cebu) in the Republic of the Philippines. RESULTS: Gonococcal or chlamydial cervical infection was found in 23.3% of FSW in Manila and 37.0% in Cebu. Unregistered and younger FSW had greatest risk of chlamydial infection and/or gonorrhoea in both cities. In Manila, where gynaecologists performed the pelvic examinations, signs of cervical mucopus or cervical motion, uterine or cervical motion tenderness in women under < 25 years old or unregistered had positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.60 and sensitivity of 42.1% for cervical infection. In Cebu, where women were not examined by gynaecologists, the same model had high PPV, but a sensitivity of only 12.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Experience and training of clinicians undoubtedly can influence the yield of examination in syndromic management of cervical infection. Nevertheless, inexpensive and diagnostic tests are needed for detection of cervical infection in this population.

Adult↗

Molecular epidemiology, in 1994, of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Manila and Cebu City, Republic of the Philippines.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Failure of gonococcal infections to respond to 500 mg of ciprofloxacin or 400 mg of ofloxacin has been reported from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Recently, high rates of decreased susceptibility to the fluoroquinolones have been detected in penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Republic of the Philippines. GOALS: To assess the diversity of antimicrobial-resistant gonococcal strains isolated from female sex workers in Manila and Cebu City in the Republic of the Philippines in 1994. STUDY DESIGN: Isolates of N. gonorrhoeae isolated from 92 female sex workers in Manila (n = 28) and Cebu City (n = 64), respectively, were characterized by plasmid profile, auxotype/serovar class, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. RESULTS: Plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin or tetracycline was identified in 79.3% (73/92) of the isolates: penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (65/92; 70.7%), tetracycline-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (6/92; 6.5%), and penicillinase-producing/tetracycline-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (1/92; 1.1%). A beta-lactamase plasmid of 3.9 megadaltons was discovered. Of 54.3% (50/92) of strains resistant to nalidixic acid, 84% (42/50) of strains had minimum inhibitory concentrations of > or = 0.125 microgram/ml ciprofloxacin; penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (possessing the 3.05-, 3.2-, 3.9-, and 4.4-megadalton beta-lactamase plasmids, respectively) accounted for 68% (34/50) of these strains. CONCLUSIONS: In the Republic of the Philippines, gonococcal isolates resistant to penicillin or tetracycline accounted for 85.9% (79/92) of the isolates examined and included strains exhibiting resistance to fluoroquinolones. All gonococcal infections should be treated with antimicrobial therapies known to be active against all gonococcal strains to reduce the spread of strains exhibiting decreased susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Fluconazole compared with ketoconazole for the treatment of Candida esophagitis in AIDS. A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and endoscopic response of candida esophagitis to antifungal therapy and to compare the two oral antifungal agents, fluconazole and ketoconazole. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING: Fifteen U.S. centers including university, private practice, and county hospital settings. PATIENTS: A total of 169 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); odynophagia, dysphagia, or retrosternal pain; white esophageal plaques at endoscopy; and pseudohyphae on esophageal brushings or biopsies. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to fluconazole (100 mg/d) or ketoconazole (200 mg/d). Doses were doubled at week 1 or 2 if no symptomatic improvement had occurred during the preceding week. Therapy was continued for 2 weeks after resolution of symptoms or for a maximum of 8 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Patients were clinically evaluated weekly, and laboratory tests were done every 2 weeks. Endoscopy was repeated within 5 days after the end of therapy. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were clinically evaluable (assessed within 7 days after therapy), and 129 patients were endoscopically evaluable (endoscopy repeated after therapy). Endoscopic cure occurred in 91% of patients treated with fluconazole and in 52% of those given ketoconazole for a difference of 39% (95% Cl, 24% to 52%; P less than 0.001). Esophageal symptoms resolved in 85% of fluconazole-treated patients and in 65% of ketoconazole-treated patients for a difference of 20% (Cl, 6% to 34%; P = 0.006). Intention-to-treat analyses also yielded statistically significant differences for the comparisons listed above. Side effects were minimal and comparable in the two groups; only one patient in each group had therapy discontinued for adverse effects that were possibly related to the study medications. CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole is associated with significantly greater rates of endoscopic and clinical cure than ketoconazole in patients with AIDS and candida esophagitis. Both drugs appear to be safe and well tolerated.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Persistence of Pneumocystis carinii in lung tissue of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients treated for pneumocystis pneumonia.

Eleven patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were studied by repeat bronchoscopy during PCP treatment to assess histologic evidence of resolution of the pneumonia. Nine of 10 patients studied after 8 to 21 days of therapy demonstrated evidence of persistent PCP. Four of 6 patients studied after 22 to 35 days of therapy continued to demonstrate Pneumocystis carinii cysts on repeat examination, while only 1 of 4 patients studied after 35 days of therapy showed evidence of PCP pneumonia. The rate of resolution of PCP in patients with AIDS may be different from the rate of resolution of PCP in patients without AIDS. There was no apparent correlation between rate of clinical response and likelihood of histologic resolution on follow-up biopsy. The PCP in patients with AIDS may require more prolonged therapy for complete resolution of this pneumonic process.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗