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Biomedical subjects

D Suárez

Publications and source records attributed to D Suárez.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

A pilot study on the efficacy of escalating dosage of alpha-interferon for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients. The Hepatitis/HIV Spanish Study Group.

Chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) seems to present a more accelerated course in HIV-infected patients, leading to cirrhosis and liver failure in a shorter period of time than in HIV-negative individuals. As efforts to increase life expectancy in HIV-infected people progress, substantial morbidity and mortality from HCV infection is likely to arise amongst subjects infected parenterally, such as injecting drug users, haemophiliacs and transfusion recipients. Preliminary results have suggested that alpha-interferon (IFN) treatment allows higher rates of response in HIV-infected patients with higher CD4+ lymphocyte counts, suggesting a primary dependence of IFN on a preserved immune system in order to act appropriately. In an open, multicentre, prospective trial we analysed whether the use of larger doses of IFN, through an escalating schedule, might overcome the limits imposed by immune dysfunction. An interim analysis performed in 29 patients concluded that escalating the dosage did not improve the rate of response to IFN. In fact, only one (8.3%) out of 12 patients without response after 3 months of being on IFN therapy achieved response after the dosage was increased from 5 MU to 8 MU s.c. three times a week. Moreover, he relapsed 3 months after completion of treatment for 1 year.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Multicenter randomized, controlled study of intramuscular administration of interferon-beta for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

The intramuscular administration of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) at a dosage of 6 million units three times per week for 6 months has been evaluated in 90 patients included in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Transaminase levels were significantly reduced in IFN-beta-treated patients (p = 0.015) and were significantly lower with respect to those of the untreated controls (p = 0.040 at 6 months). Four treated (8%) and one untreated (2.5%) patients had normal transaminase values after 6 months. At study end (12 months), three quarters of the IFN-beta-treated patients had sustained transaminase normalization, whereas the untreated case had relapsed. Hepatitis C viremia was cleared in 6 (12%) treated patients but in none of the untreated controls (p = 0.058). Side effects of IFN-beta were infrequent (a mild flu-like syndrome in < 10%, asthenia in 16%, anorexia in 8%, headaches and weight loss in 8%, and hair loss in 4%). Leukocyte and platelet counts decreased during IFN-beta treatment, but no dose modifications were necessary. Such decreases were not statistically significant when compared with the levels in the untreated controls. Intramuscular IFN-beta at the dosage used has little efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Because of IFN-beta tolerance, higher doses and alternate routes of injection might prove beneficial for the treatment of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Tolerance and efficacy of subcutaneous interferon-beta administered for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

We studied tolerance to subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of 6 million units of interferon-beta (IFN-beta), given three times per week for 6 months, and its efficacy in the treatment of 15 patients with chronic hepatitis C. At the end of the treatment, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.024) in all patients, and 4 (27%) had a normal ALT value. However, at the end of the study (12 months), only 1 of these 4 had a sustained response. No patient cleared hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA completely, but the RNA could be detected only by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the sustained responder. Adverse side effects to the s.c. IFN-beta were infrequent. Leukocyte (p = 0.012) and platelet (p = 0.013) counts decreased significantly during treatment but did not necessitate dose modifications. Thus, although s.c. IFN-beta at the dosage used had little efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, the excellent tolerance to the treatment suggests that the effects of higher doses should be explored.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The Spanish Group for the Study of Viral Hepatitis in HIV+ Patients].

BACKGROUND: Alfa-interferon (aIFN) is widely recommended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is very common in injecting drug users (IDUs), which in Spain represent the large number of HIV-infected persons. Interaction between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV in coinfected patients might accelerate the clinical course of HCV-associated liver disease. The efficacy and safety of aIFN therapy in HIV-infected patients with CHC is not well known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, open, non randomized and partially controlled study, we compared the efficacy and safety of aIFN therapy in 119 patients with CHC, of whom 90 were HIV-positive and 29 HIV-negative. Interferon was started at 5 mega U tiw for 3 months, followed in responders by 3 megaU tiw for additional 9 months. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients completed the study. A normalization of the aminotransferase values at the end of treatment (complete response, CR) was observed in 26/80 (32.5%) HIV-positive and 10/27 (37.0%) HIV-negative individuals (p = 0.666). Relapses at 12 months of stopping aIFN were seen in 30.8% of HIV-positive subjects and 12.5% of HIV-negatives (p = 0.403). Side effects were uncommon and did not have severity; only one patient required to stop the medication. However, 3 HIV-positive subjects treated with aIFN (3.5% of them) showed an irreversible fall of CD4+ T-cells below half the baseline values. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected patients with CHC seems to respond to aIFN with a similar rate than HIV-negatives. Moreover, the drug is similarly well tolerated in both groups of patients, although a fall of CD4+ T-cells is an unusual side effect of particular relevance observed in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Interferon alpha for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Hepatitis-HIV Spanish Study Group.

Liver disease secondary to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a rising cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals who have been infected parenterally with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as injection drug users, hemophiliacs, and transfused patients. We analyzed both the efficacy of interferon (IFN) alpha therapy in these patients and the predictors of response to this agent. A total of 119 patients with chronic hepatitis C (90 of whom were infected with HIV and 29 of whom were not) were included in a multicenter, prospective, open, nonrandomized observational study. IFN-alpha was given subcutaneously in a dosage of 5 million units three times a week during a 3-month period; those patients who responded received a dose of 3 million units given subcutaneously three times a week for an additional 9 months. One hundred seven patients completed the study; the level of aminotransferases returned to normal and sera became negative (complete response) for HCV RNA in 26 (32.5%) of 80 HIV-infected patients and 10 (37.0%) of 27 non-HIV-infected patients (P = .666) after completion of the treatment. Two variables were independently associated with a response in HIV-infected patients: a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of > 500 x 10(6)/L and a baseline HCV viremia level of < 10(7) copies/mL. In the 12 months following treatment, relapses occurred in 30.8% of the HIV-infected patients and 12.5% of non-HIV-infected patients (P = .403).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy and safety of alpha-interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients. HIV-Hepatitis Spanish Study Group.

The efficacy and safety of recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was assessed in 57 HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cells above 200/mm3 and compared to the response obtained in 21 HIV-negative patients with CHC. IFN 5 megaU was given three times a week subcutaneously for 3 months. In responding patients, IFN 3 megaU three times a week was additionally administered for 9 months. After 8 months follow-up in HIV-infected patients, 38% (22/57) achieved normal (complete response, CR) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. Partial response (PR) was seen in 21% (12/57), and 40% (23/57) did not respond. Patients with CD4+ cells above 500/mm3 achieved CR in 58% (14/24) of cases compared to 24% (8/33) among those having a lower CD4+ count (P < 0.01). Females attained CR in 60% (9/15) of cases, and men in only 30.9% (13/42) (P < 0.01). No serious side effects or opportunistic infections were observed during the study period. However, three (5.2%) patients showed a dramatic fall in total CD4+ T cell count after beginning IFN therapy. Among 21 HIV-negative patients, after 8 months follow-up, CR was achieved in 10 (47%), PR in four (19%), and seven (33%) did not respond. We concluded that IFN therapy seems to be well tolerated and useful in HIV-infected patients suffering CHC. The rate of CR was not significantly different compared to that observed in HIV-negative patients (38% vs. 47%), relative risk (RR) = 0.67 (0.19-2.37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Initial stress induced in periodontal tissue with diverse degrees of bone loss by an orthodontic force: tridimensional analysis by means of the finite element method.

This study was undertaken to determine the stress that appears in tooth, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, when a labiolingual force of 100 gm is applied in a labiolingual direction in a midpoint of the crown of an inferior digitalized canine, and its changes depending on the degree of loss of the supporting bone. The analysis of tensions was carried out by means of the finite element method (FEM) for a normal case and after reducing the periodontal support bone 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm. Three-dimensional images in false color in which intensity of tensions and its areas of extension are generated. Special attention was paid to changes at level D (apical transversal section) to which maximum, mean, minimum, and Von Mises tensions are calculated. After applying the labiolingual force in the canine, a progressive increase of the stress in the labial and lingual zones of the tooth, periodontal membrane and alveolar bone was observed when the alveolar bone was reducing. In the mesial and distal zones, no compensating forces appear, which could provoke a tooth rotation during the tipping movements.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed1992

[Detection of the HIV p24 antigen on lymphocyte membranes using flow cytometry].

The evaluation of the presence of p24 antigen on the membrane of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 31 HIV infected individuals is presented. The study was performed by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and the data were analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Values obtained [D/s(n)] result from the comparison of the fluorescence histograms of each sample with a control one. Cases showing p24 Ag on peripheral blood mononuclear cells also presented percentages of CD3, HLA-DR positive cells significantly higher than p24 negative ones. In addition, D/s(n) values were superior in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic ones, which indicate the existence of a correlation between flow cytometry results, viral replication and clinical course. Nevertheless in this study, as well and in previous ones, a high degree of cross reactivity between the anti-p24 monoclonal antibody employed and normal lymphocytes has been observed. This reactivity is localized preferentially in the CD4 positive subset.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

[Characteristics of intrafamilial transmission of the hepatitis B virus: a case load contribution and review of the literature].

A total of 143 subjects have been investigated (83 adults and 60 children). All of them are relatives of 50 HBsAg carriers (26 females adults and 24 children). Relatives of these 26 females adults presents a intrafamilial prevalence of infection of 28.8% (40% in males partners). In the 24 paediatric cases, intrafamilial diffusion of HBV is more elevated 67% seropositives (72.4% of adults and 57.5% of children). Greater intrafamilial transmission of HBV are seen in chronic forms of disease. We do insist that is very necessary to investigate the immunity of HBV in relatives of HBsAg (+) subjects. Specific vaccination for those who will be seronegative should be indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Idiopathic hypercalciuria in children: pathophysiologic considerations of renal and absorptive subtypes.

Sixteen children with idiopathic hypercalciuria and seven control children were observed. Patients were classified into two groups by means of an orally administered calcium loading test. Individuals with renal hypercalciuria (five children) had a high fasting urinary calcium/creatinine concentration ratio (0.27 +/- 0.05), a mild increase of this value after calcium administration (0.29 +/- 0.07, P less than 0.05), and elevated mean serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations (0.95 +/- 1.14 ng/ml). Patients with absorptive hypercalciuria (11 children) had fasting urinary calcium/creatinine concentration ratio of 0.11 +/- 0.04, a large increase of this index after calcium loading (0.25 +/- 0.06, P less than 0.0005), and normal levels of serum PTH (0.29 +/- 0.10 ng/ml). Next, we examined the effects of two different calcium intakes on urinary calcium excretion, serum calcium, PTH, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations. In patients with absorptive hypercalciuria, the increased calcium intake resulted in significant increments of calciuria (P less than 0.0005), mild elevation of serum calcium concentration (P less than 0.05), and reduction of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations (P less than 0.005). By contrast, these values were not modified in children with renal hypercalciuria. Serum PTH did not change within each group. After dietary calcium supplementation, serum ratios of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to calcium, phosphate, and PTH concentrations decreased significantly only in the group of children with absorptive hypercalciuria. Our data support the contention that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism is different in the two groups of patients with hypercalciuria.

Absorption↗