PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M R Buhl

Publications and source records attributed to M R Buhl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Effects of subcutaneous IL-2 therapy on telomere lengths in PBMC in HIV-infected patients.

In this study we investigated the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on mean terminal restriction fragment (TRF) lengths in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Ten human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals were included and IL-2 was administered subcutaneously with 3 x 106 IU three times a week for 24 weeks. Mean TRF length was decreased on average by 267 bp at week 4 (P = 0.03) and 286 bp at week 8 (P = 0.09). Individual TRF changes at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24 were highly variable. However, in the 12 weeks following therapy, TRF lengths generally increased reaching baseline levels by the end of the study. At baseline, mean TRF lengths were positively correlated to the ratio of naïve and memory phenotype within both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. This study shows that IL-2 treatment induces transient shortened mean TRF lengths in PBMC from HIV-infected individuals, indicating that IL-2 enhances the lymphocyte count by peripheral proliferation or recruitment of memory T cells into the blood.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Effects of subcutaneous interleukin-2 therapy on phenotype and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

In the context of clinical therapy with recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2), we monitored immunological alteration in 10 human immunodeficiency virus type-I (HIV-1)-infected individuals, on stable antiretroviral therapy, who had a CD4+ cell count between 200 and 500 cells/mm3. Subcutaneous IL-2 was prescribed thrice weekly (at a dose of 3 x 10(6) IU) for 24 weeks and the patients were followed-up for 32 weeks. IL-2 treatment induced an increase in the CD4+ percentage (P<0.001) and CD4+ cell count (P<0.009). Furthermore. natural killer (NK) cell activity was increased (P<0.001) at week 8 of treatment, whereas lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity showed a transient, nonsignificant increase at week 8 and was reduced (P<0.001) at 32 weeks. However, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity decreased against HIV antigens, and the proliferative response to Candida, IL-2 and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) declined during the first 8 weeks (P<0.05) and returned to baseline levels after 32 weeks. The HIV RNA level did not change during IL-2 therapy; however, after 8 weeks of follow-up a significant increase (P<0.001) in viral load was observed. In

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Subcutaneous interleukin-2 in combination with anti-retroviral therapy for treatment of HIV-1-infected subjects.

A total of 11 HIV-1 positive patients, with CD4+ cell counts between 200 and 500/microl, who were in stable anti-retroviral therapy, were treated with subcutaneous recombinant human IL-2 thrice weekly administered on an out-patient basis in a dose-escalating manner. Subcutaneous IL-2 was well tolerated and associated with only mild to moderate constitutional symptoms and local inflammation at the injection site. CD4+ cell count increased from 404 +/- 48/microl at baseline to 639 +/- 88/microl at week 6, with proportionate increases in naive cells and memory cells. Increased doses of IL-2 were then needed to sustain the number of CD4+ cells. After discontinuation of IL-2 treatment, CD4+ cell count returned to baseline levels. IL-2 induced a reduction in the percentage of CD8+ CD38+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+ cells, an increase in the fraction of CD8+ CD25+ and CD8+ CD122+, and an elevation in the number of NK-cells. IL-2 did not induce any clinically significant change in plasma HIV-RNA. In conclusion, IL-2 can safely be administered subcutaneously on an out-patient basis to HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ cell counts from 200/microl to 500/microl and with some improvement in immunological abnormalities. Continuous therapy, however, seems to result in the development of tachyphylaxia.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1999

Retrospective evaluation of exposure to P. falciparum using antibodies to circumsporozoite protein and to cultured P. falciparum antigens.

A Danish school class travelled under primitive circumstances in East Africa for 28 d. Four out of 18 persons had febrile illnesses interpreted as malaria during the journey. Retrospective serological testing for antibodies against the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein indicated a transmission rate of more than 80% despite extensive protection against mosquito bites. The study demonstrates the use of serological evaluation of malaria transmission risk as well as retrospective immunodiagnosis of clinical malaria. Three of the travellers with febrile illnesses used self-medication with mefloquine, and in 2 of the cases a diagnosis of malaria was supported by a positive immunofluorescence assay for malaria antibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Kawasaki syndrome in an adult].

Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is an acute, febrile, exanthemous illness characterized by vasculitis of unknown origin mostly seen in children younger than four years of age. We describe a 24-year-old white male who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for KS. In addition to the diagnostic symptoms of KS this patient had symptoms from the liver and lungs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Varicella zoster virus vaccine--a review].

The available published data on the efficacy and safety of a live attenuated varicella vaccine is presented. The data indicate that immunosuppressed leukemic children at high risk for severe varicella can be vaccinated resulting in complete or partial immunity in most children. Vaccination of immunosuppressed children is often associated with fever and rash. There seems to be a decreased risk of herpes zoster in vaccinated leukemic children when compared with a group of naturally infected leukemic children. In order to diminish the risk of varicella zoster virus (VZV) transmission to these high-risk persons family members of these, if susceptible to varicella infection, should be immunized. Although vaccination of healthy children is highly effective and associated with a low frequency of adverse events, vaccination in this group may be questioned due to the benign course of varicella. Due to the more severe VZV-infection seen among non-immune healthy adults, it seems reasonable to offer vaccination to this group. It will, however, require extensive serological testing to identify seronegative individuals. From a theoretical point of view a booster-vaccination to the elderly population, resulting in detectable cell-mediated immunity to VZV, should reduce the risk of herpes zoster. Large placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm if such an immunization can prevent herpes zoster in this age group.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Contributing causes of malaria among Danish travellers].

A retrospective evaluation of contributing causes of malaria among Danish travellers, based on patient files and telephone interviews, is presented. Four centres participated, and 33% of all malaria cases reported to the Danish authorities in 1993 and 1994 were included (in total 82 patients). Ten out of 52 patients with falciparum malaria had not taken any chemoprophylaxis at all. Among the 42 patients who had, only 14 were both correctly advised and fully compliant. Within the remaining 28 patients, lack of compliance concerning the chemoprophylaxis was reported in 16, inadequate chemoprophylaxis was prescribed to 12 patients, and a further eight (19%) were underdosed. Only four out of 30 patients with vivax, ovale or malariae malaria had not used chemoprophylaxis. The distribution of contributing causes of chemoprophylaxis failure was similar to that of falciparum malaria, although noncompliance was more predominant in patients developing vivax, ovale or malariae malaria (58% compared to 38% in falciparum malaria).

Africa↗
PubMed1996

[Survival time after the diagnosis of AIDS in the county of Funen].

Since the diagnosis of AIDS was first made, a lot of efforts have been made to improve survival. Different studies have found varied results, both geographically as well as over periods of time. During the period 1.1.1985 to 31.12.1993 142 patients that were HIV-positive were seen in the geographically well defined area of Funen. During the period 1.1.1985 to 31.12.1990 the median time elapsed between the patient being found to be HIV-positive and the patient presenting with an AIDS-defining disease was found to be 8.8 years. In the period 1.1.1991 to 31.12.1993 it was 2.6 years (95% CL 1,3-?). The AIDS defining diseases were Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 43% of the cases, and oesophageal candidiasis in 24%. The median survival time after being diagnosed with AIDS was 2.0 years (95% CL 1,7-2,4). Heterosexual infection seems more pronounced in our material than for the country as a whole.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1989

[Results of treatment of meningitis during a 10-year period].

A review of 131 cases of purulent meningitis is presented. The patients are mainly non-pediatric and, because of that, meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae predominates. This is the main reason for the high overall mortality of 15.6%. The main etiological cause of lethal meningitis was Streptococcus pneumoniae, and it is discussed whether chloramphenicol, previously shown to exert an antagonistic effect on beta-lactam antibiotics, contributes to the relatively high mortality. It is suggested that chloramphenicol should be withdrawn from meningitis treatment and replaced by cefuroxime.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Urinary hypoxanthine and pseudouridine as indicators of tumor development in mesothelioma-transplanted nude mice.

A human mesothelioma was heterotransplanted to nude mice, and the urinary excretions of hypoxanthine, xanthine, pseudouridine, orotic acid, 7-methylguanine, and 1-methylhypoxanthine have been followed before and after the tumor transplantation. The compounds were measured by means of isotachophoresis, which has been found a rapid and precise method. The tumor reached maximum size within 30 days, and at this time a significantly increased excretion of pseudouridine and hypoxanthine was observed. Tumor growth was stopped by chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, and Adriamycin), and corresponding to this, a decrease occurred in both pseudouridine and hypoxanthine excretion to normal values.

Animals↗