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Biomedical subjects

Phillip Hay

Publications and source records attributed to Phillip Hay.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Performance of the automated Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay on a genetically diverse panel of specimens from London: comparison to VERSANT HIV-1 RNA 3.0, AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR v1.5, and LCx HIV RNA Quantitative assays.

Automated RNA extraction and quantitation of HIV-1 by real-time PCR offer potential advantages of efficient sample processing, improved sensitivity, expanded dynamic range and reduced contamination risk. In this study, plasma was collected from 100 HIV-1 infected patients visiting The Courtyard Clinic of St. George's Hospital in London, United Kingdom (UK). Viral loads measured using the automated Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay (m2000sp sample preparation and m2000rt amplification and detection instruments) were compared to results obtained with Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA), AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR v1.5 (Monitor v1.5) and LCx HIV RNA Quantitative (LCx HIV) assays. Based on gag p24, pol integrase, and env gp41 sequences, the panel included 26 subtype A, 20 B, 27 C, 10 D, 1 CRF01_AE, 3 CRF02_AG and 13 recombinant viruses. RealTime HIV-1, bDNA, Monitor v1.5 and LCx HIV quantitated 82, 74, 82, and 83% of samples, respectively, with 82, 71, 69 and 80 of the 100 samples measured within the dynamic ranges. Viral loads were highly correlated with 99% of values within 1 log(10) copies/ml between tests. The automated m2000 system and RealTime HIV-1 assay can increase laboratory throughput, enhance overall efficiency and reduce operator-associated errors while providing reliable quantitation of genetically diverse strains of HIV-1.

Automation↗
PubMed2006

Lessons learned from recruiting young female students to a randomised controlled trial of chlamydia screening.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment is a problem in many trials. Two female medical students offered to help with recruiting problems in a community-based trial of chlamydia screening to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease. We need to recruit 2500 sexually active female students and ask them to provide a self-taken low vaginal swab and complete a questionnaire with follow-up after a year. OBJECTIVES: To identify recruitment difficulties in a community-based trial of chlamydia screening and to investigate how they might be overcome. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: London South Bank and Kingston Universities. METHODS: The students observed the recruitment methods used for the first 4 months of the trial. This comprised single researchers recruiting individual women in student bars and common rooms. With the researchers they piloted a new method of group recruitment with pairs of researchers making announcements at the end of lectures after first sending out all male students and those aged>25 years. This involved extra time planning and liaising with the lecturers in advance of recruitment sessions. RESULTS: The recruitment rate had been averaging only 25 participants per week. Many students were ineligible: never been sexually active, too old, recently been tested for chlamydia. Many eligible students were reluctant to take part because of embarrassment or anxiety about providing a swab. Using a new method of group recruitment after lectures we recruited 192 participants in 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: For a study on a sensitive topic, two researchers recruiting women in groups after lectures may be a more effective and cost-effective way than individual recruitment by researchers working alone.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Enfurvitide prevents vertical transmission of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 in pregnancy but does not cross the placenta.

The use of previously successful antiretroviral regimens in mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention will be increasingly challenged by the rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) HIV. We used enfurvitide together with an optimized antiretroviral backbone to prevent the MTCT prevention of MDR HIV in two pregnant women. The measurement of maternal and foetal peripheral blood levels of enfurvitide showed no evidence of transplacental transfer.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Oral clindamycin and histologic chorioamnionitis in women with abnormal vaginal flora.

OBJECTIVE: Oral clindamycin reduced late miscarriage and preterm birth in asymptomatic women with bacterial vaginosis or intermediate flora. We investigated whether clindamycin reduced the incidence of histologic chorioamnionitis as a mechanism for these beneficial effects. METHODS: This was a subanalysis of 126 participants from a larger randomized controlled trial. We compared the incidence of histologic chorioamnionitis between the clindamycin and placebo groups. Histologic chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, separately in the amnion and chorion, decidua, fetal surface of the placenta, the walls of fetal chorionic vessels, umbilical cord, or in the subchorionic fibrin layer. Microbiologic cultures were done on swabs from the space between the chorion and amnion layers. RESULTS: Histopathologic results were available for 122 placentas, 62 (51%) and 60 (49%) in the clindamycin and placebo groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in inflammation between the groups in the decidua (41% compared with 43%), membranes (25% compared with 41%), fetal vessels (16% compared with 14%), or subchorionic fibrin (32% compared with 34%). Adjusting for gestational age, ethnic origin, or history of miscarriage did not alter the results. There were no significant differences in the outcomes of pregnancy between women with and without inflammation, either before or after adjustment for treatment group. CONCLUSION: Although oral clindamycin reduced late miscarriage and preterm birth in women with abnormal vaginal flora, this effect is unlikely to be mediated through a reduction in the incidence of histologic chorioamnionitis. The relatively small size of the groups, however, does not allow us to rule out a real effect, especially given the lower rate of membrane inflammation observed in the clindamycin group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2006

Interleukin-8 levels in seminal plasma in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and nonspecific urethritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a range of cytokines were detectable in the seminal plasma and urine of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and nonspecific urethritis (NSU), and whether cytokine levels correlated with symptom severity in CP/CPPS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 87 men participated, 33 with CP/CPPS, 31 with NSU, and 23 controls. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured in seminal plasma and first pass urine, and the results were correlated with scores for pain, urinary symptoms and quality-of-life impact using a validated symptom index, the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). RESULTS: Seminal plasma levels of IL-8 were higher in men with CP/CPPS and NSU than in controls (P < 0.001), and the levels correlated with NIH-CPSI symptom scores in men with CP/CPPS. There were no significant differences in urinary IL-8 levels in the three groups, and no significant differences in levels of the other cytokines in either semen or urine. CONCLUSION: Semen IL-8 levels correlate with subjective symptoms in men with CP/CPPS. IL-8 might contribute to the pathophysiology of CP/CPPS and NSU, and elevated levels might be a useful marker of the condition.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Should HIV patients be considered a high risk group for the development of prostate cancer?

INTRODUCTION: Only very few case reports exist regarding the incidence of prostate cancer in younger HIV-infected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two incidences of HIV-infected men diagnosed with prostate cancer, from a cohort of about 200 men treated at St George's Hospital aged 40 years or more are reported. DISCUSSION: On the basis of the evidence presented in both case reports and from the literature, clinicians should be aware that men with HIV infection should be considered a high-risk group for prostate cancer, and consider early PSA screening.

Early Diagnosis↗
PubMed2004

Natural history of bacterial vaginosis and intermediate flora in pregnancy and effect of oral clindamycin.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the natural history of abnormal vaginal flora in pregnancy and estimate the efficacy of oral clindamycin in eradicating it and preventing relapse. METHODS: This was a subanalysis of a randomized trial of oral clindamycin for abnormal vaginal flora in pregnancy. All 494 enrolled women were asked to provide a vaginal smear 2 weeks after treatment and every second participant to provide further smears at 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks of gestation. We used Nugent score of Gram-stained smears to assess the cure rate among the clindamycin group and the rate of spontaneous resolution among the placebo group. RESULTS: Posttreatment smears were available for 462 women (231 in each of the clindamycin and placebo arms). The prevalence of abnormal flora posttreatment was 10% (22 of 231) in the clindamycin group compared with 93% (214 of 231) in the placebo group (P <.001). Two hundred nineteen women obtained 4 weekly smears; slides for 84 women were lost, and results were available for 135 women (69 clindamycin, 66 placebo). In the clindamycin group, the prevalence of abnormal flora was 15% at 20 weeks of gestation and 17% at 36 weeks of gestation compared with 69% at 20 weeks of gestation and 43% at 36 weeks of gestation in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Oral clindamycin eradicated abnormal flora in 90% of treated pregnant women and maintained a normal flora in two thirds of women throughout pregnancy. Almost one third of untreated women in our study had spontaneous resolution of abnormal flora by 20 weeks of gestation. Because previous research has shown that spontaneous resolution does not modify the risk of preterm birth, early screening is essential.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in early pregnancy and relationship between its presence and pregnancy outcome.

Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease but little is known about its role in pregnancy. We investigated the prevalence of M. genitalium by polymerase chain reaction assay on urine specimens from 1216 pregnant women (mean age 31years) presenting before 10 weeks of gestation in 32 general practices. The prevalence of M. genitalium was 0.7% (6/915, 95% CI 0.1-1.2). It was more common in women aged < 20 years, women of Afro-Caribbean or black African ethnic origin, women in social classes 3-5 and single women. Only one woman with M. genitalium infection miscarried, and none of those followed up to term had a preterm birth, although the numbers were small. The low prevalence of M. genitalium infection suggests it is unlikely to be an important risk factor in adverse pregnancy outcome in healthy women in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Drug resistance is uncommon in pregnant women with low viral loads taking zidovudine monotherapy to prevent perinatal HIV transmission.

Zidovudine monotherapy is used to reduce perinatal HIV transmission in women with low viral loads. There are few data on the risk of drug resistance in this select cohort of women. We determined the prevalence of newly acquired mutations conferring reduced sensitivity to zidovudine after exposure during pregnancy, and found that the development of mutations was uncommon and was restricted to women treated before 1998 who had higher baseline viral loads than those currently recommended monotherapy.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2003

Effect of early oral clindamycin on late miscarriage and preterm delivery in asymptomatic women with abnormal vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis are associated with amplified risks of late miscarriage and spontaneous preterm delivery. We aimed to establish whether antibiotic treatment early in the second trimester might reduce these risks in a general obstetric population. METHODS: We screened 6120 pregnant women attending hospital for their first antenatal visit--who were at 12-22 weeks' gestation (mean 15.6 weeks)--for bacterial vaginosis or abnormal vaginal flora. We used gram-stained slides of vaginal smears to diagnose abnormal vaginal flora or bacterial vaginosis, in accordance with Nugent's criteria. We randomly allocated 494 women with one of these signs to receive either clindamycin 300 mg or placebo orally twice daily for 5 days. Primary endpoints were spontaneous preterm delivery (birth > or =24 but <37 weeks) and late miscarriage (pregnancy loss > or =13 but <24 weeks). Analysis was intention to treat. FINDINGS: Nine women were lost to follow-up or had elective termination. Thus, we analysed 485 women with complete outcome data. Women receiving clindamycin had significantly fewer miscarriages or preterm deliveries (13/244) than did those in the placebo group (38/241; percentage difference 10.4%, 95% CI 5.0-15.8, p=0.0003). Clindamycin also reduced adverse outcomes across the range of abnormal Nugent scores, with maximum effect in women with the highest Nugent score of 10. INTERPRETATION: Treatment of asymptomatic abnormal vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis with oral clindamycin early in the second trimester significantly reduces the rate of late miscarriage and spontaneous preterm birth in a general obstetric population.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

Association between bacterial vaginosis or chlamydial infection and miscarriage before 16 weeks' gestation: prospective community based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether bacterial vaginosis or chlamydial infection before 10 weeks' gestation is associated with miscarriage before 16 weeks. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: 32 general practices and five family planning clinics in south London. PARTICIPANTS: 1216 pregnant women, mean age 31, presenting before 10 weeks' gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of miscarriage before 16 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: 121 of 1214 women (10.0%, 95% confidence interval 8.3% to 11.7%) miscarried before 16 weeks. 174 of 1201 women (14.5%, 12.5% to 16.5%) had bacterial vaginosis. Compared with women who were negative for bacterial vaginosis those who were positive had a relative risk of miscarriage before 16 weeks' gestation of 1.2 (0.7 to 1.9). Bacterial vaginosis was, however, associated with miscarriage in the second trimester at 13-15 weeks (3.5, 1.2 to 10.3). Only 29 women (2.4%, 1.5% to 3.3%) had chlamydial infection, of whom one miscarried (0.32, 0.04 to 2.30). CONCLUSION: Bacterial vaginosis is not strongly predictive of early miscarriage but may be a predictor after 13 weeks' gestation. The prevalence of Chlamydia was too low to assess the risk, but it is unlikely to be a major risk factor in pregnant women.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

Genital herpes.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Contact Tracing↗
PubMed2002

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in early pregnancy using self-administered vaginal swabs and first pass urines: a cross-sectional community-based survey.

A cross-sectional survey of 1216 newly pregnant women (mean age = 31 years) from 32 general practices and five family planning clinics was conducted to find the prevalence of chlamydial infection and to evaluate self-administered vaginal swabs and first-pass urines for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by ligase chain reaction assay. Overall prevalence of infection was 2.4% (95% CI = 1.5 to 3.3) but in women aged less than 25 years it was 8.6% (95% CI = 4.1 to 12.9) and in pregnant teenagers it was 14.3% (95% CI = 3.7 to 24.9). In 1161 women with both swab and urine results, 25 women were positive on both specimens three on swab alone, and one on urine alone. When asked which they preferred to provide, 47% said urine, 59 swab and 48% preferred both equally. This is the first study to show that non-invasive screening in early pregnancy is feasible in the community. Although swabs detected 10% more infections, nearly half the women preferred providing urine specimens.

Adolescent↗