Plasma viral loads during early HIV-1 infection are similar in subtype C- and non-subtype C-infected African seroconverters.

Recent data suggest that infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C results in prolonged high-level viremia (>5 log10 copies/mL) during early infection. We examined the relationship between HIV-1 subtype and plasma viremia among 153 African seroconverters. Mean setpoint viral loads were similar for C and non-C subtypes: 4.36 vs 4.42 log10 copies/mL (P = .61). The proportion of subtype C-infected participants with viral loads >5 log10 copies/mL was not greater than the proportion for those with non-C infection. Our data do not support the hypothesis that higher early viral load accounts for the rapid spread of HIV-1 subtype C in southern Africa

Plasma Cytokine Levels and Risk of HIV Type 1 (HIV-1) Transmission and Acquisition: A Nested Case-Control Study Among HIV-1–Serodiscordant Couples

BackgroundA heightened proinflammatory state has been hypothesized to enhance human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission - both susceptibility of HIV-1-exposed persons and infectiousness of HIV-1-infected persons.MethodsUsing prospective data from heterosexual African couples with HIV-1 serodiscordance, we conducted a nested case-control analysis to assess the relationship between cytokine concentrations and the risk of HIV-1 acquisition. Case couples (n = 120) were initially serodiscordant couples in which HIV-1 was transmitted to the seronegative partner during the study; control couples (n = 321) were serodiscordant couples in which HIV-1 was not transmitted to the seronegative partner. Differences in a panel of 30 cytokines were measured using plasma specimens from both HIV-1-susceptible and HIV-1-infected partners. Plasma was collected before seroconversion for cases.ResultsFor both HIV-1-infected and HIV-1-susceptible partners, cases and controls had significantly different mean responses in cytokine panels (P < .001, by the Hotelling T(2) test), suggesting a broadly different pattern of immune activation for couples in which HIV-1 was transmitted, compared with couples without transmission. Individually, log10 mean concentrations of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and CXCL10 were significantly higher for both HIV-1-susceptible and HIV-1-infected case partners, compared with HIV-1-susceptible and HIV-1-infected control partners (P < .01 for all comparisons). In multivariate analysis, HIV-1 transmission was significantly associated with elevated CXCL10 concentrations in HIV-1-susceptible partners (P = .001) and with elevated IL-10 concentrations in HIV-1-infected partners (P = .02).ConclusionsImmune activation, as measured by levels of cytokine markers, particularly elevated levels of IL-10 and CXCL1, are associated with increased HIV-1 susceptibility and infectiousness

Daily acyclovir to decrease herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) transmission from HSV-2/HIV-1 coinfected persons: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Daily suppressive therapy with valacyclovir reduces risk of sexual transmission of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in HSV-2-serodiscordant heterosexual couples by 48%. Whether suppressive therapy reduces HSV-2 transmission from persons coinfected with HSV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is unknown. METHODS: Within a randomized trial of daily acyclovir 400 mg twice daily in African HIV-1 serodiscordant couples, in which the HIV-1-infected partner was HSV-2 seropositive, we identified partnerships in which HIV-1-susceptible partners were HSV-2 seronegative to estimate the effect of acyclovir on risk of HSV-2 transmission. RESULTS: We randomly assigned 911 HSV-2/HIV-1-serodiscordant couples to daily receipt of acyclovir or placebo. We observed 68 HSV-2 seroconversions, 40 and 28 in acyclovir and placebo groups, respectively (HSV-2 incidence, 5.1 cases per 100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 1.35 [95% confidence interval, .83-2.20]; P = .22). Among HSV-2-susceptible women, vaginal drying practices (adjusted HR, 44.35; P = .004) and unprotected sex (adjusted HR, 9.91; P = .002) were significant risk factors for HSV-2 acquisition; having more children was protective (adjusted HR, 0.47 per additional child; P = .012). Among HSV-2-susceptible men, only age ≤30 years was associated with increased risk of HSV-2 acquisition (P = .016). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of African HSV-2/HIV-1-infected persons with daily suppressive acyclovir did not decrease risk of HSV-2 transmission to susceptible partners. More-effective prevention strategies to reduce HSV-2 transmission from HIV-1-infected persons are needed

Pamphlets - homoeopathic.

-- Work of the National Association of Homoeopathic Members of Examining and Licensing Boards / H.M. Paine -- Pabula Neonatorum, a guide to the feeding of infants / G.B. Peck -- Treatment of scarlatina and measles / G.B. Peck -- Flotsam and jetsam / O.S. Runnels -- Constitution and by-laws, code of ethics, officers and members / Southern Homoeopathic Medical Association -- Science and homoeopathy / F.P. WebsterLetter to the members of the American Institute from A.B. Norton / American Institute of Homeopathy -- Important notice to the members of the American Institute of Homoeopathy in relation to the repertory of the Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy / R. Hughes -- Constitution and by-laws / American Institute of Homeopathy -- Code of medical ethics, constitution, by-laws, and list of members of the American Institute of Homoeopathy / American Institute of Homeopathy -- Homoeopathy in the public service / B.F.Bailey -- Proof of the law of similia from the electro-chemico-physiological standpoint / E.H.S. Bailey -- Two cases of brain tumor : a contribution to cerebral surgery / C. Bartlett -- Concerning Hensel's Tonicum... / Boericke & Tafel -- Homoeopathy : some observations in regard to its progress for forty years / G.W. Bowen -- Tubercular cystitis / B.G. Carleton -- Proving of the Apis Mellifica / Central New-York Homoeopathic Society -- On supra-pubic cystotomy and catheterization as a guide in perineal section for obliterative urethritis / H. Crutcher -- Test at the bed-side / P. Dudley -- Dietetic, climatic and hygienic treatment of tuberculosis / F.A. Faust -- Concordance repertory, of the well proven and most reliable symptoms of the homoeopathic Materia Medica / W.D. Gentry -- Sanitation on the farm / W.B. Hinsdale -- June number of the New England Medical Gazette...contains a paper... / Editor of Homoeopathic Recorder -- Samuel Hahnemann : a lecture / H.P. Holmes -- Urine of uro-genital tuberculosis / G.F. Laidlaw -- Plea for homeopathic solidarity and independent work / S. Leavitt -- Ups and downs of a doctor's life, being the closing lecture of the course delivered in the Hahnemann Medical College for the session of 1863-64 / R. Ludlam -- Study of Materia Medica / C. Mohr -- Twentieth century homoeopathy / J.H. Moore -- Spinal Affections / E.A. Murphy, M.D. -- Yellow fever, its treatment and prevention / E.A. Murphy, M.D.Mode of access: Internet