Flow cytometric analysis of T-lymphocytes subsets in adult Thais.

Flow cytometer (FACScan) was used to determine the range of T lymphocyte subpopulations in normal Thai blood donors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai. Reference population consisted of 150 healthy HIV seronegative blood donors. T lymphocyte subsets were analysed using two-color immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes with a lysed whole blood technique and enumerated. The study showed that the normal values for CD3+ lymphocytes (percent), CD4+ lymphocytes (percent), CD8+ lymphocytes (percent), CD4/CD8 ratio, absolute CD3+ lymphocyte count, absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count and absolute CD8+ lymphocyte count were 64 +/- 8.8, 36.1 +/- 6.4, 25.7 +/- 7.3, 1.5 +/- 0.6, 1,630 +/- 600 cells/microl, 910 +/- 300 cells/microl and 670 +/- 350 cells/microl, respectively. We found that the values of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly lower than those in the Caucasians but those of CD8 was not significantly different. This observations have important clinical implication for the use of T lymphocyte subsets measurement, especially in the management of HIV infection in Thais. These normal ranges can be used as a reference for the decisions in clinical practice.

Prevalence of HBV infection in nurses and manual workers in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

The prevalence of hepatitis B serologic markers was studied in 1,772 nurses, practical nurses, aides and workers. Results showed: 6.6 per cent of carriers, 3.3 per cent of anti-HBs and 38.4 per cent of contact cases. Higher rates of hepatitis B virus carriers and contact cases were in workers (11.1 and 56.0 per cent) and practical nurses (7.0 and 42.6 per cent) respectively. There were significant differences in each marker among nurses, practical nurses, aides and workers. Furthermore, there were variations of various markers in some ranks of age-groups and working-years. The prevalence of HBV carriers increased with age up to 40 years and was remarkably high in nurses. Higher rates of HBV infection were found in personnel working in the emergency room, operating room and outpatient department.

An efficacy study of itraconazole in the treatment of Penicillium marneffei infection.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole in treating P. marneffei infection. METHODS: Ten patients with previously untreated P. marneffei infection were given oral itraconazole at a dose of 200 mg twice a day for 2 months, followed by a dose of 100 mg once a day for 1 month. Efficacy was determined by the clinical and microbiological cure. RESULTS: All but one patient were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Two patients died during therapy. Clinical improvement was evident in 8 patients. In 7 of these, the mean duration for becoming culture negative was 57 days. Five patients presented with relapse of P. marneffei infection within four months after completion of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Itraconazole was shown to be effective in the initial treatment of P. marneffei infection. Relapse after treatment is common and long-term suppressive therapy is recommended.