ABSTRACT
Various interventions have been proposed to address these ongoing needs of HIV-positive patients as they encounter challenges with medication adherence and risk reduction. This report presents the findings of a study that pilots 'DAART+', an intervention that integrates modified directly observed therapy (MDOT), and risk reduction counseling for a population of marginally housed, substance-using persons. The pilot study intended to assess the feasibility of the intervention and to obtain data to assess the intervention's potential effectiveness. The preliminary data reveal that 83% of participants who completed the intervention (n=18) had undetectable viral load (VL) (VL< or =400 copies/mL) which represents a 2.15 log(10) decrease from baseline. Risk behaviors also changed modestly with self-reported increases in condom usage.
Subject(s)
Counseling/methods , Directly Observed Therapy/methods , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Risk Reduction Behavior , Adult , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/standards , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Pilot Projects , Sexual Behavior , Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Acute infections of the paranasal sinuses is an infrequent complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Prolonged or repeated episodes of acute sinusitis may lead to irreversible changes in the mucosa, resulting in chronic sinusitis. In hospitalized and immunocompromised patients sinusitis may be caused by unusual and resistant bacteria or fungi. Although sinusitis is often considered as merely an annoyance, complications can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Therapy of acute sinusitis is often empiric and directed against the most common pathogens. Fungal infections of the sinuses often require surgery as well as amphotericin-B therapy. In hospitalized or immunocompromised patients therapy should be directed at suspected nosocomial pathogens or be based on appropriate culture material.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/complications , Sinusitis/drug therapy , Humans , Sinusitis/microbiology , Sinusitis/pathologyABSTRACT
A fluorometric substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-ketoside of N-acetylneuramide, was used directly on clinical specimens and infected tissue culture 24 h after inoculation for the detection of influenza viral neuraminidase. Viral neuraminidase was detected in infected tissue culture but not in clinical specimens. The sensitivity of the assay on tissue culture was 92%, and the specificity was 96%.
Subject(s)
Influenza A virus/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Neuraminidase/analysis , Humans , Influenza A virus/enzymology , Influenza, Human/microbiology , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/methodsABSTRACT
A loading dose and short-term administration of oral ribavirin significantly improved symptoms and signs of influenza type A or B infection in 25 patients. The antiviral effect was not significant. No adverse clinical effects or significant laboratory values were observed. Oral treatment of patients with influenza A or B infection might be possible with ribavirin.
