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Biomedical subjects

D Costagliola

Publications and source records attributed to D Costagliola.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Towards a new predictor of AIDS progression through the quantitation of HIV-1 DNA copies by PCR in HIV-infected individuals.

The proviral copy (PVC) number in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals was measured by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine over time the relation between the viral load and the evolution towards the disease in HIV-infected people: 67 anti-HIV-1 positive individuals (60 stage II/III, 7 stage IV) were studied. The mean PVC number per 1.5 x 10(5) PBMCs in stage II/III individuals (14.4 +/- 14.2) and in stage IV individuals (32.2 +/- 22.9) was significantly different (P < 0.02). PVC number was inversely correlated to the CD4 lymphocyte count (P < 0.01). In the logistic regression, the PVC number was a better marker of evolution towards the disease than the CD4 lymphocyte count. The mean proportion of HIV-infected PBMCs in stage IV individuals and in stage II/III individuals was 1/4606 and 1/10714, respectively.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

A new approach to estimating AIDS incubation times: results in homosexual infected men.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a new approach for estimating the incubation period of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), based on age distributions. DESIGN: Incubation period was expressed as the difference between age at time of diagnosis and age at time of contamination. Assuming independence between age at time of infection and incubation period, the age distribution of newly diagnosed AIDS cases is thus the convolution product between the distributions of the age of freshly infected patients and of the incubation times. AIDS incubation time can therefore be estimated from the age distribution of newly HIV infected subjects and newly diagnosed AIDS cases. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 2220 AIDS cases diagnosed until 1987, reported to the Ministry of Health, France, and 172 subjects discovered to be HIV-1 seropositive during a blood donation in Paris between August 1985 and July 1988. In both groups, the only known risk factor was homosexuality. MAIN RESULTS: The estimated median incubation time was 9.9 years (90% CI 9.0-10.9 years). Confidence intervals were narrow, even when taking into account the uncertainty in serodetection delay (90% CI 6.7-13.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: The incubation estimate is as accurate as previous estimates based on other models. This technique could therefore be applied to other risk groups.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Estimate of seroprevalence of HIV infection in Belgium using the back calculation method].

An estimation of HIV seroprevalence in Belgium in June 1990 was made by the "back calculation method". The theoretical calculation of the number of virus carriers gave a range of values from 5,750 to 16,800 carriers. The upper part of this range seems to be more consistent with data from epidemiologic monitoring (range of values from 8,900 to 16,800 carriers). HIV prevalence rate in Belgium in June 1990 would is estimated between 0.9/1000 and 1.7/1000. The detection rate of the infection among HIV positives individuals should be at least 34%.

Belgium↗

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the adult population of Guadeloupe as estimated by history or fasting hyperglycemia.

A study was conducted between January 1984 and March 1985 to determine the prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of Guadeloupe (18 years of age and over). A two-step sampling frame, using a sampling fraction of 0.46%, where the primary units were composed of districts and where sub-units were households, was used. The household refusal rate was 22%. Subjects were classified as 'diabetic' when they were either already known or when their fasting plasma glucose was above 8.0 mmol/l. The total age and sex standardized prevalence of diabetes among the adult population of Guadeloupe can be estimated at 6.6%. The high prevalence rate appears to be related to obesity (strongly in women), a genetic susceptibility (22.5% of age standardized prevalence among subjects of Asian Indian origin for both sexes), and, possibly, in men of African origin only, to a maternal history of diabetes.

Adult↗

Initiation of insulin treatment after 70 years of age: patient status 2 years later.

The present study assessed 106 diabetic patients 2 years after beginning insulin treatment at or after 70 years of age. Ten patients (9%) had had the therapy discontinued after 2-4 months, 26 (25%) had died of causes unrelated to insulin therapy, 12 (11%) were lost to follow-up, and 58 (55%) were still alive and insulin treated. Fifty-one were at home and seven institutionalized for reasons unrelated to insulin therapy. Of these 58 patients, 50 were available for further study. Except for frequency of travel, which had decreased, lifestyle either improved or did not change. Patients' perceptions of the goals of treatment were more appropriate to a younger population of patients, who are less vulnerable to hypoglycaemic reactions. Mean fasting blood glucose was considered by the medical staff to be too low in 42% of cases. Adding insulin to the treatment of the elderly did not negatively affect their lifestyle, and indeed, insulin therapy appeared to create or strengthen the patients' existing social support network. Educational interventions must attempt to extend the effect of the specialized unit outside the hospital, to families, visiting nurses as well as general practitioners.

Age Factors↗

A routine tool for detection and assessment of epidemics of influenza-like syndromes in France.

A regression model for the nonepidemic level of influenza-like syndrome has been estimated from the 55,200 cases collected between October 1984 and August 1988 using the French Communicable Diseases Computer Network. The start of a major epidemic in 1988-89 was detected early. The size of the epidemic, for the entire country, was estimated at approximately 4.3 million cases. The excess cost of sick-leave, among those of working age, was estimated at $86 million.

Disease Outbreaks↗

Transfusion-associated AIDS cases in Europe: estimation of the incubation period distribution and prediction of future cases.

European data on transfusion-associated (TA) AIDS cases reported by December 31, 1989 have been analyzed using both parametric and nonparametric methods. Parametric estimates of the median incubation period of TA AIDS in adults vary from 6.5 to 11 years according to the type of distribution assumed (Weibull or gamma) and the latest year of diagnosis included (1987 or 1988). The latter finding may reflect a lengthening of the incubation period due to increasing treatment of HIV-infected patients prior to the development of AIDS. It is predicted that, by the end of 1991, between 2,000 and 3,000 cases of AIDS will have been diagnosed in Europe among adults infected by transfusion between 1978 and 1985 (when systematic screening of donated blood was introduced in most western countries). It is not possible, however, to predict how many further cases may arise among those transfused more recently in countries in which screening was introduced at a later date.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

What is known about the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis?

The French programme for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis consists of the diagnosis and treatment with spiramycin of acute infections during pregnancy and monthly follow-up of all identified seronegative women. The major flaw is that the efficacy of spiramycin in preventing contamination of the fetus, or at least in reducing the extent of the infection, has never been evaluated in a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial. Its evaluation would require the follow-up of children born to mothers contaminated during pregnancy for more than 6 months, a goal that is difficult to obtain in current practice. The cost of the programme depends largely on the proportion of non-immune women of childbearing age. Since the modes of contamination are known and are linked to living habits, it should be possible to reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy by adequate health education. This approach is still to be evaluated.

Female↗

Incubation time for AIDS from French transfusion-associated cases.

Although incubation time is a key parameter of the epidemiology of AIDS, statistical estimates based on transfusion-associated AIDS cases have, up to now, used only the single dataset provided by the AIDS program of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. Using a new dataset provided by the Direction Générale de la Santé (DGS), of the French Ministry of Health1, we estimate the mean incubation time for AIDS (median in brackets) to be 5.3 years (5.3 years) with a 90% confidence interval ranging from 4.4 to 8.9 years (4.4 to 8.8 years), when a Weibull distribution is postulated for incubation time. The previously encountered problem of very large confidence intervals (range larger than 100 years), is not observed, indicating that an accurate estimate for mean incubation time will be obtainable in the near future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Blood donation and HIV infection: impact of seroconversion delay on the sensitivity of the testing procedure.

This study estimates the impact of the delay of seroconversion on the global sensitivity of the testing procedure among regular blood donors who give 80% of blood donations in France and in the USA. When applied to the 1987 French data, an estimate of 77 to 161 false negative donations, depending on the assumption concerning the mean seroconversion delay, was obtained, as compared to the 388 positive donations detected. The global sensitivity of the testing procedure ranged from 70 to 83%. When applied to the 1986-87 American data, an estimate of 192 to 432 false negative donations was obtained, as compared to the 1728 positive donations detected. The global sensitivity of the testing procedure ranged from 80 to 90%. These results emphasize the need to recruit blood donors in low risk subgroup populations and to develop more sensitive biological tests.

Blood↗

Cell cycle models and mother-daughter correlation.

Among the different experimental features that are usually used to measure the variability of cell cycle duration (Tc), the mother-daughter correlation is a special case since apparently contradictory results have been reported from different experimental systems. Indeed, positive, null and negative experimental values have been found, raising problems in cell cycle modeling in as much as one would like a general, unified view of the control of the cell cycle. Such views are provided by mathematical models. We present a method to derive the value(s) of the correlation between mother and daughter Tcs predicted from any such model, provided Tc can be analytically expressed. An exact calculation is proposed for the case when Tc can be expressed as a linear combination of the parameters involved. Otherwise, using Taylor series expansion, an approximate expression for the correlation can be derived. In both cases, the predicted values can be compared with experimental ones. The proposed method is illustrated using the Growth Controlled model of Koch (1980, Nature 286: 80) and the Continuum model of Cooper (1982, J. theor. Biol. 94: 783). Whereas Koch's model leads to inflexible negative values of the correlation between mother and daughter Tcs, our results demonstrate that differences in the mean duration of the G1 phase may account for differences in the sign of this correlation in Cooper's model. Furthermore, the proposed method can also be applied to other correlations such as the correlation between sibling cell Tcs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Cycle↗

The cost of diabetes in France.

Within an economic framework it is possible to evaluate the direct cost of diabetes. In 1984, for 109 diabetics - 27 insulin-dependent patients (IDD) and 82 non-insulin-dependent patients (NIDD) - of the Paris area, the average cost of diabetes was 7711 francs (Fr) for the IDD and 5892 Fr for the NIDD. This cost is the sum of the medical visits, drugs and hospitalization. The medical expenditures of the NIDD is roughly the same as for the general population (6462 Fr). For the IDD, the main difference concerns the drug expenditures. Moreover, in 1984, there is more home-care than in 1978. Lastly, there is little difference between prescription use in the U.S. and in France. Such results allow us to discuss the reimbursement of the care needed for diabetics.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Epidemiology of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in the Paris area.

A survey was performed using a sample of pregnant women selected at one of the biggest test centres in the Paris area. These women were serologically screened for toxoplasmosis between October 1981 and September 1983 (according to the prevention protocol for congenital toxoplasmosis established by the French health ministry). The prevalence rate of specific antibodies for toxoplasmosis was estimated from the 1074 women who were tested for the first time during the study. The prevalence rate among pregnant women in the Paris area was derived by direct standardization according to age and geographical origin. A standardized prevalence rate of 71% +/- 4% among French women, of 51.4% +/- 5% among immigrant women and a global adjusted prevalence rate of 67.3% +/- 3% for pregnant women in the Paris area was found. An incidence rate of 1.6% was estimated for the 2216 non-immune pregnant women included in the sample. There is no significant difference between the probabilities of seroconversion among French and immigrant women (2.3% +/- 1% and 1.6% +/- 0.8% respectively). Comparison of the data with previous study results show a decrease in the prevalence rate of specific antibodies for toxoplasmosis in the Paris area over the last 20 years that cannot be explained by changes in age and geographical origin. No data were available to support an aetiological hypothesis for a decrease in toxoplasma transmission to humans. Since immigration and a decrease in toxoplasma transmission to humans has led to a larger population of women at risk of infection during pregnancy in France, it is therefore important to perform studies to investigate risk factors and markers of acquired toxoplasmosis during pregnancy in order to improve the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Adolescent↗