Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Dussaix

Publications and source records attributed to E Dussaix.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Prevalence and incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in patients infected with HIV-1. SEROCO group].

OBJECTIVES: To study prevalence of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as well as incidence of the CMV seroconversions in HIV-infected subjects enrolled in the French multicentric cohort SEROCO. METHOD: Prevalence of CMV infection at inclusion in the cohort was estimated from 1504 HIV-infected subjects. Incidence of the CMV seroconversion was estimated from 184 subjects CMV seronegative at inclusion. Cox model was used to identify independent factors related to CMV seroconversion. RESULTS: CMV prevalence was high (87.2%) mainly in homosexual men. The incidence of the CMV seroconversions was also high (9, 18/100 person-years), particularly in homosexual men, in subjects declaring sexual intercourse with occasional partner, and in those declaring a sexually transmitted disease during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk to develop serious disease related to CMV in subjects with AIDS being particularly high when the CMV primary infection occurs during the course of the HIV infection, the prevention of CMV primary infections is thus a major element in the counselling of HIV-infected subjects.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Arthralgias and cryoglobulinemia during protease inhibitor therapy in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus.

We present the case of a woman who had a chronic infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). She developed severe polyarthralgias associated with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia during therapy with an HIV-1 protease inhibitor. This therapy resulted in a dramatic increase in her CD4+ T cell count, from 70/mm3 to 567/mm3, which was composed of a high proportion (88%) of naive CD45RA+ CD62L+ cells, together with a recovery of her CD4+ T cell reactivity to antigenic stimulation. This may suggest that rapid recovery of immune competence in the CD4+ T helper subset might participate in the development of immunopathologic events such as this patient's cryoglobulinemia.

Arthralgia↗

Better efficacy of a 12-month interferon alfa-2b retreatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C relapsing after a 6-month treatment: a multicenter, controlled, randomized trial. Le Groupe D'étude et De Traitement du Virus De L'hépatite C (Get.Vhc).

We studied the efficacy of three interferon alfa-2b (IFN-2b) regimens for the retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with prior complete response followed by relapse. Consecutive patients with CHC who had a complete biochemical response but relapse after a first course of 6 months of IFN with 3 million units (MU) given subcutaneously three times per week were enrolled in the study. Six to 24 months after the end of the first treatment, the patients were randomly assigned to receive IFN with either the same regimen (group 1), a regimen of 12 months with 3 MU (group 2), or a regimen of 6 months with 10 MU (group 3). Sustained biochemical response was defined as normal serum alanine transaminase (ALT) values during the follow-up and sustained virological response as a clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA from the serum at the end of follow-up (6 months' posttreatment). Histological improvement was defined as a decrease of 1 point in Metavir score between the first liver biopsy and a biopsy performed at 6 months' postretreatment. Two hundred forty-seven patients were randomized: 75 to group 1, 91 to group 2, and 81 to group 3. In an intent-to-treat analysis, 12%, 36.3%, and 18.5% of patients had a sustained biochemical response after retreatment in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P <.001); 13. 8%, 32.4%, and 17.2% of patients had a sustained virological response after retreatment in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P <. 05). A low viral load and patients in group 2 were independently associated with a sustained biochemical response. A low Knodell score index before treatment, patients with a high level of ALT before retreatment, genotype 3, low viral load, and patients in group 2 were independently associated with sustained virological response. Younger age, a high level of ALT, a low level of gamma-glutamyl transferase before retreatment, low viral load, and patients in group 2 were independently associated with sustained biochemical and virological response. Among the 80 patients with repeated liver biopsies, 47.6% had improved histological activity scores; this improvement was associated with a sustained biochemical and virological response. In patients with CHC initially treated with 3 MU of IFN given subcutaneously three times per week over a 6-month period, and who subsequently developed a relapse after a biochemical response, retreatment with a regimen of 3 MU of IFN given three times per week for 12 months produced better biochemical and virological sustained response rates than regimens involving a higher dose or a shorter duration of retreatment. The biochemical and virological sustained response was associated with histological improvement.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of JC virus load in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

JC virus (JCV) load was determined by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 12 patients with AIDS-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and compared with clinical outcome. JCV loads varied widely (3-7 log10 JCV equivalents/mL of CSF) and were apparently not related to absolute CD4 cell counts or CSF and plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 loads. A significant correlation was observed between JCV load and survival time (Spearman's rank correlation, -0.83; P<. 01). Moreover, CSF JCV load decreased and then became undetectable in 1 PML patient receiving cidofovir treatment, and this was associated with clinical improvement. These results show that CSF JCV load may be useful as a prognostic parameter and in monitoring the effectiveness of anti-JCV therapies in PML patients.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Incidence and sexual risk factors of cytomegalovirus seroconversion in HIV-infected subjects. The SEROCO Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Data on incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroconversion in HIV-infected (HIV(+)) subjects was sparse. GOAL: To determine the incidence of CMV seroconversion in sexually active HIV(+) subjects and sexual factors associated with CMV seroconversion. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty four persons not infected by CMV at enrollment in a cohort of HIV(+) persons were studied. A case-control study within the cohort was conducted to determine the effect of sexual behavior in the 6 months prior to CMV seroconversion. Thirty seven cases of CMV seroconversion were compared with 136 controls. RESULTS: The overall incidence of CMV seroconversion was 9.18 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.67-12.28) and was particularly high among homosexual men. After adjustment for age, socio-professional category, sexual orientation, and casual sex, the risk of CMV seroconversion was higher in subjects who never used condoms than in those who used them systematically (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.37;95% CI, 1.05-11.00). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the need to protect their sexual partners from HIV infection, HIV(+) subjects free of CMV infection should use condoms to avoid CMV infection and its complications.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Prevalence of JC virus viraemia in HIV-infected patients with or without neurological disorders: a prospective study.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe demyelinating disease, which is rapidly fatal and is due to JC virus (JCV) infection, which especially occurs in HIV-infected patients. To investigate JCV pathophysiology and to evaluate the predictive value of JCV detection in blood, we looked for JCV DNA in leukocytes and plasma of 96 patients without any neurological symptoms and 109 patients with neurological diseases, among whom 19 were suffering from PML. JCV genome was detected in about 18% of all patients, i.e. 15.6% of patients with central nervous system disorders except PML, 13.5% of patients without neurological symptoms and significantly more often in PML patients (47.6%). Both leukocytes and plasma were tested; in plasma, JCV DNA was found in 36.1% of positive patients and in cells in 80.5%. Surprisingly in seven instances only the plasma contained JCV genome. One-year follow-up of these patients showed that the absence of JCV DNA in blood was associated with a very low probability of developing PML (negative predictive value=0.99).

Blotting, Southern↗

Quantitative ELISA-polymerase chain reaction at saturation using homologous internal DNA standards and chemiluminescence revelation.

In this report, we describe the development and validation of a convenient, versatile and high throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This assay is based on the use of only one concentration of an internal homologous standard (IS) easily obtained by replacing an 18 nt specific sequence using recombinant PCR. Target and IS amplicons are quantitated at the PCR plateau phase using ELISA which includes a hybridization step with either target or IS specific probes and luminometric revelation. Luminometry allows measurement of amplicon levels without the need for serial dilutions. Experimental values were obtained by comparing their target/IS signal ratios to those of an external scale. A linear dynamic range over four orders of magnitude and good reproducibility were obtained. We used this assay to investigate variations of IL-13 mRNA expression in HIV-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, we also report a variant of this method using Taqman assay in the ABI PRISM 7,700 apparatus.

Cells, Cultured↗

Human immunodeficiency virus gp120 inhibits interleukin-12 secretion by human monocytes: an indirect interleukin-10-mediated effect.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a cytokine with in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory effects, is produced mostly by activated monocytes and macrophages. To study the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on IL-12 production, we investigated the expression of IL-12 at mRNA and protein levels by human monocytes preincubated with HIV-gp120. In these conditions, we show that monocytes have a decreased ability to express IL-12 mRNA subunits and to produce IL-12 p40 and bioactive p70 proteins in response to Staphylococcus aureus strain cowan I (SAC). We showed that in human monocyte cultures, HIV-gp120 induces a significant IL-10 synthesis, which in turn inhibits IL-12 subunits mRNA accumulation and protein secretion after SAC-activation. Similar data were obtained with human macrophages. These results suggest that, during HIV infection, gp120 induces in uninfected monocytes and macrophages IL-10/IL-12 disregulation, which can alter immune response.

HIV Envelope Protein gp120↗

Long-term longitudinal study of intrahepatic hepatitis C virus replication after liver transplantation.

Recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation is common and can lead to severe liver diseases. Although immunosuppression and high levels of viremia suggest a direct pathogenicity of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the relations between viral replication and long-term histological course are still unknown. Thirty-three patients with a mean histological follow-up of 3.5 years (3 months - 8.6 years) were analyzed. Nineteen patients were infected by genotype 1b. Liver HCV RNA was determined in parallel with the quantitation of an internal control (28S ribosomal RNA) by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lobular hepatitis (LH) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) occurred in 27 and 19 patients, respectively. Levels of liver HCV RNA determined in 84 biopsies were higher in cases of LH than in the other patterns (82 +/- 123 vs. 19 +/- 38; P < .01) and were unrelated to the genotype. Progression from LH to CAH was associated with a highly significant decrease of liver HCV RNA (P = .006), which was not observed in patients with stable histology. Among patients with CAH, those infected by genotype 1b had more severe liver damage and lower levels of liver HCV RNA than others (P = .04). Multivariate analysis showed that high levels of liver HCV RNA at the time of the first posttransplantation biopsy was an independent predictor of CAH (P = .01). After liver transplantation, the progression to CAH together with a decrease of liver HCV RNA suggests that a host's response is involved in the long-term viral pathogenicity. This response may be stronger and liver disease more severe in patients with high levels of replication at the time of LH and in those infected by genotype 1b.

Adult↗

Value of cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG avidity index for the diagnosis of primary CMV infection in pregnant women.

This study assessed the diagnostic value of the cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific IgG avidity index (AI) for pregnant women without a history of CMV seroconversion. Sera were studied from 40 women with CMV seroconversion (group I), 70 with past CMV infection (group II), 10 (20 sera) with serologic reactivation (group III), and 41 with CMV-specific IgM without proven seroconversion (group IV). Sera from women in group I collected <14 weeks after seroconversion had a low AI (mean, 30% +/- 12%), whereas all sera from women in group II had an AI >60% (mean, 88% +/- 9%). Among the 41 babies born to group IV women, only 4 were infected with CMV (all born to mothers with a low [<30%] AI early in pregnancy). These results suggest that AI determination may help to date a primary CMV infection in pregnant women who lack seroconversion history.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Maternal virus load during pregnancy and mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1: the French perinatal cohort studies. SEROGEST Cohort Group.

Virus load in pregnancy and its relation to mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission were studied prospectively. From 1989 to 1994, 320 HIV-infected women from 18 centers had plasma samples stored. Among women not receiving antiretroviral therapy, the polymerase chain reaction RNA level was 3.6 log at delivery, and 15% of women had levels below the detection limit. There was no variation during pregnancy. Women born in sub-Saharan Africa had lower RNA levels, although their CD4 cell distribution did not differ from that in other women. Among 236 evaluable children, 19% +/- 5% were infected. Transmission occurred in 12% of cases (confidence interval, 5%-22%) with <1000 copies/mL versus 29% +/- 10% of those with >10,000 copies/mL (P < .02). Maternal virus load appears strongly related to HIV transmission to the child.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

Sexual factors associated with cytomegalovirus seropositivity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men. The Seroco Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Many people infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquire severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases. Factors associated with CMV seropositivity are poorly documented in sexually active HIV-infected men. GOAL: To study CMV seroprevalence in HIV-infected men according to sexual behavior before the diagnosis of HIV seropositivity. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. CMV seroprevalence was studied at enrollment in a prospective cohort of homosexual and heterosexual men infected by HIV through sexual contact. RESULTS: In the study population (n = 723), age, sexual preference, previous lifetime history of sexually transmitted diseases, and multiple sexual partners were independently related to CMV seropositivity. Furthermore, routine condom use during the 6 months before diagnosis of HIV seropositivity was significantly related to CMV seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-1.0), occasional condom use being of borderline significance [adjusted OR: 0.5, CI: 0.2-1.3]. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of sexual factors in the acquisition of CMV infection by HIV-infected men and suggests a protective effect of condom use.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

GEMHEP multicenter quality control study of PCR detection of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA in serum.

PCR is, to date, the only available tool for the detection of GB virus C (GBV-C) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNAs. Twenty-two French laboratories participated in a quality control study to assess the sensitivity and specificity of their procedures. The panel included 13 positive controls and 7 negative controls. The laboratories used either in-house PCR techniques adapted from the literature or partly standardized commercial tests. Three laboratories performed faultlessly with the entire panel. Most laboratories had excellent specificity (100% in 20 of 22 laboratories). Sensitivity was acceptable (85 to 100%) in 15 centers and insufficient (38 to 77%) in 7. As with nonstandardized in-house PCR, the commercial assays gave discrepant performances in different laboratories. These results suggest that laboratories willing to use PCR for detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA for research or diagnostic purposes should participate in multicenter quality control trials.

Flaviviridae↗

Serological determination of hepatitis C virus genotype: comparison with a standardized genotyping assay.

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, determination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype could be routinely run in the future to tailor treatment schedules. The suitabilities of two versions of a serological, so-called serotyping assay (Murex HCV Serotyping Assay version 1-3 [SA1-3] and Murex HCV Serotyping Assay version 1-6 [SA1-6]; Murex Diagnostics Ltd.), based on the detection of genotype-specific antibodies directed to epitopes encoded by the NS4 region of the genome, for the routine determination of HCV genotypes were studied. The results were compared with those of a molecular biology-based genotyping method (HCV Line Probe Assay [INNO-LiPA HCV]; Innogenetics S.A.), based on hybridization of PCR products onto genotype-specific probes designed in the 5' noncoding region of the genome, obtained with pretreatment serum samples from 88 patients with chronic hepatitis C eligible for interferon therapy. Definitive genotyping was performed by sequence analysis of three regions of the viral genome in all samples with discrepant typing results found among at least two of the three assays studied. In all instances, sequence analysis confirmed the result of the INNO-LiPA HCV test. The sensitivity of SA1-3 was 75% relative to the results obtained by the genotyping assay. The results were concordant with those of genotyping for 92% of the samples typeable by SA1-3. The sensitivity of SA1-6 was 89% relative to the results obtained by the genotyping assay. The results were concordant with those of genotyping for 94% of the samples typeable by SA1-6. Overall, SA1-6 had increased sensitivity relative to SA1-3 but remained less sensitive than the genotyping assay on the basis of PCR amplification of HCV RNA. Cross-reactivities between different HCV genotypes could be responsible for the mistyping of 8 (SA1-3) and 6% (SA1-6) of the samples. Subtyping of 1a and 1b is still not possible with the existing peptides, but discriminating between subtypes may not be necessary for routine use.

Female↗

Detection and variant identification of HHV-6 by a non-radioactive hybridization microplate assay for amplimers detection.

A non-radioactive hybridization microtiter plate assay was developed and evaluated for detection of the HHV-6 genome and to identify HHV-6 variants A and B. The viral DNA is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using a 5'-end-biotinylated primer. The biotinylated amplimers are captured on avidin-coated microtiter plates, denaturated with sodium hydroxide and hybridized to a 3'-end-digoxigenin-labelled probe. Subsequently, anti-digoxigenin Fab fragments conjugated with alkaline phosphatase are used for the revelation of the hybridized probe. The result is obtained by measuring the intensity of light emitted with a spectrophotometer. This new assay was compared to the standard analysis of amplified products by Southern hybridization consisting of gel electrophoresis of the amplimers, transfer onto a nylon membrane, and hybridization with a 32P-labelled oligomeric probe. Both methods exhibited the same sensitivity and specificity. Thus, a non-radioactive hybridization microtiter plate assay may be a suitable alternative to isotopic techniques.

Biotin↗