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Biomedical subjects

G W Rutherford

Publications and source records attributed to G W Rutherford.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Relationship between AIDS latency period and AIDS survival time in homosexual and bisexual men.

We identified 277 homosexual and bisexual men diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) whose estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion dates, ranging from 1977-85, could be well approximated. These men were from a cohort of 6,705 homosexual and bisexual men originally recruited for studies of sexually transmitted hepatitis B in San Francisco in 1978-80. We compared the time from HIV seroconversion to the initial disease diagnostic of AIDS (AIDS latency period) with the time from first AIDS diagnosis to death (AIDS survival time) and found no significant overall correlation between latency period and survival time. Both Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard stepwise analyses found the initial AIDS diagnosis to be significantly associated with latency period, with individuals first diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) having a shorter latency but longer survival than those first diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) or other AIDS diagnoses. Individuals with KS tended to be diagnosed earlier in the epidemic compared to those with PCP and other non-KS diagnoses. The AIDS survival time was significantly associated with the initial AIDS diagnosis but not with the estimated year of seroconversion, the year of first AIDS diagnosis, age at seroconversion, or racial/ethnic group. The information presented here on the relationship between the AIDS latency period and survival times suggests a model for the pathogenesis of HIV infection in which there is continual deterioration of the immune system. The wider use of antiviral and prophylactic therapies both preceding and following a diagnosis of AIDS may change this model as both latency and survival times are improved.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Impact of AIDS on mortality in San Francisco, 1979-1986.

We used death certificate data for San Francisco residents from 1979 to 1986 to calculate the number of deaths and years of potential life lost before age 65 (YPLL) for leading causes of death. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths were defined as including cytomegalovirus infection (ICD-9 078.5); cryptococcal infection (ICD-9 117.5); Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (ICD-9 136.3); other malignant neoplasms of the skin, site unspecified (ICD-9 173.9); deficiency of cell-mediated immunity (ICD-9 279.1); and unspecified immunity deficiency (ICD-9 279.3). These deaths increased from 5 (0.1% of all deaths) in 1979 to 534 (6.6%) in 1986. Of the 1,225 deaths caused by AIDS-related diseases during this period, 1,032 (84%) occurred in men aged 20-49 years. AIDS-related deaths increased between 1979 and 1986 from 0 to 44 (25% of all deaths), 0 to 257 (44%), and 0 to 150 (35%) in men aged 20-29 years, 30-39 years, and 40-49 years, respectively. In 1986, AIDS-related diseases were the third leading cause of deaths and the leading cause of YPLL among male San Francisco residents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Survival following diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma for AIDS patients in San Francisco.

To evaluate survival for AIDS patients diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), we calculated survival for 1,015 patients reported in San Francisco between July 1981 and December 31, 1987, representing 22% of total patients reported. These patients had a definitive initial diagnosis of KS, and developed no other diseases within 3 months of diagnosis. Patients were followed prospectively through December 31, 1988. All patients evaluated in this study were men. Survival was evaluated for subgroups based on age, race and ethnicity, year of diagnosis, and transmission category. The median survival for patients diagnosed with KS alone was 17.0 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 8.7%. Poorer prognosis was found for patients with older age at diagnosis and with later year of diagnosis. Proportional hazards analysis indicated that age (p less than 0.001) and year of diagnosis (p less than 0.05) were significant independent predictors of survival, while race or ethnicity and risk group were not.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Kaposi's sarcoma among homosexual and bisexual men enrolled in the San Francisco City Clinic Cohort Study.

The changing epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and possible explanations for this change were analyzed using data from a well-characterized cohort of homosexual and bisexual men. Among 1,341 men with AIDS, the proportion presenting with KS declined from 79% in 1981 to 25% in 1989. For 250 men whose date of HIV seroconversion could be well characterized, persons presenting with KS had a shorter interval from HIV seroconversion to AIDS diagnosis than other AIDS patients without KS (mean = 77 vs. 86 months). Among 182 men who were interviewed prior to a diagnosis of AIDS, men with and without KS did not significantly differ with respect to number of sex partners, a history of certain sexually transmitted or enteric diseases, use of certain recreational drugs (including nitrite inhalants), or participation in certain specific sexual practices. The decline in KS may at least partly be due to a shorter latency period from infection to disease. Although cofactors for the development of KS may exist, many previously hypothesized agents were not supported by this analysis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

The epidemiology of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma in San Francisco.

To clarify further the epidemiology of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in San Francisco, we reviewed AIDS cases reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health through August 31, 1990. Of the 7,119 patients reported, 2,346 (33%) had been diagnosed as having KS: 1,716 (73%) as their presenting clinical manifestation of AIDS and 648 (27%) as a later manifestation. Of these 2,364 KS patients, 2,075 (88%) were homosexual or bisexual men without histories of intravenous drug use, and 273 (12%) were homosexual or bisexual intravenous drug users. From 1981 to August 1989, the proportion of AIDS patients presenting with KS declined from 55 to 19% (p less than 0.001). However, the number of patients being diagnosed with KS has increased along with the overall number of AIDS patients, but this increase was less than the increase in number of patients with other opportunistic infections and malignancies. KS patients were less likely than patients without KS to be reported through an active surveillance system and less likely to be found through retrospective reviews of medical records, death certificates, and obituaries. We conclude that the proportion of AIDS patients with KS is continuing to decline in San Francisco and that this decline is not an artifact of the AIDS surveillance system.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Neurological and neuropsychological manifestations of HIV-1 infection: association with AIDS-related complex but not asymptomatic HIV-1 infection.

To determine whether neurological and neuropsychological abnormalities are associated with clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in men who do not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we performed a historical prospective and cross-sectional study. One hundred HIV-1 seropositive homosexual or bisexual men, of whom 26 had AIDS-related complex, 31 had generalized lymphadenopathy, and 43 had no signs or symptoms of HIV-1 infection, and 157 HIV-1 seronegative men were enrolled from a cohort of 6,701 men who were originally recruited between 1978 and 1980 for studies of hepatitis B virus infection. Evaluation included medical history, physical examination, and neuropsychological tests. Of 26 HIV-1 seropositive subjects with AIDS-related complex, 11 (42%) reported neurological, cognitive, or affective symptoms compared with 30 (19%) of 157 HIV-1 seronegative subjects (relative risk = 2.2, p = 0.02). On neuropsychological testing, subjects with AIDS-related complex performed at a significantly lower level than the HIV-1 seronegative group (p = 0.001). A significantly higher percentage of subjects with AIDS-related complex (8[31%]of 26) than HIV-1 seronegative subjects (19 [12%] of 157) had abnormal results on two or more neuropsychological tests (rate ratio = 2.5, p = 0.03). Symptoms and impairment on neuropsychological tests were correlated only within the group who had AIDS-related complex. Subjects with generalized lymphadenopathy and subjects who had no signs or symptoms of HIV-1 infection were not different from HIV-1 seronegative subjects with respect to symptoms or performance on neuropsychological tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1989

Phase I study of low-dose zidovudine and acyclovir in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus seropositive individuals.

PURPOSE: The combination of zidovudine and acyclovir has shown in vitro antiretroviral activity and led to short-term improvement in patients with symptomatic human immunodeficiency disease (HIV) disease. We performed a phase I study of zidovudine (500 mg/day) plus acyclovir (2 or 4 g/day) in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive men to investigate pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerance, and immunologic effects of the combination. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty HIV-seropositive homosexual or bisexual men from the San Francisco City Clinic Cohort Study were recruited for the study; of these, 20 met the eligibility criteria. Treatment with zidovudine and acyclovir was open label. Pharmacokinetic, virologic, immunologic, and clinical data were collected periodically over a 24-week period. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic analysis showed no drug interaction. The combination was generally well tolerated, and hematologic parameters remained stable through 24 weeks. There were no significant changes in total lymphocytes, T4 lymphocytes, overall skin test reactivity, or ability to culture virus from peripheral blood. CONCLUSION: This combination of agents is safe in this population for at least six months. Conclusions about long-term tolerance and efficacy await the results of larger trials with longer follow-up.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence, incidence, and progression of human immunodeficiency virus infection in homosexual and bisexual men in hepatitis B vaccine trials, 1978-1988.

Between 1978 and 1980, 359 hepatitis B seronegative homosexual and bisexual men were recruited from the San Francisco municipal sexually transmitted disease clinic for hepatitis B vaccine trials. Of the 359 participants, 320 (89%) consented to have their stored blood samples tested for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in these 320 vaccine trial participants rose from 0.3% in 1978 to 50.9% in 1988. The annual incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection showed that seroconversion peaked in 1980-1982, dropped significantly in 1983, and has remained low. Men less than 30 years old on entry into the study seroconverted earlier in the epidemic and had higher incidence rates than men 30 years or older (p = 0.07). No statistical difference in seroconversion rates was found for other demographic variables. Using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve of the cumulative proportion of men without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome by duration of human immunodeficiency virus infection, an estimated 39% (95% confidence interval 27%-51%) will develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome within 9.2 years of infection. Cox proportional hazard stepwise analysis showed no correlation between age at seroconversion, race, or year of seroconversion and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

A model-based estimate of the mean incubation period for AIDS in homosexual men.

Because of the difficulty in identifying the date of exposure to type 1 of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in persons other than transfusion recipients, studies of the incubation periods for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been limited. When data from a cohort of 84 homosexual and bisexual men that provided the information to determine the years of conversion of sera infected with HIV-1 were analyzed, a model for the proportion likely to develop AIDS and the incubation period for AIDS in homosexual men could be derived. The maximum likelihood estimate for the proportion of infected homosexual men developing AIDS is 0.99 (90% confidence interval ranging from 0.38 to 1). Furthermore, the maximum likelihood estimate for the mean incubation period for AIDS in homosexual men is 7.8 years (90% confidence interval ranging from 4.2 years to 15.0 years), which is close to the estimate of 8.2 years for adults developing transfusion-associated AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

The natural history of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Although much is known about the natural history of HIV infection, many issues remain unresolved and require additional study. At least four major questions require further investigation. (1) Current data suggest that most HIV-infected persons will eventually develop AIDS. The proportion of all infected persons who will eventually develop AIDS, as well as the average and maximum incubation periods, have not yet been conclusively defined. (2) Certain clinical signs (such as oral candidiasis) or laboratory test results (such as a depressed T4 count) may indicate a poorer prognosis. However, the predictive value of such indicators for a specific patient and in an individual situation varies. Combinations of clinical and laboratory data may help refine estimates of the likelihood of developing AIDS or other HIV-related diseases. (3) Why some HIV-infected persons develop disease and others do not is not completely understood. The role of cofactors for disease progression needs additional investigation. There may be no one universal cofactor for progression but, rather, various agents that cause immune stimulation and reactivation of latent HIV. Therefore, exposure to a variety of infectious or environmental agents (such as through sexually transmitted diseases or injection of iv drugs) may accelerate progression to disease in HIV-infected persons. (4) It is not established whether antiviral agents will prevent or reduce the likelihood of disease progression in asymptomatic HIV-infected persons. If beneficial, should they be given to all HIV-infected persons or only to those whose clinical and laboratory evaluation suggests an increased likelihood of progression? Given these uncertainties, how should the physician or other health care worker evaluate, treat, and counsel the HIV-infected patient? Such patients should receive a comprehensive medical evaluation for both diagnostic and staging purposes; the details of such an evaluation are beyond the scope of this review and have been well described. A few brief points, however, should be emphasized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗