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Biomedical subjects

J Reynes

Publications and source records attributed to J Reynes.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Efficiencies of four versions of the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR test for quantification of different subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Three versions of a commercial human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) load test (the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test versions 1. 0, 1.0+, and 1.5; Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, N.J.) were evaluated for their ability to detect and quantify HIV-1 RNA of different genetic subtypes. Plasma samples from 96 patients infected with various subtypes of HIV-1 (55 patients infected with subtype A, 9 with subtype B, 21 with subtype C, 2 with subtype D, 7 with subtype E, and 2 with subtype G) and cultured virus from 29 HIV-1 reference strains (3 of subtype A, 6 of subtype B, 5 of subtype C, 3 of subtype D, 8 of subtype E, 3 of subtype F, and 1 of subtype G) were tested. Detection of subtypes A and E was significantly improved with versions 1.0+ and 1.5 compared to that with version 1. 0, whereas detection of subtypes B, C, D, and G was equivalent with the three versions. Versions 1.0, 1.0+, and 1.5 detected 65, 98, and 100% of the subtype A-infected samples from patients, respectively, and 71, 100, and 100% of the subtype E-infected samples from patients, respectively. Version 1.5 yielded a significant increase in viral load for samples infected with subtypes A and E (greater than 1 log10 HIV RNA copies/ml). For samples infected with subtype B, C, and D and tested with version 1.5, only a slight increase in viral load was observed (<0.5 log10). We also evaluated a prototype automated version of the test that uses the same PCR primers as version 1.5. The results with the prototype automated test were highly correlated with those of the version 1.5 test for all subtypes, but were lower overall. The AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test, version 1.5, yielded accurate measurement of the HIV load for all HIV-1 subtypes tested, which should allow the test to be used to assess disease prognosis and response to antiretroviral treatment in patients infected with a group M HIV-1 subtype.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

[Genotype, serotype and sensitivity to fluconazole of Candida albicans strains isolated from HIV-positive patients].

Genotype, serotype and susceptibility in vitro to fluconazole of 104 C. albicans strains isolated from HIV+ patients were studied. The possible correlations between genotype analysed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and phenotype of medical relevance (serotype and susceptibility to fluconazole) of Candida albicans isolated from these patients treated with fluconazole were evaluated by factorial correspondence analysis. No correlation was observed between genotype and in vitro or clinical response to fluconazole. In counterpart, serotype B C. albicans was associated with some multilocus genotypic patterns.

Antifungal Agents↗

Whole blood capcellia CD4/CD8 immunoassay for enumeration of CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral T lymphocytes.

We evaluated the Whole Blood Capcellia(R) CD4/CD8, an immunoenzymatic method that provides absolute counts of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood. The assay is based on the separation of T cells by use of an anti-CD2 magnetic bead suspension, followed by reaction of the CD4 or CD8 molecules with the corresponding monoclonal antibody coupled to peroxidase. CD4-positive monocytes were excluded from the assay. Freeze-dried magnetic bead-T-cell complexes were used as calibrators. Capcellia counts from HIV-1-infected patients were compared with those obtained by flow cytometry as the comparison method. The results by Capcellia correlated well with those by flow cytometric analysis: r2 = 0.95; P <0.001; (y = 0.96x - 22.1); Sy|x = 64 for CD4; r2 = 0.81; P <0.001; (y = 1.26x - 76.4); Sy|x = 139 for CD8; n = 76. The correlation between CD4+ T-cell counts determined by two trained experimenters was significant (r2 = 0.96). Our results indicate that this new ELISA technique for lymphocyte immunophenotyping is an efficient alternative to flow cytometry.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Acquired cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompetent adults: 116 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse retrospectively the clinical, biological and epidemiological features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the immunocompetent host. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 116 cases of CMV infection (74 inpatients, 42 out-patients) collected from 1981 to 1997 in a university hospital. Diagnostic was established on serological criteria in all cases. RESULTS: Fever was observed in all cases but one (mean duration: 21 days). The most frequent symptoms were headache (51%) and myalgia (46%). Splenomegaly was the most frequent sign (36%). Pulmonary interstitial opacities on chest x-ray were found in 8.5% of patients. Pulmonary (1 case) and neurological (2 cases) complications occurred. Concomitant HIV primary infection was observed in 2 patients. Mononucleosis and ALAT and LDH elevations were observed in 95%, 85% and 95% of cases respectively. Viremia was positive in 79% (30/38). pp65 antigenemia was useful to establish the diagnosis in 9 patients. Antibiotics were prescribed in 46% before diagnosis was established. CONCLUSION: CMV infection in the immunocompetent host is a frequent and rarely complicated disease. pp65 antigenemia should be evaluated more in this setting. Most hospitalizations due to this affection could be avoided.

Adult↗

Impairment of B-lymphocyte differentiation induced by dual triggering of the B-cell antigen receptor and CD40 in advanced HIV-1-disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the hyporeactivity of purified B lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected patients. DESIGN: Given the importance of the B-cell Ag receptor (BCR) and CD40 in B-lymphocyte activation, we assessed the capacity of purified peripheral blood B lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected patients to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells in a T-cell- and accessory-cell-independent system of BCR and CD40 costimulation. METHODS: B lymphocytes from 21 HIV-1-infected patients were purified by immunomagnetic cell separation and costimulated with immobilized anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I particles in the presence of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10. Homotypic aggregate formation, apoptosis, cell cycle entrance, proliferation and Ig secretion of B cells were analysed. RESULTS: Costimulation by the BCR and CD40 induced proliferation and differentiation of B lymphocytes into Ig-secreting cells in 13 patients (group I) but not in eight patients (group II). For three patients in group II, the dual triggering induced apoptosis of B cells. The unexpected inability of these cells to differentiate was associated with a high CD38 expression and a weak spontaneous production of Ig or anti-HIV-1 antibodies in patients with a high viral load and a low CD4+ lymphocyte count. Despite this anomaly, the B cells from group II were able to progress through the cell cycle after stimulation with a combination of phorbol ester and ionomycin in complete medium, suggesting an impairment in BCR and CD40 early signal transduction. CONCLUSION: Intrinsic in vitro hyporeactivity of B lymphocytes to dual triggering of BCR and CD40 was observed in advanced HIV-1 disease and appeared to be related to in vivo hyperactivation of B cells.

Adult↗

Six-hour trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-graded challenge in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) are very common in HIV-infected patients, leading to drug discontinuation. However, it is the drug of choice as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the safety and long-term efficacy of a 6-hour TMP-SMX-graded challenge in a group of hypersensitive HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Forty-four consecutive HIV-infected patients with documented TMP-SMX hypersensitivity were seen in our outpatient allergy department. They ingested 12 doses of increasing amounts of TMP-SMX at half-hour intervals. Thereafter, they took 80/400 mg TMP-SMX daily and were advised to "treat through" every nonbullous cutaneous adverse reaction. RESULTS: All 44 patients tolerated the procedure without any adverse reactions during the day of challenge. Eleven of the 44 patients experienced mild hypersensitivity reactions on days 1 to 2 (8 patients) and 8 to 10 (3 patients), consisting mainly on a 1-day pruritic maculopapular eruption. Two patients stopped TMP-SMX at day 1, and 2 stopped it at days 10 and 15, giving an overall success rate at 1 month of 91% (40 of 44). Two were successfully rechallenged late. After a median follow-up of 10 months, 42 patients were taking TMP-SMX without any adverse reaction, giving an overall success rate of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: A 6-hour graded challenge with cautious "treating through" of mild reactions enables more patients to take TMP-SMX and is safe and effective.

Administration, Oral↗

Comparison of the QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 assay with the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 assay for quantitation of levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma of patients receiving stavudine-didanosine combination therapy.

We compared the QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 assay with the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 assay for quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in plasma in the Stadi trail, which evaluated a stavudine plus didanosine combination therapy in 52 patients. HIV-1 RNA baseline values measured with AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 were significantly higher than those measured with QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0, and decreases in HIV-1 RNA levels from baseline were also found to be significantly higher when measured with the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 assay. The frequency of HIV-1 RNA levels below the lower limit of quantitation was significantly higher with QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 than with AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0. Reanalysis of these results by an ultrasensitive procedure of AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 or by a modified version of the test that included additional primers adapted for non-B HIV-1 clades yielded greater differences between the QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 assay and the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 1.0 assay. Our results indicate that a valid comparison of the virological efficacies obtained with different antiretroviral drug regimens requires the use of the same viral load quantitation procedure; further standardization between the different HIV-1 RNA quantitation kits is therefore needed.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV infected patients intolerant of cotrimoxazole].

Using results of a multicentric randomized prospective trial of primary prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients which compared sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and pentamidine isethionate, the risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis was analyzed in the two assigned groups and in the groups of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim prophylaxis. The risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis appeared significantly higher in the group of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim consecutively to cutaneous hypersensitivity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Haemoculture as a tool for diagnosing visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients: interest for parasite identification.

Between May 1993 and June 1996, 65 adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 30 HIV-negative patients (8 children and 22 adults) from the Mediterranean region with symptoms that included at least fever were examined for Leishmania. A total of 128 bone marrow and 128 peripheral venous blood samples were taken and cultured on NNN medium. At the initial diagnosis, 14 (6 HIV-positive and 8 HIV-negative) of 15 patients with a positive blood culture also had a positive bone marrow culture. Two patients (1 HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative) had a positive bone marrow culture but a negative blood culture. During post-therapeutic check-ups, 7 out of 8 patients with a positive blood culture (6 HIV-positive and 1 HIV-negative) also had a positive bone marrow culture. On the other hand, three patients (2 HIV-positive and 1 HIV-negative) had a positive bone marrow but a negative blood culture. Relapses were more frequent (9/65 vs. 3/30) and the demonstration of Leishmania in the blood was commoner (6/65 vs. 2/30) in the HIV-positive than the HIV-negative patients. Stocks were identified by their isoenzymes: MON-1 from four HIV-positive and eight HIV-negative patients, MON-28 from one HIV-positive patient and MON-29 from another. For each patient, the same zymodeme was found in bone marrow and blood cultures, both at initial diagnosis and at follow-up.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Pharmacokinetics of itraconazole (oral solution) in two groups of human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults with oral candidiasis.

The pharmacokinetics of itraconazole formulated in a hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin oral solution was determined for two groups of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults with oral candidiasis (group A, 12 patients with CD4+ T-cell count of >200/mm3 and no AIDS, and group B, 11 patients with CD4+ T-cell count of <100/mm3 and AIDS). Patients received 100 mg of itraconazole every 12 h for 14 days. Concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole, the main active metabolite, were measured in plasma and saliva by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined at days 1 and 14 (the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 10 h, the maximum concentration of drug in plasma [Cmax], and the time to Cmax) were comparable in both groups. Trough levels in plasma (Cmin) were similar in both groups for the complete duration of the study. An effective concentration of itraconazole in plasma (>250 ng/ml) was reached at day 4. At day 14, Cmin values of itraconazole were 643 +/- 304 and 592 +/- 401 ng/ml for groups A and B, respectively, and Cmin values of hydroxyitraconazole were 1,411 +/- 594 and 1,389 +/- 804 ng/ml for groups A and B, respectively. In saliva, only unchanged itraconazole was detected, and mean concentrations were still high (>250 ng/ml) 4 h after the intake, which may contribute to the fast clinical response. In conclusion, the oral solution of itraconazole generates effective levels in plasma and saliva in HIV-infected patients; its relative bioavailability is not modified by the stage of HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Once-daily administration of didanosine in combination with anti-retroviral zidovudine in previously untreated patients].

25 HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive adults were included in a 24-week study to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of a zidovudine/didanosine combination therapy in which didanosine was administered once daily (200 mg if weight < 60 kg, 300 mg if weight > 60 kg) and zidovudine twice daily (500 mg/day if weight < 90 kg, 600 mg/day if weight > 90 kg). 5 patients discontinued their treatment early: 3 had poor compliance and 2 presented adverse events. Evaluation of treatment efficacy was based on CD4+ T cell enumeration and HIV RNA level quantitation in plasma (NASBA). Baseline values were 278 CD4+/mm3 and 5.42 log RNA copies/ml. Mean changes from baseline were +102 CD4+/mm3 and -2.14 log RNA copies/ml at week 8 and +156 CD4+/mm3 and -2.07 log RNA copies/ml at week 24. HIV RNA in plasma was lower than the detection limit (2.60 log RNA copies/ml) in 55% of patients at week 8 and in 30% at week 24. No major adverse events such as neuropathy or pancreatitis were observed. Once-daily administration of didanosine in combination with twice-daily administration of zidovudine is a well tolerated regimen that appears to be as effective ad the conventional zidovudine/didanosine combination regimen.

Adult↗

Simultaneous carriage of Candida albicans strains from HIV-infected patients with oral candidiasis: multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis.

Genetic diversity of 160 Candida albicans isolates from the oral cavity of 16 HIV-infected adults prior to antifungal treatment was assessed using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (10 C. albicans colonies were randomly chosen from each specimen culture). 20 electrophoretic types were distinguished from the analysis of 21 enzyme loci (10 were polymorphic). Five patients (31%) were found to be colonized by 2 or 3 genetically distinct strains. Nevertheless, in these five cases, one strain predominated (from 7 to 9 of the 10 colonies). Some HIV + patients with oral candidiasis appear to be simultaneously infected with several genetically different C. albicans strains before antifungal treatment.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Significance of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-pp65 antigenemia in the diagnosis of CMV disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

To establish the diagnostic value of the cytomegalovirus (CMV)-pp65 antigenemia in CMV disease occurring in human immunodeficiency (HIV)-infected patients, CMV-pp65 antigen in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was assayed in 373 samples from 138 randomly included patients followed up for symptomatic HIV-1 infection and the correlation between CMV-pp65 antigenemia and diagnosis of CMV disease was investigated. Thirty-seven CMV disease episodes were observed in 30 patients and 89.2% of these episodes were associated with a positive CMV-pp65 antigenemia. In contrast, 94% of the patients negative for CMV-pp65 antigenemia remained free of CMV disease. Patients with CMV disease had significantly higher levels of CMV-pp65 antigenemia than CMV disease-free patients (695 positive cells/2 x 10(5) PMNLs vs. 28 positive cells/2 x 10(5) PMNLs). The positive and negative predictive values of the test were 45% and 94%, respectively, but were 93% and 80%, respectively, when a CMV-pp65 antigenemia level of > 100 positive cells/2 x 10(5) PMNLs was taken into consideration. These results indicate that the CMV-pp65 antigenemia assay is useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of CMV disease in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Comparative evaluation of three assays for the quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma.

Reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction (Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor), the branched DNA (bDNA) method (Quantiplex HIV-1 RNA) and the nucleic acid sequence-based assay (NASBA HIV-1 RNA QT) were comparatively evaluated for the quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in plasma. Among 60 plasma specimens from HIV-1 infected patients, HIV-1 RNA was detected in 56 by Amplicor (sensitivity, 93.3%), in 41 by bDNA (sensitivity, 68.3%), and in 60 by NASBA (sensitivity, 100%). HIV-1 RNA was not detected by any of these methods in 34/34 plasma specimens from HIV-1-seronegative blood donors (specificity, 100%). The HIV-1 RNA levels as determined by the different methods were correlated significantly. The frequency of concordant results (log difference < 0.50) was 80.4% between Amplicor and NASBA, 77.5% between Amplicor and bDNA, and 58.6% between bDNA and NASBA. After initiation of antiviral therapy, HIV-1 RNA level variations observed with the three methods were similar. HIV-1 RNA levels were inversely correlated with the CD4+ T cell counts, whereas no correlation was found with HIV-1 p24-antigen levels. When the methods were evaluated for reproducibility, coefficients of variation ranged from 11% to 40% for Amplicor, from 6% to 35% for bDNA, and from 13% to 62% for NASBA. Quantitation of HIV-1 RNA in culture supernatants from HIV-1 subtype A to H strains showed that bDNA can be used to quantitate RNA from all HIV-1 subtypes, whereas Amplicor failed to detect RNA from subtype A strains and NASBA subtype G strains.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count↗