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Biomedical subjects

R S Klein

Publications and source records attributed to R S Klein.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

The recovery of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis from blood specimens of AIDS patients using the nonradiometric BACTEC NR 660 medium.

The ability of the nonradiometric BACTEC NR 660 aerobic 6A blood culture medium to support mycobacterial growth was investigated. During a 19-month period blood cultures from 140 AIDS patients were sent to the microbiology laboratory. After the cultures were incubated for seven days, aliquots of medium from the vials were centrifuged, sediments examined microscopically for mycobacteria, and cultured to mycobacterial media. Seventy-one AIDS patients (51%) had at least one blood culture positive for mycobacteria. There was a significant difference in the percent of female AIDS patients positive for mycobacteria compared to male patients (72% vs. 44%, P less than 0.01). Forty-four percent of all subsequently positive cultures were detected by an acid fast stain of the specimen sediment. Subcultures from the BACTEC 6A suspensions were positive on mycobacterial media at one-seven weeks (mean three weeks) after planting. Sixty-nine of the isolates were Mycobacterium avium complex, while two were Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Some bacteremias with M. tuberculosis may have been undetected because growth experiments with a reference strain showed that, in contrast to M. avium complex, M. tuberculosis did not increase in concentration in 6A medium.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Additional evidence for lack of transmission of HIV infection by close interpersonal (casual) contact.

To further study the possibility of transmission of HIV infection by close personal but non-sexual, non-parenteral contact we have continued to enroll and evaluate household contacts of adult patients with AIDS. Two hundred and six household contacts of 90 patients with AIDS were evaluated with detailed interviews, physical examinations, and detection of HIV antibodies and p24 antigen from 1984 to 1987; 118 of these contacts were re-evaluated 6-12 months after cessation of household contact or death of the patient. The median duration of household contact from 18 months prior to symptoms in the AIDS patients to last contact was 23 months (range 3-101 months). The median time elapsed from first contact during this period to the last evaluation was 38 months (range 13-66 months). No household contact had signs or symptoms suggesting HIV infection. All 206 were negative for serum antibodies to HIV and HIV p24 antigen, despite extensive sharing of household facilities and items and personal interactions with AIDS patients. This study continues to show that household members without other risks remain at minimal to no risk for HIV transmission (95% confidence interval, 0-1.44) despite prolonged and substantial close non-sexual contact with AIDS patients, and after re-evaluation at a median of 10.9 months after initial evaluation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cervical cytologic abnormalities and papillomavirus in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

We investigated the relationship of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the female genital tract, cervical cytology, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 67 women. Forty-eight women had a history of intravenous drug use, 18 were heterosexual partners of HIV-infected intravenous drug users, and one was a transfusion recipient. Patients received a Pap smear, cervicovaginal lavage for HPV determination by Southern blot, HIV serum antibody by enzyme immunoassay with Western blot confirmation, and thorough screening for other sexually transmitted diseases. Seventeen of the 35 (49%) women seropositive for HIV had HPV infection, compared with 8 of 32 (25%) seronegative women (p less than 0.05). Fourteen of 35 (40%) HIV-positive women had squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) on cervical cytology, compared with three of 32 (9%) HIV-negative women (p less than 0.01). Of 22 women with symptomatic HIV infection, 11 (50%) had SIL on cytology; 10 of these 11 were HPV-positive. Among 13 asymptomatic HIV-positive women, only three (23%) had such cytological lesions. Our findings strongly suggest that HIV-induced immunosuppression exacerbates HPV-mediated cervical cytologic abnormalities.

Adult↗

Risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection in intravenous drug users.

To identify risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in intravenous drug users, we undertook a study of the seroprevalence of HIV antibody in 452 persons enrolled in a methadone-treatment program in the Bronx, New York. The seroprevalence of HIV was 39.4 percent overall, 49.1 percent in blacks, 41.8 percent in Hispanics, and 17.2 percent in non-Hispanic whites (P less than 0.001 for all comparisons). The presence of HIV antibody was associated with the number of injections per month (P less than 0.001), the percentage of injections with used needles (P less than 0.001), the average number of injections with cocaine per month (P less than 0.001), and the percentage of injections with needles that were shared with strangers or acquaintances (P less than 0.001), a practice that was more common among blacks and Hispanics than among whites. The number of heterosexual sex partners who used intravenous drugs was associated with HIV infection in women (P less than 0.004) and was the only risk factor found for users who had not injected drugs after 1982 (P less than 0.05). The presence of HIV antibody was independently associated with being black or Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio, 4.56; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.65 to 8.14), a more recent year of the last injection of drugs (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.35), the percentage of injections of drugs that took place in "shooting galleries" (adjusted odds ratio, 1.49; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.19 to 1.88), having sex partners who used intravenous drugs (adjusted odds ratio 1.24; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.45), and low income (adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.10 to 2.17). We conclude that differences in both the social setting of drug use and behavior related to injection carry different risks for infection with HIV and may explain, in part, the higher seroprevalence of HIV among blacks and Hispanics. In addition, we found that heterosexual activity was an independent risk factor for drug users.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Prospective study of human immunodeficiency virus infection and pregnancy outcomes in intravenous drug users.

To determine the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on pregnancy outcomes, we prospectively studied female intravenous drug users in a methadone program in New York City. Of 191 women with HIV status known prior to pregnancy, 17 (24%) of 70 seropositives and 26 (22%) of 121 seronegatives became pregnant during 28 months of follow-up. Including 54 additional women first tested for HIV antibody after becoming pregnant, 125 pregnancies were studied in 97 women (39 seropositive, 58 seronegative). None of the seropositive pregnant women had advanced HIV-related disease at entry, and only one developed symptomatic disease (oral candidiasis) during pregnancy. No differences were observed between groups in the frequency of spontaneous or elective abortion, ectopic pregnancy, preterm delivery, stillbirth, or low-birth-weight births. Among women giving birth to live infants, seropositives were more likely than seronegatives to be hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia during pregnancy and had an increased tendency for breech presentation, although these events were infrequent. There were otherwise no differences between groups in the occurrence of antenatal, intrapartum, or neonatal complications. Results suggest that asymptomatic HIV infection is not associated with a decreased pregnancy rate or an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in intravenous drug users, and that an acceleration in HIV-disease status during pregnancy is uncommon.

Adult↗

A prospective study of the risk of tuberculosis among intravenous drug users with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

To determine the risk of active tuberculosis associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we prospectively studied 520 intravenous drug users enrolled in a methadone-maintenance program. Tuberculin skin testing and testing for HIV antibody were performed in all subjects. Forty-nine of 217 HIV-seropositive subjects (23 percent) and 62 of 303 HIV-seronegative subjects (20 percent) had a positive response to skin testing with purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin before entry into the study. The rates of conversion from a negative to a positive PPD test were similar for seropositive subjects (15 of 131; 11 percent) and seronegative subjects (26 of 202; 13 percent) who were retested during the follow-up period (mean, 22 months). Active tuberculosis developed in eight of the HIV-seropositive subjects (4 percent) and none of the seronegative subjects during the study period (P less than 0.002). Seven of the eight cases of tuberculosis occurred in HIV-seropositive subjects with a prior positive PPD test (7.9 cases per 100 person-years, as compared with 0.3 case per 100 person-years among seropositive subjects without a prior positive PPD test; rate ratio, 24.0; P less than 0.0001). We conclude that, although the prevalence and incidence of tuberculous infection were similar for both HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative intravenous drug users, the risk of active tuberculosis was elevated only for seropositive subjects. These data also suggest that in HIV-infected persons tuberculosis most often results from the reactivation of latent tuberculous infection; our results lend support to recommendations for the aggressive use of chemoprophylaxis against tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection and a positive PPD test.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Response to pneumococcal vaccine among asymptomatic heterosexual partners of persons with AIDS and intravenous drug users infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine were studied in asymptomatic heterosexual partners of persons with AIDS and intravenous drug users seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Serum antibodies to 12 pneumococcal capsular antigens were measured by radioimmunoassay. Eleven intravenous drug users seropositive for HIV, 13 seronegative intravenous drug users, and 10 each seropositive and seronegative sexual partners received 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Additional unvaccinated matched seropositives served as controls. Antibody responses were significantly lower among subjects seropositive for HIV (P less than .05). Fourteen (88%) of 16 seropositive subjects with baseline type-specific antibodies to one or more pneumococcal antigens less than 300 ng of antibody nitrogen/ml (ngAbN/ml) demonstrated a rise in one or more of these antibodies to greater than 400 ngAbN/ml. No clinical deterioration or decrease in T4 cells attributable to vaccination was found. Although antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine among HIV-infected subjects were impaired, most with antibody levels less than 300 ngAbN/ml developed titers of one or more type-specific antibodies to levels greater than 400 ngAbN/ml without notable adverse effects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cervical and vaginal squamous cell abnormalities in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

We sought to determine whether women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had cervicovaginal cellular changes suggesting lower genital tract neoplasia or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at a rate different from that in women without HIV infection. In a blinded fashion, cytological preparations of cervicovaginal smears from women infected with the HIV were analyzed and compared to preparations from women at high risk for but not infected with HIV. Eleven of 35 (31%) HIV-infected subjects had evidence of squamous abnormalities compared with 1 of 23 (4%) non-HIV-infected women (p = 0.019). Nine of 35 (26%) HIV-infected women had cytohistological evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection compared to 1 of 23 (4%) non-HIV-infected women (p = 0.072). We conclude that HIV-infected women have a high prevalence of cervical and vaginal cytological abnormalities and evidence of genital HPV infection. Further study is necessary to determine whether there is an increased risk for cervicovaginal neoplastic disorders in women infected with HIV.

Adult↗

Low occupational risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection among dental professionals.

We studied 1309 dental professionals (1132 dentists, 131 hygienists, and 46 assistants) without behavioral risk factors for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to determine their occupational risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Subjects completed questionnaires on behavior; type, duration, and location of their dental practice; infection-control practices; and estimated numbers of potential occupational exposures to HIV. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to HIV and to hepatitis B surface antigen (unvaccinated subjects). Fifty-one percent of the subjects practiced in locations where many cases of AIDS have been reported. Seventy-two percent treated patients who had AIDS or were at increased risk for it. Ninety-four percent reported accidental puncturing of the skin with instruments used in treating patients. Adherence to recommended infection-control practices was infrequent. Twenty-one percent of unvaccinated subjects had antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen. Only one dentist without a history of behavioral risk factors for AIDS had serum antibodies to HIV. We conclude that despite infrequent compliance with recommended infection-control precautions, frequent occupational exposure to persons at increased risk for HIV infection, and frequent accidental puncturing of the skin with sharp instruments, dental professionals are at low occupational risk for HIV infection.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Infectious diarrhea in patients with AIDS.

A multitude of opportunistic infections has been documented in virtually every organ system of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Prominent among these are infections of the gastrointestinal tract. However, studies of large numbers of patients documenting the frequency of such involvement are lacking. We reviewed the records of 100 patients with AIDS and assessed the frequency and organisms causing infectious diarrhea. We found diarrhea to be more common in homosexuals (80%) than heterosexuals with a risk factor of parenteral drug use (58%). In one third of all cases, no infectious etiology was found. Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) was the most commonly identified cause of infectious diarrhea in our series, followed by cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidium, Salmonella spp., and herpes virus. In addition, bacteremia was documented in 43% of patients with infectious diarrhea and was most commonly due to MAI. Finally, we demonstrated that multiple concurrent infections are not uncommon (22%) in AIDS patients and that the diarrheal syndrome may not respond unless all pathogens are eradicated.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Two patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and infectious esophagitis developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic presentations in both cases were atypical. One patient developed a focal flat lesion that imitated segmental esophagitis, and the other patient developed a superficially spreading carcinoma that mimicked diffuse esophagitis. In the setting of AIDS, a changing radiographic or endoscopic mucosal pattern requires biopsy to exclude the possibility of a superimposed squamous cell carcinoma.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Resolution of oral hairy leukoplakia during treatment with azidothymidine.

This report presents a case of oral hairy leukoplakia that has completely disappeared during treatment with azidothymidine. The reason for the resolution of the lesions in this case is not certain, but the outcome may be due to the action of the drug on the agent or agents causing the lesion.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Increased risk of bacterial pneumonia in HIV-infected intravenous drug users without AIDS.

Although patients with AIDS have been noted to be at risk for bacterial pneumonia as well as opportunistic infections, little is known about the risk of bacterial pneumonia in HIV-infected populations without AIDS. To determine the incidence of bacterial pneumonia in a well defined population of intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and to examine any association with HIV infection, we prospectively studied 433 IVDUs without AIDS, enrolled in a longitudinal study of HIV infection in an out-patient methadone maintenance program. At enrollment, 144 (33.3%) subjects were HIV-seropositive, 289 (66.7%) were seronegative. Over a 12-month period, 14 out of 144 (9.7%) seropositive subjects were hospitalized for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, compared with six out of 289 (2.1%) seronegative subjects. The cumulative yearly incidence of bacterial pneumonia was 97 out of 1000 for seropositives and 21 out of 1000 for seronegatives (risk ratio = 4.7, P less than 0.001). Eleven out of 14 (78.6%) cases among the seropositive patients were due to either Streptococcus pneumoniae [5] or Hemophilus influenzae [6]. Two out of 14 (14.3%) cases among the seropositives were fatal. Stratifying by level of intravenous drug use indicated that even among subjects not reporting active intravenous drug use at study entry, eight out of 82 (9.8%) seropositives compared with three out of 211 (1.4%) seronegatives were hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia over the study period (risk ratio = 6.9, P less than 0.01). This study shows a markedly increased incidence of bacterial pneumonia associated with HIV infection in IVDUs without AIDS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

Defective T-cell colony formation and IL-2 receptor expression at all stages of HIV infection.

The T-cell colony assay is a highly sensitive measure of immunological dysfunction. The present study evaluated this in vitro response in asymptomatic HIV-infected homosexuals, those with chronic adenopathy as their only clinical manifestation and patients with either ARC or AIDS. The mean colony count in antibody-positive asymptomatic individuals was significantly reduced when compared to either heterosexual controls or antibody-negative homosexuals. Furthermore, there were no differences in the responses of these antibody-positive individuals and those with chronic lymphadenopathy as their only clinical manifestation. By contrast, patients with AIDS or ARC showed a profound defect; this suggests that the colony assay can detect a functional gradient across the spectrum of HIV infections. Colony growth was correlated with the absolute number of T-helper cells and the ability of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes to express IL-2 receptors; no correlation was found with the number of suppressor/cytotoxic cells or in vitro production of IL-2. Recent HIV seroconverters had normal colony counts but impaired ability to express IL-2 receptors. These data suggest a sequential loss of T-cell function as a result of HIV infection; the earliest manifestations are impaired expression of IL-2 receptors and reduced proliferative responses, as measured in the colony assay.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Joint infection, with consideration of underlying disease and sources of bacteremia in hematogenous infection.

Joint infection commonly results from hematogenous spread of infection from a distant site. Pre-existing joint disease increases the risk of joint infection during bacteremia. Most patients present with pain, swelling, heat, and limitation of motion of the affected joint, often with fever, but presentation may be atypical, especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic corticosteroid therapy, or infected prosthetic joints. Diagnosis is best made by analysis and culture of synovial fluid. The infecting microorganism often provides a clue to remote infection or underlying disease, which may require special attention. Therapy consists of high-dose parenteral antibiotics and adequate drainage. Outcome depends on early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Aged↗