Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S M Hammer

Publications and source records attributed to S M Hammer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Activation of human immunodeficiency virus by herpes simplex virus.

Heterologous viruses have been examined for their ability to accelerate the course of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1. In this study, ACH-2 cells persistently infected with HIV-1 exhibited augmented HIV-1 replication as a result of superinfection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. Using HSV-1 mutants with deletions in the genes encoding immediate-early proteins ICP0, ICP4, and ICP27, it was found that ICP0 and ICP27, but not ICP4, were essential for up-regulation of HIV replication. Northern blot analysis showed that this activation of HIV was characterized by an initial rise in the level of the small, subgenomic (2.0 and 4.3 kb) mRNA species, followed by an increase in the level of unspliced genomic (9.2 kb) mRNA. Such a shift in transcriptional phase recapitulates the early-to-late transition seen in single-step growth curves of acute HIV-1 infection. Thus, HSV can activate HIV-1 from latency in ACH-2 cells, this activation of HIV is independent of productive HSV replication since the delta ICP4 deletion mutant is replication-incompetent, and this activation is evident as an increase in the steady-state levels of HIV transcripts.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Didanosine and zidovudine resistance patterns in clinical isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 as determined by a replication endpoint concentration assay.

Reports of in vitro resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to zidovudine (AZT) have raised concerns about the development of resistance to other dideoxynucleosides in clinical use. To address this, we have developed a screening assay which supports the growth of clinical isolates and have applied this to a series of paired isolates from patients entered into a phase I trial of didanosine (DDI). Thirteen patients (10 with AIDS, 3 with AIDS-related complex) who had been exposed to AZT for a mean of 6.5 months (range, 1 to 13 months) were treated with DDI at 750 mg/day. Paired isolates were obtained pretherapy and after a mean of 58 weeks (range, 21 to 90) of DDI therapy by coculture of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBLs) with phytohemagglutinin-stimulated donor PBLs. Isolates were passaged only one additional time in PBLs and then tested in parallel in a microtiter assay with phytohemagglutinin-stimulated donor PBLs as targets. PBLs were infected with 10(5) 50% tissue culture infectious doses per 10(7) cells and exposed to DDI (1 to 50 microM) or AZT (0.01 to 100 microM), and supernatants were assayed for the HIV p24 antigen at 7 days postinfection. Control AZT-susceptible and resistant isolates were included. The median pre- and posttherapy DDI susceptibilities of the 13 pairs of isolates were 10.0 microM (range, 1 to 25 microM) and 17.5 microM (range, 2.5 to 50 microM), respectively (P = 0.036; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). These studies thus indicated that (i) the susceptibility to DDI tends to mildly decrease with drug exposure; (ii) the susceptibility to AZT improves with time off AZT; (iii) baseline susceptibilities to DDI have a wide range, and the CD4 response may correlate with the initial susceptibility; and (iv) a PBL-based microtiter assay is useful for screening clinical isolated for dideoxynucleoside susceptibility profiles.

Didanosine↗

Infiltration of the lower respiratory tract by helper/inducer T lymphocytes in HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a disorder in which peripheral blood and multiple organs are infiltrated by malignantly transformed T lymphocytes. We investigated the nature of pulmonary disease in a patient with serologic evidence of HTLV-1 infection. In this case, endobronchial biopsy specimens showed infiltration of the bronchial mucosa by pleomorphic cells exhibiting a high degree of nuclear irregularity. These cells were morphologically identical in appearance to malignant cells found in peripheral blood and infiltrating the dermis, expressed the OKT4/Leu3 phenotype and the receptor for interleukin 2, and, by analogy to gene rearrangement studies on leukemic blood cells, were monoclonal in origin. However, in situ hybridization of endobronchial biopsy specimens with full-length HTLV-1 probes failed to detect retroviral RNA or proviral DNA. These studies indicate that T lymphocytic involvement of the lower respiratory tract in HTLV-1-associated ATLL is characterized by expression of a malignant phenotype despite the inability to document actual cellular infection with this retrovirus by a molecular hybridization technique.

Adult↗

Effect of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in lymphoid cells.

Cell signaling events are known to affect human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. Treatment of lymphoid CEM cells with the calcium channel blocker verapamil (25-75 microM) enhanced HIV-1 expression in acute, whole virus infection experiments, despite lowering intracellular calcium levels, ablating the acute rise in intracellular calcium normally seen with infection, and lengthening the doubling time of cell replication. Verapamil had no effect on cell surface CD4 expression. Transfection of CEM cells with plasmids containing the HIV-1 long terminal repeat linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene showed that verapamil enhanced expression of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect was abolished by mutations in the binding sites for nuclear factor kappa-B. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that verapamil induced nuclear factor kappa-B activity in CEM cells. Thus, verapamil, in high concentrations, can potentiate HIV-1 replication in lymphoid cells, and this effect may be mediated by induction of nuclear factor kappa-B.

CD4 Antigens↗

Frequent identification of HIV-1 DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage cells obtained from individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Tissue macrophages are recognized as a cellular target for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To characterize the nature of this cell-retrovirus interaction within the lower respiratory tract we analyzed fluid and cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of eight individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were undergoing diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Of these eight individuals, seven had active infection with Pneumocystis carinii; one had suspected cytomegalovirus pneumonitis. At the time of study two were receiving the antiretroviral drug zidovudine (azidothymidine [AZT]). HIV-1 could not be isolated from any of the eight samples of BAL fluid concentrated by ultracentrifugation through 20% sucrose. HIV-1 antigen (p24) was detected in one of eight samples of concentrated BAL fluid but could not be found in eight samples of media conditioned by overnight incubation with adherent BAL cells. Despite the infrequent detection of HIV-1 antigen it was possible to identify HIV-1 genomic sequences by the use of a DNA amplification technique, the polymerase chain reaction, in all eight BAL cell preparations. In BAL cells adherent for up to 5 days in culture this method detected retroviral DNA that hybridized to a complementary pair of primers located in the env and gag gene regions of HIV-1. These studies demonstrate the uniform presence of HIV-1 harboring cells within the airways of the lung in individuals with AIDS and active respiratory infection and may have implications for local organ defense.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effect of zidovudine and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on human immunodeficiency virus replication in alveolar macrophages.

The alveolar macrophage (AM), as a representative human tissue macrophage, was used in an in vitro system to examine the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) activity of zidovudine (AZT) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). AMs were infected with the IIIB strain of HIV-1 and exposed to AZT (1 mumol/L), GM-CSF (30 U/mL), a combination of AZT (1 mumol/L)/GM-CSF (30 U/mL), or medium control. At 10 or 20 days post-infection, phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMLs) were added to the AM cultures as stimulated target cells. AZT effectively suppressed HIV replication and prevented transfer/amplification in target PBMLs as long as the drug was maintained in the medium. GM-CSF neither suppressed nor augmented HIV replication. The combination of AZT/GM-CSF was comparable with AZT alone in suppressing both the initial infection of AMs and the transfer to target PBMLs as long as the agents were maintained in the cultures. However, when the drugs were removed at the same time that PHA-stimulated PBMLs were added to the culture, the combination of AZT/GM-CSF was found to be more effective than AZT alone in preventing the transfer/amplification of HIV in the target lymphocytes. These results suggest that (1) AZT is effective in inhibiting HIV-1 infection in mononuclear phagocytes; (2) GM-CSF neither inhibits nor augments the replication of the IIIB strain of HIV in human AMs; and (3) the combination of AZT and GM-CSF may have an enhanced anti-HIV-1 activity compared with AZT alone. Clinical trials with the two agents in combination appear warranted.

Cells, Cultured↗

Effects of recombinant soluble CD4 (rCD4) on HIV-1 infection of monocyte/macrophages.

Recombinant soluble CD4 (rCD4) was tested for its ability to block acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the U937 monocytic cell line and in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) and for its ability to prevent transfer of virus from chronically infected PAM to target peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PMNL). With an initial virus inoculum of 10(3)-10(4) TCID50/ml, rCD4 completely prevented acute HIV infection of U937 cells at concentrations greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml and provided substantial but incomplete protection at 0.1 microgram/ml. With an initial virus inoculum of 10(2) TCID50/ml, rCD4 completely prevented acute infection of PAM at concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 microgram/ml. The transmission of HIV-1 infection to PMNL cocultured with chronically infected PAM was completely inhibited at concentrations greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml if cell-to-cell contact was prevented. With direct PAM-PMNL contact, substantial inhibition was obtained at an rCD4 concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, and higher concentrations (200 micrograms/ml) could completely block transfer. These results demonstrated that rCD4 can be effective in preventing de novo infection of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, but microenvironments where cell-to-cell contact predominates are likely to pose a formidable challenge to this therapeutic strategy.

CD4 Antigens↗

The acute aseptic meningitis syndrome.

The acute aseptic meningitis syndrome is an entity that presents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. Although many infectious and noninfectious etiologies exist for this syndrome, viruses, especially nonpolio enteroviruses, are the classic and most important agents encountered. The incidence of polio and mumps meningitis has declined dramatically in the vaccine era, but recently described pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease agent) are now important considerations in the differential diagnosis. Specifically treatable entities (eg, mycobacterial or fungal meningitis, herpes simplex encephalitis, parameningeal infection) that may mimic aseptic meningitis in their initial presentations must not be overlooked. A careful approach to the patient and a rational use of laboratory studies are the basis for establishing a specific diagnosis and assuring a favorable outcome.

Acute Disease↗

The herpes simplex virus immediate-early protein, ICP4, is required to potentiate replication of human immunodeficiency virus in CD4+ lymphocytes.

The interaction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) was investigated in an acute whole-virus coinfection system. CD4+ lymphoid CEM cells were infected with HIV-1 and, 24 h later, superinfected with HSV-1 (strain KOS) or HSV mutants possessing defined deletions in genes specifying the immediate-early transcriptional regulatory proteins ICP0, ICP4, or ICP27. Marked potentiation of HIV replication was demonstrated with the KOS strain, the ICP0 mutant, and the ICP27 mutant, but not with the ICP4 mutant, indicating that ICP4 is essential and ICP0 and ICP27 are nonessential for this effect. These studies demonstrate that HSV can be a potent stimulator of HIV replication and gene expression in coinfected CD4+ cells through the activity of the HSV regulatory protein ICP4.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus by Betadine products and chlorhexidine.

Eleven povidone-iodine-containing products (Betadine) and chlorhexidine gluconate solution were tested for their ability to inactivate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a cell culture system. All Betadine products completely inactivated the virus at povidone-iodine concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.5% (10- to 20-fold dilutions of stock) except for Betadine Lubricating Antiseptic Gel, which required 2.5% for efficacy (1:2 dilution). Chlorhexidine gluconate completely inactivated HIV at concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.2% (1:100 dilution of laboratory stock; 1:20 dilution of commercial stock). Betadine douche and medicated douche did not inactivate HIV at the concentrations recommended for clinical use (0.33% and 0.25%, respectively) but were effective at povidone-iodine concentrations of 0.5%. Inactivation appeared to be immediate since no difference in efficacy based on length of exposure to the microbicide was detected. Thus, both microbicides are highly effective at killing HIV in vitro.

Chlorhexidine↗

Ganciclovir therapy of severe cytomegalovirus infections in solid-organ transplant recipients.

The clinical and virologic efficacy of ganciclovir (9-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl]guanine) in the treatment of severe CMV infections in solid organ transplant recipients was investigated. Twelve patients (9 liver and 3 kidney transplant recipients) with CMV retinitis, esophagitis, hepatitis, or pneumonia received ganciclovir at a dose of 0.75-7.5 mg/kg/day for 10-30 days (mean duration 17 days). Clinical stabilization or improvement occurred in 8 patients (67%). Serial liver biopsies in 6 liver allograft recipients with CMV hepatitis demonstrated substantial histologic improvement on treatment. Of 6 patients with CMV pneumonia, 4 (67%) recovered and survived. Cultures of blood and other sites became negative in 9 patients (75%). Three patients (25%) had recurrent viral shedding after treatment, but none of these relapsed with invasive infections. Mild neutropenia was the only side effect encountered but was frequent (67%). The overall survival rate was 50%. Ganciclovir is effective in reducing CMV shedding in solid organ transplant recipients and is well tolerated. Our experience suggests a clinical benefit as well in patients with severe, invasive CMV disease. Relapse, in contrast to patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is infrequent.

Acyclovir↗

The pathophysiology of enhanced susceptibility to murine cytomegalovirus respiratory infection during short-term exposure to 5 ppm nitrogen dioxide.

To determine whether exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) affects respiratory tract susceptibility to viral infection, CD-1 mice were inoculated intratracheally with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) during exposure to varying concentrations of NO2. Exposure lasted for 6 h per day; it began 2 consecutive days prior to instillation of MCMV and continued for 4 days after virus inoculation. Exposure to 5 ppm NO2 resulted in MCMV proliferation and a mild bronchopneumonia in some animals inoculated with 10(2) plaque-forming units of virus. Importantly, this inoculum was too low to produce either viral replication or histologic abnormalities in the lungs of air-exposed animals. We also found that the amount of virus required to infect animals exposed to 5 ppm of NO2 was 100-fold lower than that needed to consistently produce infection in air-exposed animals. Animals exposed to 5 ppm NO2 also exhibited depressed phagocytosis of colloidal Au198 in vivo as well as diminished macrophage destruction of instilled MCMV compared to air-exposed animals. These results demonstrate that exposure to 5 ppm NO2, although not associated with evidence of overt lung injury per se, is nevertheless capable of predisposing the lower respiratory tract to viral infection.

Animals↗

Acyclovir-associated fever: a case report.

Drug-induced fever has been associated with many agents. We treated a patient who developed high, spiking fevers while receiving intravenous acyclovir. Rechallenge with the drug was not attempted. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of drug-induced fever in patients who receive systemic acyclovir.

Acyclovir↗

Ganciclovir hepatotoxicity.

A 33-year-old male with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome received ganciclovir for presumed cytomegalovirus retinitis. Although results of baseline liver function tests were abnormal, marked elevations of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase occurred when the drug was first instituted, as well as after rechallenge. These elevated laboratory values declined on each occasion that the drug was withdrawn. As no other toxic or infectious insults could clearly be incriminated in these acute, self-limited episodes of hepatic function abnormalities, ganciclovir was most likely responsible for the toxicity observed in this patient.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗