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Biomedical subjects

W L Drew

Publications and source records attributed to W L Drew.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Herpesvirus infections (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus). How to use ganciclovir (DHPG) and acyclovir.

Herpes viruses (HSV, CMV, VZ) are very frequent in AIDS patients and often exist in a chronic or progressive form. Clinically evident CMV retinitis occurs in approximately 10 per cent of AIDS patients but can be effectively treated with a new nucleoside analogue DHPG (Gancyclovir). Perianal ulcers, proctitis, and other clinical syndromes caused by HSV can be effectively treated with acyclovir (ACV) and HSV recurrences can be prevented by daily administration of ACV. Zoster in a young adult may be the first indication of immunodeficiency due to HIV. Because VZV is less susceptible to ACV than HSV, intravenous ACV or high-dose oral therapy is required to achieve inhibitory blood levels.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Risk of transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis B virus to health care workers exposed to patients with AIDS and AIDS-related conditions.

This prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the risk of occupational transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) to health care workers with intensive exposure to HIV-infected patients. Seventy-five percent of the 270 subjects had been exposed to patients with AIDS and AIDS-related conditions (ARC) for at least one year before enrollment, 18% worked in specialized AIDS units, and 35% sustained a total of 342 accidental parenteral exposures to HIV-infected body fluids. At the time of enrollment, none had antibody to HIV, and none of the 175 subjects retested 10 months later had acquired antibody. No evidence of increased risk of acquiring CMV or HBV was obtained. These results indicate that health care workers are at minimal risk for HIV, CMV, and HBV transmission from occupational exposure to patients with AIDS or ARC, even when intensively exposed for prolonged periods of time.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1987

Diagnostic virology.

Diagnostic virology services are increasingly available and pertinent as the number of useful antiviral agents grows. In this article, current methods of diagnosis are reviewed with special emphasis on rapid procedures. Guidelines for interpretation of cultures and other tests are provided.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1985

Cytomegalovirus infection and abnormal T-lymphocyte subset ratios in homosexual men.

T-helper:T-suppressor cell ratios of 1 or less were found in 2 of 42 homosexual men without antibodies to cytomegalovirus but in 33 of 67 homosexual men with antibodies (p less than 0.001). Of 34 men without antibody who were followed prospectively, 12 became seropositive for cytomegalovirus and all 12 developed helper: suppressor ratios of less than 1.0. These ratios remained at 1 or less for an average of 9.6 months but persisted for 15 months or more in 3 men. None of the men in the prospective study developed antibodies to the acquired-immunodeficiency-syndrome-associated retrovirus. These results indicate that in the homosexual men studied, abnormally low T-lymphocyte helper: suppressor ratios occurred almost exclusively in those who were infected with cytomegalovirus, and in those prospectively followed low ratios did not reflect contact with the syndrome-associated retrovirus. Abnormal ratios were rarely seen in men who had never been exposed to cytomegalovirus. Thus, cytomegalovirus infection may be an important cofactor in the immunologic disorders leading to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1984

Efficacy of the condom as a barrier to the transmission of cytomegalovirus.

An in vitro model was used to determine whether latex condoms prevent the transmission of cytomegalovirus. When the condoms were submitted to stretching and trauma that simulated sexual intercourse, no transmission of cytomegalovirus across the condom barrier was detected. Condoms may therefore be used to minimize the transmission of cytomegalovirus via semen in both heterosexual and homosexual intercourse.

Coitus↗
PubMed1984

Persistent diffuse lymphadenopathy in homosexual men: endpoint or prodrome?

Seventy homosexual men with unexplained persistent diffuse lymphadenopathy enrolled in a prospective natural history study from November 1981 to November 1982. These men had demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings similar to those of homosexual patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Pathologic examination of lymph node biopsies from 35 patients showed florid follicular hyperplasia. Despite benign reactive pathologic findings, most patients had constitutional symptoms and recurrent non-life-threatening infections. All had evidence of immune dysfunction with B-lymphocyte activation and inversion of the T-lymphocyte helper: suppressor ratio. To date, none of our patients has developed the more malignant manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The lymphadenopathy syndrome may be an alternative phenotypic response to the "acquired immunodeficiency syndrome agent."

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Immunologic abnormalities in patients with hemophilia A.

To assess the immunologic status of healthy persons with hemophilia A, we performed studies of T cell immunity in 21 patients, 10 given only cryoprecipitate and 11 given factor VIII concentrate. Patients in the factor VIII group had significantly decreased helper/suppressor T cell ratios. Both groups had diminished mononuclear cell response to phytohemagglutinin and normal mixed lymphocyte culture, compared with controls. Abnormalities in T cell number or function did not correlate with the presence of antibody to cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or hepatitis B. Physicians caring for patients with hemophilia A should realize that asymptomatic individuals may have early evidence of immunodeficiency.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Cytomegalovirus infections in homosexual men. An epidemiological study.

Levels of cytomegalovirus antibody (IgG and IgM) were measured and urine viral cultures were done in 237 homosexual men over a mean period of 14.1 months. The initial prevalence of cytomegalovirus IgG antibody was 86.9%. By the 9th month of follow-up, 71% of serosusceptible men had become infected with cytomegalovirus. During the study period cytomegaloviruria was noted in 32% of seropositive men. Cytomegalovirus IgM antibody was intermittently present in the serum of 95% of IgG-seropositive men, suggesting that frequent reactivation of latent infection or reexposure to exogenous virus had occurred. Of seven sexual practices investigated, only passive anal-genital intercourse correlated with the acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection (p = 0.008).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Indirect hemagglutination inhibition: a direct method for detecting cytomegalovirus antigen.

We have developed a simple and sensitive technique for detecting CMV antigen in tissue culture specimens. The IHI assay is a modification of the IHA, which is capable of reliably detecting 10(3) median TCID50 of virus. With the IHI assay, antigen is detected by its capacity to inhibit the reactivity of CMV antisera of known titer in an IHA assay. The test is specific, uses readily available reagents, and is easy to perform. The IHI assay may serve as a tool for screening tissue culture specimens for CMV.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1982

Outbreak of Burkitt's-like lymphoma in homosexual men.

Four cases of Burkitt's-like lymphoma (undifferentiated, monoclonal, B-cell tumours) in homosexual men were seen in a 9-month period in San Francisco. One tumour contained both Epstein-Barr-virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen. Another tumour contained EBNA, and a third contained no viral antigen, but EBNA and CMV antigens were detected in the overlying epithelium. This outbreak widens the array of neoplasms affecting immunosuppressed homosexual men and provides further evidence of an oncogenic role for EBV and CMV.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Cytomegalovirus and Kaposi's sarcoma in young homosexual men.

10 homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were studied for evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. IgG and IgM antibodies to CMV were detected in 9 out of 9 and in 7 out of 9 of these patients, respectively. CMV was recovered from body secretions or peripheral blood of 7 patients. Viral cultures of KS tumour biopsy specimens were negative in 8 out of 8 patients, but CMV RNA was detected by in-situ hybridisation in 2 out of 3 and CMV antigen(s) by immunofluorescence in 6 out of 9. Normal tissue specimens from 3 KS patients were negative for CMV antigen. These observations suggest an association of CMV with KS.

Adult↗