Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-infected infants and young children with dideoxynucleosides
Article Abstract:
Research is underway to develop new medications effective against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It has been discovered that HIV can be suppressed by agents that inhibit the viral enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, which is essential for the replication, or spread, of the virus within the body. Currently, studies are underway to test the effectiveness and safety of several reverse transcriptase inhibitors in treating AIDS in children and infants. The reverse transcriptase inhibitor zidovudine (AZT) is effective in improving nerve development and function, and the rate of growth, in children and infants with AIDS. But AZT treatment has been associated with the development of neutropenia, which is a decrease in the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), and anemia, which is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. A chemically similar reverse transcriptase inhibitor, dideoxycytidine (ddC), may also be effective in treating AIDS among pediatric patients. Although ddC does not cause blood disorders, it was shown to cause painful peripheral neuropathy (nerve disease). Treatment with AZT followed by ddC may reduce the incidence of adverse effects caused by these agents individually. Two newer antiviral agents, dideoxyinosine and soluble recombinant CD4, are currently being tested for their activity against HIV in infants and children. The ability of recombinant CD4 to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy is also being investigated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1990
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Double-blind randomized clinical trial of self-administered podofilox solution versus vehicle in the treatment of genital warts
Article Abstract:
Genital warts are caused by infection of the genital organs with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a widely prevalent, long-term sexually transmitted disease. Genital HPV infection is treated by various destructive methods, including podophyllin resin, cryotherapy (use of cold temperature treatment), electrical cautery, surgical removal, laser, the drug 5-fluorouracil, and the irritant trichloracetic acid. Although podophyllin resin is a commonly used treatment, it is toxic in high amounts. A derivative of podophyllin resin known as podofilox has been shown to be effective in treating genital warts at concentrations of 0.5 to 10 percent. The effectiveness of 0.5 percent podofilox was assessed among 38 men with penile warts. Podofilox decreased the number of warts and area affected by warts to 15.9 and 5.1 percent, respectively, over a four-week period. By comparison, in patients not receiving 0.5 percent podofilox solution, the number of warts and area affected by warts were unchanged, at 97.4 and 92.9 percent respectively. Local adverse reactions were transient and occurred more frequently in patients receiving podofilox. Podofilox completely eradicated warts in 25 of 45 treatments, although recurrences of warts were frequent and only 21 percent of patients remained free of warts two weeks after completing treatment. The results show that 0.5 percent podofilox solution is an effective and safe treatment for penile warts. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1990
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