Acyclovir resistance/susceptibility in herpes simplex virus type 2 sequential isolates from an AIDS patient

Article Abstract:

Patients with AIDS or other diseases where the immune system is compromised often develop infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV). Acyclovir (ACV) is successful in treating infections with HSV. However, patients who are being treated with ACV for HSV infections can become resistant to the drug. Resistant strains of HSV have been found to not produce the enzyme thymidine kinase, which is the molecular ''target'' of antiviral drugs. ACV has its biological effect on this molecule and if the molecule is absent or nonfunctional, the drug does not affect HSV and the patient becomes resistant to treatment. Six strains of viruses were sequentially isolated over an eight-month period from a patient with AIDS who was being treated for a genital sore caused by HSV. When the patient became resistant to ACV, viral isolates were found to contain genetic changes in the structure of the thymidine kinase molecule. ACV treatment was stopped and the patient was then treated with another drug, foscarnet. The virus isolates retrieved at this point contained thymidine kinase enzymes that were functional and not mutated. Therefore, treatment of HSV infections should include the use of alternative drugs to prevent the development of drug resistance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Drug therapy, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Acyclovir, AIDS (Disease), Herpesvirus diseases, Herpesvirus infections

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Man-to-woman sexual transmission of HIV: longitudinal study of 343 steady partners of infected men

Article Abstract:

Women who insist that their HIV-infected male partners use a condom during sex can reduce their risk of contracting HIV by 90%. Of 343 uninfected female partners of HIV-infected men who were followed for an average of two years, 19 became infected. Sixteen did not consistently use a condom during sex. Their risk of infection was six times greater than that in women who consistently used a condom. None of the women had any other risk factors for HIV infection. Fourteen of the 19 women who became infected had male partners who had CD4+ T cell counts less than 400 and detectable HIV antigens in their blood. These women were only 28% of the total group but were 74% of those who became infected. Based on these data, one-fourth of all women who are sexual partners of HIV-infected men with low CD4+ counts and HIV antigenemia are at risk of contracting HIV if they do not consistently use a condom during sex.

Sexual behavior, Usage, Women, Disease transmission, Condoms

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Declining levels of rescued lymphoproliferative response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in AIDS patients with or without HCMV disease following long-term HAART

Article Abstract:

Many HIV patients may still be susceptible to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection even if they are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This can even occur in patients with relatively high CD4 T cell counts. For this reason, all HIV patients should be tested for HCMV.

Cytomegaloviruses, Cytomegalovirus, Complications

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