Prevention of relapse of histoplasmosis with itraconazole in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Article Abstract:

The drug itraconazole appears to be effective in preventing relapse of histoplasmosis in AIDS patients. Histoplasmosis is an infection that results from the inhalation or ingestion of the spores Histoplasma capsulatum. Among AIDS patients, it is usually treated with amphotericin B, but maintenance therapy with intravenous amphotericin B to prevent relapse is complicated and expensive. Forty-two AIDS patients who had been successfully treated for histoplasmosis with amphotericin B took 200 milligrams of itraconazole orally two times a day. One patient had a confirmed relapse, and another had a possible relapse. Only one patient had to stop taking the drug because of toxicity. In the other 39 patients, itraconazole successfully suppressed a relapse.

Evaluation, Complications and side effects, Histoplasmosis, AIDS (Disease), Itraconazole

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Is it time to proactively switch successful antiretroviral therapy? Carefully check your SWATCH

Article Abstract:

More research is needed to determine whether HIV patients will benefit from switching from one group of AIDS drugs to another every few months. This is done to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to any particular drug. A study published in 2003 showed that this might work, but it only evaluated 161 patients. Doctors should study many more HIV patients before they apply this treatment pattern to all their HIV patients.

HIV infection, Drug therapy, HIV infections

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HIV resistance testing in clinical practice: a QALY-fied success

Article Abstract:

A study published in 2001 found that testing HIV patients for resistance to AIDS drugs is cost-effective. HIV can become resistant to some AIDS drug but may still be sensitive to others. Resistance testing can be used to determine which drugs to avoid and which ones to use.

Usage, Testing, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Microbial sensitivity tests

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