Viral phenotype and geneotype as markers in clinical trials

Article Abstract:

The use of viral and genetic information may be helpful in evaluating the early disease progress of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Researchers outlined several laboratory tests both currently used and proposed to evaluate disease progress that utilize the viral nature of AIDS. The MT-2 test determines the presence of syncytia-inducing (SI) strain of the HIV virus, which causes cells to accumulate into one connected mass, and may be a useful indicator for AIDS progression and susceptibility to drug resistance. Another test measures genetic mutations of HIV virus associated with disease resistance. Quantitative microculture (QMC) evaluates blood samples for viral concentration. Evidence suggests that viral concentration may correlate with disease progress. There are also laboratory tests that measure levels of viral RNA and DNA. Other tests evaluate the degree of viral resistance to different drug therapies.

Methods, Analysis, Development and progression, Clinical trials, Viral genetics

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Risk factors for HIV infection at enrollment in an urban male factory cohort in Harare, Zimbabwe

Article Abstract:

Many African men still participate in behavior that puts them at risk for HIV infection. Researchers tested 2,691 factory workers in Zimbabwe for HIV. Nineteen percent tested positive. Men between the ages of 25 and 44 were more likely to be HIV-positive than younger or older men. The strongest risk factor for HIV infection was genital ulcers, which conferred a five-fold greater risk of HIV infection. Sex with multiple partners and paying for sex were also risk factors. Those who owned their homes were less likely to be infected compared to renters. Better control of sexually transmitted diseases could reduce the incidence of HIV infection in Africa.

Risk factors, Zimbabwe, Africans

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HIV-1 reverse transcriptase codon 215 mutation in plasma RNA: immunologic and virologic responses to zidovudine

Article Abstract:

Zidovudine therapy for HIV infection may cause the virus to develop gene mutations making it resistant to the drug. Researchers performed viral DNA analysis on 85 HIV-infected patients who were taking zidovudine. Fifty-eight patients had a viral strain that was sensitive to zidovudine and 25 had a strain with a mutation that made it resistant. Over one year, patients with resistant viral strains had lower CD lymphocyte counts and higher viral blood levels compared to the other patients. Thirty percent of the patients with a sensitive viral strain developed a strain that was resistant to zidovudine.

Causes of, Drug therapy, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Zidovudine

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