Increased fetal hemoglobin levels in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV1/2)

Fetal hemoglobin was measured in HIV1/2 patients under treatment with combined therapy (zidovudine and a protease inhibitor). A total of 143 patients and 103 normal individuals were investigated by the quantitative method of Betke and the semi-quantitative acid elution method of Kleihauer. In the normal person, hemoglobin F makes up less than 1 percent and an increase higher than 1.5 percent was observed in 21.4 percent of HIV patients by the method of Betke and in 24.8 percent of HIV-infected patients by the method of Kleihauer. The quantitative biochemical method of Betke showed that the populations were significantly different (two-tailed Mann-Whitney test). The reason for this hemoglobin F increase might be ascribed to the effect of zidovudine or to direct viral action on gamma chain expression. The finding of a higher F cell frequency indicated by the method of Kleihauer rather suggests that there is an increased F cell clone proliferation rather than an increase in hemoglobin F level in every cell

Increased fetal hemoglobin levels in patients infected with human in patients infected with uman immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1/2)

Fetal hemoglobin was measured in HIV 1/2 patients under treatment with combined therapy (zidovudine and a protease inhbitor). A total of 143 patientes and 103 normal individual were investigated by the quantitative method of Betke and the semi-quantitative acid elution method of Keihauer. In the normal person, hemoglobin F makes up less than.

Increased fetal hemoglobin levels in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV1/2).

Fetal hemoglobin was measured in HIV1/2 patients under treatment with combined therapy (zidovudine and a protease inhibitor). A total of 143 patients and 103 normal individuals were investigated by the quantitative method of Betke and the semi-quantitative acid elution method of Kleihauer. In the normal person, hemoglobin F makes up less than 1% and an increase higher than 1.5% was observed in 21.4% of HIV patients by the method of Betke and in 24.8% of HIV-infected patients by the method of Kleihauer. The quantitative biochemical method of Betke showed that the populations were significantly different (two-tailed Mann-Whitney test). The reason for this hemoglobin F increase might be ascribed to the effect of zidovudine or to direct viral action on gamma chain expression. The finding of a higher F cell frequency indicated by the method of Kleihauer rather suggests that there is an increased F cell clone proliferation rather than an increase in hemoglobin F level in every cell.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Isospora belli among AIDS patients attending Santos Reference Center for AIDS, São Paulo, Brazil.

From March 1991 to February 1992, 276 stool samples from 131 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (average, 2.1 samples per patient) and stool samples from 81 presumed immunocompetent individuals were studied for the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Isospora belli. The techniques employed were a modified formol-ether concentration, carbol (phenol) auramine staining, and a modified Kinyoun acid-fast method. The prevalence of both coccidia among AIDS patients was 25.9% (34 of 131). Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were demonstrated in 25 (19.1%) AIDS patients and I. belli in 13 (9.9%). Coinfection for coccidia of both species was found in 4 (3%) AIDS subjects. Among the presumed immunocompetent individuals, coccidia were not demonstrated in their 81 stool specimens. This study, like others, confirms the worldwide importance of these coccidia among AIDS patients and the necessity of suitable techniques for demonstration of oocysts in stool samples.

[Acute toxoplasmosis: evaluation of a thin-layer immunoassay technic for detection of IgM antibodies, anti-Toxoplasma gondii]. / Toxoplasmose aguda: avaliação da técnica de imunoensaio em camada delgada para a detecção de anticorpos IgM, anti-Toxoplasma gondii.

A solid phase method, thin-layer immunoassay (IgM-TIA) was standardized and evaluated for the immunodiagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis, through the detection of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. A total of 300 serum samples from serologically defined acute toxoplasmosis and, from non-related infections, was investigated by IgM-TIA. Statistical analysis were carried out in comparison with conventional tests, the immunofluorescence test for the detection of IgM antibodies (IgM-IFI) and hemagglutination test which uses 2-mercaptoethanol serum treatment (2ME-HA). Also the correlation coefficients were calculated for various Toxoplasma gondii antigen concentrations, as well as, the influence of the antigenic concentration on the relative indices of sensitivity and specificity were verified. The intra and inter test reproducibilities were demonstrated statistically, as well as, the reutilization of T. gondii antigen was proven to be possible for at least 10 times. The data indicated that antigenic concentrations, from 70 to 100 Cmg/ml, were able to provide maximum sensitivity and specificity. IgM-TIA displayed similar diagnostic efficiency to those two conventional tests here utilized, and may be employed to make diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis, mainly if laboratory animals are available.