Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0021051 (immunodeficiency)
 71,517 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Despite the fact that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted primarily by sexual contact, the biology of the sexual transmission of HIV is poorly understood. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) can be transmitted to female rhesus macaques by placing cell-free virus into the vaginal canal, and SIV can be isolated from the vaginal secretions of infected rhesus macaques. The authors examined the genital tracts from 16 chronically infected female rhesus macaques and localized SIV-infected cells using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. SIV-infected cells were found in the genital tract of 13 of the 16 animals examined, and in most cases the SIV-infected cells were located in the submucosa of the cervix and vagina. However, SIV-infected cells were also found in the vaginal epithelium. SIV-infected cells were more common in sites of inflammation than in normal areas. These findings suggest that SIV gains access to genital tract secretions from the cervix and vaginal epithelium.
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PMID:Localization of SIV in the genital tract of chronically infected female rhesus macaques. 151 70

Local secretory immunity in the vagina may confer a degree of protection against heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since the vagina has been shown to respond to local immunization, we have undertaken intravaginal immunization of rats with a 20-mer peptide (amino acid residues 102 to 121) of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp120). The peptide was administered in combination with an 'absorption enhancer', lysophosphatidyl glycerol (LPG), which has previously been shown to promote the absorption of intravaginally administered peptides, while exerting only mild effects on epithelial membrane integrity. Intravaginal immunization with LPG and the peptide induced serum and vaginal wash IgA and IgG antibody responses which were enhanced in comparison to those after immunization with the peptide alone. Serum antibodies induced by both subcutaneous and intravaginal immunization were able to recognize recombinant HIV-1 gp120. However, the rat antiserum displayed no neutralizing activity against the virus. These results demonstrate that LPG is an effective immunological adjuvant for intravaginally administered peptide antigens. An alternative absorption enhancer, bestatin (BES), was not effective as an immunological adjuvant when administered intravaginally and blocked the adjuvant activity of LPG when BES and LPG were used in combination.
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PMID:Vaginal immunization of rats with a synthetic peptide from human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein. 164 52

An exploratory study was conducted in Malawi to determine whether a correlation exists between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and traditional practices involving the intravaginal application of substances such as herbs and pulverized stone. Included in the survey were 6603 consecutive consenting volunteers who presented at the prenatal clinic of an urban hospital from October 1989-October 1990. The median age of study participants was 24 years. Although only 11% reported having had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the three years preceding the interview, laboratory analysis revealed the presence of such an infection in 46%. HIV infection was found in 1502 (23%). A total of 2953 (45%) of these pregnant women reported use of vaginal agents or vaginal incision, either for the treatment of discharge or itching or for the enhancement of sexual pleasure through vaginal tightening. Concerns have been raised that the placement of desiccants, irritants, and astringents in the vagina can induce certain physiological changes that increase the risk of HIV infection. Demonstrated in this survey was a slight association between HIV seropositivity and the use of vaginal agents for self-medication but not for vaginal tightening. In the univariate analysis, this finding persisted only for pregnant women without past or current STD infection. In the multivariate analysis, users of vaginal agents for treatment had a small increased risk of HIV in addition to--and independently of--the risk conferred by an STD history. It is possible, however, that the use of vaginal agents for self-medication is a marker for the presence of genital tract inflammation--a co-factor for HIV transmission. Given the extent of this traditional practice and its potential risk, more research is urged on the type of vaginal agents used and their effects on vaginal tissue.
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PMID:Traditional vaginal agents: use and association with HIV infection in Malawian women. 775 19

Recent epidemiologic, immunologic, and pathophysiologic data suggest that female genital schistosomiasis, a special form of urinary schistosomiasis due to infection with the trematode Schistosoma haematobium, may be a risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the 44 African countries where these infections coexist. Eggs of the parasite are found in the organs of the female genital tract (vagina, vulva, and cervix), as well as in urine. Epidemiologists have estimated that 90 million Africans are infected with S. haematobium and that 35-100% of so infected women of childbearing age suffer intermittently from genital lesions caused by eggs sequestered within the epithelium. Lesions associated with this disease tend to be multiple and bleed easily, spontaneously or on contact. Women heavily infected with S. haematobium or S. mansoni show a decrease in the number of circulating CD4+ T cells and NK cells; moreover, a cross-reactivity between HIV-1 virion infectivity factor and a surface antigen to S mansoni has been shown. The eroded, friable epithelium of women with genital schistosomiasis provides HIV with access to deeper cell layers; moreover, the abundance of CD4+ cells and macrophages within the confines of the granuloma makes rapid binding of HIV more likely than is the case with other sexually transmitted diseases. The greatest increase in HIV prevalence in the past decade has occurred in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and the Central African Republic--countries with S. haematobium rates of about 70%. In addition, the HIV prevalence rate in areas highly endemic for this parasite is 1.2-1.7 times greater in women than men. Needed, to confirm this association, are correlation studies of increases in HIV prevalence over time in women 15-30 years of age and rates of genital schistosomiasis.
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PMID:Female genital schistosomiasis as a risk-factor for the transmission of HIV. 781 59

With the use of two different approaches to study multiple primaries in anal cancer patients, the authors sought clues to the etiology of anal cancer. Based on data from the Danish Cancer Registry for 1943-1989, previous cancers in 831 anal cancer patients were compared with cancers in 12,376 matched population controls, and subsequent cancers in 955 anal cancer patients were compared with expected numbers based on population rates. Overall, previous cancers were in excess among anal cancer patients (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.1). Elevated risks were observed especially for the vulva/vagina (OR = 15.4, 95% CI 4.9-48.0), cervix (OR = 4.3, 95% CI 2.7-6.9), and lymphoma/leukemia (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.5-10.4). Subsequent cancers were also in excess (relative risk (RR) = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7), particularly for the lung (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.7), bladder (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-4.6), breast (RR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.3), vulva/vagina (RR = 12.3, 95% CI 4.0-28.7), and small intestine (two cases) (RR = 10.8, 95% CI 1.2-39.0). Colorectal cancers were reduced (RR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). The data support a multifactorial etiology for anal cancer, in which an infectious agent and smoking may be involved. The association with lymphatic/hematopoietic cancers may indicate a possible role for immunodeficiency in anal cancer development. Multiple cancers occurred predominantly in patients diagnosed with anal cancer at a young age (< 60 years), which raises the possibility of a genetic predisposition for some cases. The authors recommend that, in future hypothesis generating and hypothesis testing multiple cancer studies of rare malignancies, the combined study of cancer events both prior to and following an index cancer should be considered.
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PMID:Malignancies that occur before and after anal cancer: clues to their etiology. 801 99

The most common spermicidal compound in use in North America is nonoxynol-9. Barrier methods of contraception used in combination with a spermicidal product help prevent a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. In 1991 the Centers for Disease Control reported a total of 620,478 cases of gonorrhea, 128,569 of syphilis, and 43,672 of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The evidence for antimicrobial activity of spermicides against sexually transmitted disease pathogens has been accumulated during the last 20 years from in vitro and in vivo studies on Neisseria gonorrhea, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, and the human immunodeficiency virus. Uropathogenic bacteria, including E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus species, have been found to grow in concentrations of 25% or greater of nonoxynol-9. Less well known is the effect of nonoxynol-9 on the growth of lactobacilli, the predominant organisms colonizing the vagina of most healthy postpubertal and premenopausal women, which according to in vitro studies could inhibit the colonization and ascending infection of the bladder by E. coli and as E. faecalis. The organisms associated with bacterial vaginosis have been found to be inhibited by low concentrations of nonoxynol-9 (0.0019-0.5%). However, spermicide use does not appear to have any effect on the development of bacterial vaginosis. Clinical studies to date, with one exception, have shown no significant differences in bacterial vaginosis infection rates among users of diaphragms, contraceptive sponges and condoms and other contraceptive methods that do not involve exposure to spermicides. A history of nonoxynol-9 use as well as the use of antimicrobial agents should be considered in recurrent urogenital infections, since both can potentially disrupt the urogenital microbial flora. The physician must weigh the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases or an unwanted pregnancy against the prevention of urinary tract infection or vaginal candidiasis before advising the patient to discontinue the use of nonoxynol-9-containing spermicides.
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PMID:The influence of nonoxynol-9-containing spermicides on urogenital infection. 805 30

Candida is present in the flora of the oral cavity, skin, intestinal tract and vagina, and is also known to be an opportunistic pathogen. Infection with this fungus has been increasing annually along with wide spread use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The subjects included 95 patients (48 males and 47 females) who had been diagnosed as having had deep-seated candidiasis, among patients autopsied between 1982 to 1991. In regard to annual changes in deep-seated candidiasis, the incidence reached a peak in the 1985 to 1988 period, and thereafter decreased. The number of cases with leukemia as the underlying disease was the largest, 36 (37.9%), followed by malignant lymphoma in 10, and aplastic anemia 5. The number of cases with infection of the stomach was largest, 42 (44.2%), followed by the esophagus in 33 (34.7%), the lung and kidney. The cases with deep-seated candidiasis showed low values of or level of lymphocyte, hemoglobin, CRP, total protein and cholesterol and high values or levels of LDH, urea N, creatinine and total bilirubin. Cases with marked decrease in neutrophils showed no regional infiltration of inflammatory cells in any of the organs infected with Candida. Cases with disseminated candidiasis showed vascular invasion by Candida. The laboratory findings also showed that most of the cases had been undernourished and had high values of CRP which supports the presence of inflammation. Common sites of infection are the esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tract. In the presence of granulocytopenia and immunodeficiency, tissue invasion become severe and associated with vascular invasion.
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PMID:[Retrospective analysis of deep-seated candidiasis among cases autopsied between 1982 to 1991]. 808 55

As of August 12, 1993, a total of 2804 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had been required in South Africa, however, this statistic is an understatement of the scope of the epidemic since AIDS is not a notifiable disease. Most cases are concentrated in the 20-39 year age group, with equal numbers of males and females infected. Present AIDS cases represent infections transmitted 5-10 years ago, and current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence rates suggest that there will be a dramatic upsurge in AIDS in the years ahead. This trend mandates more aggressive implementation of South Africa's AIDS strategy, especially in rural areas. In need of attention is the African sex practice of inserting a herbal mixture or Colgate toothpaste in the vagina before intercourse to contract, dry, or heat it. Dry sex has been associated both with increased rates of HIV transmission and reduced condom use. Studies as to whether male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection have reached opposite conclusions, so no recommendation has been issued regarding this practice. Encouraging has been the achievement of a safe blood supply in Zambia and Uganda. In Uganda, the HIV infection rate dropped between 1989 and 1993 among voluntary donors from 13.5% to 4.8% and among replacement donors from 24.1% to 9.6%. Uganda's program includes an emphasis on voluntary donors, counseling, assessment of HIV risk factors, identification of low-risk populations, and retention of blood donors through the organization of "Life Givers" clubs.
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PMID:AIDS: an impending disaster. 817 1

The prevalence of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was evaluated in 30 consecutive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) + women by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-in situ hybridization (ISH) on paraffin-embedded tissue sections and compared with that found with standard ISH. Biopsies were removed from normal or neoplastic areas in the cervix, vagina, and vulva, and ISH was performed with biotinylated or fluorescein isothiocyanate genomic DNA probes. One probe was used for HPV screening and others for HPV typing (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33). Sequences were amplified by the "hot-start" PCR method and followed by standard ISH. Among the 30 HIV + women, 90% scored HPV + in one or several locations by PCR-ISH, whereas only 67% were positive by ISH. Oncogenic HPV types were found in 63% by PCR-ISH and in only 43% by ISH. The same HPV types detected by standard ISH were also recognized by PCR-ISH, but with the latter the signal was amplified. Moreover, some HPV types were found with PCR-ISH but not by ISH. We conclude that PCR-ISH is a valuable and sensitive method for specific detection of HPV.
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PMID:Improved detection of human papillomavirus infection in genital intraepithelial neoplasia in human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV +) women by polymerase chain reaction-in situ hybridization. 872 1

The objective of this study was to examine the potential of vaginal and rectal mucosal routes for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) uptake and infection, as a model of mucosal HIV infection, and to determine the fate of virus at these mucosal sites following transmission of infection. SPF cats were exposed to FIV isolates (PET, GL-8, T637), administered as either cell-associated or cell-free inocula, via the rectum or vagina. Establishment of infection was confirmed by isolation of infectious FIV from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and by presence of FIV proviral DNA in PBMC using a nested polymerase chain reaction. Fate of virus in tissue taken at necropsy from cats infected for 6-48 weeks was assessed by localizing FIV core and envelope proteins, p24 and gp41, using a biotin-streptavidin linked immunoperoxidase (IP) technique. Cells susceptible to infection were identified by an in situ hybridization technique for FIV viral DNA and RNA. Cell-free, as well as cell-associated, virus was infectious across intact vaginal and rectal mucosal surfaces. Transmission was most successful using cell-associated inocula, and via the rectal route. Cells infected with FIV were detected by IP staining in the colon of 6/9 rectally challenged cats and 1/5 vaginally challenged cats. Virus was predominantly localized within the epithelium at the base of the colonic crypts associated with lymphoid aggregates (follicle associated epithelium; FAE), and within the lymphoid follicle itself. Occasional infected cells were also noted within the lamina propria. The distribution of FIV DNA positive cells in the colon was similar to that for FIV antigen whilst FIV RNA positive cells were found more extensively, including within the lamina propria and lymphoid follicle. FIV infected cells were not detected within the vagina, or colonic and ileac lymph nodes. Similar patterns of infected cells were seen in all of the positive cats, indicating that colonic tissues remain persistently actively infected with FIV. We conclude that the FIV/cat model of rectal and vaginal mucosal infection should prove useful for characterizing the mechanism by which HIV infects mucosal surfaces and as a challenge system for the design of vaccines effective at preventing HIV infection via rectal and vaginal routes.
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PMID:Vaginal and rectal infection of cats with feline immunodeficiency virus. 887 Jan 85


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