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)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that causes feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Infection can be transmitted experimentally via the vagina and rectum, making the cat a useful model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Some strains of FIV use the CXCR4 chemokine receptor in vitro to gain entry to feline cell lines, thymocytes and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). In this study, the tissue expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the CCR3, CXCR4 and CCR5 receptors was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). mRNA encoding each receptor was expressed by two feline T-cell lines (Mya-1 and FeTJ), a feline kidney fibroblast cell line (FKCU) and PBLs. Mesenteric lymph node, colon, rectum, uterus, cervix and vagina all expressed mRNA for CXCR4 and CCR5 whilst only lymph node expressed CCR3 mRNA. In order to locate this receptor mRNA expression, in-situ hybridization studies were performed with DNA probes specific for the chemokine receptor mRNAs. CCR5 and CXCR4 receptor mRNA was expressed by epithelial cells and some lamina propria cells of the colon and rectum. Epithelial cell expression of chemokine receptor mRNA was reduced in intensity towards the base of the crypts. Expression of CXCR4 receptor was also demonstrated immunohistochemically on some lamina propria and intraepithelial cells. The expression of these receptor molecules may be important in mucosal infection with FIV.
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PMID:Expression of chemokine receptors in the feline reproductive tract and large intestine. 1205 77

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect the physiology of male/female reproduction. Chronic bacterial infection of semen is uncommon, but may be a cause of male infertility. Antibacterial treatment results in improvement in sperm quality, once the infection is eradicated. Little is known about how infection with Mycoplasma hominis affects semen quality, but treatment with antibiotics improves motility and decreases the percentage of coiled tails. Chlamydia trachomatis is not frequently isolated from the urethral cultures of normal men, but is a major cause of nongonococcal urethritis and epididymitis. Chlamydia is an important cause of epididymal and oviductal obstruction. Trichomonas vaginalis most frequently colonizes the vagina and cervix of women and the anterior urethra of the male sexual partners. The highest prevalence is in sexually active men and women and Trichomoniasis may well be the most common STD. Syphilis may be an important cofactor in facilitating transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A history of syphilis or a positive serologic test for syphilis is associated with HIV seropositivity in men. In South Africa, the seropositivity in pregnant black women ranges from 11-20%. Ga-Rankuwa Hospital is the referral center for 40 peripheral hospitals and over 4 million people. Since the inception of the Andrology Laboratory in June 1985, more than 5300 semen analyses have been performed on 2000 patients.
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PMID:Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in infertile males attending the andrology clinic at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. 1228 85

Researchers who are working to develop microbicides against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are soliciting women's views to ensure the new technology meets the needs of women. Women will be involved in the implementation of clinical trials, and the introduction of the method into family planning and reproductive health programs. Researchers estimate it will be 7-10 years before microbicides are approved for widespread use. Microbicides may offer a non-contraceptive female-controlled barrier method to protect against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by blocking STD bacteria or viruses. It might be contained in a gel or a film that is inserted into the vagina. A modified formulation might offer contraceptive protection as well. The Population Council is working collaboratively with the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC) and the Pacific Institute for Women's Health to ascertain women's perspectives on the subject. The research will be driven by women's needs, rather than by scientific discovery. A meeting of women's health advocates and scientists was held in 1994, and women's groups will be involved in later stages. The Population Council plans Phase I clinical trials of a noncontraceptive microbicide in the United States, Finland, Chile, Australia, and the Dominican Republic, according to Amparo Claro, coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network in Chile and one of the health advocates working with the Population Council. A second study, which will use focus groups and interviews to determine women's preferences for microbicide formulations (films, vaginal inserts, or gels), will be conducted in the Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Thailand, and the United States.
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PMID:Microbicides research and the woman's perspective. 1229 Apr 66

3 female condoms, or "vaginal pouches" as they are called by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) are expected to be marketed in the US in 1991, the Bikini Condom from International Prophylactics Inc., Princeton NJ; Women's Choice from M.D. Personal Products, Hayward CA; and Reality from Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., Jackson, WI. The advantages of the female condoms are control for women over contraception and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), availability over the counter, no need for spermicides, thicker than male condoms with better barrier effectiveness and less breakage and slippage, and reported heightened sensation for women. The disadvantages are difficulty for inexperienced women to insert, unappealing appearance of part of device protruding from vagina, interference with foreplay, cost of $1.50-$2.40 each, few reports of vaginal irritation. The Bikini Condom looks like a G-string panty with a condom pouch that is automatically introduced into the vagina with coitus. Bikini had a breakage rate of 0.5%, compared to 1-2% for male condoms, an acceptance level of 56%, and can be used 5-10 times. It effectively blocked STDs and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Women's Choice has a 2-inch diameter flexible ring that covers the introitus, and a thickened dome of latex resembling a diaphragm at the deep end, lubricated with silicone. 20% of women reported increased clitoral and labial sensation during use. It prevented transfer of semen acid phosphatase, and enzyme smaller than STDs and viruses. Reality condom is a polyurethane sheath with an inner ring similar to a diaphragm, but fitting more loosely, and an outer ring covering part of the vulva, all inserted with an applicator. It had a leakage rate of 0.6% compared to 3.5% for male condoms, and a slippage rate of 2.7% compared to 8.1% slippage and breakage of male condoms. 5% of users reported vaginal irritation. 65% of women and 80% of men liked Reality. Generally people in female condom trials either strongly liked or disliked them. They are so novel that they appeal to people with an "open mind," and to those with experience with condoms and other barrier methods.
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PMID:Female condoms scheduled to reach U.S. market this year. 1231 52

The male condom remains the single most effective and affordable technology available to protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); however, women who are economically dependent and socially subordinate lack the power to negotiate condom use. Required are acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention options that women can control. The newly developed female condom is being evaluated in several Third World countries. Although it appears to be generally acceptable, its high cost (five times the price of a male condom) remains a barrier to widespread use. Spermicides such as nonoxynol-9 offer some protection against sexually transmitted pathogens, but their effectiveness depends on proper dispersal in the vagina. Moreover, frequent spermicide use is associated with vaginal and cervical tissue irritation, which can increase the risk of HIV transmission. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the ability of a nonoxynol-9 vaginal film to protect against viral infections, including HIV. An international working group organized by the World Health Organization has developed models for preclinical research on microbicidal compounds and guidelines for clinical trials. The ideal microbicide would not kill sperm, making the method suitable for women who want to become pregnant; it could be combined with a spermicide for women who need contraception as well as protection from sexually transmitted pathogens.
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PMID:Scientists search for HIV prevention methods women can control. 1234 53

Worldwide, 18.5 million women are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). At least 80% of these HIV infections have occurred as a result of sexual intercourse with an infected male partner. This review focuses on how HIV-1 enters the human female reproductive tract, and how oestrogen or progesterone, by altering the cervicovaginal epithelium, might change a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection. Experiments on hysterectomised Rhesus monkeys suggest that the vagina, rather than the cervix or uterus, is the main site of viral entry. If ovariectomised monkeys are given systemic oestrogen treatment, this makes them completely resistant to infection by intravaginally administered simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), whereas progesterone-treated animals, like the untreated controls, are extremely susceptible. Some studies have also shown that women on systemic long-acting gestagen-only contraceptives have a thinner vaginal epithelium and hence might be more susceptible to HIV infection; this is certainly true of post-menopausal women. The beneficial effects of oestrogen are thought to be due to increased thickness and cornification of the cervicovaginal epithelium, which prevents the virus from coming into contact with the target Langerhans cells (LCs). Topical vaginal oestrogen treatment is widely used as a safe and effective way of thickening and keratinising the vaginal epithelium in post-menopausal women. Perhaps this could be an exciting new way of protecting women from HIV infection.
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PMID:How oestrogen or progesterone might change a woman's susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. 1249 87

A topical microbicide reduces the probability of virus transmission when applied to the vagina or rectum of a person at risk of sexually acquiring HIV-1 infection. An effective microbicide could significantly reduce the global spread of HIV-1, particularly if women were able to use it covertly to protect themselves. A microbicide could target the incoming virus and either permanently inactivate it or reduce its infectivity, or it could block receptors on susceptible cells near the sites of transmission. We describe here how vaginal administration of the broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody b12 can protect macaques from simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection through the vagina. Only 3 of 12 animals receiving 5 mg b12 vaginally in either saline or a gel and then challenged vaginally (up to 2 h later) with SHIV-162P4 became infected. In contrast, infection occurred in 12 of 13 animals given various control agents under similar conditions. Lower amounts of b12 were less effective, suggesting that protection was dose dependent. These observations support the concept that viral entry inhibitors can help prevent the sexual transmission of HIV-1 to humans.
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PMID:Prevention of virus transmission to macaque monkeys by a vaginally applied monoclonal antibody to HIV-1 gp120. 1257 98

3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) is the most widely used and evaluated chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and persons seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The National Cancer Institute nominated AZT for toxicity and carcinogenicity studies because of the impending large-scale use of AZT in the treatment of adult patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. alpha-Interferon A/D, which displays antiviral activity in mice, is a hybrid molecule composed of the N-terminal portion of human alpha-interferon A and the C-terminal portion of human alpha-interferon D. AZT and alpha-interferon A/D combination studies were conducted because in vitro studies of AZT and alpha-interferon have demonstrated that the combination is more effective in blocking HIV infection than either agent alone. Male and female B6C3F1 mice received AZT (approximately 98% pure) in 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose by gavage for 14 weeks or 2 years. In addition, male and female B6C3F1 mice received alpha-interferon A or alpha-interferon A/D by subcutaneous injection for 2 years, and male and female B6C3F1 mice received AZT in 0.5%% aqueous methylcellulose by gavage in combination with alpha-interferon A/D by subcutaneous injection for 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, mouse bone marrow erythrocytes, and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. 14-WEEK AZT STUDY: Groups of 10 male and 10 female mice received AZT in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage at doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, 800, or 2,000 mg/kg daily for 14 weeks. Additional groups of 10 male and 10 female mice received AZT in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage at doses of 0, 100, 800, or 2,000 mg/kg daily for 14 weeks and then were held without treatment for an additional 4 weeks before necropsy. One female receiving 100 mg/kg and two females receiving 200 mg/kg died during week 1 as a result of gavage trauma; one female receiving 2,000 mg/kg also died prior to the end of the 14-week dosing period. One female receiving 2,000 mg/kg in the recovery study also died from gavage trauma during week 1. The final mean body weights of dosed mice were similar to those of the vehicle control groups at the end of the dosing period and at the end of the recovery period. Female mice receiving 200, 800, or 2,000 mg/kg gained less weight than the vehicle controls during the 14-week dosing period. Exposure to AZT was toxic to the bone marrow, resulting in significant changes in the peripheral blood (decreased hematocrit values, erythrocyte counts, and hemoglobin concentrations, and increased mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin) and bone marrow (erythroid hypoplasia) characteristic of a dose- and time-dependent, minimal to moderate, poorly regenerative macrocytic anemia. At the end of the 4-week recovery period, the hematology parameters had returned to normal, indicating that the hematotoxicity was reversible. 2-YEAR STUDIES: AZT Groups of 95 male and 95 female mice received AZT in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage at daily doses of 0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg body weight, administered as two equal doses at least 6 hours apart, 5 days per week for 105 weeks. Each group of 95 animals was composed of a core group of 50 animals for evaluation of carcinogenic response, a group of 30 animals for evaluation of hematology and bone marrow cellularity, and a group of 15 animals from which blood was drawn for determination of plasma AZT concentrations at week 54. alpha-Interferon A/D and AZT/alpha-Interferon A/D Studies Groups of 80 male and 80 female mice received AZT in 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose by gavage at daily doses of 0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg body weight, given in two equal doses, 5 days per week for 105 weeks. Those groups receiving AZT also received sub-cutaneous injections of 500 or 5,000 U alpha-interferon A/D three times per week for 105 weeks. Additional groups of 80 male and 80 female mice received subcutaneous injections of the vehicle, 500 U alpha-interferon A/D, 5,000 Uutaneous injections of the vehicle, 500 U α-interferon A/D, 5,000 U α-interferon A/D, or 5,000 U α-interferon A, three times per week for 105 weeks. Each group of 80 animals was composed of a core group of 50 animals for evaluation of carcinogenic response and a group of 30 animals for evaluation of hematology and bone marrow cellularity. Because of the large number of animals involved, the 2-year studies were started in four phases and, for clarity, are presented as follows: the AZT study, the α-interferon A/D study, the AZT/500 U α-interferon A/D study, and the AZT/5,000 U α-interferon A/D study. Design of the 2-year AZT, AZT/α-Interferon A/D, and α-Interferon A/D Studies AZT Dose AZT Study AZT/500 U α-Interferon A/D Study AZT/5,000 U α-Interferon A/D Study 500 or 5,000 U α-Interferon A/D or 5,000 U α-Interferon A Study Vehicle Control 95 male and 95 female micea 80 male and 80 female miceb 80 male and 80 female miceb 80 male and 80 female miceb 30 mg/kg AZT 95 male and 95 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice none 60 mg/kg AZT 95 male and 95 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice none 120 mg/kg AZT 95 male and 95 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice 80 male and 80 female mice none aFor the AZT study, there were 95 male and 95 female mice; these were divided into 50 males and 50 females in the core groups, 30 males and 30 females in the clinical pathology groups (hematology and bone marrow analyses only), and 15 males and 15 females for plasma AZT concentration determinations. bFor the α-interferon A/D study and the AZT/α-interferon A/D studies, there were 80 male and 80 female mice for each study; these were divided into 50 males and 50 females in the core groups and 30 males and 30 females in the clinical pathology groups (hematology and bone marrow analyses only). Survival and Body Weights Survival and mean body weights of mice exposed to AZT, α-interferon A, α-interferon A/D, or AZT plus α-interferon A/D were generally similar to those of the vehicle control groups. Hematology and Bone Marrow Analyses All groups of male and female mice receiving AZT exhibited changes in peripheral blood and bone marrow characteristic of a dose- and time-dependent, minimal to mild, macrocytic, nonresponsive anemia. In females, these changes were evident throughout the study. In males, the macrocytic anemia had resolved by week 80 in the 30 mg/kg group; at study termination erythrocyte macrocytosis was present only in males receiving 60 or 120 mg/kg AZT or AZT plus α-interferon A/D. There were no treatment-related alterations in hematology or bone marrow parameters in groups that received only α-interferon A or A/D. Pathology Findings Incidences of squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma (combined) of the vagina occurred with a positive trend and were significantly increased in groups of female mice receiving 60 or 120 mg/kg AZT alone or in combination with α-interferon A/D. Epithelial hyperplasia was observed in all dosed groups of females, and the incidence was significantly increased in the 120 mg/kg AZT group. Three renal tubule adenomas and one renal tubule carcinoma were observed in male mice receiving 120 mg/kg AZT; the combined incidence in this group exceeded the range in historical controls. A renal tubule adenoma was observed in one male receiving 60 mg AZT/kg and 500 U α-interferon A/D; how ever, none were observed in other groups. Evaluation of step sections revealed a few more renal tubule hyperplasias but no additional neoplasms. The incidence of harderian gland adenoma was increased in male mice receiving 120 mg/kg AZT and exceeded the range in historical controls. Harderian gland neoplasms were observed in other groups but did not follow a treatment-related pattern. Overall Incidences of Vaginal Neoplasms and Hyperplasia of the Vaginal Epithelium in Female Mice in the 2-Year Gavage Studies of AZT and AZT/α-Interferon A/Da Vehicle Control 30 mg AZT/kg 60 mg AZT/kg 120 mg AZT/kg AZT alone 2/197 (1%)b 1/197 0/49 (0%) 3/49 5/45 (11%%) 4/45 11/49 (22%%) 11/49 500 U α-Interferon A/D 0/49 (0%%) 0/49 0/44 (0%) 4/44 5/48 (10%) 8/48 6/48 (13%) 12/48 5,000 U α-Interferon A/D 1/50 (2%) 1/50 1/48 (2%) 4/48 5/48 (10%) 8/48 4/50 (8%) 15/50 aData are presented as number of vaginal neoplasms/number of animals microscopically examined (first line) and number of vaginal hyperplasias/number of animals microscopically examined (second line) bCombined incidences of controls from the AZT alone study and the AZT/α-interferon A/D studies; incidences in the vehicle control group from the AZT alone study are 0/50 (0%%) (neoplasms) and 0/50 (hyperplasia) Overall Incidence of Harderian Gland Neoplasms in Male Mice in the 2-Year Gavage Studies of AZT and AZT/α-Interferon A/Da Vehicle Control 30 mg AZT/kg 60 mg AZT/kg 120 mg AZT/kg AZT alone 13/200 (6%%)b 5/50 (10%%) 2/50 (4%) 10/50 (20%%) 500 U α-Interferon A/D 3/50 (6%) 3/50 (6%) 1/50 (2%%) 4/50 (8%%) 5,000 U α-Interferon A/D 3/50 (6%) 9/50 (18%%) 4/50 (8%%) 4/50 (8%) aData are presented as number of harderian gland neoplasms/number of animals necropsied bCombined incidences of controls from the AZT alone study and the AZT/α-interferon A/D studies; incidence in the vehicle control group from the AZT alone study is 3/50 (6%) Male mice had a pattern of nonneoplastic liver lesions along with silver-staining helical organisms within the liver consistent with an infection with Helicobacter hepaticus. An organism compatible with H. hepaticus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based assays. Detection of dose-related differences in neoplasm incidences in these studies was not considered to have been significantly impacted by the infection with H. hepaticus or its associated hepatitis. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: AZT is mutagenic in vitro and in vivo. It induced gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA102, with and without S9; no increases in mutations were noted in the other tested strains of S. typhimurium. AZT induced sister chromatid exchanges, but not chromosomal aberrations, in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, with and without S9. In vivo studies with male mice administered AZT by gavage showed highly significant increases in micronucleated erythrocytes in bone marrow and peripheral blood after exposure periods that ranged from 72 hours to 14 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of AZT in male mice based on increased incidences of renal tubule and harderian gland neoplasms in groups receiving AZT alone. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of AZT in female mice based on increased incidences of squamous cell neoplasms of the vagina in groups that received AZT alone or in combination with α-interferon A/D. Hematotoxicity occurred in all groups that received AZT. Treatment with AZT alone and AZT in combination with α-interferon A/D resulted in increased incidences of epithelial hyperplasia of the vagina in all dosed groups of females. Synonyms: AZT; 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine; azidodeoxythymidine; azidothymidine; 3'-azidothymidine; 3'-deoxy-3'-azidothymidine; 3'-deoxy-(8CI) (9CI); BW A509U; Compound S; ZDV; zidovudine Trade name: Retrovir®
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PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of AZT (CAS No. 30516-87-1) and AZT/alpha-Interferon A/D B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). 1257 4

Worldwide, the majority of human immunodeficiency virus-1 cases occur through heterosexual transmission, yet little is known regarding the phenotype of CD4(+) T cells in the vaginal mucosa. In the present study, lymphocytes were compared from the lymph nodes, blood, and vagina from uninfected and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques. In mature female macaques, 54%-67% of the vaginal CD4(+) T cells expressed C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), whereas 84%-99% coexpressed CXC chemokine receptor 4. In contrast, only 4.4%-14.8% of peripheral blood and 2.4%-13% of lymph-node CD4(+) T cells coexpressed CCR5. Moreover, CCR5 mean channel fluorescence was significantly higher on CD4 cells from the vagina, compared with those from blood. In macaques intravenously infected with SIV, rapid depletion of CD4(+) T cells was observed in the vagina, particularly among the CCR5(+)CD4(+) subset. This demonstrates that large numbers of CD4(+) T cells expressing high levels of CCR5 reside within the vagina and that these cells are preferentially targeted for elimination by SIV infection.
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PMID:Vaginal CD4+ T cells express high levels of CCR5 and are rapidly depleted in simian immunodeficiency virus infection. 1259 50

As the human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted disease epidemics advance relentlessly, it is clear that an armamentarium of therapeutic and preventive methods will be essential to their containment. Topical microbicides--self-administered prophylactic agents applied to the vagina or rectum in various formulations--could be a crucial addition to that necessary armamentarium. This article provides an update on the dramatically broadening array of approaches being pursued in microbicide research and development and identifies critical challenges to progress.
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PMID:Topical microbicides for disease prevention: status and challenges. 1274 75


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