Showing papers by "Jeffrey L. Lennox published in 2002"
TL;DR: Despite the use of extensive testing, a definite etiology in a large number of cases of pneumonia was not found and the rarity of ‘atypical agents’ could simplify the empiric approach to therapy.
Abstract: Objectives To study prospectively HIV-positive patients admitted to the hospital because of pneumonia by extensive laboratory tests to determine specific microbiologic diagnoses and to establish the best clinical diagnosis after review of all available data by expert clinicians. Methods Patients admitted to one of two hospitals had extensive questionnaires completed and defined diagnostic tests performed on blood, sputum, urine and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, when available. Results A total of 230 patients had a diagnosis of pneumonia verified. A definite or probable etiologic diagnosis was made in 155 (67%) of these patients. Pneumocystis carinii caused 35% of all cases of pneumonia. Twenty-seven percent of cases of pneumonia with a single etiology had a definite or probable bacterial etiology. ‘Atypical agents’ were distinctly uncommon. Few clinical or laboratory parameters could differentiate specific etiologies. Conclusions P. carinii continues to be a common cause of pneumonia in these patients. The rarity of ‘atypical agents’ could simplify the empiric approach to therapy. Despite the use of extensive testing we did not find a definite etiology in a large number of cases.
69 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors found that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle do not have a significant effect on HIV-1 RNA levels in vaginal secretions, and that during 33 menstrual cycles in 25 women, HIV RNA levels ranged from.05 to.1.
Abstract: To determine whether the menstrual cycle affects human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 levels in vaginal secretions, vaginal lavage samples were collected at 7, 14, and 21 days after initiation of menses, to compare virus levels during the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. During 33 menstrual cycles in 25 women, HIV-1 RNA levels in vaginal secretions ranged from .05). These results suggest that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle do not have a significant effect on HIV-1 RNA levels in vaginal secretions.
29 citations
TL;DR: The HIV viral load in 66 adults randomly assigned to receive pneumococcal immunization with one or two doses of protein conjugate vaccine, one dose of polysaccharide vaccine, three doses of each, or placebo was determined.
Abstract: We determined the HIV viral load in 66 adults randomly assigned to receive pneumococcal immunization with one or two doses of protein conjugate vaccine, one dose of polysaccharide vaccine, one dose of each, or placebo. Second doses were given 8 weeks after the first. Mean baseline viral load and CD4 cell count were 3.41 copies/ml (log10) and 457 cells/microl, respectively. We found no change in viral load during 24 weeks of follow-up for any vaccine or combination of vaccines or placebo.
12 citations