Marianna K Baum

Bio: Marianna K Baum is an academic researcher from Florida International University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Viral load. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 164 publications receiving 5782 citations. Previous affiliations of Marianna K Baum include University of Miami.

High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency

Abstract: To determine the independent contribution of specific immunologic and nutritional factors on survival in HIV-1 disease, CD4 cell count, antiretroviral treatment, plasma levels of vitamins A, E, B6, and B12 and minerals selenium and zinc were considered in relation to relative risk for HIV-related mortality. Immune parameters and nutrients known to affect immune function were evaluated at 6-month intervals in 125 HIV-1-seropositive drug-using men and women in Miami, FL, over 3.5 years. A total of 21 of the HIV-1-infected participants died of HIV-related causes during the 3.5-year longitudinal study. Subclinical malnutrition (i.e., overly low levels of prealbumin, relative risk [RR] = 4.01, p < 0.007), deficiency of vitamin A (RR = 3.23, p < 0.03), vitamin B12 deficiency (RR = 8.33, p < 0.009), zinc deficiency (RR = 2.29.1, p < 0.04), and selenium deficiency (RR = 19.9, p < 0.0001) over time, but not zidovudine treatment, were shown to each be associated with HIV-1-related mortality independent of CD4 cell counts <200/mm3 at baseline, and CD4 counts over time. When all factors that could affect survival, including CD4 counts <200/mm3 at baseline, CD4 levels over time, and nutrient deficiencies were considered jointly, only CD4 counts over time (RR = 0.69, p < 0.04) and selenium deficiency (RR = 10.8, p < 0.002) were significantly associated with mortality. These results indicate that selenium deficiency is an independent predictor of survival for those with HIV-1 infection.

Specific Nutrient Abnormalities in Asymptomatic HIV-1 Infection

Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine whether specific nutrient abnormalities occur in earlier stages of HIV-1 infection, thereby preceding the marked wasting and malnutrition that accompany later stages of the infection.DesignA longitudinal investigation to determine biological, psychological and social factors th

Micronutrients and HIV-1 disease progression

Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine whether nutritional status affects immunological markers of HIV-1 disease progression.DesignA longitudinal study, to evaluate the relationship between plasma levels of nutrients and CD4 cell counts, along and in combination with β2-microglobulin (β2M; AIDS index) over an 18-mon

Evaluation of the OptiMAL Test for Rapid Diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Abstract: The development of rapid and specific diagnostic tests to identify individuals infected with malaria is of paramount importance in efforts to control the severe public health impact of this disease. This study evaluated the ability of a newly developed rapid malaria diagnostic test, OptiMAL (Flow Inc., Portland, Oreg.), to detect Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria during an outbreak in Honduras. OptiMAL is a rapid (10-min) malaria detection test which utilizes a dipstick coated with monoclonal antibodies against the intracellular metabolic enzyme parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH). Differentiation of malaria parasites is based on antigenic differences between the pLDH isoforms. Since pLDH is produced only by live Plasmodium parasites, this test has the ability to differentiate live from dead organisms. Results from the OptiMAL test were compared to those obtained by reading 100 fields of traditional Giemsa-stained thick-smear blood films. Whole-blood samples were obtained from 202 patients suspected of having malaria. A total of 96 samples (48%) were positive by blood films, while 91 (45%) were positive by the OptiMAL test. The blood films indicated that 82% (79 of 96) of the patients were positive for P. vivax and 18% (17 of 96) were infected with P. falciparum. The OptiMAL test showed that 81% (74 of 91) were positive for P. vivax and 19% (17 of 91) were positive for P. falciparum. These results demonstrated that the OptiMAL test had sensitivities of 94 and 88% and specificities of 100 and 99%, respectively, when compared to traditional blood films for the detection of P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria. Blood samples not identified by OptiMAL as malaria positive normally contained parasites at concentrations of less than 100/microl of blood. Samples found to contain P. falciparum were further tested by two other commercially available rapid malaria diagnostic tests, ParaSight-F (Becton Dickinson, Cockeysville, Md.) and ICT Malaria P.f. (ICT Diagnostics, Sydney, Australia), both of which detect only P. falciparum. Only 11 of the 17 (65%) P. falciparum-positive blood samples were identified by the ICT and ParaSight-F tests. Thus, OptiMAL correctly identified P. falciparum malaria parasites in patient blood samples more often than did the other two commercially available diagnostic tests and showed an excellent correlation with traditional blood films in the identification of both P. vivax malaria and P. falciparum malaria. We conclude that the OptiMAL test is an effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of malaria.

Alcohol Use Accelerates HIV Disease Progression

Abstract: The effects of alcohol abuse on HIV disease progression have not been definitively established A prospective, 30-month, longitudinal study of 231 HIV+ adults included history of alcohol and illicit drug use, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), CD4+ cell count, and HIV viral load every 6 months Frequent alcohol users (two or more drinks daily) were 291 times (95% CI: 123–685, p = 0015) more likely to present a decline of CD4 to ≤200 cells/μl, independent of baseline CD4+ cell count and HIV viral load, antiretroviral use over time, time since HIV diagnosis, age, and gender Frequent alcohol users who were not on ART also increased their risk for CD4 cell decline to ≤200 cells/mm3 (HR = 776: 95% CI: 12–492, p = 003) Combined frequent alcohol use with crack-cocaine showed a significant risk of CD4+ cell decline (HR = 357: 95% CI: 124–1031, p = 0018) Frequent alcohol intake was associated with higher viral load over time (β = 0259, p = 0038) This significance was maintained i

The importance of selenium to human health.

Abstract: The essential trace mineral, selenium, is of fundamental importance to human health. As a constituent of selenoproteins, selenium has structural and enzymic roles, in the latter context being best-known as an antioxidant and catalyst for the production of active thyroid hormone. Selenium is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS. It is required for sperm motility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Deficiency has been linked to adverse mood states. Findings have been equivocal in linking selenium to cardiovascular disease risk although other conditions involving oxidative stress and inflammation have shown benefits of a higher selenium status. An elevated selenium intake may be associated with reduced cancer risk. Large clinical trials are now planned to confirm or refute this hypothesis. In the context of these health effects, low or diminishing selenium status in some parts of the world, notably in some European countries, is giving cause for concern.

Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry

Abstract: The present report meta-analyzes more than 300 empirical articles describing a relationship between psychological stress and parameters of the immune system in human participants. Acute stressors (lasting minutes) were associated with potentially adaptive upregulation of some parameters of natural immunity and downregulation of some functions of specific immunity. Brief naturalistic stressors (such as exams) tended to suppress cellular immunity while preserving humoral immunity. Chronic stressors were associated with suppression of both cellular and humoral measures. Effects of event sequences varied according to the kind of event (trauma vs. loss). Subjective reports of stress generally did not associate with immune change. In some cases, physical vulnerability as a function of age or disease also increased vulnerability to immune change during stressors.

The relationship between social support and physiological processes: a review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health.

Abstract: In this review, the authors examine the evidence linking social support to physiological processes and characterize the potential mechanisms responsible for these covariations. A review of 81 studies revealed that social support was reliably related to beneficial effects on aspects of the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems. An analysis of potential mechanisms underlying these associations revealed that (a) potential health-related behaviors do not appear to be responsible for these associations; (b) stress-buffering effects operate in some studies; (c) familial sources of support may be important; and (d) emotional support appears to be at least 1 important dimension of social support. Recommendations and directions for future research include the importance of conceptualizing social support as a multidimensional construct, examination of potential mechanisms across levels of analyses, and attention to the physiological process of interest.