Beta-interferon and early stage HIV infection.
beta-Interferon (IFN-beta) was evaluated prospectively for its antiviral activities in early stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Ten patients with hemophilia and HIV infection [8 asymptomatic carriers (AC) and 2 AIDS-related complex (ARC)] were intravenously injected with 1 million IU of IFN-beta twice a week for 6 months. For comparison, seven patients (six AC and one ARC) with hemophilia and HIV infection were observed for the same time period without any drugs. One episode of localized herpes zoster each occurred during the trial in the IFN group and in the control group. There were no significant differences in the absolute number of CD4+ lymphocytes and ratios of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes between the two groups. Recipients had flu-like symptoms but no serious toxicities. No clinical and immunological benefits to patients with early stage HIV infection were observed during the 6 months of treatment.
Oka
S
S
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Hirabayashi
Y
Y
Mouri
H
H
Sakurada
S
S
Goto
H
H
Ohnishi
K
K
Kimura
S
S
Mitamura
K
K
Shimada
K
K
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins