Discontinuation of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis after start of highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infection. EuroSIDA Study Group.

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved rates of CD4-lymphocyte recovery and decreased the incidence of HIV-1-related morbidity and mortality. We assessed whether prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) can be safely discontinued after HAART is started.

Methods: We investigated 7333 HIV-1-infected patients already enrolled in EuroSIDA, a continuing prospective observational cohort study in 52 centres across Europe and Israel.

Changes in use of antiretroviral therapy in regions of Europe over time. EuroSIDA Study Group.

Objectives: To analyse use of antiretroviral therapy within Europe between 1994 and 1997.

Design: From September 1994, the EuroSIDA study (cohorts I-III) has prospectively followed unselected HIV-infected patients from 50 clinical centres in 17 European countries (total, 7230).

Methods: Patients under follow-up at half-year intervals from September 1994 (n=2871) to September 1997 (n=3682) were classified according to number of drugs currently used (none, one, two, three, four or more).

Survival of European patients with Kaposi's sarcoma as AIDS-defining condition during the first decade of AIDS. AIDS in Europe Study Group.

Objectives: To determine whether the survival of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma as first manifestation of AIDS has changed between 1979 and 1989; and to define whether prognosis factors could be identified.

Patients And Methods: This is a multicentric retrospective cohort study from 52 centers in 17 European countries involving adults AIDS patients diagnosed between 1979 and 1989. Variables such as age, sex, geographical regions, transmission groups, date of Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosis, zidovudine use, CD4+ cell count and concomitant opportunistic infections or AIDS-related malignancies were evaluated by using uni- and multivariable proportional hazard models.

Factors associated with the CD4+ lymphocyte count at diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The AIDS IN EUROPE Study Group.

To assess which factors are associated with the CD4+ lymphocyte count at the time of AIDS diagnosis we studied 3046 patients in the AIDS IN EUROPE study who were diagnosed with AIDS in 1 of 17 European countries between 1979 and 1989 and for whom the CD4 count at AIDS diagnosis was known. Data were extracted retrospectively from patient case notes, using a standardized form. There was a wide range of average CD4+ lymphocyte counts at AID diagnosis, according to which diseases were present at diagnosis.