T2 Magnetic Resonance for Fungal Diagnosis.

Rapid diagnostic methods for fungal infections are long awaited and are expected to improve outcomes through early initiation of targeted antifungal therapy. T2Candida panel is a novel qualitative diagnostic platform that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnosis of candidemia with a mean time to species identification of less than 5 h. T2Candida panel is performed on the fully automated T2Dx instrument in whole blood KEDTA specimens and is able to detect 5 Candida spp.

Evaluation of Performance Characteristics of the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay for Detection and Quantitation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Plasma and Cervicovaginal Lavage Samples.

Quantification of HIV-1 RNA has become the standard of care in the clinical management of HIV-1-infected individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance characteristics and relative workflow of the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay in comparison with the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay using plasma and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens. Assay performance was evaluated by using an AcroMetrix HIV-1 panel, AcroMetrix positive controls, Qnostics and SeraCare HIV-1 evaluation panels, 208 clinical plasma samples, and 205 matched CVL specimens on the Panther and m2000 platforms.

Pharmacokinetics of First-Line Antituberculosis Drugs Using WHO Revised Dosage in Children With Tuberculosis With and Without HIV Coinfection.

Background: Pharmacokinetic data on the first-line antituberculosis drugs using the World Health Organization (WHO) revised dosages for children are limited. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of these drugs in children who were mostly treated with revised dosages.

Methods: Children with tuberculosis on first-line therapy for at least 4 weeks had blood samples collected at predose, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours postdose.

Factors associated with variability in rifampin plasma pharmacokinetics and the relationship between rifampin concentrations and induction of efavirenz clearance.

Study Objectives: To identify factors associated with variability in rifampin plasma pharmacokinetics and explore the relationship between rifampin pharmacokinetics and change in efavirenz plasma pharmacokinetics with rifampin coadministration.

Methods: In this randomized, cross-over study, 12 healthy volunteers received either efavirenz 600 mg/day or efavirenz 600 mg with rifampin 600 mg/day for 8 days. After a washout period of at least 2 weeks, subjects crossed over to the alternate 8-day regimen.

Persistent genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding after change in treatment regimens in antiretroviral-experienced women with detectable plasma viral load.

Objective: To longitudinally assess the association between plasma viral load (PVL) and genital tract human immunodeficiency virus (GT HIV) RNA among HIV-1 infected women changing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) because of detectable PVL on current treatment.

Methods: Women were eligible for the study if they had detectable PVL (defined as two consecutive samples with PVL>1000 copies/mL) and intended to change their current HAART regimen at the time of enrollment. Paired plasma and GT HIV-1 RNA were measured prospectively over 3 years.

Genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding among women with below detectable plasma viral load.

Objective: Few studies have assessed longitudinal genital tract HIV-1 shedding. We determined patterns of genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding over time among women with suppressed plasma viral load (PVL) on antiretroviral treatment.

Methods: Paired plasma and genital tract HIV-1 RNA were measured every 4 weeks.

Detection of fastidious vaginal bacteria in women with HIV infection and bacterial vaginosis.

Background: Fastidious bacteria have been associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) using PCR methods. We assessed the prevalence of these bacteria in HIV-1 infected women and their relationship with vaginal pH and shedding of HIV-1 RNA.

Methods: 64 cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 51 women.

Genital tract leukocytes and shedding of genital HIV type 1 RNA.

Background: The mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission via heterosexual intercourse is unknown. We sought to determine whether the presence of inflammatory cells in the vagina is associated with the presence of genital tract HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA.

Methods: Analysis of a longitudinal prospective cohort was performed.

Association between paired plasma and cervicovaginal lavage fluid HIV-1 RNA levels during 36 months.

Objective: To determine the patterns and predictors of genital tract HIV-1 RNA levels during a 36-month period.

Methods: HIV-1 RNA levels were measured blood in plasma and the genital tract (by cervicovaginal lavage [CVL]) at baseline before highly, active antiretroviral therapy, at 2 and 4 weeks and every 6 months. Viral loads were measured using nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assay with a lower limit of detection of 2.