HIV-associated cognitive performance and psychomotor impairment in a Thai cohort on long-term cART.

Objectives: To assess cognitive performance and psychomotor impairment in an HIV-positive cohort, well-suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), in an Asian resource-limited setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional sociodemographic and cognitive data were collected in 329 HIV-positive and 510 HIV-negative participants. Cognitive performance was assessed using the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), WAIS-III Digit Symbol, Trail Making A, and Grooved Pegboard (both hands).

Efficacy and safety of a once-daily single-tablet regimen of tenofovir, lamivudine, and efavirenz assessed at 144 weeks among antiretroviral-naïve and experienced HIV-1-infected Thai adults.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of a new single-tablet regimen (STR) of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300mg, lamivudine (3TC) 300mg, and efavirenz (EFV) 600mg in HIV-infected Thai patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study performed for 144 weeks among 51 treatment-naïve patients and 49 experienced patients on separate tablets of TDF, 3TC, and EFV with HIV RNA<50 copies/ml. CD4, HIV RNA, liver and renal function, and lipid profiles were assessed at baseline, weeks 12, 24, and 48, and then every 24 weeks.

Attitudes toward, and interest in, the test-and-treat strategy for HIV prevention among Thai men who have sex with men.

This study assessed the attitudes toward, and interest in, the test-and-treat strategy, comprising regular HIV testing and immediate antiretroviral treatment (ART) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 363 participants completed the questionnaires before and after learning about their HIV status. Previous HIV testing reported by 69.

Diagnosis of gnathostomiasis by skin testing using partially purified specific antigen and total IgE levels.

Background: A finding of antibodies to Gnathostoma spinigerum 24-kDa antigen by immunoblot analysis is currently used to confirm a diagnosis of gnathostomiasis. A simple skin test for the diagnosis of gnathostomiasis was developed, and the results were evaluated and compared with the standard Western blot (WB) test.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2008-2011.

Issues in women's participation in a phase III community HIV vaccine trial in Thailand.

To assess qualities and outcomes of women participating in a large, community-based HIV vaccine trial, the present study was conducted among female participants of the RV 144 prime-boost trial in Thailand from 2003 to 2009. Qualities of participation refer to complete vaccination, retention, and status change. Outcomes of participation refer to incident rate, adverse event, and participation impact event.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between HIV-infected patients with and without HCV co-infection in a resource-limited setting.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is common among HIV-infected patients; its treatment is not affordable in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to compare the morbidity, mortality, immunological and virological outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) between HIV-infected patients with and without HCV co-infection in a setting where HCV infection is rarely treated. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-infected patients attending Ramathibodi Hospital between 1998 and 2008.

Challenges in Providing Treatment and Care for Viral Hepatitis among Individuals Co-Infected with HIV in Resource-Limited Settings.

Hepatitis B and C infections are prevalent among HIV-infected individuals with different epidemiologic profiles, modes of transmission, natural histories, and treatments. Southeast Asian countries are classified as "highly prevalent zones," with a rate of hepatitis B and C coinfection in people living with HIV/AIDS of approximately 3.2-11%.

Effectiveness of fixed-dose combination stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (GPO-VIR) for treatment of naïve HIV patients in Thailand: a 3-year follow-up.

Generic fixed dose combination stavudine (d4T), lamivudine (3TC) and nevirapine (NVP), named GPO-VIR is recommended in the HIV treatment guidelines for Thailand. The long term effectiveness and adverse effects of this drug combination for the treatment of HIV were evaluated in an ambispective study at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand from March 2002 to January 2006. A total of 152 adult treatment naive HIV patients who had received at least 12 months of GPO-VIR were enrolled.

Virologic and Immunologic Outcomes of the Second-Line Regimens of Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV-Infected Patients in Thailand.

Goal of the second-line therapy among HIV-1-infected patients is to re-establish virological suppression, although treatment options in resource-limited settings are limited. An observational cohort of patients with first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure was conducted in a university hospital in Thailand. Of 95 patients, mean age 39 years, 65% were male.

Anaphylaxis and biphasic phase in Thailand: 4-year observation.

Background: Anaphylaxis, a severe systemic allergic reaction, can be fatal. However, its prevalence has been underestimated especially in biphasic phase, due to a lack of case awareness. This study aimed to determine the rate of anaphylaxis, describe clinical manifestations and management, and identify the causative agents and risk factors of biphasic anaphylactic reaction.

Psychosocial burden of abnormal pap smears among HIV-infected women at Chon Buri hospital, Thailand.

This retrospective case-control study assessed the psychological burden of abnormal Pap smears, and their prevalence and characteristics among HIV-infected women attending an HIV clinic. Women with positive (n = 73) and negative Pap-smear results (n = 317) were assessed for psychosocial burden using 4 questionnaires: Psycho-Social Impact of Abnormal Pap Smears (PEAPS-Q), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Work Productivity and Impairment (WPAI) and the EURO-Qol Thermometer. The prevalence of pre-cervical cancer lesions in HIV infected woman was 17.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in adult human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Thailand.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an important adverse event among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The epidemiology of IRIS in Thailand has not been well examined, especially among adult HIV-infected patients. In the present study, we reviewed the medical records of 174 HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy-naive patients older than 15 years (the median CD4 count at commencement of HAART was 37 cells/mm3) and compared characteristics of patients with and without IRIS.

Presence of autoimmune antibody in chikungunya infection.

Chikungunya infection has recently re-emerged as an important arthropod-borne disease in Thailand. Recently, Southern Thailand was identified as a potentially endemic area for the chikungunya virus. Here, we report a case of severe musculoskeletal complication, presenting with muscle weakness and swelling of the limbs.

Safety and efficacy of CKBM-A01, a Chinese herbal medicine, among asymptomatic HIV patients.

Complementary remedies represent a potential alternative treatment for chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS cases not meeting criteria for using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of CKBM-A01, a Chinese herbal medicine, and patient quality of life (QoL). Asymptomatic HIV patients with CD4 counts of 250-350 cells/microl were recruited into this open-labeled trial.

Pregnancy outcomes among HIV-infected women undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Background: The use of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) promises to be effective. However, limited data on the adverse effects of ARV among pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes have been reported in clinical practice.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess adverse effects and outcomes among pregnant HIV-infected women receiving antiretroviral drugs for either antiretroviral therapy (ART) or PMTCT.

Predisposing factors for nevirapine toxicity among AIDS patients with low baseline CD4 count.

The objective of the study was to determine the predisposing factors and incidence of toxicity among AIDS patients treated with a nevirapine (NVP)-based regimen in clinical practice. A retrospective cohort study of representative samples of AIDS patients treated with a NVP-based regimen was performed. A total of 206 adult HIV/AIDS cases with median age (IQR) 33 years (range, 29-38 years), 51% male, treated between January 2004-December 2005, were included.

Increased interleukin-17 production both in helper T cell subset Th17 and CD4-negative T cells in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Interleukin (IL)-17 is produced mainly by activated CD4(+) T cells, currently known as Th17. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis leads to CD4(+) T cell depletion. This is the first report of IL-17 in HIV infection.

Comparison of one week with two week regimens of amphotericin B both followed by fluconazole in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis among AIDS patients.

Background: Amphotericin B treatment in cryptococcosis requires daily hospital visits or admission. Its toxicities and hospital costs have been concerned. Short course amphotericin B regimen warrants to be evaluated.

6-month evaluation of JinHuang Chinese herbal medicine study in asymptomatic HIV infected Thais.

Good results of in vitro study of anti-HIV effects of JinHuang, a Chinese herbal medicine led to in vivo study of safety and efficacy among asymptomatic HIV infected individuals. It was a prospective open study of 21 asymptomatic HIV infected Thai volunteers. Twelve and 9 were female and male, respectively, with mean age of 29.

N-acetylcysteine in severe falciparum malaria in Thailand.

One hundred and eight patients with severe falciparum malaria underwent a placebo controlled trial with the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as an adjunctive therapy along with standard intravenous artesunate therapy. Three NAC dosage regimens were used: an intravenous loading dose of 140 mg/kg followed by 70 mg/kg every four hours intravenously for up to 18 doses (Group 1); a single intravenous loading dose followed by oral NAC in the same amount as for Group 1 (Group 2); a regimen identical to Group 1 except that oral NAC was administered after the first 24 hours (Group 3). Fifty-four patients received placebo plus artesunate.

Evaluation of attitude, risk behavior and expectations among Thai participants in Phase I/II HIV/AIDS vaccine trials.

The Understanding of volunteers in vaccine trials about their role as study participants and their voluntary commitment during the study are always one of the important concerns apart from evaluation of safety and efficacy of vaccine trials, especially in HIV prophylactic vaccine trials. The apprehension of indirectly risky behavior encouragement and deviated expectations among volunteers should be of concern. The current prospective cohort study aimed to assess and monitor the changes of risk behaviors, attitude and expectations among 164 volunteers from 2 studies of different prophylactic HIV vaccines, the Chiron HIV Thai E gp 120/MF59 +/- the Chiron HIV SF52 gp120 and Aventis Pasteur Live Recombinant ALVAC HIV (vCP1521) priming with VaxGen gp120B/E (AIDSVAX B/E) boosting.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of acetazolamide for the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure in cryptococcal meningitis.

We conducted a trial of oral acetazolamide for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in 22 Thai adults with headache and an opening cerebrospinal fluid pressure of >/=200 mm H(2)0. The trial was terminated prematurely because patients who received acetazolamide developed significantly lower venous bicarbonate levels and higher chloride levels and had more-frequent serious adverse events than did subjects who received placebo.