A DNA-based vaccine containing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env and rev genes was tested for safety and host immune response in 15 asymptomatic HIV-infected patients who were not using antiviral drugs and who had CD4+ lymphocyte counts of > or = 500 per microliter of blood. Successive groups received three doses of vaccine (30, 100, or 300 microg) at 10-week intervals in a dose-escalation trial. Vaccine administration induced no local or systemic reactions, and no laboratory abnormalities were detected. Specifically, no patient developed anti-DNA antibody or muscle enzyme elevations. No consistent change occurred in CD4 or CD8 lymphocyte counts or in plasma HIV concentration. Antibody against gp120 increased in individual patients in the 100- and 300-/microg groups. Some increases were noted in cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against gp160-bearing targets and in lymphocyte proliferative activity. The safety and potential immunogenicity of an HIV-directed DNA-based vaccine was demonstrated, a finding that should encourage further studies.

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In a prospective, controlled, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of filtration-leukapheresis granulocytes in granulocytopenic, febrile patients with leukemia, 19 patients received antibiotics alone, and 12 received antibiotics plus daily granulocyte transfusions from ABO-matched donors. In skin-chamber studies the granulocytes appeared at sites of inflammation for at least six hours after transfusion. Infected subjects survived longer if they received granulocytes. Differences between control and transfused patients were greatest in patients with persistent bone-marrow failure, the 21-day survival being 20 per cent in controls, and 75 per cent in transfused patients. Granulocytes appeared to have no effect on the outcome of febrile episodes in which infection was not documented, the 21-day survival being 79 per cent for controls and 88 per cent for transfused patients. The transfusion of granulocytes thus appears to offer a survival advantage to infected, persistently granulocytopenic patients.

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NCT00976040.

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Eosinophilic meningitis is a rare clinical entity that can be useful in narrowing the differential diagnosis of central nervous system disease. It is defined by the presence of 10 or more eosinophils/microL in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or a CSF eosinophilia of at least 10%. The most common cause is invasion of the central nervous system by helminthic parasites, particularly Angiostrongylus cantonensis, but other infections as well as noninfectious conditions may also be associated. This review describes the etiologies of eosinophilic meningitis, focusing primarily on the helminths that cause CSF eosinophilia.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes among adults with a first episode of cryptococcal meningitis (CM), comparing those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with those not on HAART. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among HIV-infected adults (aged 18 years and older) with a first episode of CM at the Princess Marina Hospital, in Gaborone, Botswana. The proportions surviving to discharge were compared. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between HAART use and risk of death in the hospital, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Ninety-two patients [median CD4 41 cells/mm3 (inter-quartile range 22–85)] were included, 26 of whom were on HAART at the time that they developed CM. The in-hospital mortality was lower among those on HAART {2 of 26 (8%) vs 14 of 66 (21%); odds ratio = 0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 1.49]}, and this result was statistically significant after adjustment for male sex and tuberculosis [adjusted odds ratio = 0.19 (95% CI 0.04 to 1.00)]. Conclusions HAART use at the time of a first admission with CM is associated with decreased risk of death during the acute phase of disease. Reasons for this association should be explored.