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Naturally Occurring Alkaloids with Anti-HIV Activity
Published in Namrita Lall, Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics, Health and Diseases, 2022
Immunodeficiency results in increased susceptibility to a wide range of infections, cancers and other diseases. The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. In the first few weeks after the initial infection, people may experience no symptoms or an influenza-like illness including fever, headache, rash or sore throat. However, they tend to be most infectious during this time. In severe cases, the people have symptoms including swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhea and cough. In case of improper diagnosis and treatment, they could develop severe illnesses such as tuberculosis (TB), cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections and cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma. However, the most advanced stage of HIV infection is AIDS, which can take many years to develop if not treated, depending on the individual. AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections or other severe long-term clinical manifestations (WHO, 2020).
Biological Response Modifiers and Chemotherapeutic Agents that Alter Interleukin 2 Activities
Published in Ronald H. Goldfarb, Theresa L. Whiteside, Tumor Immunology and Cancer Therapy, 2020
William L. West, Allen R. Rhoads, Clement O. Akogyeram
Levamisole is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in humans. An average dose for immunoenhancement in adults may be 150 mg/kg (orally), 50 mg three times a day. Peak plasma levels of 0.7 mg/1 are obtained in 1–2 hr, and the plasma half-life is equal to 4 hr. Levamisole is metabolized in the liver. Parenteral administration (e.g., i.m.) of the drug will give higher (2x) peak plasma levels. Urinary excretion of levamisole (parent drug) is slow and is influenced by pH (low pH increasing elimination). Overall elimination of a single dose is complete within 48 hr. Adverse effects from levamisole occur in about 20% of the patients. Rash is the most common but leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia have been reported. Also an influenza like illness, nausea and vomiting and oral ulcerations may occur. Reversible immune complex glomerulonephritis may also be a problem in certain patients. Discontinuation of therapy will reverse most of adverse effects (36).
Influenza neurologic complications
Published in Avindra Nath, Joseph R. Berger, Clinical Neurovirology, 2020
Larry E. Davis, Jennifer R. Plourde
In addition to the H5N1 subtype infecting humans, other avian influenzas have been transmitted to humans without reassortment. The subtypes H6N1, H7N1, H7N3, H7N7, and H7N9, H10N8, have infected humans in Australia, Canada, China, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States [199]. However, CNS symptoms have only been suspected in H7N9 infections. In 2013, China reported 158 laboratory-confirmed cases of H7N9 infections in humans, including 52 deaths (33% fatality rate) [200]. Most of the patients developed influenza-like illness initially which progressed to respiratory distress syndrome leading to hospitalization [201,202]. Several complications were also noted such as encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis, septic shock, respiratory failure, refractory hypoxemia, acute renal dysfunction, multiple organ dysfunction, and bacterial and fungal infections [203–205]. Disease sequelae is similar to H5N1 infection in humans with a median time from onset to hospitalization of about 4 and a half days and a median time to death of approximately 11 days [202].
Characteristics and methodological standards across systematic reviews with Meta-analysis of efficacy and/or effectiveness of influenza vaccines: an overview of reviews
Published in Infectious Diseases, 2022
George N. Okoli, Viraj K. Reddy, Otto L. T. Lam, Florentin Racovitan, Yahya Al-Yousif, Nicole Askin
The controversies surrounding the influenza vaccine differ from those surrounding other vaccines in that they are less about the risks and more about if influenza vaccine actually works as claimed (i.e. effectiveness). It has been suggested that influenza vaccines only provide moderate protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza, but that the protection is greatly reduced or even absent in some influenza seasons [3]. Further, the incidence of influenza is thought to be significantly inflated because it is often confused with influenza-like illness which [4], although attributable to influenza viruses, is also frequently attributable to other respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses that cause common cold, the respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus [5,6]. As such, the disease and economic burden attributable to influenza is often difficult to estimate [7,8], with potential for overestimations.
New and emerging pharmacological treatment options for acromegaly
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2021
Ximene Antunes, Leandro Kasuki, Mônica R. Gadelha
A phase I study to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple subcutaneous doses of ATL1103 in healthy male subjects was performed, and the results were published in 2011 (https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20111207/pdf/4234016x2cj5xn.pdf). This trial was divided into two stages. In stage A, 24 subjects were randomized to receive placebo or a single dose of ATL1103 (25, 75, 250 or 400 mg). In stage B, 12 subjects were randomized to receive multiple doses (six) administered over three weeks (on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21). Twenty-four treatment-emergent AEs were reported in stage A, all reported as mild or moderate. The most commonly reported symptoms were pain at the injection site, headache and influenza-like illness. In stage B, 25 treatment-emergent AEs were described, and all were reported as mild, with the most common events related to injection site reactions. A pharmacodynamics study showed a decrease in IGF-I levels from day 14 to day 28, with a significant reduction of 7% versus baseline by day 21 (p = 0.034).
Neuraminidase inhibitors and single dose baloxavir are effective and safe in uncomplicated influenza: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2021
Sofía Tejada, Alexandre M. Tejo, Yolanda Peña-López, Carlos G. Forero, Xavier Corbella, Jordi Rello
Among the strengths, our study was based on RCT and may help to update clinical practice guidelines. Moreover, the studies period covers before and after the 2009 pandemic influenza. Although influenza-like illness was considered as an eligible criterion, our analysis was limited to laboratory-confirmed episodes of influenza. Further RCTs are required to assess the efficacy in the post-pandemic epidemiology. Our findings cannot be extrapolated to administration in other settings, such as severe hospitalized episodes and immunocompromised patients. An RCT involving patients at high risk of influenza complications (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02949011) and an open-label, phase II RCT with severe influenza in immunocompromised hosts (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04712539) are ongoing. In children between one and twelve years-old, JapicCTI-173,811 and JapicCTI-163,417 are open-label RCTs conducted in Japan and the MiniSTONE-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03629184) is a phase III RCT assessing safety and efficacy of baloxavir use. A phase II, open-label, one arm trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03653364) is in progress to evaluate safety of baloxavir in children with less than one-year-old.