5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This is part of a feasibility study to compare the predicate standard FDA cleared test for serum to a point of care test Toxoplasma ICT IgG-IgM BK produced by LD Bio Diagnostic. The specificity and sensitivity in testing serum and whole blood will be compared. This study includes 70 persons either pregnant or non pregnant. This is being done in accordance with FDA requirements for clearance of a testing device . The investigators will use a standard FDA cleared test in all studies. The FDA has suggested that the investigators submit a pre subQ for a 510K and dual CLIA waiver. This allows the investigators also to determine feasibility of use of the predicate test in conjunction with the experimental test with volunteers, including men, women, and pregnant women.
To evaluate pyrimethamine as a prophylactic agent against toxoplasmic encephalitis in individuals who are coinfected with HIV and latent Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmic encephalitis is a major cause of illness and death in AIDS patients. Standard treatment for toxoplasmic encephalitis is to combine pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Continuous treatment is necessary to prevent recurrence of the disease, but constant use of pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine is associated with toxicity. Clindamycin has been shown to be effective in treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis in animal studies. This study evaluates pyrimethamine as a preventive treatment against toxoplasmic encephalitis (per 3/26/91 amendment, clindamycin arm was discontinued).
To determine the manner in which pyrimethamine is metabolized and excreted in patients currently receiving zidovudine (AZT). An important goal of this measurement is to establish the optimal dose of pyrimethamine necessary to prevent the development of toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients or delay the subsequent return of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Encephalitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as the most frequent cause of focal central nervous system infection in patients with AIDS. Untreated, the encephalitis is fatal. The best treatment for this disease has not been determined. Presently it is standard practice to administer a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of pyrimethamine in patients with AIDS receiving AZT. Furthermore, there are reports that patients already exposed to toxoplasmosis may not have uniform absorption of pyrimethamine.
To evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of oral azithromycin and pyrimethamine as acute therapy for toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS patients. To assess the toxicity and effectiveness of azithromycin alone as maintenance therapy. Encephalitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is the most frequent cause of focal central nervous system infection in patients with AIDS. Untreated, the encephalitis is fatal. Standard treatment for toxoplasmic encephalitis is associated with serious adverse effects. Thus, alternative treatments are needed.
For the development of a Point of Care IVD test kit for acute phase disease detection against a variety of bacterial and viral infections. Phase one includes 100 clinical diagnosed positive and 200 clinically "normal" serum and whole blood matched specimens for specificity and sensitivity determination for each marker. The positive samples must be IgM positive using any FDA cleared ELISA test kit. The negatives samples must be negative for IgM.