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Positive Subjects (positive + subject)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	92%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Gastroenterology & Hepatology	41%
Periodontology	16%

Selected Abstracts

Assessment of balsam of Peru patch tests

CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2000
Bolli Bjarnason
To find an ideal test technique for as low a dose of balsam of Peru (Myroxylon Pereirae) as possible, subjects testing positive to balsam of Peru are re-tested with a 25% concentration of balsam of Peru in petrolatum. Applications are with Finn Chambers® for 6 different application times, and directly by foils for 96 h (4 days (D)). The goals are to confirm which subjects are positive and which are not, and, using that information, to see if it is possible to distinguish between these 2 groups, tested concomitantly at much lower serial dose levels, in terms of perfusion or by visual assessments. 5 different serial doses are applied with strips for 3,96 h (4D) and with foils for 96 h (4D). The Finn Chamber® tests allow a distinction between visually positive and negative subjects supported by perfusion assessments. With the foils, a 24× lower serial dose level than with the 25% test substance is sufficient to distinguish between positive and negative subjects in terms of perfusion values. This approach requires readings up to 9 days. With this test, the visual approach yields only 3 of 10 positive subjects. This study demonstrates that a lower test dose is possible with perfusion assessments compared to visual ones. [source]

Involvement of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Impaired Glucose Metabolism in the Increase of Brachial,Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity

HELICOBACTER, Issue 5 2007
Hiroyuki Yoshikawa
Abstract Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains controversial. The present study was designed to elucidate the pathogenic role of H. pylori in the early stages of atherosclerosis by measurement of brachial,ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in relation to glucose metabolism. Materials and methods: baPWV level, anti- H. pylori antibody, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and other conventional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were measured in 947 subjects who attended their annual medical check-up. Results: Multiple regression analyses indicated that age, gender (male), body mass index, FBG, systolic blood pressure, and smoking habits were each independently related to baPWV values. In younger subjects (30,49 years), H. pylori seropositivity was significantly correlated with an increase of baPWV levels (r = 0.100, p = .0445). baPWV values in the H. pylori- positive subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (IG: FBG , 110 mg/dL and/or HbA1c , 5.9%) were significantly greater than those in the H. pylori- negative subjects with IG (p = .0078). Furthermore, H. pylori- positive subjects with IG were at higher risk for increase of baPWV, in younger (r = 0.203, p < .0001) as well as in older subjects (50,69 years, r = 0.099, p = .0009). Conclusions: These results suggest that H. pylori seropositivity is a potential risk factor for increased baPWV levels, and that H. pylori infection accelerates the effect of IG on an increase of baPWV, especially in younger subjects. Thus, the possible interaction between H. pylori infection and IG may contribute to the early development of atherosclerosis. [source]

Helicobacter pylori Infection is Associated with Reduced Circulating Ghrelin Levels Independent of Body Mass Index

HELICOBACTER, Issue 5 2005
Akiko Shiotani
ABSTRACT Background., Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone and has orexigenic and adipogenic effects. Plasma ghrelin levels are reduced in obesity and possibly in Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim., To investigate whether there was a relation between H. pylori infection, body mass index (BMI) and serum ghrelin or leptin levels. Methods., University students undergoing an annual health check-up were invited to participate. H. pylori status was based on the presence of specific IgG H. pylori antibodies in urine. Fasting serum ghrelin, leptin levels, and pepsinogen I and II levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results., Eight hundred and one students volunteered. There was no significant difference in the height and BMI between those with and without H. pylori infection. The population of ghrelin study consisted of 132 (66 H. pylori -positive and 66 H. pylori -negative) students matched for age, sex, and BMI. The ghrelin level in the H. pylori -positive group was significantly lower (median 55 pmol/l) compared to the H. pylori- negative group (103 pmol/l) (p < .00001). Leptin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were not different between the two groups, whereas LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher (106 versus 100 mg/dl) (p = .03) in the H. pylori -positive group. Leptin levels correlated with the BMI (r = 0.53) (p < .00001). Among H. pylori -positive subjects, ghrelin correlated only with pepsinogen I levels (r = 0.26, p = .04). Conclusions.,H. pylori infection was associated with a reduction in circulating ghrelin levels independent of sex and BMI. [source]

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in a North American adult hemodialysis patient population

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2004
Gerald Y. Minuk
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections continue to occur in adult hemodialysis units. A possible contributing factor is the presence of occult HBV (serum hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] negative but HBV DNA positive). Two hundred forty-one adult hemodialysis patients were screened for occult HBV. HBV DNA testing was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 2 independent primer sets (core promoter and surface). Two (0.8%) of the 241 patients were HBsAg positive. Of the remaining 239 HBsAg-negative patients, 9 (3.8%) were HBV DNA positive. Viral loads in these individuals were low (102 -104 viral copies/mL). Seven of the 9 (78%) were nt 587 mutation (sG145R mutant) positive. Demographic, biochemical, and HBV serological testing did not help to identify those with occult HBV. In conclusion, the prevalence of occult HBV in adult hemodialysis patients in this North American urban center is approximately 4 to 5 times higher than standard HBsAg testing would suggest. The majority of these infections are associated with low viral loads and a high prevalence of the sG145R mutant. Finally, the demographic, biochemical, and/or serological features of HBV DNA,positive subjects do not distinguish these individuals from the remainder of the dialysis patient population. (HEPATOLOGY 2004; 40:1072,1077.) [source]

Effect of interleukin-1 gene polymorphism in a periodontally healthy Hispanic population treated with mucogingival surgery

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
Raul G. Caffesse
Abstract Objectives: A genetic test for susceptibility of periodontal disease has been introduced. A positive test indicates a risk factor for more severe periodontal destruction. The prevalence of genotype positive subjects has been reported around 30%. In a Mexican population, we have found a 26% prevalence of genotype positive individuals. Few studies have reported the response to therapy in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the response to mucogingival surgery in an otherwise periodontally healthy Hispanic population. Materials and methods: 22 subjects (7 male and 15 female) with a mean age of 45 years participated. They were treated 3 years prior for the treatment of Types I and II recession defects using connective tissue grafts. No other active periodontal treatment was required, except for preventive maintenance. A full-mouth clinical evaluation was performed which included assessment of gingival inflammation and measurements of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment levels. Mean values per patient were determined. A finger stick blood sample was collected using specially provided DNA filter paper, let dried, and mailed for processing. Results: Results indicated that 5 out of the 22 subjects were genotype positive. The genotype positive subjects presented the following values: GI 1.13±0.17, PPD 2.48±0.46, and CAL 3.38±0.66. The values for the genotype negative subjects were GI 1.06±0.14, PPD 2.38±0.31 and CAL 3.11±0.53. No statistical significant differences were found when both groups were compared (p>0.05). Furthermore, the treatment of the localized recessions was effective and provided similar amount of coverage in genotype positive and negative subjects. However, more genotype negative subjects showed complete coverage of the recession than genotype positive individuals. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study it is concluded that (1) periodontal health can be maintained with proper preventive maintenance irrespective of the genotype present, (2) the mean response to mucogingival surgery to cover localized gingival recessions is similar irrespective of the IL-1 periodontal genotype, however, full coverage is achieved more frequently in genotype negative subjects. Zusammenfassung Ziele: Es wurde ein Gentest für die Anfälligkeit bezüglich einer Parodontalerkrankung eingeführt. Ein positiver Test ist ein Zeichen für einen Risikofaktor für eine stärkere parodontale Destruktion. Die Prävalenz von genotyp-positiven Personen wurde mit etwa 30% angegeben. In einer mexikanischen Population haben wir eine Prävalenz von 26% von genotyp-positiven Individuen vorgefunden. Nur wenige Studien haben bei diesen Patienten über die Reaktion auf die Therapie berichtet. Der Zweck dieser Studie war es die Heilung nach mukogingivaler Chirurgie in einer im Übrigen parodontal gesunden Population mit spanischen Abstammung. Material und Methode: 22 Patienten (7 Männer und 15 Frauen) mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 45 Jahren nahmen an der Studie teil. Sie wurden vor 3 Jahren zur Deckung einer Rezession von Typ I oder II mit einem Bindegewebetransplantat behandelt. Es war keine weitere parodontale Behandlung außer präventiven Erhaltungstherapie notwendig. Es wurde eine vollständige klinische Untersuchung des Gebisses durchgeführt, die die Bestimmung der gingivalen Etnzündung, sowie die Messung der Sondierungstiefe und des klinischen Attachmentniveaus beinhaltete. Es wurden für jeden Patienten die Mittelwerte bestimmt. Eine Blutprobe von der Fingerbeere wurde entnommen, auf ein specielles DNA-Filterpapier aufgetragen, getrocknet und zur Weiterverarbeitung versendet. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass 5 von 22 Patienten genotyp-positiven waren. Die genotyp-positiven Patienten wiesen folgende Werte auf: GI 1.13±0.17, PPD 2.48±0.46 und CAL 3.38±0.66. Die Werte für die genotyp-negativen Patienten betrugen: GI 1.06±0.14, PPD 2.38±0.31 und CAL 3.11±0.53. Beim Vergleich beider Gruppen ergaben sich keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede (p>0.05). Des weiteren war die Behandlung der lokalisierten Rezession effektiv und lieferte bei genotyp-positiven und genotyp-negativen Patienten einen ähnlichen Anteil an Wurzeldeckung. Jedoch zeigten mehr genotyp-negative Patienten eine vollständige Rezessionsdeckung als genotyp-positive Patienten. Schlussfolgerungen: Mit den Einschränkungen dieser Studie kann die Schlussfolgerung gezogen werden, dass (1) unabhängig vom vorliegenden Genotyp mit geeigneten präventiven Maßnahmen die parodontale Gesundheit erhalten werden kann und (2) dass unabhängig vom IL-1-Genotyp, die durchschnittliche Reaktion auf die mukogingivale Chirurgie zur Deckung von lokalisierten Gingivarezessionen ähnlich ist. Jedoch wird eine vollständige Deckung häufiger bei genotyp-negativen Patienten erreicht. Résumé But: Un test génétique pour la suscpetibilitéà la maladie parodontale est présenté. Un test positif indique un facteur de risque pour une destruction parodontale plus sévère. La fréquence globale de sujets positifs au génotype semblerait être de 30%. Dans une population mexicaine, une fréquence globale de 26% d'individus positifs pour le génotype a été trouvée. Peu d'études ont apporté la réponse au traitement chez ces individus. Le but de cette investigation a été de mesurer la réponse de la chirurgie muco-gingivale dans une population hispanique parodontalement saine. Matériaux et méthodes: 7 hommes et 15 femmes d'un âge moyen de 45 ans y ont participé. Ils avaient été traités 3 ans auparavant pour des lésions de récession de type I et II en utilisant des greffes de tissu conjonctif. Aucun autre traitement parodontal actif n'avait été requis, sauf pour la maintenance. Une évaluation clinique de toute la bouche a été effectuée comprenant l'estimation de l'inflammation gingivale et les measures de la profondeur de poche au sondage et des niveaux d'attache clinique. Les valeurs moyennes par patient ont été déterminées. Un échantillon sanguin par piqûre du doigt a été récolté en utilisant un papier filtre ADN, qui fût séché et envoyé pour analyse. Résultats: Les résultats ont indiqué que 5 des 22 sujets étaient génotype positif. Ces sujets présentaient les valeurs suivantes: GI 1.13±0.17, PPD 2.48±0.46 mm et CAL 3.38±0.66 mm. Les valeurs chez les sujets génotype négatif étaient: GI 1.06±0.14, PPD 2.38±0.31 mm et CAL 3.11±0.53 mm. Aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été trouvée lorsque les deux groupes ont été comparés. De plus le traitement des récessions locales était effectif et apportait une quantité semblable de recouvrement chez les deux types de sujets. Cependant davantage de sujets génotype négatif bénéficiaient d'un recouvrement complet de la récession. Conclusions: Dans les limites d l'étude présente: (1) la santé parodontale peut être maintenue avec des mesures préventives quelque soit le génotype présent, (2) la réponse moyenne de la chirurgie muco-gingivale pour recouvrir des récessions gingivales locales est semblable quelque soit le génotype parodontal IL-1, bien qu'un recouvrement complet est plus souvent réalisé chez les sujets génotype négatif. [source]

Five-year follow-up study after Helicobacter pylori eradication: Reinfection and peptic ulcer status

JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 1 2003
Li Ya ZHOU
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of peptic ulcers and Helicobactor pylori reinfection 5 years after H. pylori eradication. METHODS: One thousand and six adults were randomly sampled from the general population in a high-incidence region of gastric cancer. Of these, 552 subjects were confirmed to be H. pylori -positive by using both the rapid urease test and the Warthin,Starry stain. All H. pylori -positive subjects were randomly divided into two groups: (i) the eradication group, who received 1 week of omeprazole-based triple therapy; and (ii) the control group, who received placebo tablets. Four weeks after the cessation of treatment, 13C-urea breath tests demonstrated that H. pylori had been successfully eradicated in 88.9% of patients in the eradication group, whereas 96.4% of patients remained H. pylori positive in the control group. Subjects in both groups were followed up using endoscopy at the end of the first and fifth year after treatment. The H. pylori infection status was determined by using the rapid urease test and Warthin,Starry staining. RESULTS: The response rates to endoscopy at the end of the first and fifth year were 89.3 and 83.11%, respectively. The prevalence of peptic ulcers in the eradication group and control group were 9.87 and 7.61% before treatment, 3.70 and 12.58% 1 year after treatment (P < 0.05), and 5.86 and 14.93% 5 years after treatment (P < 0.05), respectively. The recurrence rates of peptic ulcers in the eradication group and the control group were 3.70 and 38.10% 1 year after treatment, and 14.81 and 42.86% 5 years after treatment, respectively. The rates of H. pylori infection 1 and 5 years after treatment in the eradication group were 13.58, and 19.82%, respectively. In the control group, the rates of H. pylori infection were 91.97 and 83.26% 1 and 5 years after treatment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of peptic ulcers decreased significantly after the eradication of H. pylori. The reinfection rate after H. pylori eradication was 4,5% per year. Helicobacter pylori infection status remained constant in almost 85% of cases. [source]

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis subgingival presence, species-specific serum immunoglobulin G antibody levels, and periodontitis disease recurrence

JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006
T. E. Rams
Background and Objective:, The biological and clinical effects of antibody against periodontal pathogenic bacteria are incompletely understood. This study evaluated the inter-relationships among periodontal levels of cultivable Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, species-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, and periodontitis disease activity. Material and Methods:, Forty-three adults who had previously been treated for periodontitis and who also harbored cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis were evaluated semiannually for clinical disease recurrence over a 36-month period. Each patient provided subgingival microbial samples, for the recovery of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis, from the two deepest pockets in each dentition sextant. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis serum IgG antibody levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), together with whole-cell sonicate extracts from A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes a,c and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. Data were analyzed using the Mantel,Haenszel chi-square and Fisher exact two-tailed tests. Results:, Eighteen (60.0%) of 30 A. actinomycetemcomitans -positive subjects, and 10 (76.9%) of 13 P. gingivalis -positive subjects, exhibited recurrent periodontal breakdown within 36 months of periodontal therapy. Nineteen (67.9%) of the 28 patients with active periodontitis had A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis serum antibody levels below designated threshold values. In comparison, 10 (66.7%) of 15 culture-positive clinically stable subjects showed A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis serum antibody levels above threshold values. The difference between specific antibody levels in periodontitis-active and periodontitis-stable patients was statistically significant (p = 0.032). Conclusions:, Serum levels of IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis in periodontitis-stable patients were higher than those in patients with active periodontitis. The results suggest that elevated levels of IgG antibody against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis have a detectable protective effect against periodontal infections with these microorganisms. [source]

Characteristics of HCV positive subjects referring to hospitals in Italy: a multicentre prevalence study on 6 999 cases

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 5 2006
T. Stroffolini
Summary., In 2001, 6 999 anti-HCV positive subjects referred to 79 Italian hospital in a 6 months enrolment period were evaluated. Of them, 5 632 (80.5%) tested anti-HCV positive alone, 1 163 (16.6%) reported also an excessive alcohol intake, and 204 (2.9%) were also HBsAg positive. Normal biochemistry was observed in 7.8% of cases, chronic hepatitis in 67.9% of cases, liver cirrhosis in 18.9% of cases, and hepatocellular carcinoma in 3.6% cases. HCV positive subjects with excessive alcohol intake were statistically significantly younger, of male sex, and having more severe liver disease than those without excessive alcohol intake. Adjusting for the confounding effect of age and sex by multiple logistic regression analysis, HCV positive chronic hepatitis cases drinking more than four alcoholic drinks daily were 2.2-fold (CI 95% = 1.3,4.0) more likely to progress to liver cirrhosis than teetotallers. These findings indicate that nearly a quarter of HCV positive subjects referred to hospitals in Italy have a severe liver disease causing a remarkable impact on the national health system. Excessive alcohol intake in HCV chronic hepatitis cases increases the risk of progression to liver cirrhosis. [source]

Exposure to HAV infection in patients with chronic liver disease in Italy, a multicentre study,

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 1 2006
E. Sagnelli
Summary., We carried out a multicentre study on 2830 patients with chronic liver disease from 79 liver units (25 in northern, 24 in central and 30 in southern Italy) to evaluate naturally acquired immunity against hepatitis A virus (HAV) in relation to age, sex, geographical area of origin and entity of liver disease, and to define the strategy for specific vaccination. Antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) was detected in 1514 (53.5%) of the 2830 patients tested; the prevalence was 50.4% in males and 59.1% in females. Both in central and southern Italy the prevalence of anti-HAV positive subjects increased with increasing age from 43.3 and 44.7%, respectively, in the 0,30-year-old subjects to 80.1 and 68.3%, respectively, in those aged over 60 years. The overall prevalence was much lower in northern Italy, as were the variations from one age group to another, from 28.4% in the 0,30-year-old subjects to 38% in those aged over 60 years. 40.6% of patients with cirrhosis lacked naturally acquired protection against HAV; this percentage was higher in northern (60.5%) than in central (34.9%, P < 0.0001) and southern Italy (27.6%, P < 0.0001). The high prevalence of patients in Italy with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis who lack naturally acquired immunity to HAV warrants the implementation of vaccination programmes against hepatitis A in such patients. [source]

Skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams: comparison between two commercial kits

ALLERGY, Issue 8 2006
J. L. Rodríguez-Bada
Introduction:, Skin testing with major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin is the recommended standard practice to evaluate subjects with immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams. The withdrawal of these products from the market has set us back to the early days, before the introduction of reagents for in vivo testing. Objectives:, To compare a recently released kit of benzylpenicillin conjugated to poly- l -lysine (PPL) and minor determinants mixture (MDM) with the previously existing kit in a positive control group of subjects sensitized to major and/or minor determinants of benzylpenicillin. Methods:, Skin tests with both kits were made in a group of positive subjects previously diagnosed with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillins and with positive results to PPL and/or MDM and in a negative control group. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition assays with a pool of sera and individual samples were carried out to compare the inhibition capacity of PPL and MDM of both kits. Results:, Of 22 cases selected from our historical group, 14 were positive: eight to PPL, three to MDM and three to both. These results were equivalent for both kits. RAST inhibition studies showed similar potencies in the inhibition of PPL and MDM. Conclusions:, Both tests show similar results in terms of RAST inhibition assays and skin tests sensitivity and specificity in the groups selected. The new assay can be used for the same purpose and indications as the previous test. [source]

Relationship between Cervical Mucus Interleukin-8 Concentrations and Vaginal Bacteria in Pregnancy

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Masatoshi Sakai
Problem:, High interleukin (IL)-8 concentration in cervical mucus in the second trimester is a risk factor for premature birth. We investigated the relationship between vaginal pathogens and IL-8 in cervical mucus. Method of study:, In 501 women with single pregnancy, vaginal secretions were cultured for bacteria and cervical mucus IL-8 concentrations were measured between 20 and 24 gestational weeks. Results:,Lactobacillus species were detected in 56.0% of 84 subjects with high IL-8 (,377 ng/mL), significantly less often than in 417 subjects with IL-8 below 377 ng/mL (84.7%; P < 0.0001). Anaerobic pathogens were detected in 83.3% of high IL-8 subjects, significantly more often than in normal IL-8 subjects (43.9%; P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, cervical IL-8 was significantly high only in subjects without Lactobacillus species; they showed a significantly higher prematurity rate than Lactobacillus -positive subjects. Conclusions:, Absence of vaginal Lactobacilli was associated with increased cervical IL-8 and increased risk of premature delivery. [source]

Cytokine detection in HIV-1/HHV-8 co-infected subjects

CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 3 2002
Agostino Pugliese
Abstract In a previous work we have evaluated some immunologic and haematologic parameters of HIV-1 positive subjects co-infected with HHV-8. A worsening of these values were generally described in these patients as compared with those HIV-1 positive, but negative for HHV-8. Now we have studied the influence of HHV-8 co-infection of HIV-1 positive subjects on the production of some cytokines to make clear the question of its role in the immuno-deregulation of the above-mentioned subjects. In particular we have analysed serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10, Th2 type T cells cytokines, IFN-,, an indirect marker of Th1 cells activation and IL-18, a cytokine produced by monocytic-macrophagic cells, which is able to induce IFN-, production and Th1 T lymphocytes activation. No significant differences were found as regards the IFN-, serum levels (92.1,±,24.3 pg ml,1 in the case of HIV-1 positive/HHV-8 negative subjects and 96.0,±,17.4 pg ml,1 in those HIV-1 positive/HHV-8 positive). In healthy subjects the mean level of this cytokine was 17.6,±,5.2 pg ml,1 (significant difference with both the former values at p,<,0.001). Moreover IL-4 and IL-10, which were undetectable in healthy individuals, showed the following values in HIV-1positive/HHV-8 negative subjects: 31.9,±,2.7 pg ml,1 and 119.8,±,85.1 pg ml,1 respectively and in HIV-1 positive/HHV-8 positive subjects: 30.4,±,4.8 pg ml,1 and 69.4,±,65.3 pg ml,1 (not significant differences). In contrast IL-18 reached a mean level of 1001.2,±,360.5 pg ml,1 in HIV-1 positive/HHV-8 negative subjects, but showed a significant reduction in HIV-1 positive/HHV-8 positive subjects (737.6,±,284.3 pg ml,1,p,<,0.05) and presented very low levels in healthy individuals (21.3,±,30.3 pg ml,1). Moreover a significant correlation (,0.984,p,<,0.001) was noticed between IL-18 reduction in HIV-1 positive subjects co-infected with HHV-8 and the degree of positivity of HHV-8. These data suggest that HHV-8 co-infection has no influence on the switch Th1, Th2 in HIV-1 positive subjects, but is able to reduce IL-18 production, useful for Th1 subset restoration. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]