Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may affect both the natural course of syphilis and the response to treatment. We examined the response to treatment with high-dose penicillin G in HIV-infected patients with symptomatic neurosyphilis. METHODS: RESULTS: In four of the seven patients studied 24 weeks after treatment, the serum titers on rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing decreased by at least two doubling dilutions, and four patients had reductions in the cerebrospinal fluid titers on VDRL testing or reverted to nonreactive results. In two patients there was no normalization or improvement in serum titers on RPR testing or cerebrospinal fluid titers on VDRL testing, cell counts, or protein concentrations. One patient relapsed with meningovascular syphilis six months after therapy. T. pallidum was detected by the polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid from 3 of 10 patients before treatment, but in none of the 10 post-treatment specimens. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | S M Gordon, M E Eaton, R George, S Larsen, S A Lukehart, J Kuypers, C M Marra, S Thompson |
Journal | The New England journal of medicine
(N Engl J Med)
Vol. 331
Issue 22
Pg. 1469-73
(Dec 01 1994)
ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States |
PMID | 7969296
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Cerebrospinal Fluid
(microbiology)
- Female
- HIV Infections
(complications)
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neurosyphilis
(complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Penicillin G
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Treponema pallidum
(isolation & purification)
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