• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2023

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) that binds to the coreceptor CCR5 (R5 viruses) can evolve into viruses that bind to the coreceptor CXCR4 (X4 viruses), with high viral replication rates governing this coreceptor switch. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatment of HIV-1 infected patients has been found to slow the depletion of CD4+ T cells. This study assessed whether the KRG-associated slow depletion of CD4+ T cells was associated with coreceptor switching. Methods: This study included 146 HIV-1-infected patients naïve to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and seven patients receiving ART. A total of 540 blood samples were obtained from these patients over 122 ± 129 months. Their env genes were amplified by nested PCR or RT-PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. Tropism was determined with a 10% false positive rate (FPR) cutoff. Results: Of the 146 patients naïve to ART, 102 were KRG-naïve, and 44 had been treated with KRG. Evaluation of initial samples showed that coreceptor switch had occurred in 19 patients, later occurring in 38 additional patients. There was a significant correlation between the amount of KRG and FPR. Based on initial samples, the R5 maintenance period was extended 2.35-fold, with the coreceptor switch being delayed 2.42-fold in KRG-treated compared with KRG-naïve patients. The coreceptor switch occurred in 85% of a homogeneous cohort. The proportion of patients who maintained R5 for ≥10 years was significantly higher in long-term slow progressors than in typical progressors. Conclusion: KRG therapy extends R5 maintenance period by increasing FPR, thereby slowing the coreceptor switch.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8085-8091
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• 2016

Human papillomavirus is a virus that is distributed worldwide, and persistent infection with high-risk genotypes (HR-HPV) is considered the most important factor for the development of squamous cell cervical carcinoma (SCC). However, by itself, it is not sufficient, and other factors may contribute to the onset and progression of lesions. For example, infection with other sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be a factor. Previous studies have shown the relationship between HPV infection and SCC development among HIV-infected women in many regions of the world, with great emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Brazil is considered a LMIC and has great disparities across different regions. The purpose of this review was to highlight the current knowledge about HPV infection and cervical abnormalities in HIV+ women in Brazil because this country is an ideal setting to evaluate HIV impact on SCC development and serves as model of LMICs and low-resource settings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1289-1293
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• 2015

Background: Anal intraepithelial lesions (AIL) are likely to represent a precursor for anal cancer. Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be at higher risk of anal cancer but a screening program for AIL still is not routinely recommended. We here studied the relationship of dysplastic cells from cervical and anal cytology in HIV-infected women. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Prapokklao Hospital, Thailand during 2013-2014. Five hundred and ninety nine HIV-infected women were recruited. Participants who had cytological reports of equally or over "abnormal squamous/glandular cells of undetermined significance" (ASC-US) were classified as abnormal cervical or anal cytology. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate correlations between groups. Results: HIV-infected women with abnormal cervical cytology had 3.8 times more risk (adjusted odd ratio 3.846, 95% confidence interval 1.247-11.862, p-value. 019) for abnormal anal cytology. The major problem of the anal Pap test in this study was the inadequacy of the collected specimens for evaluation (34.4%, 206/599). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of cervical and anal Pap tests were 93.9/12.0, 87.3/96.9, 39.7/21.4, 99.4/94.1 and 88.1/91.4 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Abnormal cervical cytology in HIV-infected women indicates elevated risk for abnormal anal cytology. The sensitivity of the anal Pap test for detection of AIL 2/3 in HIV-infected women was quite low while specificity was excellent. Inadequacy of specimen collection for evaluation was a major limitation. Improvement of sample collection is recommended for future investigations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.372-376
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• 2004

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is an infectious disease of immune-compromised host. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate PCP with diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. Association between PCP and diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage has been reported in 30% of PCP with HIV positive patients. But association between PCP and diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage has not been reported in non-HIV positive patients without any known underlying causes of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. We report a case of PCP with diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage in 66 years old male patient. We confirmed PCP and diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage with bronchoalveolar lavage. We can exclude the possible other causes of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage except PCP. PCP may be one of possible cause of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage in non-HIV immune compromised patient.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.281-299
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• 2003

Even though the rate of infection of HIV is very low compared to other countries, data show a steady rise in HIV infection rates among young people in South Korea. A peer education program was provided to prevent the incidence of AIDS in young people. The program used peer leaders to provide AIDS related information and counseling for middle school students. Peer leaders received special training in AIDS related education and counseling to assist their friends. Peer leaders worked with their mends in one-to-one or small group settings. A pretest-posttest control design (six months after intervention) was used to evaluate the effects of the peer education program for prevention of AIDS. A post-intervention survey found that do you mean six months after the program or after six months of programs of peer program activities, the experimental groups(groups with peer educators) showed better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and less sexual activity when compared to control groups of non-participants(groups without peer educators). Peer leaders showed significant gains in knowledge about HIV transmission, more positive attitudes and self-efficacy not to engage in high-risk behaviors. Peer education was an effective tool for increasing knowledge, improving attitudes and self-efficacy, and encouraging appropriate behavior change.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.41-55
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• 2009

Objective: This study explores the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS and the relationship between knowledge and attitude among social workers and nurses working in the public sector in Gwangju, S. Korea. Methods: The sample was composed of 121 nurse and 124 social workers. For the purpose of this research participants completed a questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS. The data was collected between December 2008 and January 2009. All data was analyzed using SPSS WIN version 12.0 for technical statistics. t-Test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis was employed. Results: First, the result of this research showed that the level of participants knowledge on HIV/AIDS was 85.9%. The nurses score was significantly higher than social workers on knowledge. Second, the outcome also showed that nurses generally had a more positive attitude about HIV/AIDS patients than social workers but it was not significant. Third, participant's attitudes towards HIV/AIDS was significantly influenced by the level of knowledge and previous education about HIV/AIDS. Fourth, the results also showed that knowledge on HIV/AIDS is the most important influencing factor towards the participants attitude. Conclusion: This result has important implications for future education programs designed for health care professionals including nurses and social workers. Given the importances of the role of public officers as practitioners and policy makers on HIV/AIDS, the education program should not only focus on lectures but also include a sharing of practical experience and knowledge.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.259-267
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• 1996

In order to evaluate the effect of viral load on the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals, immune complex dissociated (ICD) serum p24 antigen (p24) by acid treatment was retrospectively measured for 50 HIV-infected patients for 60 months. Among them, 27 patients were p24 positive (p24+) above 25pg/ml for $40.4{\pm}12$ months and 23 patients were negative (p24-). Follow-up periods from HIV diagnosis were $63.0{\pm}19$ months (range; 40-112) for the p24+ and $68.4{\pm}19$ months (range; 38-106) for the p24-, respectively (P>0.05)Mean CD4+T cell counts in the p24+ group decreased from $473{\pm}$277/ul (median;373) to $157{\pm}150/ul$ (median; 111) for $60{\pm}16$ months (5.3/month P280/ul (median; 476) to $432{\pm}285/ul$ (median;382) for $63{\pm}19$ months (2.5/month, P<0.01). From CD4+T cell count >200/ul, the patient who progressed to AIDS of <200/ul were 13 of 23 (56%) in the p24+ and 4 of 22 (18%) in p24-, respectively (p<0.01). And the number of death in two groups were 6 (22%) and 1 (4%), respectively (p<0.01). Presumed survival in two groups were about 12 and 24.5 years. These data suggest that viral load itself be very important for the prognosis of HIV-infected patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2018

Background: It remains uncertain if $interferon-{\gamma}$ release assays (IGRAs) are superior to the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in immunosuppressed populations including people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the performance of IGRAs and the TST in people with HIV with active TB or LTBI in low and high prevalence TB countries. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE database from 1966 through to January 2017 for studies that compared results of the TST with either the commercial QuantiFERON-TB Gold in Tube (QFTGT) assay or previous assay versions, the T-SPOT.TB assay or in-house IGRAs. Data were summarized by TB prevalence. Tests for concordance and differences in proportions were undertaken as appropriate. The variation in study methodology was appraised. Results: Thirty-two studies including 4,856 HIV subjects met the search criteria. Fourteen studies compared the tests in subjects with LTBI in low TB prevalence settings. The QFTGT had a similar rate of reactivity to the TST, although the first-generation version of that assay was reactive more commonly. IGRAs were more frequently positive than the TST in HIV infected subjects with active TB. There was considerable study methodology and population heterogeneity, and generally low concordance between tests. Both the TST and IGRAs were affected by CD4 T-cell immunodeficiency. Conclusion: Our review of comparative data does not provide robust evidence to support the assertion that the IGRAs are superior to the TST when used in HIV infected subjects to diagnose either active TB or LTBI.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2023

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic and recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptom that has no organic cause. A 49-year-old male patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) visited the clinic because of FD and constipation. He received complex Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture and herbal medicines, from April 14 to July 18, 2022 (27 times) in the outpatient department. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), FD-related quality of life (FD-QoL), Euro QoL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were used as evaluation tools in this study. Symptoms were relieved after 3 months of treatment, and his QoL improved (GSRS, 15-3; NDI, 110-21; FD-QoL, 52-20 [eating status, 10-3; liveliness status, 12-8; psychological, 1-0; role-functioning status, 18-9]; EQ-VAS, 40-65; NRS, 8-4). The results revealed that complex Korean medicine treatment could alleviate FD and constipation in patients with HIV.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.292-303
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• 2001

The purpose of the study was to find out the level of knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, social interaction, and behavioral intention of nursing students regarding AIDS. It also identified factors that predict behavioral intentions and to provide care for patients with AIDS using Theory of Reasoned Action. The subjects consisted of 117 nursing students at three universities. Data was collected with self reporting in a questionnaire of with 67 items. Data was analyzed by an SPSS pc+ program. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of the subjects was 20.98 years. The mean score for HIV/AIDS knowledge was 24.444 out of 32. Mostly Korean students were quite knowledgeable about the basic facts and symptoms of AIDS but confused about the made of transmission such as public toilets, prevention methods, and especially infection control. 2. This study found that social interaction, attitudes and subjective norms of Korean nursing students explained the intention to care for AIDS patients. The students who had a more positive attitude toward caring for AIDS patients and those who perceived more support from their significant others for caring the AIDS patients reported a more positive intention to care for AIDS patients. 3. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, 47.58% of the variance in AIDS patient care intention was accounted for by social interaction (33.41%), attitude (9.1%), and subjective norm (5.0 %). According to the finding of this study, and social interaction are the most significant predictors of intentions. Therefore it can be suggested that a HIV/AIDS prevention program should focus on transmission modes and prevention methods, especially in infection control. AIDS education efforts aimed at nursing students should place greater emphasis on correcting these kinds of misconceptions. Nursing intenvention for reducing fear of contagion, improving perception of social interaction, fostering positive attitudes and increasing intention to care for AIDS patients should be provided for nursing students. They also recommended that nursing students be adequately prepared to care for AIDS patients because of the increasing probability that they will encounter AIDS patients. Therefore it is important that education about HIV/AIDS should be incorporated within current undergraduate curriculum.