Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) phenotype plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. The presence of syncytium-inducing (SI) HIV-1 isolates in infected persons is associated with a rapid decline of CD4+T cells (CD4+), rapid disease progression, and reduced survival time after AIDS diagnosis. We have reported the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on HIV-1 infected patients. To investigate whether KRG affects HIV-1 at gene level and there is a correlation between genotype and decline of CD4+, the C2-V3 region of env gene from 65 HIV-1 isolates were cloned and sequenced. Distributions of subtype were subtype B 57 (88%), subtype A 4 (6%), subtype C 2 (3%), subtype G 1 (2%), and subtype H 1 (2%). The prevalences of SI according to the number of CD4+ are as follows; 40% (6/15) in CD4+ <100/ ul, 14% (1/7) in 100-200/ul, and 2% (1/43) in >200/ul. Seventy-five percent (6/8) of SI were detected in rapid progressor with the decline of CD4+ over 60/ul per year. The correlation between SI genotype and the detection of immune complex dissociated (ICD) p24 antigen was significant (p<0.001). In the 40 patients followed-up over 60 months by CD4+, there was significant correlation between annual decrease of CD4+ and duration of KRG intake (R=-0.380, p<0.01), whereas no correlation between CD4+ and zidovudine (ZDV) was observed. The intrapatient variation of amino acid level showed significant inverse correlation with the months of KRG intake (R=-0.47, p<0.01). These results suggest that the determination of genotype by C2- V3 sequencing may be used for the evaluation of prognosis of AIDS patient, and long-term intake of KRG may prevent or delay the progression from NSI to SI.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Clone Cells ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Genes, env* ; Genotype ; HIV* ; HIV-1* ; Humans* ; Panax* ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Sequence Analysis* ; Zidovudine

In order to investigate psychological and behavioral characteristics homosexuals and to present evidence that homosexuals are in danger of HIV infection in Korea, this study was done by self-administered questionnaire and then direct interview with the 28(35%) HIV infected homosexual/bisexuals of 79 HIV infected persons reported in 1992. Homosexuals without heterosexual activity were 9 and the others were bisexuals. Sixty-five percent of respondents had a guilty conscience for their homosexual activity. Twenty(71%) were in twenties and 5(18%) in thirties. Twelve(43%) were detected via health card checking by health office, 21% by blood donation, 18% by hospital visit, and 7% by partner notification. Motivations for homosexual activity were curiosity(36%), temptation or recommendation(14%) and compulsion(11%). Eighteen(72%) never used condom on anal sex. Nine of 26 respondents had experience for anal sex with foreigners. Fourteen(54%) of 26 respondents had history for sexually transmitted diseases. Fightly percent did not have sexual contact after HIV infection and the others usually used condom. It was confirmed that over 57% of the respondents were infected within 1 year before HIV diagnosis and over 82% within 2 years. These data suggest that HIV infection among homosexual group is rapidly spreading.
Bisexuality ; Blood Donors ; Condoms ; Conscience ; Contact Tracing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diagnosis ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Heterosexuality ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; Homosexuality* ; Humans ; Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

No abstract available.
Cell Count* ; HIV* ; Humans

No abstract available.
HIV* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lymphocytes* ; Monitoring, Immunologic*

No abstract available.
Antigens, CD4*

No abstract available.
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active* ; Humans ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase*

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.
Humans ; Korea* ; Prognosis*

No abstract available.
Cell Count* ; HIV* ; Humans ; Panax*

Cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of life-threatening viral infection in HIV-infected patients. This study was done prospectively to investigate the incidence of CMV infection according to the decrease of CD4+ T cell count (CD4+) in Korean AIDS patients. Thirty-nine HIV-infected patients diagnosed before 1994 were followed for regular immunological monitoring. We have used urine shell vial method for the CMV detection from 1994 and have also checked clinical findings. Positive urine culture rate definitely depended on the CD4+ as follows; 45%, 22%, 17%, 11% and 0%, CD4+ >50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-500 and <500, respectively. Except culture positive 2 patients with CD4+ of 200~300/ul, all eight culture positive patients with CD4+ less than 200/ul showed CMV related diseases on or before urine culture. But, we could not get a positive culture for a late AIDS patient with vision loss. With ganciclovir therapy, all culture results were at least negative just after or on late of first 14 days-ganciclovir infusion-course. These data suggest that the incidence of CMV disease in Korean AIDS patients is very high, and early diagnosis and treatment for CMV diseases is required for the prevention of life threatening results.
Cell Count* ; Cytomegalovirus ; Early Diagnosis ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Incidence ; Monitoring, Immunologic ; Prospective Studies