The UCSF AIDS Program at San Francisco General Hospital is beginning a clinical study for HIV-infected patients who suffer severe symptoms caused by the opportunistic infection, cryptosporidiosis.

There are currently no consistently effective or approved therapies for the disorder, says Lisa Gooze, MD, assistant professor of medicine. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include profuse diarrhea, abdominal cramping, urgency, severe dehydration and weight loss. In AIDS patients, the condition can be chronic, severe and often life-threatening.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite and is spread by contaminated food or water or by contact with the feces of an infected person or animal.

The study will be a six-week, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) in treating cryptosporidiosis. The study is being conducted as part of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

NTZ is under development by Unimed Pharmaceuticals in the US. The drug has shown promising results in preliminary trials and in compassionate use studies.

Persons who would like more information about the study should call Kathy Dybeck at 415/476-9296, ext. 353. Patients also can find information on HIV Insite.

By Alice Trinkl

1st appeared 6/09/97