Protocol Number: 95-I-0027
Normal volunteers and HIV-infected patients 18 years of age or older may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests and possibly an electrocardiogram (EKG). Blood tests may include HLA typing, a genetic test of immune system markers. Participants will undergo the following procedures: - Blood tests (patients and volunteers) - Biopsies - The frequency of biopsies for given patients may vary, depending on their specific therapy. Typically, biopsies are done at least before starting therapy, during therapy and after completion of therapy. - Tonsil biopsies (patients and volunteers) - Volunteers will have one tonsil biopsy. Patients will have no more than six tonsil biopsies, with no more than three in a 10-day period. The biopsy is done by an ear, nose and throat specialist as an outpatient procedure. The tonsils are numbed with a local anesthetic, and one to four pieces of tissue are extracted. - Lymph node biopsies (patients only) - Patients will have no more than four lymph node biopsies, performed no more frequently than once a month. The biopsy is done by a surgeon and may require a 2- to 3-day hospital stay. The skin above the lymph nodes is numbed with a local anesthetic, an incision is made and the tissue is removed. Alternatively, a needle biopsy may be done, in which a small amount of lymph tissue is withdrawn through a special needle injected into the site. - Intestinal biopsies (patients only) - Patients may have up to six intestinal biopsies, each separated by at least 10 days. This is done by a gastroenterologist as an outpatient procedure. A flexible tube (sigmoidoscope) with a light and special lens at the tip is inserted into the rectum and large bowel. Wire instruments passed through the tube are used to extract small tissue samples. - Scans - CT scans (patients and volunteers) - Patients may have no more than six scans, up to three within a 1-year period. Volunteers may have up to three scans, with no more than one every 6 months. CT uses ionizing radiation to produce 3-dimensional images of the thymus in small sections. For the procedure, the patient lies still for a short time on a table surrounded by the scanner.
Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 01/30/2009
|
||