Switching from a thymidine nucleoside analogue to either tenofovir DF or abacavir leads to significant improvement in limb fat mass over 48 weeks. Tenofovir DF may have modest advantages over abacavir for changes in lipids. Peripheral lipoatrophy, when clinically apparent, resolves slowly following treatment switching.

A virus given the name ground squirrel hepatitis virus (or GSHV), with many of the unique characteristics of human hepatitis B virus (HBV), has been found in Beechey ground squirrels in northern California. (2), the viral DNA (3), a DNA polymerase activity (4, 5), and probably hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in a cryptic form (6). No crossreaction has been found between HBsAg and a large number of antigens of other viruses that have been tested (7). HBcAg and HBeAg were also considered unique to HBV.The viral DNA is circular and has a contour length consistent with that of double-stranded DNA of approximately 3200 base pairs (bp) (3). However, as isolated from virions, the DNA was not completely double stranded. Between 15% and 50% of the length of different molecules was single stranded (8-10). A DNA polymerase activity in the viral core catalyzed a repair reaction that converted the DNA to fully double-stranded circular molecules of approximately 3200 bp (8-10).Persistent infection with HBV is common, continues for years (11), and is accompanied by continuous circulation in the blood of high concentrations of incomplete viral forms consisting of small spherical HBsAg particles 16-25 nm in diameter and long filamentous HBsAg containing structures approximately 22 nm in width and up to 500 nm in length (1, 2, 12) as well as complete virions usually in much lower concentrations. Persistent infection in humans is associated with chronic hepatitis (13) Gerin, personal communication).Here we describe a virus found in ground squirrels in one region of northern California that is similar to HBV and WHV and may represent a third member of this class of viruses.MATERIALS AND METHODS Sera. Sera were obtained from all animals by cardiac puncture. Apparently healthy Beechey ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) were obtained from Point Lobos, CA (location A), a region adjacent to the Stanford University campus (location B), and a region near Santa Barbara, CA (location C). Sera containing high concentrations of HBV were obtained by plasmapheresis of a persistently infected patient after informed consent was obtained.Assay for Virion DNA Polymerase Activity. Particle-associated DNA polymerase levels in sera were determined by a modification of the method previously described (19). Serum samples were centrifuged in an Eppendorf centrifuge at 10,000 rpm for 10 min to remove precipitated protein and other debris; 200 Ml of each supernatant was layered over 500 ,ul of 30% sucrose (wt/vol) containing 10 mM Tris-HCI, 0.1 M NaCI, 5 mM EDTA, 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol, and 1 mg of centrifuged bovine serum albumin per ml in 1-ml polycarbonate tubes and particles were pelleted in a Spinco type 25 rotor for 16 hr at 25,000 rpm and 4°C. Supernatants were removed by suction and discarded, and inner walls of the tubes were wiped dry. The pellets were resuspended in 50 ,l of 1.5% Nonidet P-40/0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol/10 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5/0.1 M NaCl. Then 25 ,ul of 0.2 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 80 The publication costs of this article...

Our objective was to determine the relationship between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), serum total oestradiol and sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected men. Sexual difficulties were recorded prospectively in a cohort of HIV-negative (or unknown status) gay/bisexual men (MSM) and a cohort of HIV-infected men. The HIV-infected men were divided into those on and not on HAART and by sexuality. Serum total oestradiol and testosterone levels were evaluated where possible. One hundred HIV-negative MSM and 73 HIV-infected men (88% MSM) were analysed. Low libido and erectile dysfunction (ED) were reported in the control group in 2% and 10% respectively. This compared to a prevalence of 26% for both problems in HIV-infected MSM not taking HAART. In those MSM on HAART reduced libido was noted in 48% and ED in 25%. In the group of men taking HAART the mean oestradiol level was 228 pmol/L and was significantly above normal limits. Low libido and ED are more commonly reported in HIV-infected men compared to gay men of negative or unknown status. HAART is associated with a higher prevalence of lack of sexual desire and raised serum oestradiol levels.

Twenty patients with chronic active hepatitis and 12 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were treated with human leukocyte interferon or adenine arabinoside alone or in combination. With interferon alone, four of 16 patients showed a permanent disappearance of HBV-associated DNA polymerase (DNAP) activity from serum. Of six patients treated with adenine arabinoside alone, only one patient became permanently DNAP-negative. With a regimen of multiple cycles of combined interferon and adenine arabinoside, seven of 16 male patients became permanently DNAP-negative. Of 69 patients who met the criteria for admission to the program, spontaneous decreases in DNAP activity without treatment were observed in only 9% during a mean observation period of 10 months. In general, patients with chronic active hepatitis, those who are female, and those with a history of recent steroid therapy responded to the antiviral agents significantly better than did the other patients.

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