George W. Jordan

Human Leukocyte Interferon for the Treatment of Herpes Zoster in Patients with Cancer

We tested the effect of human leukocyte interferon on early localized herpes zoster infections in three placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind trials involving 90 patients with cancer. There were no significant differences in pretreatment severity of infection or nature of underlying disease in the groups. Higher dosages of more purified interferon in the second and third trials produced a significant (P less than or equal to 0.01) decrease in cutaneous dissemination. No dissemination occurred in those receiving the highest dosage (5.1 x 10(5) U per kilogram per day) (P less than or equal to 0.025). The number of days of new-vesicle formation in the primary dermatome decreased (mean, 2.3 days, P less than or equal to 0.05) in this group. Treated patients had a trend toward less acute pain, and significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) diminished severity of post-herpetic neuralgia, at the two highest dosage levels. Visceral complications were six times less frequent in interferon recipients. High-dosage interferon appeared effective in limiting cutaneous dissemination, visceral complications and progression within the primary dermatome.

Adverse effect of cytosine arabinoside on disseminated zoster in a controlled trial.

Abstract Cytosine arabinoside for the treatment of disseminated herpes zoster was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind controlled study. The drug was given within 48 hours of onset of dissemination at 100 mg per square meter per 24 hours by continuous intravenous infusion, until dissemination ceased, or for a maximum of 72 hours. The treatment (19 patients) and placebo (20 patients) groups were of similar composition so far as underlying disease, previous treatment and stage of dissemination at the time of study were concerned. The duration of dissemination was greater in the treated than in the placebo group, and was prolonged for a subgroup of cytosine-arabinoside-treated patients with Stage III and IV lymphoma. The lymphoma patients also had evidence of depression of antibody formation, delay in vesicle interferon appearance, depression of local cellular response and greater hematologic toxicity. Cytosine arabinoside at this dose thus has no beneficial effect on the disease, and can prolong it in so...

An unusual outbreak of windborne coccidioidomycosis.

EARLY in the morning on December 20, 1977, high-velocity winds centered around Arvin, a town at the southern extreme of the San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield, in Kern County, California, bore aloft soil containing arthroconidia of Coccidioides immitis. Dispersion of this soil by peculiar wind conditions resulted in an epidemic of coccidioidomycosis in an area encompassing approximately 87,000 km2, an area larger than the state of Maine. We report the morbidity, mortality and cost of the epidemic in Sacramento County, an area of 2797 km2 at the northern limit of the San Joaquin Valley, which is normally an .xa0.xa0.

Clinical Utilization of Exogenous Human Interferon

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the clinical utilization of exogenous human interferon. It presents the important and generally agreed on properties of interferon. Most specifically, the broad antiviral spectrum, the lack of toxicity, and the lack of antigenicity in a homologous species are the key features in its clinical appeal. Its widespread presence, phylogenetically, and the many stimuli that trigger its production suggest that it may have a more fundamental cellular regulatory role. The inhibitory effects of interferon on rapidly dividing cells support this idea. The latter finding has both good and bad aspects. In particular, it suggests that interferon might have a clinically useful antitumor role, but also demands careful monitoring for hemopoietic and immunosuppressive side effects during systemic high-dose or long-term interferon application. For certain infections, direct application of interferon to the virus-infected tissues may be useful through routes, such as, intranasal, sub-or intra-cutaneous, or even by direct injection into the eye, conjunctival sac, or subarachnoid space.