Science / Medicine : New Test Developed for Rare Pneumonia

Scientists have developed a simpler, cheaper and more accurate test for diagnosing a once rare form of pneumonia that now kills many AIDS patients.

In a study in the current New England Journal of Medicine, researchers at UC San Francisco said the test was 92% accurate when it was used on 63 patients.

The test involves the analysis of sputum using substances known as monoclonal antibodies, which are specially designed proteins.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is currently diagnosed by looking into the lungs with a special device known as a bronchoscope, or by removing and analyzing a piece of lung tissue. But those methods can be complicated, expensive and uncomfortable.

In another AIDS development, a new drug is showing promise in slowing the time it takes AIDS-related complex (ARC) to progress into AIDS itself, the drug’s manufacturer said last week.

A preliminary study involving 140 patients found that the drug IMREG-1 appeared to boost the immune systems of ARC patients and to slow the progression of their condition to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the company said.

The New Orleans-based company, IMREG Inc., gave injections of the drug to 90 ARC patients, while another 50 received a placebo every two weeks for six months.

A company official said the patients who were given IMREG-1 showed signs of improved immune system function and were less likely to develop additional symptoms, including pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. There were no significant side effects, he said.