AEGiS-13IAC: Effect of Chloroquine in the treatment of HIV infection.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Effect of Chloroquine in the treatment of HIV infection.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:18 (abstract no.. LbOr9)

Kityo C, Ogwal JW, Kibuuka H, Atwine D, Kebba A
Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda. Fax: +256-041-342632, E-mail: jcrc@starcom.co.ug.

BACKGROUND: The greatest burden of HIV infection is in developing countries which have poor access to anti-retroviral therapy and limited resources to buy the drugs. Hydroxychloroquine, a very cheap drug has been shown to have anti-HIV activity both in vitro and in vivo. This study proposes to evaluate the safety and the effect of chloroquine in the treatment of HIV infection.

METHODS: This is a pilot phase IIB randomized, placebo controlled double blinded prospective study that will last 8 weeks, 40 eligible adults will receive 600mg of chloroquine phosphate or placebo daily and will be evaluated fortnightly for adverse events, immunologic and virologic markers.

RESULTS: 10 patients have been recruited to date and all have had baseline investigations including CD4/CD8 counts, Viral load, Complete blood count, chemistry profile, opthalmologic and medical examination. Follow up will continue until each patient has completed the 8 weeks of therapy.

CONCLUSION: This pilot project will provide useful information on the role of Chloroquine as a cheap alternative for treatment of HIV infection in developing countries.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Viral Load, Chloroquine, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Hydroxychloroquine, Antigens, CD4, Drug Therapy, Combination, Prospective Studies, chloroquine diphosphate, Adult, In Vitro, Human, therapy, immunology, drug therapy, AIDS
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