Continuous High-Dose Intravenous Dextran Sulfate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Acetaminophen.

Patients must have:

-

Clinically documented AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) defined as CDC group IVA or history of any of the findings that define CDC group IV subgroup C-2:

• oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, multidermatomal herpes zoster, recurrent nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia, or nocardiosis.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Acetaminophen.

Exclusion Criteria

Concurrent Treatment:

Excluded:

• Intramuscular injections.

Patients will be excluded from the study for the following reasons:

• Acute illness requiring hospitalization or antiviral drug therapy for treatment.
• Volunteers who have taken any antiviral medications, anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, or any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, except acetaminophen, within 2 weeks of study entry, or those who anticipate the need for such medication during the study.
• Positive stool guaiac at screening.
• Disorders of coagulation or any known contraindication to anticoagulation, including but not limited to gastrointestinal or other serious bleeding, major trauma or surgery within the past 2 months, stroke or suspicion of central nervous system (CNS) bleeding, Kaposi sarcoma (with or without proven gastrointestinal involvement), and any known CNS lesions that might be prone to bleed.
• Allergy to dextran sulfate or heparin.
• Acute or asymptomatic HIV infection.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Antiviral medications.
• Anticoagulants.
• Antiplatelet medications.
• Any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (except acetaminophen).

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Hospitalization for acute illness.

Patients may not have any of the following diseases or symptoms:

• Allergy to dextran sulfate or heparin.
• Acute or asymptomatic HIV infection.
• Acute illness requiring hospitalization.
• Chronic anemia requiring transfusion within the past month.
• Disorders of coagulation or any known contraindication to anticoagulation, including but not limited to gastrointestinal or other serious bleeding, major trauma or surgery within the past 2 months, stroke or suspicion of central nervous system (CNS) bleeding, Kaposi's sarcoma, and any known CNS lesions which might be prone to bleed.

History of severe allergic reactions to study medication Currently pregnant or breastfeeding Recent participation in another clinical trial within the last 30 days Presence of uncontrolled medical conditions that could affect safety