germanium and HIV-Infections

germanium has been researched along with HIV-Infections* in 2 studies

Other Studies

2 other study(ies) available for germanium and HIV-Infections

ArticleYear
Tubulointerstitial nephropathy persisting 20 months after discontinuation of chronic intake of germanium lactate citrate.
    American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, 1993, Volume: 21, Issue:5

    Two young human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, a 25-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, consumed large amounts of germanium lactate citrate 18% as an "immunostimulant" for 9 months. The woman, who had stage II HIV infection, developed severe renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance, 7 mL/min/1.73 m2) and slight proteinuria (0.28 g/d) after ingesting 260 g germanium lactate citrate 18%. Hepatomegaly with liver dysfunction (SGOT, 102 U/L; gamma-glutamyl transferase (GT), 159 U/L) and lactic acidosis (plasma lactate, 7.3 mmol/L) developed simultaneously. Renal biopsy revealed tubulointerstitial nephropathy with vacuolar cell degeneration and periodic acid-Schiff-positive intracellular deposits mainly in distal tubules. Liver biopsy disclosed severe hepatic steatosis; liver function tests returned to normal within 5 weeks. Since renal failure persisted for 2 years after ingestion of germanium (creatinine clearance, 14 mL/min/1.73 m2; proteinuria, 0.84 g/d), a second renal biopsy was performed, which showed marked but focal distal tubular atrophy and slight interstitial fibrosis. The male patient, who had stage III HIV infection, had ingested the same compound; he presented with a creatinine clearance of 43 mL/min/m2 and proteinuria of 0.36 g/d. Renal biopsy disclosed tubulointerstitial changes similar to those found in the female patient. After 9 months off germanium, creatinine clearance remained unchanged. Neutron activation analysis of all biopsy specimens in both cases documented germanium concentrations 10 to 70 times normal in renal tissue and 140 times normal in liver tissue.

    Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Germanium; HIV Infections; Humans; Kidney Tubules; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Nephritis, Interstitial; Time Factors

1993
[Toxicity of an organic Germanium compound: deleterious consequences of a "natural remedy"].
    Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift, 1992, Jan-08, Volume: 122, Issue:1-2

    Reports mainly from Japan, recommend germanium (Ge)-containing compounds as "anti-cancer" and "immunostimulatory" remedies. We report on a 25-tear-old woman with stage II HIV disease who consumed a total of 47 g Ge as Ge-lactate-citrate 18%. She developed severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 7 ml/min/1.73 m2, proteinuria 0.28 g/d) and hepatomegaly. Biopsies revealed tubulointerstitial nephropathy with vacuolar degeneration, mainly of distal tubular epithelia, and severe liver steatosis. Tissue Ge content in kidney and liver biopsy specimens was increased 68-and 140 fold respectively. In agreement with previous reports, renal dysfunction persisted 9 months later (creatinine clearance 11 ml/min/1.73 m2).

    Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Adult; Citrates; Fatty Liver; Female; Germanium; Hepatomegaly; HIV Infections; Humans; Lactates; Organometallic Compounds

1992