Subject: GLOSSARY (p)
Date: November 1989 from BETA #3 and BETA #4 (12 items)
- p24 antigen:
- A protein fragment of HIV. The p24 antigen test
measures this fragment. A positive result for p24
antigen suggests active HIV replication. A positive
test result may mean the individual has a higher chance
of developing AIDS in the future.
- pancreatitis:
- Inflammation of the pancreas. Characterized by intense
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, slow
pulse, and possible jaundice.
- parallel track:
-
A proposed system that expands access to a promising drug
to people who cannot participate in clinical trials of
that drug (at the same time as the clinical trials are
underway).
- paraplegia:
- Paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body.
- passive immunotherapy:
-
A treatment for HIV infection which uses p24 antibody-rich plasma that has been centrifuged to separate it from
the blood of asymptomatic HIV-positive people.
- pathogen:
- Any microorganism capable of causing disease.
- PCP (Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia):
-
A type of lung infection found in immunosuppressed
individuals. It is the most common opportunistic
infection in AIDS.
- peripheral:
- Located at, or pertaining to, the periphery; occurring
away from the center.
- peripheral neuropathy:
-
A disorder of the nerves, usually involving the feet or
hands, and sometimes the legs and arms. Symptoms may
include numbness, a tingling or burning sensation, sharp
pain, weakness, and abnormal reflexes. In severe cases,
paralysis may result.
- PGL:
- Persistent generalized abnormal enlargement of the lymph
nodes (lymphadenopathy).
- pharmacokinetic:
-
Concerning the study of how a drug passes through the
body, the extent and rate of absorption from the stomach,
its distribution, and location in tissues.
- Phase I:
- The first step in human testing of a drug. Tests for
safety in humans, and is usually done with a very small
number of participants.
- Phase II:
- Effectiveness testing in humans, done if Phase I has been
completed and shows acceptable levels of safety. Usually
done with 50 to 300 individuals.
- Phase III:
- Expansion of Phase II testing to 300 to 3000 volunteers.
Compares drug to other methods and confirms results of
Phase II with statistically more reliable numbers.
- placebo:
- An inert, inactive substance. In placebo-controlled drug
studies, a placebo is given to one group of patients,
while the drug being tested is given to another group.
The results obtained in the two groups are then compared.
- plasma:
- A fluid in which blood cells and nutritive substances are
circulated in the body. It also serves to remove waste
products of metabolism from organs and to facilitate
chemical communication between different portions of the
body.
- plasmapheresis:
-
The selective removal of certain proteins or antibodies.
This process is sometimes used in the treatment of some
peripheral neuropathies.
- platelet:
- A type of blood cell that facilitates blood clotting.
- polyneuropathy:
-
A disease in which several peripheral nerves are
affected at the same time.
- prednisone:
- A synthetic corticosteroid sometimes used in the treatment of neuropathies. Like all corticosteroids, it is
immunosuppressive.
- Project Inform:
-
A San-Francisco-based organization which disseminates
information about HIV public policy issues and treatments for HIV infection.
- prophylaxis:
- Treatment that helps to prevent a disease before it
occurs or recurs.
- protein:
- A group of compounds which occurs naturally in plants
and animals and other organisms. Proteins provide the
structures essential for the growth and repair of
animal tissue.
- protocol:
- The blueprint of a scientific experiment and the methods
used in that experiment. Defines length of experiment,
dosage levels, criteria for participation, statistical
analysis, etc.
- PWA or PLWA:
- Person living with AIDS or people living with AIDS.
- PWARC or PLWARC:
-
Person living with ARC (AIDS-related conditions) or
people living with ARC.