Immunologic and virologic markers determining progression to AIDS.
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) results in a severe immunodeficiency characterized by a depletion of CD4+ T-helper cells. Furthermore, it is well documented that in asymptomatic persons the number of CD4+ cells is also a good predictor of progression to AIDS. However, persons with similar CD4+ cell counts may differ with regard to clinical progression. For this reason the development of additional markers predictive of disease progression is of major clinical importance. In this review three additional progression markers are discussed: rate of decline of CD4+ cells, T-cell reactivity, and HIV biological phenotype. Besides their usefulness as independent progression markers they also provided insight into immunopathologic mechanisms responsible for the eventual development of AIDS.
Schellekens
P T
PT
Department of Clinical Viro-Immunology, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Koot
M
M
Roos
M T
MT
Tersmette
M
M
Miedema
F
F
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D015215:Zidovudine