Characteristics of long-term asymptomatic infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in men with normal and low CD4+ cell counts.
From a cohort study of homosexual men in Amsterdam, 61 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who had remained asymptomatic for at least 7 years were identified. In a nested case control study, these men were compared with 142 men who progressed symptomatic HIV infection (CDC class IV) within 7 years, regarding laboratory markers, sexual behavior, psychologic coping, and drug use. Of the 61 long-term asymptomatic men, 13 had a CD4+ cell count > or = 500/mm3 after 7 years; in 2 of these 13, the CD4+ cell count had not declined during follow-up. Independent of CD4+ cell count, long-term asymptomatic HIV-1 infection was characterized by stable T cell reactivity after stimulation with monoclonal CD3 antibodies, seropositivity for antibodies to HIV core proteins, and the absence of hepatitis B markers. No association with markers of high-risk sex or the recreational use of drugs was found. Long-term asymptomatic men had a slightly lower score regarding the coping behavior active problem-solving; no other associations with coping behaviors were found.
Keet
I P
IP
Municipal Health Service, Department of Public Health and Environment, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Krol
A
A
Klein
M R
MR
Veugelers
P
P
de Wit
J
J
Roos
M
M
Koot
M
M
Goudsmit
J
J
Miedema
F
F
Coutinho
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders