Virological and immunological data of AIDS patients treated by passive immunotherapy (transfusions of plasma rich in HIV-1 antibodies).
OBJECTIVE
In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, passive immunotherapy can be carried out through infusions of virus-inactivated plasma from symptomless HIV-infected persons with abundant HIV antibodies.


METHODS
We carried out a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled, passive immunotherapy study, which compared two groups. One received plasma rich in HIV antibodies, the other a standard seronegative plasma.


RESULTS
Measurement of the plasma HIV RNA load showed in both groups a significant decrease in the mean viral copy number at the end of the first month, followed by an increase at the third month. Beyond the third months, a significant decrease in viral load was observed only in the treatment group. A significant difference in favor of the treatment group was observed for plasma viremia by HIV culture. For the cytokines involved in the viral replication and for the immune activation markers such as neopterin and beta 2-microglobulin, the biological analysis in plasma failed to show a significant difference in either group. Clinically, the treatment group benefited by delay in the appearance of the first AIDS-defining event and reduction in the cumulative incidence of such events.


CONCLUSIONS
One possible interpretation is that passive immunotherapy affects plasma viral load, but there is no evidence that HIV-specific antibodies are exclusively responsible for the observed effects.
Morand-Joubert
L
L
Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
Vittecoq
D
D
Roudot-Thoraval
F
F
Mariotti
M
M
Lefrère
F
F
Heshmati
F
F
Audat
F
F
Lambin
P
P
Barré-Sinoussi
F
F
Lefrère
J J
JJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D019562:Viral Load; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin