Effect of UV-B phototherapy on plasma HIV type 1 RNA viral level: a self-controlled prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels of 12 patients seropositive for HIV who were undergoing UV-B phototherapy to determine if UV-B phototherapy upregulates HIV activity in humans.


METHODS
A self-controlled prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients seen for the treatment of a skin disorder responsive to UV-B phototherapy. Viral levels were measured weekly for 8 weeks of phototherapy. Follow-up viral levels were measured for patients who continued phototherapy beyond 8 weeks, those who had a significant change in their viral level, or both.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of an academic hospital.


METHODS
Patients with HIV disease and a skin disorder responsive to UV-B phototherapy. Inclusion criteria for patients in this study were those receiving a stable antiviral regimen for at least 6 weeks and who had no major illness or immunization in the 2 months before starting phototherapy. Of 72 patient volunteers screened, 15 met the criteria, 2 declined to participate, and 13 entered the study. One patient was dropped from the study because an accurate baseline measurement could not be obtained. Twelve patients were analyzed, 2 of whom left the study early, 1 at 6 weeks and 1 at 7 weeks.


METHODS
Ultraviolet-B phototherapy.


METHODS
Plasma HIV-1 RNA viral level.


RESULTS
Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels showed no significant increase or decrease in most of the patients, defined as a 3-fold change from baseline (mean fold change from baseline after 8 weeks of phototherapy, -1.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.9 to -5.0). Trend analysis indicated no significant pattern of change in viral levels (slope, -0.013 log; P > .25). The CD4+ cell counts also remained unchanged (mean before therapy, 277 x 10(9)/L; mean after therapy, 285 x 10(9)/L; P = .67).


CONCLUSIONS
No significant effect of UV-B exposure was seen on plasma HIV-1 levels.
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, USA.
J M
JM
Gelfand
D
D
Rudikoff
M
M
Lebwohl
M E
ME
Klotman
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000528:radiation effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000145:classification; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D015854:Up-Regulation; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral