Effect of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis on the development of HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in HIV-exposed healthcare workers.
We evaluated the effects of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) on the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in 20 healthcare workers with occupational exposures to HIV. Seven healthcare workers were treated with zidovudine PEP. Only 1 of 7 treated, versus 6 of 13 not treated, developed an HIV envelope-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response. These data suggest that zidovudine abrogated HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses may be useful as a surrogate marker of HIV replication in the evaluation of new regimens for PEP of occupational HIV exposures.
D'Amico
R
R
Department of Medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Pinto
L A
LA
Meyer
P
P
Landay
A L
AL
Harris
A A
AA
Clerici
M
M
Berzofsky
J A
JA
Shearer
G M
GM
Kessler
H A
HA
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011292:Premedication; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015215:Zidovudine