title: Immunologic and viral markers of HIV-1 disease progression: implications for dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current medical care for patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, or HIV-1, involves monitoring laboratory assays for CD4+ lymphocyte cell count and plasma viral load.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors reviewed recent medical and dental studies that contribute to our current understanding of these immunologic and viral markers and their relevance to systemic and oral health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dramatic reduction in plasma viral load resulting from more potent antiretroviral drug combinations is the goal of medical management for HIV. These protease inhibitor-containing regimens, although complex, expensive and associated with substantial side effects, have decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV in the United States. Although reduction in viral load can result in increases in CD4+ counts, which restores some level of immune competence, a cure for AIDS has not yet been found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with low CD4+ cell counts (and often high viral loads) are more likely to develop destructive periodontal infections and other oral manifestations of HIV. Partial recovery of the immune system after viral load reduction may affect both the prognosis and oral disease experience of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Shugars
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D011480:Protease Inhibitors