[Influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the evolution of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the Kaposi's sarcoma evolution.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 126 HIV infected patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma with or without HAART. Clinical evolution, immunological status (CD4+ cell count) and response to therapy (HIV-RNA plasma viral load and human herpes-8 virus determination).


RESULTS
All patients without HAART died and the cumulate probability survival (SD) among those who received HAART was 2.078 (74) days. The CD4+ count at baseline in the HAART group was 130 (125) * 106/l and the HIV-RNA viral load was 196,818 (244,195) copies/ml while at the moment of the clinical response was 235 (209) * 106/l CD4 + and 2,629 (6.444) copies/ml, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
HAART prolongs survival in HIV patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma. There is a clear relationship among clinical response, HAART and immunological recovery.
Mercè Alsina M
Dermatología. Hospital Clínic. Barcelona. malcina@clinic.ub.es  
Bulla
F
F
Conill
C
C
Mallolas
J
J
Bernardo Pérez-Cuevas J
Lecha
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019562:Viral Load