title: Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on cytomegalovirus antigenaemia in AIDS patients.
abstract: To assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenaemia in AIDS patients, 70 patients with CD4+ cell counts < or = 50/mm3 and positive anti-(CMV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) were tested at 15-30 day intervals for CMV antigenaemia. We selected those patients who had been followed up for more than 3 months. Three patient profiles were defined: A, followed up before the introduction of HAART; B, followed up before and after the use of HAART; and C, followed up after the use of HAART. Thirty-nine patients were included, 12 in group A, 17 in group B, and 10 in group C. Group A patients presented a lower median CD4+ cell count compared with groups B and C patients (9, 122 and 127 cells/mm3, respectively), with the increase in the last 2 groups being related to the use of HAART (P<0.001). A lower proportion of positive antigenaemia was observed in group B after the introduction of HAART compared with the time before HAART (P=0.02). HAART caused an immunological improvement and was found to be associated with negativity of CMV antigenaemia.
authors.affiliation: AIDS Clinic, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. lhborges.vix@zaz.com.br
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Villas Boas
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Warren-Santoro
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Estevam
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Uip
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savalli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Curi
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Pannuti
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000956:Antigens, Viral