[Influenza vaccination of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with severe immunodepression. Impact on CD4 lymphocytes and plasma viral load].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of influenza vaccination on plasma HIV viral load and CD4 T-lymphocytes in patients with advanced HIV disease.


METHODS
Observational study carried out in HIV-infected patients with a CD4 cell count < 200 X 10(6)on highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART). Influenza vaccine was voluntarily offered and plasma viral load and CD4 cell counts were measured at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks in vaccinated and control subjects.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients were analysed, 10 of them being immunized with the influenza vaccine. A significant decline in CD4 cell counts at 4 and 12 weeks and an increasing trend of viral load were seen in all immunized patients who had a high viral load at the time of vaccination (n = 6), but not in those with an undetectable viral load. The mean decrease of CD4 T-lymphocytes in these 6 patients was 49.8%. Three patients showed a huge drop of the CD4 cell count (over 60% of baseline).


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination of severely immunocompromised HIV-infected patients who are failing to HAART might be associated with an immunological impairment.
Gutiérrez
F
F
Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain. guitierrez_fel@gva.es
Maestre
A
A
Manuel Ramos
J
J
Masiá
M
M
Escolano
C
C
Hidalgo
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019562:Viral Load
D007252:Influenza Vaccines
Vacuna antigripal en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana con inmunodepresión grave. Efecto sobre los linfocitos CD4 y sobre la carga viral plasmática.