Effect of prolonged discontinuation of successful antiretroviral therapy on CD4+ T cell decline in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: implications for intermittent therapeutic strategies.
This study evaluates the change in CD4(+) T cell counts among patients who achieved complete viral suppression and subsequently discontinued highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We included 72 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients with plasma HIV RNA loads of <500 copies/mL for at least 3 months who then discontinued therapy for at least 12 weeks. The median CD4(+) T decay while off HAART was 16 cells/mm(3)/month (interquartile range, -6 to -34 cells/month). The mean follow-up after therapy ended was 45 weeks. The slope of the CD4(+) T cell decay was inversely correlated with the increase of CD4(+) T cells while receiving HAART, baseline virus load, CD4(+) T cell count at the time therapy was discontinued, age, and duration HIV RNA levels were undetectable. In a multiple regression analysis model, the increase of CD4(+) T cells while receiving therapy and age were independently associated with the rate of CD4(+) T cell loss.
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA. tebas@im.wustl.edu
Pablo
P
Tebas
Keith
K
Henry
Kristin
K
Mondy
Steven
S
Deeks
Herman
H
Valdez
Cal
C
Cohen
William G
WG
Powderly
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral