Slower progression of HIV-1 infection in persons with GB virus C co-infection correlates with an intact T-helper 1 cytokine profile.
BACKGROUND
Progression to AIDS is slower in persons infected with both HIV-1 and GB virus C (GBV-C), also known as hepatitis G virus.


OBJECTIVE
To compare clinical, virologic, and immunologic variables in HIV-1-seropositive patients with and without GBV-C co-infection.


METHODS
Subanalysis of a prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.


METHODS
80 asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive patients.


METHODS
GBV-C RNA level; plasma HIV-1 viral load; CD4(+) cell counts; and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12.


RESULTS
At the start of the study, plasma GBV-C RNA was detected in 17 patients (21%). During follow-up, IL-2 and IL-12 levels decreased significantly (P = 0.005 and P = 0.01, respectively) and IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased significantly (P = 0.01 and P = 0.004, respectively) in the GBV-C-negative group but did not change substantially in the GBV-C-positive group. Each measured variable differed significantly between GBV-C-positive and GBV-C-negative groups during follow-up (P < 0.001 for IL-12, IL-4, and IL-10; P = 0.002 for IL-2).


CONCLUSIONS
GB virus C may immunologically interfere with progression of HIV-1 infection to AIDS by maintaining an intact T-helper 1 cytokine profile.
Nunnari
Giuseppe
G
University of Catania, Italy. gnunnari@hotmail.com
Nigro
Luciano
L
Palermo
Filippo
F
Attanasio
Massimo
M
Berger
Annemarie
A
Doerr
Hans W
HW
Pomerantz
Roger J
RJ
Cacopardo
Bruno
B
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D029407:GB virus C; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D019562:Viral Load
D016207:Cytokines; D012367:RNA, Viral