Factors associated with a reduced CD4 lymphocyte count response to HAART despite full viral suppression in the EuroSIDA study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and risk factors of poor CD4 count rise despite a good virological response on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).


METHODS
The patients from the EuroSIDA study who started HAART with a baseline CD4 count of <350 cells/microL and where all viral load (pVL) measures remained below 500 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL between 6 and 12 months after the start of HAART were included. The risk factors for poor CD4 count rise were analyzed by multiple regression.


RESULTS
Seven hundred and eighty patients were included. A low CD4 count response was observed in 225 patients (29%). The risk factors for this condition were older age, lower CD4 count at baseline, higher increase from the nadir to baseline CD4 count and lower pVL at baseline. Patients taking > or =one drug from each of the three antiviral classes were more likely to have a good CD4 response but a minority of the study participants was taking this treatment regimen (3.1%) and the confidence interval was large.


CONCLUSIONS
A poor immune reconstitution despite a good virological control is frequent after initiation of HAART among patients with a baseline CD4 count of <350 cells/microL. The underlying mechanisms leading to this condition seems mainly driven by the age and the baseline immunological and virological status of the patients.
Florence
E
E
Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. eflorence@itg.be
Lundgren
J
J
Dreezen
C
C
Fisher
M
M
Kirk
O
O
Blaxhult
A
A
Panos
G
G
Katlama
C
C
Vella
S
S
Phillips
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents