Longitudinal analysis of the 90K glycoprotein in the Italian HIV-seroconversion study: temporal trend and predictability of the maturity of HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the level of 90K as a predictor of AIDS; to describe 90K levels over time after HIV serconversion; and to evaluate the 90K level as a marker of the maturity of infection.


METHODS
Prospective incident cohort of HIV-infected individuals with documented dates of seroconversion.


METHODS
Cox models were applied to estimate the crude and adjusted relative hazards (RH) of AIDS by level of 90K. Regression models were applied to describe the temporal trend and the correlates of the level of 90K over time after HIV-seroconversion. Logistic models were applied to evaluate the probability of a sample of 90K having been taken within a certain time period after HIV-seroconversion.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 150 participants of the Italian Seroconversion Study. A total of 429 measurements of 90K were taken. Both early and later measurements of 90K were highly predictive of AIDS, also when adjusting for CD4 lymphocyte count and HIV load. The 90K level (U/ml) increased by 10% annually (95% CI: 7%-13%); the increase over time was linear. IDUs had higher 90K levels than heterosexuals and homosexuals over the course of HIV disease. High 90K levels were highly predictive of distant seroconversions (age-adjusted probability, 74%), whereas were poorly predictive of recent seroconversions (age-adjusted probability, 5%); the results were similar for the predictability of CD4 lymphocyte count.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of 90K is a useful prognostic tool for clinical purposes. As a marker of the maturity of infection, 90K is similar to the CD4 lymphocyte count, with the advantage of being able to use serum instead of fresh whole blood. It has a good capacity to identify distant infections.
Dorrucci
M
M
Epidemiology Unit, Department for Infectious Diseases, Roma, Italy. maria.dorrucci@iss.it
Iacobelli
S
S
Suligoi
B
B
Pezzotti
P
P
Sinicco
A
A
Angarano
G
G
Tinari
N
N
Rezza
G
G
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C081856:LGALS3BP protein, human; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins