title: Cellular HIV-1 DNA load predicts HIV-RNA rebound and the outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether cellular HIV-1 DNA prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation predicts its outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients included all 51 hemophiliacs of the Greek component of the Multicenter Hemophilia Cohort Study who had initiated HAART and for whom cryopreserved lymphocyte samples before HAART initiation were available. Cellular HIV-1 DNA quantification was performed by a molecular beacon-based real-time PCR assay in multiple samples per patient with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 76 (45-102) weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (range) baseline HIV-1 DNA load was 297 (< 10 to 3468) copies per 1 x 10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Baseline HIV-1 DNA load did not predict initial virological response (VR). None of the patients with initial VR and baseline HIV-1 DNA load at or below the median experienced a subsequent virological rebound, while the cumulative probability of virological rebound by week 104 was 55% among those with HIV-1 DNA load greater than the median (P < 0.008). Cellular HIV-1 DNA load was the only parameter associated with sustained virological response as shown by univariate or multivariate analyses [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.197 (0.048-0.801) per 1 log10 increase in DNA copies, P = 0.023].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low cellular HIV-1 DNA load is a marker of sustained virological response in patients with initial VR and it can reliably predict the long-term success of HAART.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. ahatzak@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Angelos E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hatzakis
authors.forename: Giota
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Touloumi
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pantazis
authors.forename: Cleo G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Anastassopoulou
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Katsarou
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karafoulidou
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Goedert
authors.forename: Leondios G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Kostrikis
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral