title: Viral load of the human immunodeficiency virus could be an independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent reports of myocardial infarction in young persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are receiving protease inhibitor therapy have raised concerns about premature coronary artery disease in this population. However, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, hypertriglyceridemia, and abnormal coronary artery pathology have been observed in association with HIV infection prior to the availability of protease inhibitor therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken to determine the association between endothelial function, viral load, CD4+ count, and other well-established risk factors for atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, case-controlled study compared viral (HIV) load and the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and endothelial function in 24 HIV-positive carriers. Brachial artery diameter, HIV viral load, and CD4 count were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that viral load correlated inversely with endothelial function; the higher the viral load, the worse the endothelial dysfunction (p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High viral load appears to be associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with HIV. This preliminary observation supports the infectious theory that viruses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine A, Poria Medical Center, Lower Galilee, Israel. navablum@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Vered
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hadas
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yust
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000821:virology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load