Structured treatment interruptions following immediate initiation of HAART in eight patients with acute HIV-1 seroconversion.
BACKGROUND
The immunological and clinical benefits of structured treatment interruptions (STIs) during primary HIV-1 infection remain largely unclear.


METHODS
Eight patients identified during primary HIV-1 infection were immediately treated with HAART and underwent subsequent STIs after reaching complete viral suppression of HIV-RNA in peripheral plasma. HAART was re-initiated if either HIV-1 RNA >5000 copies/ml, CD4-cells <200 cells/microl or symptomatic HIV-1 disease was observed.


RESULTS
After treatment discontinuation, four of eight patients were able to persistently control HIV-1 viremia below 5000 copies/ml until the last time point of follow-up (median 3 years). CD4-cell counts were within the interquartile range of untreated individuals compared to historical reference data from the MACS cohort. In the remaining study subjects persistent virological control was not reached despite repeated STIs. Moreover, compared to the MACS cohort repetitive virological failures during STIs appeared to induce an accelerated decline of CD4-cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous HIV-1 control after treated primary HIV-1 infection was possible in four out of eight individuals, however, if STIs after treated primary infection ameliorate the overall HIV-1 disease progression remains unknown. In the absence of viral control, repetitive viral exposure during STIs might be associated with accelerated decline of CD4-cell counts.
Vogel
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine I University of Bonn, Germany.
Lichterfeld
M
M
Kaufmann
D E
DE
Mui
S K
SK
Altfeld
M
M
Voigt
E
E
Ahlenstiel
G
G
Kupfer
B
B
Walker
B
B
Spengler
U
U
Rockstroh
J K
JK
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061466:Lopinavir; D008297:Male; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018119:Stavudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D012367:RNA, Viral; D061466:Lopinavir; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine; D018119:Stavudine