Major depression-related immunological changes and combination antiretroviral therapy in HIV-seropositive patients.
BACKGROUND
In physically healthy subjects, major depression has been associated with several changes in immune function. In HIV-infected subjects too, lymphocyte subsets changes related to psychological conditions have been described.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of major depression on immunological parameters in HIV-infected subjects and to examine the influence of different potency antiretroviral therapies on depression-related immunological changes.


METHODS
Thirty-six HIV-infected patients with major depression treated with different potency antiretroviral therapies (none, double, triple) were compared with 77 matched non-depressed HIV controls with regard to demographic, clinical and immunological parameters.


RESULTS
The presence of depression was a significant predictor of natural killer (NK) cell number and percentage decline. Antiretroviral therapy and depression-antiretroviral therapy interaction do not significantly influence depression-related NK cell changes.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms the role of depression in influencing the immune response in HIV-seropositive subjects and suggests that antiretroviral therapies may not be able to hamper the depression-related NK cell changes even using the most potent regimens such as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
Alciati
Alessandra
A
Department of Psychiatry, L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy. spdc@hsacco.it
Gallo
Luciana
L
Monforte
Antonella D'Arminio
AD
Brambilla
Francesca
F
Mellado
Carmen
C
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents