Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on vaccine-induced humoral immunity in HIV-infected adults.
OBJECTIVE
The acquisition of adequate vaccine-induced humoral immunity is especially important in HIV-infected individuals, who are at increased risk of infections. The aim of the study was to assess the safety of administering a complete vaccination programme to successfully treated HIV-infected adults and to evaluate specific humoral responses and the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) interruption on these responses.


METHODS
A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was designed and 26 HIV-infected adults enrolled. Study participants were randomized to receive either a complete immunization schedule with commercial vaccines or placebo for 12 months. HAART was then discontinued for 6 months. Specific humoral responses were evaluated at baseline, at month 12 and after HAART interruption and compared between groups.


RESULTS
There were neither local nor systemic secondary effects related to vaccination. Specific humoral responses to vaccines were adequate, but a loss of immunoglobulin G titres was observed after HAART interruption in 12 study participants.


CONCLUSIONS
HAART interruption may cause impairment of previously acquired vaccine-induced immunity in HIV-infected adults.
González
R
R
Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. ragonza@clinic.ub.es
Castro
P
P
García
F
F
Plana
M
M
Bayas
J M
JM
Lafuente
S
S
Serrano
B
B
Mora
B
B
Argelich
R
R
Gatell
J M
JM
Vilella
A
A
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D014611:Vaccination; D019562:Viral Load; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010919:Placebos; D014765:Viral Vaccines