title: Host-Epstein-Barr virus relationship affected by immunostimulation in HIV-infected patients representing distinct progressor profile groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with pronounced immunosuppression disrupts Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-host balance with increased lymphoma risk. We explored whether different host responses to HIV are reflected in the EBV-host balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven unvaccinated HIV-positive patients and 16 participants in a vaccine trial were included in the study. Blood samples were collected, B cells extracted, and EBV DNA load was determined using a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment-naïve patients with a history of symptomatic primary HIV infection showed non-significant, but higher EBV load compared to untreated long-term non-progressors. A significant difference in HIV RNA titres between these groups correlated weakly to EBV DNA load. Patients in the vaccine trial with recombinant HIV gp160 and/or adjuvant and with a history of symptomatic primary HIV infection, showed a 1-log increase in EBV load compared to patients with long-lasting HIV disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different host responses to HIV infection, especially in combination with vaccination, can be reflected in the EBV-host balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Börje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Åkerlund
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gyllensten
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aleman
authors.forename: Ingemar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ernberg
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D020276:HIV Long-Term Survivors; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D004279:DNA, Viral