Serum immune activation markers are persistently increased in patients with HIV infection after 6 years of antiretroviral therapy despite suppression of viral replication and reconstitution of CD4+ T cells

J Infect Dis. 2009 Oct 15;200(8):1212-5. doi: 10.1086/605890.

Abstract

The effect of long-term antiretroviral therapy on serum immune activation markers was assessed in a cohort of 63 patients before and after 6 years of boosted lopinavir-based antiretroviral therapy. High levels of most markers were associated with lower CD4(+) T cell counts at baseline and at year 6, with the exception of soluble cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (sCTLA-4); high levels of sCTLA-4 were associated with higher CD4(+) T cell counts at year 6. Abnormalities of serum immune activation markers persisted after 6 years of ART but probably had different causes. Further investigation of the clinical usefulness of assaying immunoglobulin A, neopterin, and sCTLA-4 levels to assess the effectiveness of treatments for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease are warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • HIV Infections / blood*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • RNA, Viral