Low CD4+ T cell nadir is an independent predictor of lower HIV-specific immune responses in chronically HIV-1-infected subjects receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

J Infect Dis. 2006 Sep 1;194(5):661-5. doi: 10.1086/505913. Epub 2006 Jul 28.

Abstract

The influence of CD4(+) T cell nadirs on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific immune responses in subjects with apparently normal CD4(+) T cell counts is not known. We evaluated the frequency of HIV-1-specific immune responses in a cohort of patients with complete viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA load, <50 copies/mL) who were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and had a wide range of CD4(+) T cell nadirs. We found positive associations between CD4(+) T cell nadirs and the magnitude of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cell responses (P=.02) and of T cell helper responses (P=.04). These data show the CD4(+) T cell nadir to be an independent predictor of HIV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in HIV-1-infected subjects with optimal suppression of viremia.

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • RNA, Viral