Viral load and CD4+ T lymphocyte response to highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected children: an observational study

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Nov 1;37(9):1216-25. doi: 10.1086/378804. Epub 2003 Oct 3.

Abstract

An observational study was performed involving 95 children with vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection to assess the sustainability of undetectable viral loads (VLs) and increased CD4+ T lymphocyte percentages after 48 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The median time to achieve a 10% increase in the CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage was 11.01 months. The median time to achieve an undetectable VL was 6.4 months. At the end of the study, 64.2% of the children had achieved an undetectable VL. Of the patients with an initial VL of >3.6 log10 copies/mL, 74.7% had a decrease in the VL of 1 log10 copies/mL. By contrast, of the patients who presented with an initial VL of >4.6 log10 copies/mL, 37.9% had a decrease of >2 log10 copies/mL. Higher VL at baseline, antiretroviral therapy regimens received before HAART, and multiple drug switches while receiving antiretroviral therapy were all inversely associated with an undetectable VL. A CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage of >25% was directly associated with undetectable VL during the follow-up period. In conclusion, first-line HAART induces beneficial virological and immunological outcome responses in children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Child
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Regression Analysis
  • Viral Load*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents