Characteristics of long-term non-progressors and HIV controllers among HIV-infections in Henan, China

Abstract

To study the prevalence and characteristics of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV controllers (HCs) among HIV-infections in Henan, China. Data in two databases (Information management system of HIV/AIDS prevention and control; HIV/AIDS testing application platform of Henan) were used to identify the LTNPs and HCs, investigation and verification, sample collection and correlation testing were carried out thereafter. A total of 148 LTNPs/HCs were identified. Among them, 71 were followed up, including 58 LTNPs and 22 HCs, 12 cases were both LTNP and HC, 46 cases were LTNP but non-HC(LTNP+ HC-), 10 cases of HC but non-LTNP. Of the 71 individuals, 50 (70.4%) were males, 55 (77.5%) were older than 40 years of age, all belonged to Han nationality, 61 (85.9%) were farmers, 52 (73.2%) were infected through former plasma donation, 56 (78.9%) were-HCV positive. Median (interquartile range) of the CD4 counts was 538 (445-654) cell/μl and with virus load as 3.14 (2.03-3.82) log(10) copies/ml. The median viral load of HC was lower than that of LTNP + HC-(P=0.001). The characteristic of LTNPs and HCs in Henan HIV-infections were remarkable, more accurate classification of these cases was helpful to further research.