Higher HIV Viral Load Research Articles

Methamphetamine enhances the expression of TLR9 and IFN-α in patients with HIV infection

Objective To investigate the effects of methamphetamine (Meth) on HIV replication and the possible mechanism by analyzing the expression of TLR9 and IFN-α in HIV infected patients with or without Meth abuse.Methods Peripheral blood mononucler cells (PBMCs) were isolated from blood samples collected from patients with or without Meth abuse and healthy subjects (control group).HIV-1 viral load,CI4+ T lymphocyte counts and the expression of CD4,CD3,CCR5 and CXCR4 in PBMCs were detected.The expression of TLR9 and IFN-α at mRNA level in PBMCs was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results The patients in Meth HIV(+) group showed higher HIV viral loads and lower CD4+ T lymphocyte counts (P＜ 0.05) than those in Non-Meth HIV(+) group.The expression rates of CD4,CD3,CCR5 and CXCR4 in PBMCs from Meth HIV(+) group were lower than those from control group (P＜0.05).The expression levels of TLR-9 and IFN-α at mRNA level in PBMCs from both Meth HIV(-) group and Meth HIV(+) group were higher than those from control group and Non-Meth HIV (+) group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Methamphetamine might enhance HIV replication by up-regulating the expression of TLR9 and IFN-α in immune cells. Key words: Methamphetamine; HIV ; TLR9 ; IFN-α

Nontuberculous mycobacteria immune reconstitution syndrome.

The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria infection (NTM) in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be less than 1%. NTM is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as tuberculosis in patients who present with immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS) following initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Immune reconstitution syndrome is common in patients who start ART with low CD4 counts and high HIV viral load. Furthermore, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) commonly infects those with CD4 counts less than 50 cells/mm3. Three patients, with low baseline CD4 counts, presenting with NTM following the initiation of antiretroviral treatment are described in this case series. The first patient presented with disseminated NTM two weeks after commencing antiretroviral treatment. Acid fast bacilli were found in the liver, duodenum, and bone marrow and were suggestive of MAC microscopically. The second developed cervical lymphadenitis following the initiation of ART. Lymph node aspirate culture grew NTM. The last patient developed pancytopenia after 3 months of ART. AFB was seen on bone marrow biopsy. Culture of the bone marrow aspirate was suggestive of NTM. All three patients improved on ethambutol, clarithromycin, and rifampicin. NTM may be underdiagnosed in areas with a high TB prevalence and should be actively excluded by culture.

RISK FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA IN PATIENTS WITH HIV AND HEPATITIS С COINFECTION

The objective of the study was to investigate risk factors for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in HIV-infected patients with hepatitis С virus (HCV) coinfection. A total of 37 HIV-positive subjects with NHL treated in the Moscow Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS between 2009 and 2013 were included in the study. HIV patients were divided into 2 groups: 23 cases with HCV coinfection and 14 patients without HCV coinfection. At the time of making the diagnosis of NHL 90% of patients had CD4 cell count < 350 cell/mm 3. The mean CD4 cell count in the first group (120±123 cell/mm 3) was significantly lower (p=0,035), than in patients without HCV coinfection (267±253 cell/mm3). At the time of making the diagnosis of NHL 70% of patients had HIV viral load ≥5,00 log10. The mean viral load was 5,47±1,09 log10 copies/ml in the first group and 4,06±2,03 log10 copies/ml in the second group (p=0,033). At the time of making the diagnosis of NHL 78% of patients did not receive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). In most patients who received cART virologic suppression unsufficient and CD4 cell count remained to be low. Risk factors associated with an increased risk of NHL in HIV-infected patients with HCV coinfection are low CD4 cell count, high HIV viral load and lack of effective cART. Timely initiation of cART followed by complete virologic suppression and CD4 recovery are key factors to prevent NHL in HIV-infected patients.

Variants in ZNRD1 Gene Predict HIV-1/AIDS Disease Progression in a Han Chinese Population in Taiwan

Patients demonstrate notable variations in disease progression following human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to identify ZNRD1 and RNF39 genetic variants linked to AIDS progression. We conducted a genetic association study in HIV-1-infected Han Chinese patients residing in Taiwan. The clinical characteristics of 143 HIV-1-infected patients were measured, and patients were split into 2 groups: AIDS progression and AIDS non-progression. Genotyping of ZNRD1 and RNF39 was performed in all participants. We found that patients in the AIDS progression group had higher HIV-1 viral loads and lower CD4 cell counts than did patients in the AIDS non-progression group. The frequency of the AA genotype of ZNRD1 (rs16896970) was lower in the AIDS progression group than in the AIDS non-progression group. Patients with AA genotypes had lower levels of HIV-1 viral loads and higher levels of CD4 cell counts than did patients with AG+GG genotypes. AIDS progression in patients with the AA group is significantly different from that in patients with the AG and GG groups by using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The hazard ratio for progression was lower in the AA group than in the AG and GG groups. We identified a SNP that contributes to AIDS progression in HIV-1-infected patients in this population. This SNP had a significant protective influence on AIDS progression, and polymorphisms of the ZNRD1 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.

HIV-infected patients show impaired cellular immune response to influenza vaccination compared to healthy subjects

Detailed data on cellular immune response to influenza vaccination in HIV-infected patients are lacking. We analyzed cellular (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF) and humoral (IgG and IgM) immune response in 81 HIV-infected and 30 HIV-negative subjects, before (T0) and 4 weeks (T1) after receiving a single dose of trivalent MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine. No difference in humoral response (IgG or IgM) was demonstrated between the two groups. While an increase in most cytokines from T0 to T1 was observed in HIV-uninfected subjects, cytokines production did not significantly increased in HIV-infected patients. Exploring Th1 response, higher CD8 cells count was significantly associated with lower post-vaccination IFNγ levels, while a higher CD4 cells count was associated with a greater response. Exploring Th2 response, higher HIV viral load was significantly associated with reduced post-vaccination IL-10 levels. In conclusion, in HIV-infected patients influenza vaccination could have good efficacy in sustaining humoral response but cellular response appeared impaired.

Relationship of Cocaine Use with Markers of Body Mass Index and Body Composition and HIV Disease Progression

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship of cocaine use with HIV disease progression and measures of nutritional status such as energy and protein storages.MethodsAfter consenting 231 HIV+ adults, they were given questionnaires on socio‐demographics, ART use and type and frequency of drugs of abuse. Body Mass Index and bioimpedance measures (fat mass [FM], lean body mass [LBM] and body cell mass [BCM]) were calculated. Blood was drawn for CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load.ResultsSeventy three percent of the participants used cocaine or crack cocaine and 62% were on ART. Linear regression analyses showed that frequency of cocaine use had deleterious effect on BCM (β=−6.805, p=0.01), LBM (β=−9.583, p=0.003) and FM (β=−6.418, p=0.01), after controlling for age, gender and ART. Moreover, frequency of cocaine use predicted lower CD4 cell count (β=−1.545, p=0.047) and higher HIV viral load (β=0.199, p=0.048).ConclusionOur findings show that cocaine use is associated with parameters of nutritional status and more rapid disease progression. The additive or synergistic effects of these relationships warrant further investigation to use results for treatment and programmatic decisions.Funded by NIDA

Factors Associated with Esophageal Candidiasis and Its Endoscopic Severity in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy

BackgroundCandidia esophagitis (CE) is an AIDS-defining condition, usually occurring in individuals with low CD4 counts of <200 cells/µL. Endoscopy is a valuable definitive diagnostic method for CE but may not be indicated for asymptomatic patients or for those with high CD4 counts or without oral candidiasis. This study assessed such patients to clarify the factors associated with CE and its severity on endoscopy in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era.Methodology/ Principal FindingsA total of 733 HIV-infected patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were analyzed. Sexual behavior, CD4+ count, HIV-RNA viral load (VL), history of HAART, GI symptoms, GI diseases, and oral candidiasis were assessed. Endoscopic severity of CE was classified as mild (Kodsi's grade I/II) or severe (grade III/IV). Of the 733 subjects, 62 (8.46%) were diagnosed with CE (mild, n = 33; severe, n = 29). Of them, 56.5% (35/62) had no GI symptoms, 30.6% (19/62) had CD4 + ≥200 cells/μL, and 55.3% (21/38) had no oral candidiasis. Univariate analysis found lower CD4+ counts, higher HIV VL, and no history of HAART to be significantly associated with CE. With lower CD4+ counts and higher HIV VL, CE occurrence increased significantly (P<0.01 for trend in odds). Multivariate analysis showed low CD4+ counts and high HIV VL to be independently associated with CE. Of the severe CE patients, 55.2% (16/29) had no GI symptoms and 44.4% (8/18) had no oral candidiasis. Median CD4+ counts in severe cases were significantly lower than in mild cases (27 vs. 80; P = 0.04).ConclusionsLow CD4+ counts and high HIV VL were found to be factors associated with CE, and advanced immunosuppression was associated with the development of severity. Endoscopy is useful as it can detect CE, even severe CE, in patients without GI symptoms, those with high CD4 counts, and those without oral candidiasis.

Risk, predictors, and mortality associated with non-AIDS events in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients

We aimed to characterize non-AIDS events (NAEs) occurring in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients in a contemporary cohort. The Cohort of the AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) is a prospective, multicenter cohort of HIV-infected adults antiretroviral naive at entry, established in 2004. We evaluated the incidence of and the mortality due to NAEs and AIDS events through October 2010. Poisson regression was used to investigate factors associated with a higher incidence of NAEs. Overall, 5185 patients (13.306 person-years of follow-up), median age (interquartile range) 36 (29-43) years, participated in the study. A total of 86.5% patients had been diagnosed in 2004 or later. The incidence rate of NAEs was 28.93 per 1000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 26.15-32.07], and of AIDS-defining events 25.23 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 22.60-28.16). The most common NAEs were psychiatric, hepatic, malignant, renal, and cardiovascular related. After adjustment, age, higher HIV-viral load, and lower CD4 cell count at cohort entry were associated with the occurrence of NAEs, whereas likelihood significantly decreased with sexual transmission and higher educational level. Additionally, antiretroviral therapy was inversely associated with the development of some NAEs, specifically of psychiatric [incidence rate ratio (95% CI) 0.54 (0.30-0.96)] and renal-related [incidence rate ratio (95% CI) 0.31 (0.13-0.72)] events. One hundred and seventy-three (3.33%) patients died during the study period. NAEs contributed to 28.9% of all deaths, with an incidence rate (95% CI) of 3.75 (2.84-4.94) per 1000 person-years. In patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection, NAEs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Our results suggest a protective effect of antiretroviral therapy in the occurrence of NAEs, in particular of psychiatric and renal-related events.

Does chronic alcohol use by HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen effect the HIV viral load and what is the therapeutic window of the drugs, CD4+ count and WBC count in patients with high viral load during the 9 months period of follow up?

The study investigated the effects of chronic alcohol use on HIV viral load in HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/ NVP drug regimen during 9 months follow up period. It also determined plasma drug concentrations of d4T, 3TC and NVP; CD4 + and WBC counts for patients with high HIV viral load. A case-control study using repeated measures with serial measurements was used. A total of 41 patients (20 alcohol group and 21 control group) were screened for alcohol use using WHO AUDIT tool and chronic alcohol use biomarkers. Blood sampling was done at 3 month intervals for a period of 9 months. HIV viral load was determined using Roche Amplicor HIV-1 monitor test, version 1.5 (Amplicor). The d4T, 3TC and NVP concentrations were determined by Shimadzu Class-VPTM HPLC Chromatography data system version 6.1. The CD4 + cell count was determined using FACSCalibur flow cytometer. T he WBC was determined using automated hematological Coulter CBC-5 Hematology Analyzer system. Results show that % patients with HIV viral load ≥400 copies/ml in control group was highest (23.8%, n=5) at 3 month while in chronic alcohol use group, it was at 0 month (35%, n=7) for both WHO AUDIT tool and chronic alcohol-use biomarkers groups. Generally patients with high viral load ≥400 copies/ml was observed in chronic alcohol use as compared to control group in both WHO AUDIT tool and biomarkers group despite of patients having high steady state d4T, 3TC and NVP plasma drug concentrations in circulation that is available to suppress HIV virus. The high viral load could be associated with the emergence of resistance of the HIV virus and these patients generally had a low CD4 + cell count. Some of these patients had no detectable d4T plasma drug concentrations in circulation and most of them with high viral load had sub-therapeutic NVP plasma drug concentrations in their blood circulation. Chronic ethanol use by HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen increased HIV viral load and the patients with high viral load had sub-therapeutic NVP plasma drug concentrations and some with undetectable d4T drug concentrations in their blood circulation.

Predictive Clinical Factors in the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Kaposi's Sarcoma and Its Endoscopic Severity

BackgroundThe diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is important to make because the need for treatment depends on the extent of the disease. Moreover, severe GI lesions can cause serious complications. Endoscopy with biopsy is an extremely useful method to diagnose GI-KS. However, determining the indications for endoscopy is difficult because KS can occur without GI symptoms or cutaneous KS. This study sought to clarify predictive clinical factors for GI-KS and its severity on endoscopy.Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 1,027 HIV-infected patients who underwent endoscopy were analyzed. Sexual behavior, CD4 count, HIV RNA, history of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), GI symptoms, and cutaneous KS were assessed. Endoscopic severity including bulky tumor, ulceration, and number of lesions were evaluated. Thirty-three patients had GI-KS and 46 patients cutaneous KS. Among the GI-KS patients, 78.8% (26/33) had no GI symptoms and 24.2% (8/33) had no cutaneous KS. Univariate analysis identified men who have sex with men (MSM), CD4 <100 cells/µL, HIV RNA ≥10,000 copies/mL, no history of HAART, and cutaneous KS were significantly associated with GI-KS. Among these factors, cutaneous KS was closely related to GI-KS on multivariable analysis. Among patients without cutaneous KS, MSM and CD4 count <100 cells/µL were the only independent clinical factors related to GI-KS. Bulky tumor was significantly associated with CD4 <100 cells/µL and large number of lesions was significantly associated with HIV-RNA ≥10,000 copies/mL.ConclusionsTo diagnose GI-KS, clinical factors need to be considered before endoscopy. The presence of GI symptoms is not useful in predicting GI-KS. MSM and CD4 count <100 cells/µL are predictive factors among patients without cutaneous KS. Caution should be exercised especially in patients with low CD4 counts or high HIV viral loads as they are more likely to develop severe GI-KS lesions.

Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin, Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Prednisone in AIDS-Related Lymphoma: AIDS Malignancy Consortium Study 047

Infusional chemotherapy is efficacious in patients with AIDS-related lymphoma, but it may be difficult to administer. We studied standard agents with rituximab plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (DR-COP) in an attempt to provide a more practical approach to therapy while ascertaining rates of response, potential infectious complications, and prognostic role of biologic markers. We conducted a prospective, multi-institutional phase II trial, employing (day 1) pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2), rituximab 375 mg/m(2), cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2), vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) (not > 2 mg), and prednisone 100 mg orally on days 1 through 5, with concomitant antiretroviral therapy. In 40 evaluable patients, median CD4 cells was 114/μL (range, 5 to 1,026/μL), and median HIV-1 viral load (VL) was 25,000 copies/mL. High or intermediate/high age-adjusted International Prognostic Index was present in 28%. Overall response was 67.5%, with complete remission in 47.5% (95% CI, 31.5 to 63.9). Of 19 complete responders, 84% had extranodal disease, 47% had CD4 < 100/μL, and 47% had VL > 50,000 copies/mL; one relapsed. With 25.5-month median follow-up, 62% (95% CI, 44 to 75) of patients remain alive. Sixteen patients (40%) experienced 22 infections, with grade 4 in only two (5%). No patient died as a result of infection during treatment; one had opportunistic infection. Profound immunodeficiency and high HIV-1 viral load do not preclude attainment of complete response after DR-COP with highly active antiretroviral therapy. The regimen is tolerable, and use of rituximab was not associated with death as a result of infection during treatment. This approach may be useful in patients in whom the more intensive infusional regimens are impractical.

A systematic literature review examining soluble and cellular biomarkers in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy

The use of antiretroviral therapies (ART) for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) has led to more favorable prognoses for infected individuals, including reduced HIV viral load, improved CD4 + T‐cell recovery, and slower disease progression. However, ART‐treated HIV+patients may have increased risk of adverse outcomes associated with chronic inflammation and immune activation. Molecules associated with chronic immune system activation and inflammatory cytokine production may be useful biomarkers of HIV pathogenesis and/or ART outcomes. We systematically identified MEDLINE‐indexed articles published in the past decade investigating the association of several soluble (IL‐6, CRP, MCP‐1, IP‐10, D‐dimer, soluble CD14, and LPS) and cellular (CD28, CD38, HLA‐DR, PD‐1, caspase‐3, IFNγ and IL‐2 ELISpots) biomarkers with clinical outcomes in ART‐treated HIV positive (HIV+) patients. Seventy publications were included, consisting mainly of observational studies of soluble biomarkers. One quartile elevations in baseline IL‐6, CRP, and D‐dimer were associated with increased risk of disease progression or death (ORs 1.8–2.4; p≤0.01) and all‐cause mortality (ORs 4.1–5.3; p≤0.0001); these elevations were also associated with increased rates of IRIS (ORs 1.59–2.07; p≤0.001). Additionally, IL‐6, CRP, and D‐dimer levels were higher in patients who experienced a cardiovascular event than in controls (p≤0.001). The association between soluble biomarkers and quantitative assessments of HIV viral load has not been studied as thoroughly. However, several studies found an association between D‐dimer and viral load. Research is lacking regarding the relationship between CD4 count and soluble biomarkers. Most studies evaluating cellular biomarkers examined their association with HIV viral load and CD4 count, but did not examine clinical outcomes. The most commonly studied cellular biomarkers were the T cell activation markers CD38 and HLA‐DR. Studies suggest that CD4 and CD8 activation were increased in patients with higher HIV viral load, and that CD8 activation was higher in patients with low CD4 counts. In our review, we found that several soluble biomarkers were related to the risk of adverse clinical outcomes in ART‐treated HIV+patients. More data, particularly regarding cell‐associated biomarkers, is required to characterize their association with outcomes of interest, to describe causality, and to document their prognostic importance.

Central Nervous System Vasculopathy in HIV-Infected Children Enrolled in the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 219/219C Study.

Central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy has been reported in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) adults and children. In children, it often presents with HIV encephalopathy, stroke, or intracerebral aneurysms. The etiology, incidence, and risk factors of HIV-associated CNS vasculopathy in children are unknown. We identified HIV+ children with a diagnosis of vasculopathy or other cerebrovascular events among children enrolled between 1993 and 2004 in 2 prospective, multicenter cohort studies. Demographic and laboratory data, history of antiretroviral use, and signs, symptoms, and diagnostic studies pertaining to the CNS event were reviewed. Among the 3338 HIV+ children, 51 had diagnoses that suggested CNS vasculopathy. Of these, 12 (24%) were included in this analysis, after excluding those with alternative diagnoses and those from closed sites. Among these 12, 4 (33%) were female, 4 (33%) were white, and 10 (83%) had perinatal HIV. Their average age at the event was 10.8 years with a median CD4 count of 22 cells/mm(3) and median HIV-1 viral load of 94 304 copies/mL. Fifty-eight percent of subjects had a history of opportunistic infections before the CNS event. Fifty percent had cerebral aneurysms on imaging. The overall incidence among HIV+ subjects was 3.4 cases per 10 000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 1.8-6.0). CNS vasculopathy in HIV+ children is uncommon but more common than in the general pediatric population. Cerebral aneurysms are the most common manifestation. Although the pathogenesis remains unclear, older children and those with low CD4 counts and high HIV viral loads are at the highest risk.

Risk factors for raltegravir resistance development in clinical practice

To investigate the best conditions of raltegravir use to avoid the selection of resistance mutations in the three main genetic pathways: 148, 155 and 143. A total of 161 patients failing on raltegravir with two consecutive HIV-1 viral loads >20 copies/mL were studied. Ten parameters [HIV-1 RNA and CD4 at baseline and failure, genotypic sensitivity score (GSS) of treatment associated with raltegravir, protease inhibitors used, time spent on raltegravir, subtype, sex and age] were tested in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and compared with the emergence of resistance mutations to raltegravir at failure. Phenotypic susceptibility to raltegravir was studied in 16 patients without the main resistance mutations to raltegravir at failure. At raltegravir failure, 46/161 patients (28.6%) had integrase resistance mutations, whereas 115/161 (71.4%) had no resistance mutations. High HIV-1 viral load level at failure (OR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.8-4.6, P < 0.001) and low GSS of treatment associated with raltegravir (OR = 11.6, 95% CI 4.5-36.4, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the selection of raltegravir mutations. The percentages of patients with integrase resistance mutations were 7.7% (6/78) versus 48.1% (40/83) when viral load is ≤200 or >200 copies/mL and 47.5% (39/82) versus 8.9% (7/79) when GSS is <2 or ≥2. Among patients without main resistance mutations, two patients showed raltegravir phenotypic resistance, one naturally with F121Y at baseline and the other acquiring G118R at failure. Our results show that to avoid the selection of raltegravir resistance mutations, patients have to be treated with at least two active drugs in combination with raltegravir and to maintain a viral load ≤200 copies/mL.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a large multicenter cohort study: case definition and comparability

Evaluation of: Novak RM, Richardson JT, Buchacz K et al.; HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS) Investigators. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: incidence and implications for mortality. AIDS 26(6), 721–730 (2012).This study was nested within the HIV Outpatient Study cohort and investigated the incidence and risk factors for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and the impact of IRIS on mortality. IRIS was defined as a new type B or C AIDS-defining condition or one of a range of mucocutaneous or autoimmune conditions diagnosed within 180 days of starting a new combination antiretroviral therapy regimen, provided there was a documented HIV viral load or CD4 response. IRIS occurred in 10.6% of the 2610 patients. Risk factors independently associated with IRIS included high HIV viral load and low CD4 count. IRIS related to type B or C AIDS-defining conditions was associated with subsequent mortality. Deaths among IRIS cases occurred over 3 years (median) after the IRIS event, making it unlikely that these deaths were directly attributable to IRIS. The IRIS case definition used has important differences when compared with previously published IRIS case definitions thereby affecting comparability of these findings, but this was a pragmatic definition for a large multicenter cohort study utilizing a central database.

LOWER CD4 NADIR AND HIGH HIV VIRAL LOAD ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ELEVATED LEVELS OF ADMA IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

HIV-infected individuals have higher rates of atherosclerosis in comparison to uninfected individuals. Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as a possible mechanism underlying this increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Occurring in an HIV-Positive Patient

Cases of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) of T phenotype are sparse in the setting of HIV patients. We report herein a case of T-ALCL, with an advanced stage, pulmonary involvement, high HIV viral load, and low CD4 level. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression was negative. Anthracyclin-based chemotherapy was unsuccessful. The literature review was performed focusing on incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and physiopathology of ALCL in HIV patients. More data are needed to improve the knowledge of such cases and to define a better treatment approach.

Relationship of Oxidative Stress with HIV Disease Progression in HIV/HCV Co-infected and HIV Mono-infected Adults in Miami.

HIV and HCV infections are both characterized by increased oxidative stress. Information on the magnitude of this increase and its consequences in HIV/HCV co-infection and viral replication is limited. We investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and HIV-progression in HIV/HCV co-infected and HIV mono-infected adults. 106 HIV/HCV co-infected and 115 HIV mono-infected participants provided demographic information and blood to determine 8-oxo-dG and percent oxidized glutathione. HIV/HCV co-infected subjects had higher percent oxidized glutathione, higher HIV viral load, lower mtDNA copies and higher liver fibrosis than mono-infected subjects. In a small sample of HIV/HCV co-infected participants with liver biopsy, 8-oxo-dG was significantly lower in participants with low fibrosis scores than those with high fibrosis scores, and the grade of inflammation was strongly associated with oxidized glutathione. HIV/HCV co-infection seems to diminish the capacity of the antioxidant system to control oxidative stress, and increases HIV replication.

Association between obstructive lung disease and markers of HIV infection in a high-risk cohort

BackgroundEvidence suggests an association between HIV infection and the presence of obstructive lung disease (OLD). However, the associations between specific markers of HIV infection and OLD remain unclear. A study...

The importance of CD4 count, viral load and highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP): Figure 1

A case is reported of HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with normal CD4 count but high HIV viral load, developing neurological and cardiac complications up to 36 days after initiation of plasma exchange, but remitting within 18 days of the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy and steroids. In addition to plasma exchange, prompt initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may be justified despite a normal CD4 count.