OBJECTIVE: To determine the kinetics of decline of CD4+ lymphocytes in HIV-1-infected asymptomatic homosexual men. METHODS: CD4+ lymphocytes were enumerated in a cohort of 187 HIV-1-infected initially asymptomatic homosexual men seen at 3-month intervals over 5 years. During follow-up, 45 men progressed to AIDS (excluding cases presenting with Kaposi's sarcoma). Correlation between rate of CD4+ cell decline and presence of a particular HIV-1 biological phenotype was analysed in 43 participants. RESULTS: CD4+ cell counts declined slowly and continuously in HIV-1-seropositive men who remained asymptomatic during follow-up. A biphasic CD4+ cell count decline was observed in the group who developed AIDS: the decline was slow and steady (5.6 x 10(6)/l per month, similar to that observed in the asymptomatic group) until 18 months before AIDS diagnosis, but became three to five times faster thereafter. Rapid CD4+ cell decline was significantly related to syncytium-inducing, fast-replicating HIV-1 isolates; during the period of slow and steady CD4+ cell count decline, non-syncytium-inducing isolates were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: At an average of 18 months preceding AIDS diagnosis, a three to fivefold increase in the rate of loss of CD4+ lymphocytes occurs, and may be related to the appearance of a more virulent HIV-1 phenotype.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the kinetics of decline of CD4+ lymphocytes in HIV-1-infected asymptomatic homosexual men. METHODS:CD4+ lymphocytes were enumerated in a cohort of 187 HIV-1-infected initially asymptomatic homosexual men seen at 3-month intervals over 5 years. During follow-up, 45 men progressed to AIDS (excluding cases presenting with Kaposi's sarcoma). Correlation between rate of CD4+ cell decline and presence of a particular HIV-1 biological phenotype was analysed in 43 participants. RESULTS:CD4+ cell counts declined slowly and continuously in HIV-1-seropositivemen who remained asymptomatic during follow-up. A biphasic CD4+ cell count decline was observed in the group who developed AIDS: the decline was slow and steady (5.6 x 10(6)/l per month, similar to that observed in the asymptomatic group) until 18 months before AIDS diagnosis, but became three to five times faster thereafter. Rapid CD4+ cell decline was significantly related to syncytium-inducing, fast-replicating HIV-1 isolates; during the period of slow and steady CD4+ cell count decline, non-syncytium-inducing isolates were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: At an average of 18 months preceding AIDS diagnosis, a three to fivefold increase in the rate of loss of CD4+ lymphocytes occurs, and may be related to the appearance of a more virulent HIV-1 phenotype.
Authors: A Kinter; A Catanzaro; J Monaco; M Ruiz; J Justement; S Moir; J Arthos; A Oliva; L Ehler; S Mizell; R Jackson; M Ostrowski; J Hoxie; R Offord; A S Fauci Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1998-09-29 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Ryan M Troyer; Kalonji R Collins; Awet Abraha; Erika Fraundorf; Dawn M Moore; Randall W Krizan; Zahra Toossi; Robert L Colebunders; Mark A Jensen; James I Mullins; Guido Vanham; Eric J Arts Journal: J Virol Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 5.103