Quantification of HIV by PCR in monocytes and lymphocytes in patients receiving antiviral treatment and low dose recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor.

Neutropenia induced by antiviral treatment, in particular AZT, can be improved with recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (RHGMCSF) in HIV positive patients. However, there has been concern that this may increase the HIV load in the mononuclear cells of such patients. Five patients receiving AZT plus low dose RHGMCSF are reported. There was no consistent change in the levels of HIV DNA in the monocytes and lymphocytes. Additionally, all patients had stable disease with no opportunistic infection during the study period. It is concluded, therefore, that low dose RHGMCSF does not significantly change the viral DNA load in patients receiving AZT.