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Effect of clinical events on plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts of more than 500 × 106 cells/l

ObjectiveImmune stimulation of CD4 lymphocytes is thought to enhance HIV-1 replication in vivo. Therefore, we sought to define the impact of clinical events identified as putative immune activators on the variability of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in persons with CD4 cell counts greater than 500 × 106 cells/l. DesignWe prospectively recorded clinical events and measured plasma HIV-1 RNA levels weekly for 24 weeks in 16 HIV-1-infected adults who were not receiving antiretroviral therapy and who had CD4 cell counts greater than 500 × 106 cells/l. MethodsStandard weekly interviews were conducted to capture potential immune activators (e.g., infections, immunizations, and allergic reactions). All plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were measured using the Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor assay (Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, New Jersey, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. ResultsParticipants had remarkably stable viral loads during the 6 month study period. Infections were significantly more frequent during the 7 days prior to individual HIV-1 RNA measurements that exceeded the assay variation thresholds determined for this study (± 0.324 log) than during the comparable time periods preceding stable measurements (P = 0.023). As a group, the eight participants who had one to four HIV-1 RNA measurements that exceeded the thresholds experienced more infections and declining CD4 cell counts over the study course compared to the eight participants whose measurements all fell within the thresholds (P = 0.058 and 0.053 respectively). ConclusionsOur study suggests that in untreated HIV-1-infected persons with CD4 cell count greater than 500 × 106 cells/l, viral load is generally quite stable, although acute minor infections are associated with transient fluctuations generally lasting no more than 1 week.