Bone Marrow Function and Immune Response

Results from a small study suggest that immunologic recovery depends at least partially on the ability of ART to reverse HIV-induced alterations of bone marrow function.

A small number of patients who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) fail to experience immune recovery despite good virologic control. Such immunologic nonresponse is clinically relevant because it is associated with increased risk for opportunistic disease and death (AIDS Clin Care Apr 18 2008). To correct this response pattern, researchers must first delineate the underlying pathophysiology.

Investigators studied bone marrow samples from a group of 23 HIV-positive patients who initiated ART between January 2002 and January 2005. Twelve of these patients had immunologic nonresponse, defined as a CD4-cell increase of <20% from baseline, an absolute CD4 count of <200 cells/mm³, or both, despite an undetectable viral load (<50 copies/mL), aft…

Reviewing Author

Helmut Albrecht, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leadership positions in professional societiesColumbia Medical Society; South Carolina Infectious Diseases Society

Helmut Albrecht, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leadership positions in professional societiesColumbia Medical Society; South Carolina Infectious Diseases Society

Bone Marrow Function and Immune Response

Topics

Reviewing Author