Predictors and Clinical Relevance of Suboptimal CD4-Cell Increase

Another study shows that, even in the presence of good virologic response to ART, suboptimal immunologic response is associated with morbidity and mortality. Older age and a lower baseline viral load were associated with suboptimal CD4-cell increases.

Having a discordant response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) — that is, a virologic response or an immunologic response, but not both — is associated with worse outcomes than having a concordant response (AIDS Clin Care Apr 18 2008). Researchers have tried to elucidate the pathophysiology of discordant responses but have not been able to suggest a solution to this problem (AIDS Clin Care Jun 30 2008).

In the latest analysis from the FIRST study, investigators evaluated predictors and consequences of poor immune response among 850 patients who achieved viral loads <400 copies/mL during their first 8 months of ART. During these first 8 months, 30 of 149 patients with suboptimal immune response (defined as a CD4 increase <50 cells/mm³) reached …

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

Predictors and Clinical Relevance of Suboptimal CD4-Cell Increase

Topics

Reviewing Author