CMV: A Cause of Persistent Immune Activation in HIV-Infected Patients

Treating asymptomatic cytomegalovirus infection with valganciclovir reduced immune activation in HIV-infected patients who had incomplete CD4-cell recovery on ART.

Many HIV-infected patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) have persistently abnormal levels of T-cell activation, which may drive development of non–AIDS-related complications (JW AIDS Clin Care Apr 4 2011). Asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been linked to T-cell activation and accelerated immunosenescence, prompting investigators to evaluate whether treatment of such infection might reduce T-cell activation in HIV-infected patients with incomplete CD4-cell recovery on ART.

Thirty such patients — CMV-seropositive, with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm³ and elevated CD8-cell activation (median, 20%) — were randomized to receive valganciclovir (900 mg daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. About 75% were herpes simplex virus–2 seropo…

Reviewing Author

Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD

CMV: A Cause of Persistent Immune Activation in HIV-Infected Patients

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Reviewing Author