Central Nervous System Penetration Effectiveness and CSF Viremia

In a study involving Swiss HIV Cohort participants, lower CNS penetration-effectiveness scores were associated with higher likelihood of detectable CSF HIV RNA.

Antiretroviral drugs cross the blood–brain barrier to varying degrees, and their apparent antiviral activity in the central nervous system (CNS) has been calculated based on factors such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations, yielding a CNS penetration-effectiveness (CPE) score for each drug. The value of this measure as it relates to treatment outcome and neurocognitive problems in HIV-infected individuals is controversial.

Investigators measured CSF HIV RNA levels in 87 samples collected from 60 Swiss HIV Cohort participants who were involved in the MOST study. These patients had plasma HIV RNA levels <50 copies/mL at baseline and were on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). CSF HIV RNA was detected at low levels (43–82 copies/m…

Reviewing Author

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Central Nervous System Penetration Effectiveness and CSF Viremia

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Reviewing Author