HIV elite controllers are at higher risk for atherosclerosis than HIV-negative individuals, perhaps because of chronic inflammation.
Growing evidence suggests that the risk for atherosclerosis is higher among HIV-infected individuals than among HIV-negative persons; potential explanations include deleterious effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART), virus-induced endothelial injury, and chronic inflammation. To examine the role of these factors, investigators studied carotid intima-media thickness (IMT; a measure of atherosclerosis) and C-reactive protein (CRP; a marker for systemic inflammation) levels in HIV elite controllers (infected patients who maintain undetectable viral loads without taking ART), untreated HIV-infected patients, HIV-infected patients on ART, and HIV-negative controls (total, 494 participants).
The median carotid IMT was significantly higher in HIV-…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)