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Therapy may explain recent deficits in AIDS incidence

Article Abstract:

Since mid-1987 there have been unexpected deficits in the incidence of AIDS reported among homosexual and bisexual men. This coincides with the time shortly after zidovudine (AZT) became available as a prophylactic for use in individuals infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) who have not yet developed AIDS. Evidence from clinical trials, natural history studies, and surveys of AZT use show that the amounts of AZT given as a prophylactic are enough to account for the deficit. Other advances in the care of individuals infected with HIV, such as the drug pentamidine, which reduces the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia, may also contribute to the decline. The number of cases of AIDS among intravenous drug users, who may have less access to treatment, was not lower than expected. Other possible explanations for the decreased number of AIDS patients among homosexual and heterosexual men were found to be insufficient to explain the deficit, including: the spread of HIV was not as rapid during the mid-1980s, as before; the incubation period when HIV develops into AIDS, which is around eight years, was miscalculated; delays in the reporting AIDS occurred; changes in definition of AIDS occurred; and strains of HIV evolved that did not cause as rapid or as serious disease. The available treatments do not cure AIDS, nor do they permanently stop the illness from developing. Thus, the decrease in the incidence of AIDS merely represents the delay of the progression of HIV infection to AIDS by prophylactic treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Demographic aspects, Drug therapy, HIV (Viruses), HIV, AIDS (Disease), Zidovudine, Pentamidine isethionate, Pentamidine

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Longitudinal HIV-1 RNA levels in a cohort of homosexual men

Article Abstract:

Long-term, steady virus levels in the blood of HIV-infected people appears to be uncommon. Researchers analyzed viral loads of 111 HIV-positive men from 1982 to 1992. HIV virus levels increased either gradually or abruptly throughout the infection in 59% of patients. HIV patients who had survived many years with the disease had more stable viral levels during the first four years of infection. Analysis of the pattern of viral load progression can be useful in predicting HIV progression.

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Plasma HIV Viral Load in Patients with Hemophilia and Late-Stage HIV Disease: A Measure of Current Immune Suppression

Article Abstract:

Viral load can predict how fast HIV infection will progress, even in its later stages. Viral load means how much virus is present in the body. In study of 389 hemophiliacs with advanced HIV infection, the risk of AIDS-related illness and opportunistic infections was greater in those with higher viral levels. This was independent of their CD4 cell count.

Health aspects

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