Estimating prognosis in HIV-1 infection

Article Abstract:

Progression to AIDS in patients with HIV infection varies from person to person, with the average time from infection to AIDS ranging from seven to 11 years. This variation is thought to be due to differences in viral strains, the patient's genetic makeup and environmental factors. Drug treatment can delay the onset of AIDS and prevent infection with opportunistic organisms. Currently, treatment decisions for HIV infection are based on blood levels of CD4 T-cells, which are a type of white blood cell depleted by HIV. However, the risk of progression varies even among patients with the same CD4 T-cell count. Evaluating overall patient health and measuring levels of beta-2 microglobulin and neopterin can help in treatment decisions. A recent study indicated that determining whether the infecting virus particles induce the formation of syncytia - clumps of cells - may be useful in estimating prognosis.

Editorial, Measurement, CD4 lymphocytes

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Importance of routinely taking drug therapy for HIV-1 infection

Article Abstract:

Compliance with drug treatment is more important when treating HIV infection than when the treatment was started, according to a study of 1,422 HIV patients. Patients who always took their medication had the best outcomes, regardless of what their CD4 T cell count was when they started the treatment. Patients who did not take their medications on a regular basis had worse outcomes, regardless of their T cell count.

Health aspects, Patient outcomes, Drug therapy, Patient compliance

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Cell count, viral load, and clinical outcome in patients with HIV infection after highly active antiretroviral therapy

Article Abstract:

A increase in the CD4+ T cell count appears to be a better predictor of a good response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) than a decrease in blood levels of the virus. This was the conclusion of a study of 2,236 patients, in which those with increased T cell counts had a better prognosis than those with decreased viral counts.

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