Viral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as surrogate for clinical progression

Article Abstract:

Measurements of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA or RNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples may be useful in monitoring disease progression in patients with HIV. Researchers highlighted current studies that have used HIV DNA and RNA levels as indicators of disease progression and drug effectiveness. Patients with a rapid decline in CD4 cell counts seem to have significantly higher blood levels of HIV RNA and DNA as compared to patients with a slow decline in CD4 cell counts. However, the association between viral levels and disease progression may be independent of CD4 cell counts. One study found that patients with high blood levels of HIV DNA subsequently developed AIDS. Other studies have shown that blood levels of HIV DNA drop in conjunction with HIV drug therapies, such as didanosine and AZT, but subsequently rise in the months following treatment.

Usage, Evaluation, Viral genetics, Immunotherapy

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Virologic parameters as surrogate markets for clinical outcome in HIV-1 disease: verification, variation and validation

Article Abstract:

A useful indicator of disease progression or therapy effectiveness in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) will likely reflect the viral nature of the disease. Researchers outlined several proposed criteria used to judge the usefulness of potential indicators. The indicator should be present to some degree in all affected patients and logically reflect the nature of the disease. There should be measurable variation between patients that is consistent over time. Testing for the indicator should be simple, quick, accurate, and cost-effective. Change in indicator measurements should consistently reflect disease progression or drug effectiveness. Potentially useful indicators for AIDS disease progression include infectious units per million (IUPM) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) RNA copy number.

Methods, Medical virology

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Biological and virologic characteristics of primary HIV infection

Article Abstract:

Blood levels of HIV appear to vary considerably in different people in the initial stages of the infection. Researchers evaluated HIV RNA levels and CD4 cell counts biweekly for one month, monthly for two months and every three months thereafter in 74 people who had just become infected. Within the first 30 days of infection, HIV RNA levels varied considerably. The level dropped an average of 6.5% per week up until 120 days from infection and then began to increase about 0.15% per week. Those who had high HIV RNA levels between 120 and 365 days after infection were most likely to progress rapidly to AIDS.

HIV (Viruses), HIV

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