HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-TYPE-1 REPLICATION CAN BE INCREASED IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD OF SEROPOSITIVE PATIENTS AFTER INFLUENZA VACCINATION

Despite considerable evidence that cell activation enhances human immu nodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) replication in vitro, there is very little data on the role of immune activation on in vivo HIV-1 replicat ion. In this study, we examined the effect of influenza vaccination on HIV-1 replication in the peripheral blood of 20 study subjects, and i n 14 control subjects who did not receive influenza vaccination. Blood was obtained from each subject on three occasions during the month be fore vaccination and again on three occasions during the following mon th. Over the study period, there was little change in levels of provir al DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, peak PB MC viral RNA levels after influenza vaccination were significantly inc reased over the mean of prevaccination values. This change was not obs erved to the same extent in unvaccinated controls. Therefore, this is the first report showing that HIV-1 replication can increase in tempor al association with influenza vaccination. Our results suggest that co ntinued immunologic (antigenic) stimulation may result in increased vi rus load in vivo. To address the appropriateness of influenza vaccinat ion in HIV-infected patients, expanded studies will be required to exa mine specific and generalized immune responses to vaccination, and dif ferences in patient response based on disease stage. (C) 1995 by The A merican Society of Hematology.