EFFECTS OF ANTIVIRAL THERAPY ON THE PRODUCTION OF ANTI-HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

The effect of zidovudine therapy on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -specific antibody production was studied in 64 HIV-1-infected infants and children >6 months old. HIV-specific in vitro antibody production (IVAP) was measured in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IVAP decreased in 85% of children after zidovudine was initia ted (mean decline, 1 log within 2 months). Effects were seen as early as 1 week after starting zidovudine. No change in IVAP was seen in chi ldren not treated. In comparison, plasma core (p24) antigen levels dec lined and CD4(+) lymphocytes increased in only 42% and 52%, respective ly, of treated subjects. Thus, the production of antibody to HIV-1 dec reases rapidly after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. This re sponse to therapy may provide a simple and sensitive method of monitor ing antiretroviral therapy.