Effect of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis on the development of HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in HIV-exposed healthcare workers

We evaluated the effects of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) on th e development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope-specific cytot oxic T-lymphocyte responses in 20 healthcare workers with occupational expo sures to HIV. Seven healthcare workers were treated with zidovudine PEP. On ly 1 of 7 treated, versus 6 of 13 not treated, developed an HN envelope-spe cific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response. These data suggest that zidovudine a brogated HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. HIV-specific cytoto xic T-lymphocyte responses may be useful as a surrogate marker of HIV repli cation in the evaluation of new regimens for PEP of occupational HIV exposu res (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999;20:428-430).