Reversal of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 - Associated hematosuppression by effective antiretroviral therapy

The immunodeficiency of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease may be due to accelerated destruction of mature CD4(+) T cells and/or impa ired differentiation of progenitors of CD4(+) T cells. HIV-1 infection may also inhibit the production of other hematopoietic lineages, by directly or indirectly suppressing the maturation of multilineage and/or Lineage-restr icted hematopoietic progenitor cells. To test this hypothesis, the effects of durable viral suppression on multilineage hematopoiesis in 66 HIV-l-sero positive patients were evaluated. Administration of effective antiretrovira l therapy resulted in an increase in circulating CD4(+) T cell counts and s tatistically significant increases in circulating levels of other hematopoi etic lineages, including total white blood cells, lymphocytes, polymorphonu clear leukocytes, and platelets. These results suggest that a significant l esion in untreated HIV-1 disease may lie at the level of cell production fr om hematopoietic progenitors.