Objective: Immunologic markers, levels of HIV DNA, and infectious HIV were
compared in partial responders (PR) to HAART who had high plasma HIV RNA le
vels but stable or increasing levels of CD4(+) peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMC), and patients with complete failure (CF) who had very low or
decreasing levels of CD4(+) PBMC and high plasma HIV RNA levels.
Design and Methods: CD4 and CD8 levels were monitored by flow cytometry. be
ta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) and neopterin levels were measured by quanti
tative enzyme immunoassays. Plasma and PBMC from 11 PR and 13 CF were analy
zed for infectious HIV levels in limiting dilution cultures. Polymerase cha
in reaction (PCR) assays were used to quantify cellular HIV DNA and plasma
HIV RNA.
Results: In comparison with CF, PR had little or no CD4(+) cell loss, a sub
stantial increase in CD8(+) cells, significantly fewer positive plasma HIV
cultures (p = .03), lower frequencies of infectious HIV in total PBMC (p =
.005) and in CD4(+) PBMC (p < .001), and lower frequencies of HIV DNA in CD
4(+) PBMC (p = .007).
Conclusions: Lower levels of infectious HIV and a lower frequency of CD4(+)
PBMC that contain "productive" HN DNA in PR as compared with CF may contri
bute to the stable or increasing CD4(+) PBMC levels of the PR. However, HAA
RT may also have effects on lymphocyte homeostasis independent of its antiv
iral activity.