Treatment of HIV-related neutropenia

Several studies documenting the association of bacteremia and severity of neutropenia in HIV-infected patients, as well as studies using the colony stimulating factors filgrastim or sargramostim to prevent and treat neutropenia in this patient population, are summarized. Three studies are described in which low absolute neutrophil count was associated with increased incidence of bacterial infections in patients with HIV infection. Two hematopoietic growth factors called colony stimulating factors (filgrastim and sargramostim) are available in the United States, but neither is approved by FDA for the treatment or prevention of neutropenia in HIV-infected patients. Studies have shown both filgrastim and sargramostim to be effective in treating neutropenia in HIV-infected patients without increasing the viral load. In one study, filgrastim use on a daily or intermittent basis was associated with reduction in severe neutropenia or death; in addition, filgrastim-treated patients had fewer bacterial infections, fewer hospital days (both total number of days and days associated only with bacterial infections), and a reduced need for i.v. antimicrobials compared with HIV-infected controls. In another study, neutropenia caused by zidovudine was successfully treated with sargramostim. Both filgrastim and sargramostim show promise in treating and preventing neutropenia in HIV-infected patients. More research is needed to determine the patient population who can best benefit from therapy with these agents and to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of filgrastim and sargramostim.