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[Prognostic markers of progression to AIDS in infants vertically infected by human immunodeficiency virus type-1]

S Resino1, J M Bellón, D Gurbindo

  • 1Servicio de Inmunología. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Madrid.

Medicina Clinica
|January 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

High viral load (VL) and low CD8+ T-cell percentages predict faster AIDS progression in vertically HIV-1 infected children. Monitoring these markers together improves risk assessment for disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Assessing prognostic markers for AIDS progression in vertically HIV-1 infected children is crucial.
  • CD4+, CD8+ T-cell percentages, and plasma viral load (VL) are potential indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prognostic value of CD4+, CD8+ T-cell percentages, and plasma VL in predicting AIDS progression.
  • To determine the combined predictive value of these markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 115 vertically HIV-1 infected children over 12 months old was studied.
  • Plasma VL was quantified using standard molecular assays.
  • CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte counts were determined by flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Children with median VL > 4.5 log10 copies/ml and CD8+ percentage < 25% progressed faster to AIDS.
  • Higher VL significantly increased the relative risk (RR) of AIDS progression (7-fold for VL > 4.5 log10, 3.5-fold per log10 increase).
  • Lower CD8+ T-cell percentages were associated with increased RR of AIDS progression, indicating a protective effect.

Conclusions:

  • Both baseline and follow-up CD8+ T-cell percentages and VL are valuable for assessing AIDS progression risk.
  • Combining CD8+ T-cell percentage and VL offers enhanced predictive value for disease progression in HIV-1 infected children.
Abstract

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