Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

The α-test: Rapid Cell-free CD4 Enumeration Using Whole Saliva
11:22

The α-test: Rapid Cell-free CD4 Enumeration Using Whole Saliva

Published on: May 16, 2012

Low CD4+ T-cell count as a major atherosclerosis risk factor in HIV-infected women and men

Robert C Kaplan1, Lawrence A Kingsley, Stephen J Gange

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. rkaplan@aecom.yu.edu

AIDS (London, England)
|August 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low CD4+ T-cell counts in HIV-infected individuals are linked to increased subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. This finding highlights the importance of immune status in cardiovascular health for those living with HIV.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • HIV infection is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Subclinical atherosclerosis is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
  • Understanding HIV-specific factors contributing to atherosclerosis is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between HIV infection, disease parameters, and antiretroviral therapy with subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis.
  • To identify specific HIV-related factors that predict atherosclerosis in infected individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study within a prospective cohort (Women's Interagency HIV Study and Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study).
  • Measured carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid lesions using B-mode ultrasound in HIV-infected and uninfected participants.
  • Used multivariate analysis to control for confounding variables.

Main Results:

  • Low CD4+ T-cell count (<200 cells/µL) was independently associated with a higher prevalence of carotid lesions in both HIV-infected women and men.
  • No consistent association was found between antiretroviral medications or HIV viral load and carotid atherosclerosis.
  • History of clinical AIDS did not show a significant association with carotid atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • Low CD4+ T-cell count is a significant risk factor for subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in people with HIV, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Immune suppression, indicated by low CD4+ T-cell count, plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected individuals.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples12:34

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples

Published on: July 6, 2014

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein07:29

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...