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Correlation between CD4/CD8 ratio and neurocognitive performance during early HIV infection
Leah T Le1, Richard W Price2, Magnus Gisslén3,4
1Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
HIV Medicine
|September 22, 2022
Summary
The CD4/CD8 ratio, a marker of immune activation, is linked to processing speed and motor function in early HIV infection. This immune marker also correlates with brain injury markers in cerebrospinal fluid during primary HIV infection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The CD4/CD8 ratio indicates immune activation in HIV infection and impacts neurocognitive function in chronic stages.
- Understanding this relationship in the early phases of HIV infection is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood CD4/CD8 ratio and central nervous system (CNS) outcomes during primary HIV infection (PHI).
- To examine these relationships before and after antiretroviral treatment (ART).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the PISCES cohort.
- Longitudinal assessment of blood and CSF markers, including immune activation and neuronal injury.
- Neuropsychological testing (NPZ4, NPZ11) and statistical analysis (Spearman correlation, linear mixed models).
Main Results:
- A decrease in the mean CD4/CD8 ratio was observed with longer time to treatment initiation.
- Increased NPZ4 scores (motor/processing speed) correlated with higher CD4/CD8 ratios.
- CD4/CD8 ratio trajectory negatively correlated with CSF neurofilament light chain levels.
Conclusions:
- The CD4/CD8 ratio trajectory is independently associated with motor and psychomotor speed performance.
- Immune activation plays a role in early-stage brain injury during HIV infection.
