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Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activation after blood transfusion
P M Mudido1, D Georges, D Dorazio
1Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Transfusion
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Blood transfusions in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection can modestly increase viral load. This may contribute to faster disease progression in individuals receiving transfusions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Hematology
Background:
- Anemia and blood transfusions are known predictors of disease progression in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- The impact of blood transfusions on Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) expression remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of blood transfusion on the expression of HIV-1 in infected individuals.
- To determine if transfusion influences viral load parameters in patients with advanced HIV-1.
Main Methods:
- Plasma viral load assays were conducted on nine HIV-1-infected patients.
- Measurements were taken before and after blood transfusion for refractory anemia.
Main Results:
- A modest increase in plasma HIV-1 p24 antigen and HIV-1 RNA was observed 1-2 weeks post-transfusion.
- Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels rose significantly by Week 1 (84%), Week 2 (70%), and Week 4 (67%) post-transfusion.
- No immediate increase in lymphocyte proliferation or HIV-1 p24 antigen production was detected post-transfusion.
Conclusions:
- Transfusing blood to individuals with advanced HIV-1 infection leads to a moderate increase in plasma HIV-1 levels.
- This transfusion-induced activation of HIV-1 expression may accelerate disease progression in these patients.