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Foscarnet decreases HIV-1 plasma load
I Devianne-Garrigue1, I Pellegrin, R Denisi
1Laboratoire de Virologie, CHU de Bordeaux, France.
Summary
Foscarnet treatment significantly reduced HIV-1 plasma load in AIDS patients with viral infections. This antiviral activity of foscarnet against HIV-1 is clinically important.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Foscarnet is an antiviral medication.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other herpesviruses are opportunistic infections in AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of foscarnet on HIV-1 replication in vivo.
- To assess foscarnet's impact on viral load in AIDS patients.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen AIDS patients with CMV, HSV, VZV, or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were treated with foscarnet.
- HIV RNA quantification and CMV markers (pp65 antigenemia, viremia) were measured before and during therapy.
Main Results:
- Foscarnet treatment led to a significant decrease in HIV-1 plasma load.
- HIV-1 load reduction was observed within 3 and 10 days of foscarnet therapy.
- The reduction in HIV-1 load was independent of CMV disease status or pp65 antigenemia.
Conclusions:
- Foscarnet demonstrated anti-HIV-1 activity in vivo.
- The observed decrease in HIV-1 plasma load suggests foscarnet has clinical importance in managing HIV-1 infection.