The impact of transient combination antiretroviral treatment in early HIV infection on viral suppression and immunologic response in later treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Effects of transient combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) initiated during early HIV infection (EHI) remain unclear. We investigate whether this intervention affects viral suppression and CD4 cell count increase following its reinitiation in chronic infection (CHI).

Design

Longitudinal observational study.

Methods

We identified adult patients from Concerted Action of Seroconversion to AIDS and Death in Europe who seroconverted after 1/1/2000, had a 12 months or less HIV test interval and initiated cART from naive. We classified individuals as 'pretreated in EHI' if treated within 6 months of seroconversion, interrupted for at least 12 weeks, and reinitiated during CHI. Statistical analysis was performed using survival analysis methods and mixed models.

Results

Pretreated and initiated in CHI groups comprised 202 and 4263 individuals, with median follow-up after CHI treatment 4.5 and 3 years, respectively. Both groups had similar virologic response and relapse rates (P?=?0.585 and P?=?0.206) but pretreated individuals restarted treatment with higher baseline CD4 cell count (?80?cells/?l; P?ConclusionAlthough treatment interruptions are not recommended, stopping cART initiated in EHI does not seem to reduce the chance of a successful outcome of treatment in CHI.

SUBMITTER: Pantazis N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4794189 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature