14 May 2009
Is HIV becoming more virulent? Initial CD4 cell counts among HIV seroconverters during the course of the HIV epidemic: 1985-2007.
Crum-Cianflone N, Eberly L, Zhang Y et al.
Clin Infect Dis 2009;48:1285–92.
• This study investigated whether post-seroconversion CD4-cell counts have changed over time (1985–2007).
• The mean initial CD4 cell count decreased during the study period from 632 cells/mm3 in 1985–1990 to 553 cells/mm3 in 1991–1995, 493 cells/mm3 in 1996–2001 and 514 cells/mm3 in 2002–2007. During these periods, the percentages of seroconverters with an initial CD4-cell count <350 cells/mm3 were 12%, 21%, 26% and 25%, respectively.
• Conclusion: A significant decrease in initial CD4 cell counts has occurred over time among HIV seroconverters in the US. This supports the theory that HIV may have adapted to the host, resulting in a more virulent infection.
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14 May 2009
Has human immunodeficiency virus become more virulent?
Dorrucci M, Phillips A.
Clin Infect Dis 2009;48:1293–5.
• This study investigated whether post-seroconversion CD4-cell counts have changed over time (1985–2007).
• The mean initial CD4 cell count decreased during the study period from 632 cells/mm3 in 1985–1990 to 553 cells/mm3 in 1991–1995, 493 cells/mm3 in 1996–2001 and 514 cells/mm3 in 2002–2007. During these periods, the percentages of seroconverters with an initial CD4-cell count <350 cells/mm3 were 12%, 21%, 26% and 25%, respectively.
• Conclusion: A significant decrease in initial CD4 cell counts has occurred over time among HIV seroconverters in the US. This supports the theory that HIV may have adapted to the host, resulting in a more virulent infection.
Link
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