Indicators ofProgression of HIV Infection and their Application in Therapy

Overview

The authors evaluated in a group of 217 HIV positive patients the mutual relationship of the numberof CD4 + T lymphocytes and the level of the viral load of HIV RNA. Using correlation analysis evidencewas provided of a not very marked negative correlation of the two indicators. As it was assumedthat the relationship of the two parameters is influenced by the applied therapeutic procedureswhich reduce in particular the viral load, the two parameters were evaluated in relation totreatment. The closest relationship of the two investigated parameters was found in the grouptreated by monotherapy with zidovudine, followed by the group treated with a combination of twopreparations (two nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase). In the group treated by threepreparations (two nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase and a protease inhibitor) therelationship of the two parameters was least close. Investigation of the level of the viral load of HIVRNA and number of CD4 + T lymphocytes is of major importance for the introduction of antiretrovirustreatment and selection of a suitable combination of antiretrovirus preparations. It makes it alsopossible to follow up the effectiveness of this treatment.

Key words:
HIV infection – CD4 + T lymphocytes – viral load – number of copies of HIV RNA in plasma– antiretrovirus therapy.