Impact of CD8+ T-cell activation on CD4+ T-cell recovery and mortality in HIV-infected Ugandans initiating antiretroviral therapy

PW Hunt, HL Cao, C Muzoora, I Ssewanyana… - Aids, 2011 - journals.lww.com
PW Hunt, HL Cao, C Muzoora, I Ssewanyana, J Bennett, N Emenyonu, A Kembabazi…
Aids, 2011journals.lww.com
Objectives: To assess whether T-cell activation independently predicts the extent of CD4+ T-
cell recovery and mortality in HIV-infected Ugandans initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: HIV-infected adults starting ART and achieving a
plasma HIV RNA level (VL) less than 400 copies/ml by month 6 were sampled from the
Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes (UARTO) cohort in Mbarara, Uganda. CD4 count,
VL, and the percentage-activated (CD38+ HLA-DR+) T cells were measured every 3 …
Abstract
Objectives:
To assess whether T-cell activation independently predicts the extent of CD4+ T-cell recovery and mortality in HIV-infected Ugandans initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Methods:
HIV-infected adults starting ART and achieving a plasma HIV RNA level (VL) less than 400 copies/ml by month 6 were sampled from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes (UARTO) cohort in Mbarara, Uganda. CD4 count, VL, and the percentage-activated (CD38+ HLA-DR+) T cells were measured every 3 months.
Results:
Of 451 HIV-infected Ugandans starting ART, most were women (70%) with median pre-ART values: age, 34 years; CD4 count, 135 cells/μl; and VL, 5.1 log 10 copies/ml. Of these, 93% achieved a VL less than 400 copies/ml by month 6 and were followed for a median of 24 months, with 8% lost to follow-up at 3 years. Higher pre-ART CD8+ T-cell activation was associated with diminished CD4 recovery after year 1, after adjustment for pre-ART CD4 count, VL, and sex (P= 0.017). Thirty-four participants died, 15 after month 6. Each 10% point increase in activated CD8+ T cells at month 6 of suppressive ART was associated with a 1.6-fold increased hazard of subsequent death after adjusting for pretherapy CD4 count (P= 0.048).
Conclusions:
Higher pre-ART CD8+ T-cell activation independently predicts slower CD4+ T-cell recovery and higher persistent CD8+ T-cell activation during ART-mediated viral suppression independently predicts increased mortality among HIV-infected Ugandans. Novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or reversing immune activation during ART are needed in this setting.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins