CD4 cell counts, syncytium-inducing (SI)/non-syncytium inducing (NSI) phenotype, quantitative cell culture, and clinical outcomes were analyzed in a total of 71 patients treated with either ZDV (n=12), ddI (n=20), ddC (n=9), ddI+ ZDV (n=18), or ddI+ddC (n=12). Patients were followed for at least 24 weeks with a mean follow-up time of 71 weeks. Patients who remained NSI had higher CD4 counts (239 cells/mm3) and fewer circulating infected lymphocytes [67 infectious units/10(6) cells (IUPM] than those with baseline SI virus (125 cells/mm3, 129 IUPM). Individuals whose virus phenotype switched during the studies from NSI to SI had intermediate values at baseline. Patients who progressed to AIDS had marked decreases in CD4 cells while those who did not progress had increased CD4, regardless of viral phenotype. Progression to AIDS was associated with SI when all patients were analyzed (p less than 0.02), but not when patients with CD4 less than 100 at baseline were excluded. HIV phenotype is a marker for disease progression among patients under retroviral therapy, but it may not be independent of CD4 counts.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count Human HIV Infections/*DRUG THERAPY Stavudine/*THERAPEUTIC USE ABSTRACT

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