AIDSWEEKLY Plus; November 4, 2002
Michael Greer, Senior Medical Writer

George Makedonas and colleagues at McGill University in Montreal and the University of Montreal assessed the impact of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity on HIV-exposed, uninfected (EU) patients' risk of seroconversion.

Virus-specific CD8+ effector cell responses were associated with a significantly reduced seroconversion risk for drug users sharing needles with infected partners, Makedonas and coauthors found.

The researchers examined cytotoxic effector cell activity in a group of 28 intravenous drug users with known exposure to HIV. They compared CD8 cell activity in the 18 patients who remained uninfected with that in the 10 patients who seroconverted, according to the report.

Cytotoxic T cells from two-thirds of the persistently uninfected subjects demonstrated HIV-specific interferon-gamma release, study data showed. By contrast, virus-specific activity was not seen in cells from any of the 10 seroconverters.

CD8 effector cells from seroconverters were collected no more than 7 months before seroconversion (HIV-specific CD8 T-cell activity in uninfected injection drug users is associated with maintenance of seronegativity. AIDS 2002 Aug 16;16(12):1595-602.

"EUs who have developed HIV-specific effector responses are at a reduced risk for seroconversion compared with EUs who do not develop this type of immunity," Makedonas and colleagues concluded. "This observation supports the hypothesis that HIV-specific effector responses are a correlate of immune protection from HIV infection."

The corresponding author for this report is Nicole F. Bernard, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room C10-160, Montreal, PQ H3G 1A4, Canada.

Key points reported in this study include:

• HIV-specific cytotoxic T cell activity reduces the risk of infection after exposure to the virus

• Two-thirds of injection drug users who remained uninfected despite sharing needles with HIV+ partners showed HIV-specific CD8 effector cell activity

• By contrast, none of the patients who seroconverted after similar exposure displayed HIV-specific CD8 cell responses

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

021104
AW021101

Copyright © 2002 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.