home





























 

















 





















hrsa

participating institutions:
Johns Hopkins University AIDS Service, New York State DOH AIDS Institute, The CORE Center, Cook County Hospital



NEWS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS



When to start highly active antiretroviral therapy in chronically HIV-infected patients: evidence from the ICONA study [Lepri AC et al. AIDS 2001; 15: 983]: The authors present a retrospective review of the ICONA study from Italy to determine the effect of antiretroviral therapy on the CD4 cell count and viral load among 1,421 treatment-naive patients. The patients received HAART, and at 96 weeks, patients were evaluated according to their baseline CD4 counts: <200 cells/mm3, 201-350 cells/mm3 and >350 cells/mm3. Results are shown in the table below:

Initial CD4 Number Increase CD4 at 96 weeks VL > 500c/ml
<200 cells/mm3 558 280 43%
201-350 cells/mm3 312 281 35%
>350 cells/mm3 551 186 34%

The authors conclude that there is "no clear immunological or virological advantage to starting HAART at a CD4 count > 350."
posted 6/7/2001





Copyright © 2001-2002. The National AIDS Education and Training Centers Program on behalf of its AETC National Resource Center. All rights reserved.

Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained in this site because no single reference or service can take the place of medical training, education, and experience. Consumers are cautioned that this site is not intended to provide medical advice about any specific medical condition they may have or treatment they may need, and they are encouraged to call or see their physician or other health care provider promptly with any health related questions they may have.