Shingles Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Shingles, including details on symptoms, treatment, causes, virus. | ||||||||
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Varicella-Zoster Virus-Specific Cell-Mediated Immune Reponses in HIV-infected Adults.De Castro N, Carmagnat M, Kerneis S, Scieux C, Rabian C, Molina JM AP-HP Hopital Saint-Louis, Infectious Diseases, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, Paris, France, 75010, 0033142494572, 0033142494820; nathalie.de-castro@sls.aphp.fr. Background: The incidence of herpes zoster remains high in HIV-infected patients despite the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). We wished to assess Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses in HIV-infected adults on cART. Methods: VZV-specific CMI responses were assessed using lymphocyte proliferative responses, cytokine production (IL-2, TNF- and -IFN), and -interferon ELISPOT assays in 103 HIV-infected adults and 30 healthy controls. HIV-infected patients were analyzed according to their current and nadir CD4 cell count and their use of cART. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with VZV-specific CMI responses. Results : HIV-infected patients had lower VZV-specific CMI responses than healthy controls. Patients with a CD4 T-cell count <100/L had almost no detectable responses whereas those with a current CD4 T-cell count >300/L and suppressed viral replication on cART had responses similar to those of healthy controls. In multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with VZV-specific CMI responses were the absence of a previous AIDS-defining event and higher CD4 cell counts, in particular central and effector memory CD4 T cell counts. Conclusion: HIV-infected patients with a history of AIDS or low CD4 cell counts have impaired VZV-specific CMI responses, and remain at risk for herpes zoster. Published 22 March 2011 in AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses.
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