Title
Virologic response to potent antiretroviral therapy and modeling of HIV dynamics in early pediatric infection
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Pediatrics; Program in Molecular Medicine
Date
7-1-2007
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Anti-HIV Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; RNA, Viral; Ritonavir; *Viral Load; Virus Replication
Disciplines
Immunology and Infectious Disease | Pediatrics
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in infancy features a persistently high viral load and elevated antiretroviral drug clearance rates, which pose significant therapeutic challenges to the clinician. Viral and cellular kinetic analyses performed in HIV-infected adults have yielded significant insights into the dynamic setting of this viral infection. Similar studies are needed in pediatric populations, in whom differing dynamics might translate into age-specific treatment approaches.
METHODS: Viral and cellular kinetic analyses were performed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model in a cohort of 48 infants 1-24 months of age enrolled in a trial of ritonavir-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
RESULTS: Infected cell compartment kinetics were comparable with reported adult values, with no age-specific differences demonstrated--suggesting the ability to suppress viral replication in infants receiving HAART. Comparisons between 2 ritonavir dosing schedules revealed significant improvement in phase 1/2 decay constants in favor of the higher dose. A negative correlation was established between plasma RNA levels and phase 1 decay rates, which has worrisome implications for infant therapeutics given high infant pretreatment plasma virus levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Ritonavir-based HAART regimens in infancy result in HIV decay constants comparable to those reported in adults, without age-specific variability. Despite higher plasma HIV levels and CD4 lymphocyte counts in infancy, HAART can result in timely, effective control of viral replication.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 1;196(1):23-9. Epub 2007 May 24. Link to article on publisher's site