The role of viral diversity in HIV pathogenesis

Article Abstract:

Syncytium-inducing (SI) viral characteristics may be more valuable disease markers than CD4 counts in patients without HIV symptoms. CD4 cell counts may be in the normal range during the early stages of HIV, rendering them poor predictors of disease status. Syncytium formation is the fusion of infected and uninfected cells into a single giant cell, a process associated with rapid disease progression within a few months. Stable virus of the non-SI type (NSI) characterizes many asymptomatic HIV patients. The switch from NSI to SI status predicts progression to AIDS, associated with a sharp decline of CD4 counts although not all people with AIDS carry the SI virus. In addition to SI variants, high RNA levels often correspond to active disease progression. RNA analysis and the NSI/SI viral type may become valuable prognostic markers in addition to information on CD4 counts.

Physiological aspects, Phenotype, Phenotypes, Pathology, Cellular, Cytopathology, HIV seropositivity, HIV positive

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Bioelectrical impedance analysis as a predictor of survival in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

A measure of bioelectrical impedance known as phase angle alpha may accurately predict the survival outlook for people infected with HIV. Among 75 asymptomatic HIV-infected men, phase angle alpha measurements of body composition were the most accurate predictor of long-term survival. Phase angle alpha measurements show changes in the ability of tissue to conduct electricity, which in turn is evidence that malnutrition has affected body composition even in the early stages of HIV infection. The phase angle alpha measurement was a better predictor of long-term survival over a period of 1,000 days than was body weight, body mass index, nutritional status or even CD4+ cell counts. The phase angle alpha measure may help doctors design better treatments for people infected with HIV.

Impedance, Bioelectric, Bioelectric impedance, Malnutrition

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Analysis of an HIV-infected cohort followed for as long as 15 years after seroconversion

Article Abstract:

Young hemophiliacs who contract HIV infection may survive for many years beyond their diagnosis. This was observed in 62 HIV-infected people with hemophilia or von Willebrands disease who were followed up to 15 years after they became HIV-positive. Patients whose CD4 counts remained steady or declined very slowly for a period of time but then dropped rapidly were more likely to die than those whose counts gradually dropped. Some of the children had no symptoms even though their CD4 counts were very low. Only 30% died during the study.

Health aspects, Hemophiliacs

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