Viral dynamics of HIV: implications for drug development and therapeutic strategies
Article Abstract:
Tests that evaluate levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) appear to be useful in monitoring disease progression and drug effectiveness in patients with HIV. HIV RNA is the viral genetic material. The virus reproduces as quickly as every six hours, allowing for increased opportunities for mutations or changes in its genetic makeup. Studies have shown that HIV RNA levels accurately reflect and predict disease progression even in the early stages of the disease. HIV RNA tests can also provide quick feedback on patients' virus levels in response to drug treatment. Early and ongoing combination drug therapies that target possible viral mutations as well as viral reproductive capability appear to hold the most promise for effective management of this disease.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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Zidovudine resistance and HIV-1 disease progression during antiretroviral therapy
Article Abstract:
Patients with advanced HIV-1 disease that is highly resistant to zidovudine antiretroviral therapy may be at greater risk of disease progression and death. A study of 187 patients enrolled in a study comparing zidovudine with didanosine found that patients whose viral strain had become resistant to zidovudine had almost three times the risk of death than other HIV patients. They were almost twice as likely to develop an AIDS-related complication. Those with a viral strain that causes cells to clump together also had a higher risk of disease progression. Didanosine may slow the progression of HIV infection in those whose viral strains have become resistant to zidovudine.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
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Monitoring plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in addition to CD4+ lymphocyte count improves assessment of antiretroviral therapeutic response
Article Abstract:
Initial HIV-1 RNA levels, a measurement of HIV production, appear to be useful in monitoring disease progression along with CD4+ counts. HIV-1 RNA levels, CD4+ counts, and HIV-1 levels were measured in 198 HIV-1-infected patients at the beginning and eight and 48 weeks after treatment. Risk for worsening disease over the study period was reduced by half for each 10-fold reduction in HIV-1 RNA levels. Patients with higher initial CD4+ counts were less likely to experience progressive disease. HIV-1 blood levels were not useful in predicting disease progress.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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