Effect of Prolonged Discontinuation of Successful Antiretroviral Therapy on CD4+T Cell Decline in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Patients: Implications for Intermittent Therapeutic Strategies
This study evaluates the change in CD4+ T cell counts among patients who achieved complete viral suppression and subsequently discontinued highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We included 72 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–1-infected patients with plasma HIV RNA loads of + T decay while off HAART was 16 cells/mm3/month (interquartile range, −6 to −34 cells/month). The mean follow-up after therapy ended was 45 weeks. The slope of the CD4+ T cell decay was inversely correlated with the increase of CD4+ T cells while receiving HAART, baseline virus load, CD4+ T cell count at the time therapy was discontinued, age, and duration HIV RNA levels were undetectable. In a multiple regression analysis model, the increase of CD4+ T cells while receiving therapy and age were independently associated with the rate of CD4+ T cell loss