Varicella?Zoster Virus–Specific Cell?Mediated Immunity in HIV?Infected Children Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Open Access
- 15 July 2004
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 190 (2) , 267-270
- https://doi.org/10.1086/422011
Abstract
Herpes zoster (HZ) is a frequent complication of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We determined the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on reconstitution of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)—specific cell-mediated immunity (VZV-CMI) in 56 VZV- and HIV-infected children. VZV-CMI did not change over thecourse of ⩽3 years of observation, despite a reduction inHIV load. VZV-CMI correlated with lower HIV load but not with CD4 cell percentage. The incidence of HZ was unaffectedby HAART. None of 5 patients who developed HZ during the study had VZV-CMI before developing HZ. After developing HZ, only the 2 HAART-compliant patients developed VZV-CMI. Thus, VZV-specific immune reconstitution in HIV infection may require antigenic reexposure, in addition to control of HIV replication.Keywords
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