A decade of research on the natural history of HIV infection: Part 1. Markers. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


A decade of research on the natural history of HIV infection: Part 1. Markers.

Clin Invest Med. 1996 Apr;19(2):111-20. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96260549
Strathdee SA; O'Shaughnessy MV; Montaner JS; Schechter MT; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.


Abstract: Within the context of HIV disease, a marker may be described as a consequence of disease that varies over time but does not necessarily predict future disease course. To date, the most powerful marker of HIV disease progression is the CD4 cell count. Other immunologic markers include neopterin, beta 2-microglobulin, and total and HIV-specific immunoglobulin levels. Further research, which focuses on cell-mediated factors such as interleukins, tumour necrosis factor, natural killer cell activity and apoptosis, is required. Measures of viral burden, such as p24 antigenemia and proviral DNA or RNA, may also offer additional prognostic information. As methods involving quantitative polymerase chain reaction become more refined, it is hoped that they may soon be applied to the clinical setting. Clinical markers of interest include the appearance of minor opportunistic infections and the occurrence of acute retroviral syndrome, which may indicate a faster disease course. Although population-based studies have identified a number of HIV disease markers, further research is required to generalize these findings to the individual level.
Keywords: beta 2-Microglobulin/METABOLISM AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections Biological Markers/BLOOD Biopterin/ANALOGS & DERIVATIVES/BLOOD CD4 Lymphocyte Count CD4-CD8 Ratio Disease Progression Human HIV Infections/BLOOD/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY Immunoglobulins/BLOOD Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Viremia JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, ACADEMICKWDbeta2-microglobulin/metabolismaids-relatedopportunisticinfectionsbiologicalmarkers/bloodbiopterin/analogs&derivatives/bloodcd4lymphocytecountcd4-cd8ratiodiseaseprogressionhumanhivinfections/blood/KWDphysiopathologyimmunoglobulins/bloodsupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tviremiajournalarticlereviewreview,academic
961130
M96B1841

Copyright © 1996 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1996. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .