AEGiS-14IAC: Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) effects on T lymphocytes in HIV-uninfected care workers who had received antiretroviral post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) effects on T lymphocytes in HIV-uninfected care workers who had received antiretroviral post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. A10089)

Cacao F, Orii N, Boszczowski I, Volpato AP, Abboud C, Medeiros LM, Veiga AP, Casseb J, Duarte AJ
School of Medicine at Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND: To study the effect of ART on T cells counts in individuals had indication for PEP.

METHODS: Individuals who received PEP assisted at the Ins. "Emilio Ribas" were recruited from October 2000 until December 2001. PEP included AZT plus 3TC for 28 days. A total of 28 healthy individuals who had no medication constituited the control group. The T cells subset including CD4, CD8, CD3, memory and naïve cell phenotype were analysed at baseline and during follow-up by flow citometry. 20% increasing in T cells number from the baseline was considered significant in the follow up.

RESULTS: Nine volunteers (-- men and --women, mean of age of year old) on PEP were analyzed. A higher than 20% increasing of T CD4+ cells in 5 individuals (55%) (from 1224/mm3 to 1480/mm3) was observed and in three volunteers (33%) presented a decreasing profile (from 1436 to 1166 T CD4+ cells) after a mean of 17,4 days of ART. No modifications in the T cells counts in the no ART exposure individuals (control group) were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ART has direct effect on T cells, problably independent of its antiretroviral effect. In half of the cases, higher T cells number were observed during the follow up, but in 30% a decreasing effect was noted. Thus, furher data are necessary to evaluate the direct effect of zidovudine and other antiretroviral agents on lymphocyte production, function and homeostasis. Support: FAPESP proc. n? 00/002945-2

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, T-Lymphocytes, Zidovudine, Lamivudine, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Retroviridae, HIV-1, HIV Seropositivity, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Human, Female, Male, therapy, prevention & control, manpower, drug therapy

020707
A10089

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.