Impact of hepatitis C virus coinfection on T-cell dynamics in long-term HIV-suppressors under combined antiretroviral therapy

Neuropsychiatric and Laboratory Outcomes of Hepatitis C Treatment in an Early-Treated HIV Cohort in Thailand

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection may further compromise immunological and cognitive function in people with HIV (PWH). This study compared laboratory and neuropsychiatric measures across the periods of HCV seroconversion and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy with sustained virologic response (SVR) among PWH who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute HIV infection (AHI) and acquired HCV after 24 weeks of ART.

Methods

Participants from the RV254 AHI cohort underwent paired laboratory and neuropsychiatric assessments during regular follow-up. The former included measurements of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell counts, HIV RNA, liver enzymes, and lipid profiles. The latter included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Distress Thermometer (DT), and a 4-test cognitive battery that evaluated psychomotor speed, executive function, fine motor speed and dexterity. The raw scores in the battery were standardized and averaged to create an overall performance (NPZ-4) score. Parameters of HCV-coinfected participants were compared across HCV seroconversion and DAA treatment groups.

Results

Between 2009 and 2022, 79 of 703 RV254 participants acquired HCV after ≥ 24 weeks of ART; 53 received DAA, and 50 (94%) achieved SVR. All participants were Thai males (median age: 30 years); 34 (68%) denied past intravenous drug use, and 41 (82%) had a history of other sexually transmitted infections during follow-up. Following SVR, aspartate transferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) decreased (p < 0.001), while total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides increased (p < 0.01). The median CD4+/CD8 + ratio increased from 0.91 to 0.97 (p = 0.012). NPZ-4 improved from 0.75 to 0.91 (p = 0.004). The median DT score increased from 1.7 to 2.7 (p = 0.045), but the PHQ-9 score remained unchanged.

Conclusion

HCV coinfection is common in this group of high-risk PWH, highlighting the need for regular screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. There was a modest improvement in the CD4+/CD8 + T-cell ratio and cognitive performance after DAA therapy in patients who achieved SVR. Future studies should examine potential neuropsychiatric impacts during early HCV infection as well as the longer-term neuropsychiatric outcomes after DAA treatment with SVR.

Impact of treatment with direct-acting antivirals on inflammatory markers and autoantibodies in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals

HCV infection could have extrahepatic manifestations due to an aberrant immune response. HCV/HIV co-infection increases such persistent immune activation. Aim of the present study is to describe the evolution of inflammatory markers used in clinical practice, mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and autoantibody reactivity in co-infected individuals who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after DAA treatment. This prospective, observational study included all HIV/HCV co-infected subjects who started any DAA regimen from 2015 to 2020. Samples for laboratory measurements (ferritin, C reactive protein, C3 and C4 fractions, rheumatoid factor, MC, anti-thyroglobulin Ab, anti-thyroid peroxidase Ab, ANCA, ASMA, anti-LKM, anti-DNA, AMA, ANA, T CD4+ and CD8+ cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio) were collected at baseline, after 4 weeks, at end of treatment, and at SVR12. The analysis included 129 individuals: 51.9% with a F0-F3 fibrosis and 48.1% with liver cirrhosis. Cryocrit, C3 fraction, and rheumatoid factor significantly improved at week 4; ferritin, anti-thyroglobulin Ab, and C4 fraction at EOT; total leukocytes count at SVR12. MC positivity decreased from 72.8% to 35.8% (p < .001). T CD4+ cell slightly increased at SVR12, but with an increase also in CD8+ resulting in stable CD4/CD8 ratio. Autoantibody reactivity did not change significantly. ANA rods and rings positivity increased from 14.8% to 28.6% (p = .099): they were observed in three subjects without exposure to RBV. DAA therapy may lead to improvement in inflammatory markers and MC clearance but without significant changes in autoantibodies reactivity and CD4/CD8 ratio over a follow up of 12 weeks.

Modifications of CD4 T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio and serum levels of soluble CD14 in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients after sustained HCV response induced by direct-acting antiviral agents: influence of liver cirrhosis

To analyze the modifications of CD4 T cell, CD4/CD8 ratio, and serum levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients after treatment with direct anti-HCV antiviral agents. Consecutive cases of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, attended at the University Hospital, who achieved sustained virological responses with interferon-free hepatitis C antiviral drugs, were analyzed. Thirty-five percent of patients (n = 39) had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. The evaluation criteria were changes in CD4 T-cell counts and percentages and inflammation (measured by serum sCD14 levels) or immune activation indexes (determined by CD4/CD8 ratio) from beginning anti-HCV therapy to 12 months later. One hundred twelve patients were included (87% male; median age, 54 years; median time from the infection diagnosis, 22 years; previous drug users, 87%). Significant increases in CD4 T cell count and percentage were detected only in individuals without liver cirrhosis. No significant differences in CD4/CD8 ratios or sCD14 levels were observed in patients with or without cirrhosis. The proportion of patients with less than 500 CD4 T cell/mm³ before therapy who achieved more than 500 CD4 T cell/mm³ after it increased only in the group without liver cirrhosis. The finding that CD4 T cell count and percentage were improved only in patients without liver cirrhosis supports the idea that treatment against HCV in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is needed in the early phases of liver disease.

Clinical and laboratory impact of concomitant syphilis infection during acute HIV

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive impairment has been reported in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) with prior syphilis, while PLWH who present with incident syphilis have reduced blood CD4 T-lymphocyte and elevated HIV-1 RNA levels. However, the clinical, virological and neurocognitive effects of syphilis during acute HIV-1 (AHI) remain unknown.

METHODS

Pre-antiretroviral therapy laboratory outcomes and neurocognitive performance in a four-test battery in the SEARCH10/RV254 AHI cohort were compared according to syphilis status, determined by serum Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and syphilis treatment history. Impaired cognitive performance was defined as having z-scores ≤ -1 in at least two tests or ≤ -2 in at least one test.

RESULTS

Out of 595 AHI participants (97% male, median age of 26 years and estimated duration of HIV-1 infection of 19 days), 119 (20%) had history of syphilis (TPHA-positive), of whom 51 (9%) had untreated syphilis (TPHA-positive/VDRL-positive/without prior treatment). Compared with those without syphilis (TPHA-negative), individuals with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T-lymphocyte levels but not higher plasma HIV-1 RNA or lower CD4 T-lymphocyte levels. Taking into account estimated duration of HIV-1 infection (P < 0.001), and later Fiebig stages (III-V) (P < 0.001), those with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T-lymphocyte levels (P = 0.049). Individuals with any syphilis (TPHA-positive), but not untreated syphilis, had higher odds of impaired cognitive performance than those without (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

During AHI, individuals with any history of syphilis (TPHA-positive) had poorer cognitive performance than those without syphilis. However, syphilis was not associated with worsened HIV disease measures as described in chronic infection.

Interferon lambda rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG is associated with higher CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratio in treated HIV-1 infection

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationships between polymorphisms at the interferon lambda (IFNL) locus and CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio normalisation in people living with HIV (PLWH) on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART); and to examine whether these polymorphisms influence the composition of T lymphocyte compartments in long-term treated HIV-1 infection.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in PLWH enrolled into the Mater Immunology study. We performed IFNL genotyping on stored samples and evaluated the association of IFNL single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs368234815 and rs12979860) with CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio normalization (> 1) and expanded CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell subsets; CD45RO⁺CD62L⁺ (central-memory), CD45RO⁺ CD62L^-(effector-memory) and CD45RO^-CD62L⁺ (naïve), using logistic and linear regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

190 ambulatory PLWH recruited to the main study, 143 were included in the analysis (38 had no stored DNA and 9 no T-lymphocyte subpopulation). Of 143 included, the median age (IQR) was 45(39-48) years, 64% were male and 66% were of Caucasian ethnicity. Heterosexual-contact (36%), injecting drug-use (33%) and men who have sex with men (24%) were the most presented HIV-transmission risk groups. The majority of subjects (90.2%) were on ART with 79% of the cohort having an undetectable HIV-RNA (< 40 copies/ml) and the time since ART initiation was 7.5 (3.7-10.4) year. rs368234815 and rs12979860 displayed similar allelic frequencies, with minor alleles ΔG and T representing 39% and 42%, respectively, of circulating alleles. rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG minor homozygotes were significantly associated with increased odds for attaining a normalised CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio compared to rs368234815 T/T major homozygotes in PLWH virologically suppressed on effective ART (OR = 3.11; 95% CI [1.01:9.56]). rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG homozygosity was also significantly associated with lower levels of CD4⁺ effector memory T-cells (regression coefficient: - 7.1%, p = 0.04) and CD8⁺ naïve T-cell subsets were significantly higher in HIV-1 mono-infected PLWH with rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG (regression coefficient: + 7.2%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In virally-suppressed, long-term ART-treated PLWH, rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG homozygotes were more likely to have attained normalisation of their CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio, displayed lower CD4⁺ effector memory and higher naive CD8⁺ T-cells. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings in other, larger and more diverse cohorts and to determine the impact of IFNL genetic-variation on CD4⁺:CD8⁺ ratio normalisation and clinical outcomes in PLWH.

Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV: incidence and associated factors in a French cohort between 2010 and 2015

OBJECTIVE

Kaposi sarcoma is still observed among people living with HIV (PLHIV) including those on ART with undetectable HIV viral load (HIV-VL). We aimed to assess Kaposi sarcoma incidence and trends between 2010 and 2015 in France and to highlight associated factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective study using longitudinal data from the Dat'AIDS cohort including 44 642 PLWH. For the incidence assessment, Kaposi sarcoma cases occurring within 30 days of cohort enrollment were excluded.

METHODS

Demographic, immunological, and therapeutic characteristics collected at time of Kaposi sarcoma diagnosis or at last visit for patients without Kaposi sarcoma.

RESULTS

Among 180 216.4 person-years, Kaposi sarcoma incidence was 76 (95% CI 64.3-89.9)/10 person-years. Multivariate analysis (Poisson regression) revealed the positive association with male sex, MSM transmission route, lower CD4 T-cell count, higher CD8 T-cell count, not to be on ART, whereas HIV follow-up time, duration with an HIV-VL 50 copies/ml or less were negatively associated with Kaposi sarcoma. According to the different models tested, HIV-VL, CD4 : CD8 ratio and nadir CD4 cell count were associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Moreover, stratified analysis showed that patients with a CD4 : CD8 ratio 0.5 or less or a CD8 T-cell count greater than 1000 cells/μl were at higher risk of Kaposi sarcoma regardless of the CD4 T-cell count.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that in a resource-rich country setting with high ART coverage, Kaposi sarcoma still occurred among PLWH. CD8 hyperlymphocytosis and CD4 : CD8 ratio should be now considered as two useful markers to better identify patients at increased Kaposi sarcoma risk, including those with a CD4 T-cell count greater than 500 cells/μl.

Nadir CD4 Is Negatively Associated With Antinuclear Antibody Detection in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infections are associated with higher risk of autoimmune diseases and T-cell dysfunction.

SETTING

We evaluate prevalence and factors associated with the presence of autoimmune antinuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle actin (aSMA), and anti-liver kidney microsome (aLKM1) antibodies (Ab) in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients during the post-combined antiretroviral therapy era.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study nested in the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort (NCT number: NCT03324633). We selected patients with both ANA testing and T-cell immunophenotyping determination during the cohort follow-up and collected aLKM1 and aSMA data when available. Logistic regression models were built to determine factors associated with the presence of auto-Ab.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-three HCV/HIV-coinfected patients fulfilled selection criteria. Prevalence of ANA and aSMA was 43.5% and 23.2%, respectively, and both were detected in 13.3% of patients. Isolated aSMA were detected in 9.9% and aLKM1 in 2 patients. In multivariable analysis, only a low nadir CD4 T-cell count was significantly associated with ANA detection.

CONCLUSIONS

ANA and aSMA detection remain frequent in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients during the post-combined antiretroviral therapy era, despite fair immune restoration. These results advocate for a close monitoring of ANA before immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in these patients with greater caution for those with a low nadir CD4 T-cell count.

Immunological recovery in T-cell activation after sustained virologic response among HIV positive and HIV negative chronic Hepatitis C patients

BACKGROUND

Rapid decreases in activated CD4+ and CD8+ (HLA-DR + and CD38+ co-expressed) T-lymphocytes have been described within 1-2 weeks of initiating direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy among chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) patients. However, it is not known whether these changes are maintained past sustained virologic response (SVR), particularly in those who are HIV/HCV-coinfected.

METHODS

We investigated the changes in immune parameters of T-lymphocytes from pre-DAA therapy to post-SVR among HIV negative and HIV positive patients with CHC. Repeated measurements of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at pre-DAA therapy, DAA therapy, end of treatment, SVR, and post-SVR. A general linear model for repeated measurements was used to estimate the mean outcome at each timepoint and change between timepoints.

RESULTS

HCV-monoinfected (n = 161) and HIV/HCV-coinfected (n = 59) patients who achieved SVR with DAA therapy were predominately middle aged, male, black, and non-cirrhotic. At pre-DAA therapy, HCV-monoinfected patients had significantly higher CD4+ T cells and CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratio, while significantly lower CD8+ and activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (p < 0.0001). HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had a significant mean decrease from pre-DAA therapy to post-SVR year 1 for activated CD4+ (HCV-monoinfected: 4.8-3.9%, p < 0.0001; HIV/HCV-coinfected: 6.6-4.5%, p < 0.0001) and activated CD8+ T cells (HCV-monoinfected V: 13.8-11.8%, p = 0.0002; HIV/HCV-coinfected: 18.0-12.4%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This longitudinal study showed CHC patients treated with DAA therapy had continued decrease of T-lymphocytes from start of DAA therapy to after achievement of SVR suggesting improvement as HCV clearance normalizes activated T-cell phenotype.

CD4+/CD8+ ratio restoration in long-term treated HIV-1-infected individuals

OBJECTIVES

A persistently low CD4/CD8 ratio despite virological control reflects a higher risk of morbidity in HIV-infected individuals. The objective of the study was to assess the probability and determinants of ratio restoration (≥1) during long-term combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).

DESIGN

Study cohort based on the French Hospital Database on HIV (ANRS CO4).

METHODS

Antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected individuals were included if they achieved virological control (plasma HIV RNA ≤ 500 copies/ml) within 9 months following cART, started between 2000 and 2010. Cumulative incidence of ratio restoration after virological control and predictive factors of such a favorable outcome were studied taking into account 'virological failure', 'loss to follow-up', and 'death' as competing risks for ratio restoration.

RESULTS

Among the 10012 individuals included, the probability of CD4/CD8 ratio restoration was 30% (95% confidence interval, 29-31) at 8 years, ranging from 17% (15 to 19) among individuals with AIDS, to 45% (41 to 50) in people with CD4 at least 500 cells/μl at cART introduction. The main factors associated with ratio restoration were cART started during primary HIV infection whatever the CD4 cell count, or starting at CD4 at least 500 cells/μl while not in primary HIV infection [subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.67 (95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.47) and 2.26 (1.92-2.66) respectively, compared with starting cART at 200-349 CD4 cells/μl], and starting cART in recent years [subdistribution hazard ratio = 2.38 (2.01-2.83) in 2009-2010, compared with 2000-2002]. Higher baseline CD8 cell count was negatively associated with ratio restoration.

CONCLUSION

At 8 years, only one-third of individuals achieved CD4/CD8 ratio restoration with sustained virological control. Treatment at the earliest stage, and starting cART in recent years appeared to be key determinants.

CD8+ T cell expansion in HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with systemic inflammation

High prevalence of non-AIDS-defining illnesses in treated HIV-infected patients is associated with increased peripheral CD8⁺ T cell counts. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is an additional risk factor for the development of non-AIDS events. We found that, in HIV/HCV coinfection, the increased proportion of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes is due to the effector memory and terminal effector T cells gain. Moreover, in these patients, the accumulation of highly differentiated forms of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was associated with increased concentrations of inflammatory indices.

Association of Hepatitis C Virus Infection With CD4/CD8 Ratio in HIV-Positive Women

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Background:

Recent studies reported that the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio is inversely associated with biomarkers traditionally used to measure immune activation and systemic inflammation in highly active antiretroviral therapy–treated HIV-infected (HIV+) patients. The relation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection with the CD4/CD8 ratio in HIV+ patients is unknown.

Methods:

We examined 50,201 CD4/CD8 ratios measured over 20 years in 3 groups of HIV+ women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study: HCV antibody negative (n = 1734), cleared HCV (n = 231), and chronic HCV (n = 751) in multivariate models. IFNL4-ΔG genotype and HCV viral load were also considered.

Results:

Compared with HCV antibody negative status, chronic HCV infection was associated with lower CD4/CD8 ratios when HIV viral load was suppressed to the lower limit of quantification (β = −0.08; P = 0.002). Cleared HCV (β = −0.10; P = 0.0009), but not IFNL4-ΔG genotype or HCV viral load, was also associated with lower CD4/CD8 ratios when HIV viral load was suppressed to the lower limit of quantification.

Conclusions:

The association of HCV coinfection with CD4/CD8 ratio is consistent with previously observed associations of HCV coinfection with biomarkers traditionally used to measure immune activation and systemic inflammation in HIV+ patients. These data provide additional support for the use of CD4/CD8 ratio for routine monitoring of immune activation and inflammation in HIV+ patients, including those with HIV/HCV coinfection; however, the unexpected association between cleared HCV and lower CD4/CD8 ratio requires additional study.

First-line cART regimen impacts the course of CD8+ T-cell counts in HIV-infected patients that achieve sustained undetectable viral load

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of first-line combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimen on the course of CD8 T-cell counts in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.A retrospective observational study conducted on the French DAT'AIDS Cohort of HIV-infected patients.We selected 605 patients initiating a first-line cART between 2002 and 2009, and which achieved a sustained undetectable HIV plasma viral load (pVL) for at least 12 months without cART modification. The evolution of CD8 T-cell counts according to cART regimen was assessed.CD8 T-cell counts were assessed in 572 patients treated with 2NRTIs+1PI/r (n= 297), 2NRTIs+1NNRTI (n= 207) and 3NRTIs (n= 68). In multivariate analysis, after 12 months of follow-up, the 3NRTIs regimen was associated with a significantly smaller decrease of CD8 T-cell count compared with NNRTI-containing regimens (-10.2 cells/μL in 3NRTIs vs -105.1 cells/μL; P=0.02) but not compared with PI-containing regimens (10.2 vs -60.9 cells/μL; P=0.21). After 24 months, the 3NRTIs regimen was associated with a smaller decrease of CD8 T-cell count and % compared with PI/r- and NNRTI-containing regimens (0.2 in 3NRTIs vs -9.9 with PI/r-regimens, P=0.001, and vs -11.1 with NNRTI-regimens, p < 0.0001). A focus analysis on 11 patients treated with an INSTI-containing cART regimen during the study period showed after 12 months of follow-up, a median decrease of CD8 T-cell count of -155 [inter quartile range: -302; -22] cells/μL.Our data highlight the fact that cART regimens have differential effects on CD8 pool down regulation.

A Review of Management of Inflammation in the HIV Population

Advancements in antiretroviral therapy have drastically increased the life expectancy for those infected with HIV. Today, a new subgroup of older patients with long-term controlled HIV exists, and its populace is continuously mounting. Therefore, it is essential to understand the enduring effects of chronic suppressed HIV infection in order to further improve HIV management in these patients. This paper will examine the role of HIV in chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, the dynamic interaction that exists between comorbidity and HIV, and the potential consequences of long-term antiretroviral therapy in an effort to provide the best management options for the virally suppressed HIV patient.

CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio progression in HIV-HCV infected patients after achievement of SVR

BACKGROUND

In HIV-HCV co-infected patients, the long-term effects of HCV eradication on HIV disease progression are still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine if CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio slopes improved after anti-HCV treatment in patients achieving a sustained virological response (SVR).

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 116 HIV-HCV co-infected patients, previously treated with Peg-IFN/RBV, were divided into two groups: SVR (55 patients who had achieved SVR), and non-SVR (61 patients). Retrospective data before and after anti-HCV therapy were obtained for all patients, with a median 8 year-follow-up. Multilevel mixed models were fitted to assess the trends over time of FIB-4 score, APRI score, CD4, CD8 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio.

RESULTS

Median HIV-infection duration, HCV-RNA and GGT baseline levels were higher in non-SVR compared to the SVR group. A significantly decreased FIB-4 (p<0.001) and APRI trend (p<0.001) after SVR was observed in SVR patients compared to those non-SVR. After adjustment for HIV duration, there was no significant difference between the two groups for absolute CD4 (p=0.08) or percentage CD4 slope (p=0.6) over time. The CD4/CD8 ratio trend also demonstrated a similar progressive increase in both groups (p=0.2). During follow-up, six deaths were reported in the non-SVR group versus no death for the SVR group, while no difference in AIDS and non-AIDS events was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Achievement of SVR determines an important beneficial impact in terms of liver-related mortality and fibrosis regression, but does not seem to alter neither the slope of long term CD4 gain nor the CD4/CD8 ratio evolution in ART-treated HIV-HCV co-infected patients.

Elevation and persistence of CD8 T-cells in HIV infection: the Achilles heel in the ART era

Introduction

HIV infection leads to a disturbed T-cell homeostasis, featured by a depletion of CD4 T-cells and a persistent elevation of CD8 T-cells over disease progression. Most effort of managing HIV infection has been focused on CD4 T-cell recovery, while changes in the CD8 compartment were relatively underappreciated in the past.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review of publications in English language was conducted using major electronic databases. Our search was focused on factors contributing to CD8 T-cell dynamics in HIV infection and following antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Discussion

Normalization of CD8 counts is seldom observed even with optimal CD4 recovery following long-term treatment. Initiation of ART in primary HIV infection leads to enhanced normalization of CD8 count compared with long-term ART initiated in chronic infection. Importantly, such CD8 elevation in treated HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory non-AIDS-related clinical events independent of CD4 T-cell recovery. The mechanisms underlying CD8 persistence remain largely unknown, which may include bystander activation, exhaustion and immunosenescence of CD8 T-cells. The information provided herein will lead to a better understanding of factors associated with CD8 persistence and contribute to the development of strategies aiming at CD8 normalization.

Conclusions

Persistence of CD8 T-cell elevation in treated HIV-infected patients is associated with an increased risk of non-AIDS-related events. Now that advances in ART have led to decreased AIDS-related opportunistic diseases, more attention has been focused on reducing non-AIDS events and normalizing persistent CD8 T-cell elevation.

Comparative Impact of Suppressive Antiretroviral Regimens on the CD4/CD8 T-Cell Ratio: A Cohort Study

Although different factors have been implicated in the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio recovery in HIV-infected patients who receive effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), limited information exists on the influence of the regimen composition. A longitudinal study carried out in a prospective, single-center cohort of HIV-infected patients. ART regimens including non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), protease inhibitors (PI), or integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) from patients who achieved long-term (≥6-month duration) virological suppression (HIV-RNA < 400 copies/mL) from January 1998 to June 2014 were analyzed. The impact of ART composition on the changes of the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio was modeled using a mixed linear approach with adjustment for possible confounders. A total of 1068 ART regimens from 570 patients were analyzed. Mean (SD) age of the patients was 42.15 (10.68) years and 276 (48.42%) had hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. Five hundred fifty-eight (52.25%) regimens were PI-based, 439 (40.10%) NNRTI-based, and 71 (6.65%) INSTI-based; 487 (45.60%) were initial regimens, 476 (44.57%) simplification, and 105 (9.83%) salvage regimens. Median (IQR) number of regimens was 1 (1-2) per patient, of 29 (14-58) months duration, and 4 (3-7) CD4/CD8 measurements per regimen. The median baseline CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.42, 0.50, and 0.54, respectively, with the PI-, NNRTI-, and INSTI-based regimens (P = 0.0073). Overall median (IQR) increase of CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.0245 (-0.0352-0.0690) per year, and a CD4/CD8 ratio ≥1 was achieved in 19.35% of the cases with PI-based, 25.97% with NNRTI-based, and 22.54% with INSTI-based regimens (P = 0.1406). In the adjusted model, the mean CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio increase was higher with NNRTI-based regimens compared for PI-based (estimated coefficient for PI [95% CI], -0.0912 [-0.1604 to -0.0219], P = 0.009). Also, a higher CD4/CD8 baseline ratio was associated with higher CD4/CD8 increase in the adjusted model (P = 0.001); by contrast, higher age (P = 0.020) and simplification of ART regimen (P = 0.003) had a negative impact on the CD4/CD8 ratio. Antiretroviral regimen composition has a differential impact on the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio; NNRTI-based regimens are associated with enhanced CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio recovery compared to PI-based antiretroviral regimens.