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Gilbert syndrome and the development of antiretroviral therapy-associated hyperbilirubinemia.

BACKGROUND: Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia results from Gilbert syndrome and from antiretroviral therapy (ART) containing protease inhibitors. An understanding of the interaction between genetic predisposition and ART may help to identify individuals at highest risk for developing jaundice. METHODS: We quantified the contribution of UGT1A1*28 and ART to hyperbilirubinemia by longitudinally modeling 1386 total bilirubin levels in 96 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals during a median of 6 years. RESULTS: The estimated average bilirubin level was 8.8 micromol/L (0.51 mg/dL). Atazanavir increased bilirubin levels by 15 mu mol/L (0.87 mg/dL), and indinavir increased bilirubin levels by 8 micromol/L (0.46 mg/dL). Ritonavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, and nelfinavir had no or minimal effect on bilirubin levels. Homozygous UGT1A1*28 increased bilirubin levels by 5.2 micromol/L (0.3 mg/dL). As a consequence, 67% of individuals homozygous for UGT1A1*28 and receiving atazanavir or indinavir had > or =2 episodes of hyperbilirubinemia in the jaundice range (>43 micromol/L [>2.5 mg/dL]), versus 7% of those with the common allele and not receiving either of those protease inhibitors (P<.001). Efavirenz resulted in decreased bilirubin levels, which is consistent with the induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. CONCLUSIONS: Genotyping for UGT1A1*28 before initiation of ART would identify HIV-infected individuals at risk for hyperbilirubinemia and decrease episodes of jaundice.

Adult↗

The rate of viral rebound after attainment of an HIV load <50 copies/mL according to specific antiretroviral drugs in use: results from a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few data are available on the association between the use of specific antiretroviral drugs and the rate of viral rebound in those attaining a viral load (VL) <50 copies/mL while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: Patients achieving a VL <50 copies/mL for the first time while receiving HAART were followed until viral rebound (2 consecutive VLs >500 copies/mL). Pre-HAART antiretroviral-naive patients were analyzed separately from those with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) experience. RESULTS: Of 3565 suppressed antiretroviral-naive patients, 381 experienced viral rebound (rate, 6.26 events/100 person-years of follow-up [pyrs] [95% confidence interval {CI}, 5.63-6.89 events/100 pyrs]). For those receiving efavirenz, the rate was 4.08 (95% CI, 3.16-5.01) events/pyrs. Compared with this, the rebound rate for those receiving indinavir was 1.52 times higher (rate ratio [RR], 1.52 [95% CI, 0.82-2.84]). RRs (95% CIs) for other drugs were: soft-gel saquinavir, 0.54 (0.07-3.97); nelfinavir, 2.44 (1.68-3.54); indinavir/ritonavir, 1.96 (1.02-3.77); saquinavir/ritonavir, 1.12 (0.48-2.61); lopinavir/ritonavir, 1.23 (0.58-2.59); nevirapine, 1.53 (1.11-2.10); and abacavir, 2.03 (1.26-3.25). Of 810 NRTI-exposed patients, 145 experienced viral rebound (rate, 8.29 [95% CI, 6.94-9.64] events/pyrs). For those receiving efavirenz, the rate was 5.25 (95% CI, 3.11-8.30) events/pyrs. Compared with this, the RRs (95% CIs) were: indinavir, 1.75 (0.82-3.73); hard-gel saquinavir, 3.48 (0.36-33.37); nelfinavir, 2.64 (1.37-5.08); indinavir/ritonavir, 0.32 (0.04-2.49); saquinavir/ritonavir, 0.64 (0.23-1.80); nevirapine, 1.65 (0.90-3.02); and abacavir, 1.82 (0.73-4.52). CONCLUSIONS: We must make comparisons of antiretroviral outcomes in observational data with caution; however, our results suggest that, in those with VLs <50 copies/mL, certain drugs may be associated with higher rebound rates than others.

Adult↗

Natural residues versus antiretroviral drug-selected mutations in HIV type 1 group O reverse transcriptase and protease related to virological drug failure in vivo.

HIV-1 group O viruses were first recognized as a distinct subgroup of HIV-1 with the isolation and characterization in 1990 of a virus (ANT70) from a woman (individual A) and her spouse (individual B), both from Cameroon (De Leys R, et al.: J Virol 1990;64:1207-1216). During the 5-6 years before treatment, individual A remained asymptomatic, with viral RNA levels between 2.5 and 2.8 log10 copies/ml, as measured by a newly developed group O-specific quantitative NASBA-based RNA assay. Individual B developed mild clinical symptoms, with 3.1 to 3.6 log10 copies of viral RNA per milliliter. HIV-1 sequences obtained from both individuals showed pretreatment residues in protease that confer resistance to protease inhibitors in group M viruses (10I, 36I, and 71V). Individual A showed an initial response to AZT, but shortly after addition of ddC and saquinavir, the RNA levels returned to baseline, while subsequent treatment with d4T, 3TC, and indinavir reduced the RNA level to less than 50 copies/ml for the time of follow-up. Individual B showed no response to AZT or ddC monotherapy, and a change to d4T, 3TC, and indinavir had, in contrast to individual A, only a temporary effect. While a multitude of mutations in HIV-1 group O reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease appeared that are associated with drug resistance in group M viruses, the observed T215N mutation in RT and the V15I and V22A mutations in protease have not previously been described and may represent resistance-conferring mutations specific to group O viruses. These results indicate that treatment of HIV-1 group O-infected individuals with antiretroviral drug regimens that include protease inhibitors might lead to rapid selection for resistance-conferring mutations. This probably results from preexisting protease residues contributing to reduced sensitivity of group O viruses to protease inhibitors, as is observed in vitro.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of antiretroviral protease inhibitors alone, and in combination with paromomycin, on the excystation, invasion and in vitro development of Cryptosporidium parvum.

With the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus in the early 1980s, cryptosporidiosis was regarded as an AIDS-defining disease. As an opportunistic pathogen, the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium parvum became an important cause of chronic diarrhoea, leading to high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. To date, no effective chemotherapy is available. With the introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of cryptosporidiosis in AIDS patients has declined substantially in western countries. We have therefore tested the effect of five PIs used in HAART on the excystation, invasion and development of the parasite in a cell culture system. The human ileocaecal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-8 served as a host cell. None of the substances had an effect on the excystation rate, and only nelfinavir moderately, but statistically significantly, inhibited the host cell invasion over a period of 2 h. There were more pronounced inhibitory effects when PIs were present over the total time of intracellular development (48 h). Indinavir, nelfinavir and ritonavir inhibited parasite development significantly. The inhibitory effect was increased when the aminoglycoside paromomycin was combined with the PIs indinavir, ritonavir, and to a lesser extent saquinavir, compared to the PIs alone.

Amebicides↗

Susceptibility to protease inhibitors in HIV-2 primary isolates from patients failing antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Current protease inhibitors (PIs) are designed against HIV-1, and information on their performance against HIV-2 clinical isolates is scarce. METHODS: Genetic and phenotypic analyses using all available PIs were performed in five HIV-2 primary isolates from two patients on regular follow-up who failed PI-HAART. RESULTS: HIV-2 proteases before therapy showed amino acids associated with resistance in HIV-1 (pro10V, pro32I, pro36I, pro46I, pro47V, pro71V and pro73A). Phenotypic results showed that indinavir, saquinavir, lopinavir and tipranavir had full activity against wild-type HIV-2. However, a susceptibility reduction was noticed for nelfinavir (6.6-fold) and amprenavir (31-fold). During therapy with lopinavir, one patient developed proV47A, which translated into high-level resistance (13.4- to 41-fold) to indinavir, lopinavir and amprenavir, and hypersusceptibility to saquinavir. All isolates from the other patient had multiple mutations after several PIs failed (proV10I, proV33L, proI54M, proV71I and proI82F). The acquisition of mutations 54M and 82F along with naturally occurring changes resulted in multi-PI-resistant viruses (33- to >1000-fold), and only saquinavir retained full activity. CONCLUSIONS: Naturally occurring secondary mutations or polymorphisms in the HIV-2 protease may decrease the activity of nelfinavir and amprenavir. Moreover, upon selection of primary resistance mutations, pre-existing secondary changes might play an important role in the acquisition of a multi-PI resistance phenotype in HIV-2.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Resistance-related mutations in the HIV-1 protease gene of patients treated for 1 year with the protease inhibitor ritonavir (ABT-538).

OBJECTIVE: To define genotypic and phenotypic resistance patterns following prolonged therapy with the protease inhibitor ritonavir (ABT-538). DESIGN: Seven HIV-1-infected patients, all but one previously treated with dideoxynucleoside analogues (zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine), were treated for 1 year with ritonavir. METHODS: Direct solid-phase sequencing of the protease gene starting from plasma derived viral RNA followed by comparison to phenotypic drug resistance data. RESULTS: The most frequent amino-acid substitutions occurring upon administration of the protease inhibitor were V82A/F (substrate binding site), I54V (flap region), A71V and L10I. Additional mutations found in more than one patient were I15V, M36I, I84V and I93L. Mutation L63P was found both in pre- and post-ritonavir samples. Phenotypic drug resistance assays confirmed resistance to ritonavir in post-treatment samples (approximately 170-fold) and showed cross-resistance to indinavir (approximately 30-fold) and partially to saquinavir (approximately fivefold). At 1 year of treatment, one patient without known resistance-associated mutations in the protease gene still showed a substantial rise in CD4 cell count accompanied by a more than 2.4 log decrease in RNA viral load. However, at week 78, mutations R8Q, E34K, R57K, L63P and I84V were detected and the treatment benefit was partially lost. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with ritonavir is associated with the emergence of multiple mutations in the HIV-1 protease gene. The mutations L10I, I54V, L63P, A71V, V82A/F and I84V correspond to known drug-resistance mutations for ritonavir and other protease inhibitors. Phenotypic resistance to ritonavir was detected in a majority of ritonavir-treated patients at 1 year of treatment. In addition, long-term ritonavir treatment selects for cross-resistance to the protease inhibitors indinavir and saquinavir. This argues against sequential therapy with several protease inhibitors. Delayed resistance in one patient was accompanied with a prolonged increase in CD4 cell count and decrease in viral load suggesting a temporary benefit of treatment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitative evaluation of the recombinant HIV-1 phenotype to protease inhibitors by a single-step strategy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and optimize a fast and quantitative recombinant strategy for evaluating the HIV-1 phenotype to protease inhibitors (PI). DESIGN AND METHODS: A non-replicative HIV-1 molecular vector (designated pdelta prodelta env) capable of expressing exogenous HIV-1 protease-encoding sequences was developed in this study. The HIV-1 protease sequences were amplified from either viral isolates or plasma samples (both from 21 HIV-1-infected individuals, 19 of whom were failing different anti-HIV-1 combination treatments) and cloned in the pdelta prodelta env backbone. The HIV-1 recombinant phenotype to PI was determined directly after transfection of viral chimeric clones by measuring protease activity and calculating a percentage sensitivity index (SI%; the ratio between the results from each clone and those from a PI-sensitive reference strain). RESULTS: The SI% values obtained from the recombinant clones paralleled the IC50 results of the viral isolates and documented different degrees of resistance and cross-resistance to PI, compatible, with few exceptions, with the respective genotype. Interestingly, an inverse correlation between SI% values and the presence of primary mutations for resistance to PI (P = 0.0038 and P = 0.0414, for indinavir and ritonavir, respectively) and a difference in SI% between samples harbouring an increasing number of mutations (indinavir, P = 0.022; ritonavir, P = 0.0466) were observed. CONCLUSION: The data substantiate the reliability of the novel strategy for a fast (5 day) quantitative evaluation of HIV-1 phenotype to PI, and indicate that this method may contribute to the understanding of mechanisms of virus resistance to PI.

Chimera↗

HIV-protease inhibitors alter retinoic acid synthesis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing rate of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-associated metabolic and morphological abnormalities has been reported in HIV-infected persons. Some of them resemble retinoid-related adverse events, indicating alteration(s) of retinol metabolism or of retinoic acid-mediated signalling. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retinol levels in patients with or without HAART and to assess the effect of antiretroviral agents on retinal dehydrogenase (RALDH), a key enzyme involved in retinoic acid synthesis. DESIGN: Plasma retinol levels, measured in six patients receiving HAART and in five others with no antiretroviral therapy, were correlated with levels of serum retinol-binding proteins. We then studied the effects of seven antiretroviral agents on RALDH activity and gene expression in a kidney-derived cell line (LLCPK). RESULTS: Plasma retinol levels in patients receiving HAART were decreased in comparison with those not receiving antiretroviral drugs (51 +/- 5 versus 66 +/- 11 microg/dl; P = 0.03), whereas retinol-binding protein levels were increased (68 +/- 18 versus 45 +/- 10 mg/l; P = 0.04). RALDH activity was heightened by ritonavir (24%), indinavir (17%), saquinavir (17%), zalcitabine (14%), delavirdine (12%) and nelfinavir (10%) and decreased (22%) by DMP-450. RALDH gene expression was induced only by indinavir. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that certain retinoid-like adverse effects in HAART-receiving patients are not due to higher retinol levels. Enhanced RALDH activity or/and gene expression by some protease inhibitors could increase retinoic acid concentrations. Elevated retinoic acid levels might be responsible for retinoid-like or other adverse effects due to alterations in the expression of retinoic acid-responsive genes.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

Durability and predictors of success of highly active antiretroviral therapy for ambulatory HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the durability and correlates of the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in terms of AIDS-related mortality and morbidity, HIV viremia, and CD4 cell count. DESIGN AND SETTING: The HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS), a prospective observational cohort from eight clinics in the USA that has been running since 1994. PARTICIPANTS: Mortality and opportunistic infection (OI) rates were calculated for 1769 HOPS patients with CD4 cell count ever < 100 x 106/l. Data from 1022 HAART recipients with CD4 cell count ever < 500 x 106/l were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality and AIDS-related OI rates. Treatment success was defined as a reduction in plasma HIV RNA copies/ml of 1.0 log10 or more, or to an undetectable level, with a stable or rising CD4 cell count. Durable success was a successful response lasting at least 12 consecutive months. RESULTS: HAART use remained high; mortality and OIs low. Patients received a mean of 1.8 HAART regimens. Median time on first HAART (n = 1022) was 11.8 months; second HAART (n = 424) 7.4 months; and third HAART (n = 213) 7.2 months. Treatment success was most likely for pre-HAART treatment naive patients; durably successful first HAART most often contained one protease inhibitor, particularly indinavir or nelfinavir (P = 0.006, adjusted for prior antiretroviral therapy). Durable success was most likely with first (49.0%) than with second (29.6%, P = 0.013) or third or more HAART regimens (14.9%, P < 0.0001). Time to success with first HAART was shorter for durable than non-durable responders (3.6 versus 5.3 months, respectively; unadjusted P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Durable response to HAART was associated with being pre-HAART therapy naive, prompt response to HAART, and single protease inhibitor-based initial HAART (indinavir or nelfinavir). Sequential HAART regimens were of progressively shorter duration, demonstrated less viral suppression and CD4 cell count benefit, yet low morbidity and mortality rates were sustained.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Pharmacokinetics of indinavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg twice a day) combined with efavirenz in HIV-infected patients.

A pharmacokinetics study was performed in HIV-infected patients who used indinavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg twice a day) plus efavirenz in the European and South American Study of Indinavir, Efavirenz and Ritonavir. Indinavir plasma concentrations were similar to values previously obtained in healthy volunteers who used the same combination. Efavirenz concentrations were higher than reported before. The pharmacokinetic data suggest that indinavir/ritonavir plus efavirenz (without dose modifications) should be effective in treatment-naive patients, and this was supported by the treatment response of the participants.

Adult↗

Reversible coma caused by risperidone-ritonavir interaction.

Medications that act on the central nervous system are frequently used in people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Actually, drug interactions are an important factor in the treatment of patients with (HIV) infection and because of the complexity of the current drug regimens, clinicians should be trained in order to recognize and manage drug interactions. Herein, we present an HIV infected male admitted for manic behavior and treated with risperidone who developed a profound coma secondary to increased levels of risperidone because of a possible drug interaction with ritonavir and indinavir. Subsequently, we discuss this interaction, rarely described in the literature. Risperidone is a cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6) enzyme substrate and weak inhibitor and a CYP3A4 substrate. Possible interactions with CYP2D6 inhibitors (amiodarone, fluoxetine or ritonavir) and CYP3A4 inhibitors (indinavir and ritonavir) can increase its serum concentrations and produce significant adverse effects. In conclusion, this drug combination should be administered with caution and routinely examined for signs and symptoms of risperidone toxicity. Dosages should be reduced as needed. Finally, we think that in patients taking multiple medications, plasma levels of risperidone should be monitored especially if drug interactions are possible.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Outcome of a second-line protease inhibitor-containing regimen in patients failing or intolerant of a first highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The outcome of second-line protease inhibitor (PI)-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was investigated in 263 patients who were failed by (n = 148) or intolerant of (n = 115) a first HAART regimen. The endpoints were virologic failure (decline in HIV RNA < 1 log10 copies/ml after > or = 2 months) and discontinuation due to intolerance/toxicity. During a median follow-up of 483 days (33-1087 days), 154 patients (59%) discontinued the second regimen, 86 (33%) because of intolerance/toxicity; another 135 patients (51.3%) showed virologic failure. Independent factors associated with virologic failure (Cox's model) were 7 to 12 months of first HAART (hazard ratio [HR] 1.70 versus < or = 6 months: 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.70) and gender (HR 1.58 males versus females: 95% CI, 1.04-2.30); the negatively associated factors were advanced age (HR 0.61 > 34 years versus < or = 34 years: 95% CI, 0.42-0.88), a saquinavir-containing first HAART (HR 0.57 versus indinavir: 95% CI, 0.34-0.93) and change due to intolerance/toxicity (HR 0.58 versus failure: 95% CI, 0.35-0.98). The independent variables predictive of discontinuation due to intolerance/toxicity were the reason for switching (HR 1.79 intolerance versus failure: 95% CI, 1.02-3.16) and the first protease inhibitor (PI) regimen (HR 0.42 ritonavir versus indinavir: 95% CI, 0.22-0.80). Given that patients who are failed by a first regimen are at high risk of having rescue therapy fail as well, second-line regimens including therapies directed by testing of drug resistance patterns of clinical viral isolates are warranted. Patients experiencing toxicity due to a first PI-containing regimen are at risk of toxicity to other PIs and should be addressed to PI-sparing HAART.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

MDR1 G1199A polymorphism alters permeability of HIV protease inhibitors across P-glycoprotein-expressing epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the human multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) G1199A polymorphism (amino acid change Ser400Asn) on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-dependent transepithelial permeability and uptake kinetics of HIV protease inhibitors (PI), by using recombinant epithelial cells expressing wild-type MDR1 (MDR1wt) or the G1199A variant (MDR1(1199A)). METHODS: Using a recombinant expression system developed previously, the transepithelial permeability and uptake kinetic parameters of five PI, amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir were estimated across polarized epithelial cells. RESULTS: For all PI, the transepithelial permeability ratio (basolateral-to-apical transport divided by apical-to-basolateral transport) was significantly greater in MDR1(1199A) cells than MDR1wt cells: amprenavir (1.7-fold), indinavir (1.8-fold), lopinavir (1.5-fold), ritonavir (2.8-fold), and saquinavir (2.1-fold). However, the impact of G1199A on P-gp activity appeared to primarily influence drug permeability in the apical-to-basolateral direction. Kinetic analysis of ritonavir and saquinavir uptake by MDR1wt- and MDR1(1199A)-expressing cells showed that Vmax was similar, while uptake Km was significantly higher in cells expressing the G1199A variant suggesting that alterations in P-gp-dependent efflux mediated by G1199A were due to changes in transporter affinity. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in transepithelial permeability of HIV PI due to the G1199A polymorphism may impact oral bioavailability of PI and penetration into cells and tissues of the lymphoid and central nervous systems.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Adverse effects of antiretroviral drugs on HIV-1-infected and -uninfected human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Antiretroviral drugs approved for treatment of HIV-1 infection include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). Use of these drugs in combinations (highly active antiretroviral therapy) has delayed disease progression. However, long-term therapy is associated with potentially serious adverse effects. NRTIs are thought to contribute to these adverse effects via depletion of mtDNA. Inasmuch as macrophages (major targets for HIV-1) are highly metabolically active with large numbers of mitochondria, we investigated the effects of NRTIs (didanosine, stavudine, lamivudine, and zidovudine) on the viability and function of HIV-1-infected and -uninfected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). We demonstrate that the combinations didanosine/stavudine and lamivudine/zidovudine decrease mtDNA content in MDMs, with HIV-1-infected MDMs displaying a greater reduction than uninfected cells. This decrease correlated with decreased complement-mediated phagocytosis (C'MP) by MDMs, a process dependent on mitochondrial function. Inasmuch as PIs have previously been reported to interact with cellular proteases and given that cellular proteases are involved in the phagocytic process, we investigated the effects of the PI indinavir on C'MP. We demonstrate that indinavir augments C'MP by uninfected MDMs, but not HIV-1-infected MDMs. This study provides additional understanding on the effects of commonly used antiretroviral drugs on cellular immune function.

Cell Survival↗

Determinants of long-term highly active antiretroviral treatment efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: Predictors of the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been investigated in several studies. To increase current knowledge, the study aimed to acquire comprehensive data over an extended observation time, to obtain information on possible performance differences among individual drugs, and to identify factors with influence on the initial response to a HAART regimen and the sustainability of the response. METHODS: The data were obtained from a prospective, single University Medical School HIV cohort. Clinical, laboratory, and treatment parameters for 475 patients were collected over 4.5 years. HAART efficacy was determined by analysis of variance and multivariate survival analysis. RESULTS: The overall initial complete response (CR) (<500 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) was 76.3%. Use of indinavir [odds ratio (OR)=2.747, P=0.0009] and the number of new nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (OR=1.862, P=0.0017) were positively associated with CR, while initial peripheral blood HIV RNA concentration (OR=0.383, P<0.0001), use of saquinavir hard gel capsules (OR=0.531, P=0.0302), the number of successive HAART regimens (OR=0.631, P<0.0001), and the number of previously used NRTIs (OR=0.728, P=0.0081) were negatively associated with CR. Sustainability of CR was positively correlated with use of indinavir [hazard ratio of relapse (HR)=0.255, P<0.0001] and haemoglobin levels (HR=0.873, P=0.0124), but negatively correlated with initial HIV RNA concentration (HR=1.273, P=0.0003) and the number of previously used NRTIs (HR=1.587, P<0.0001). A higher number of consecutive HAART regimens was associated with a markedly reduced CR, but with only a slightly higher risk of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The initial response to HAART, as well as long-term efficacy, depends strongly on a few fundamental parameters that can easily be assessed in a clinical setting. There is a need for effective suppression of HIV replication over decades, and these factors should be considered early in treatment planning to identify patients with an unfavourable profile of risk factors for treatment failure.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Effect of GB virus C on response to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected Brazilians.

OBJECTIVES: GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is associated with delayed mortality in HIV-infected people in most, but not all, studies. Previous investigations of the effect of GBV-C viraemia on response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were inconclusive. To determine the effect of GBV-C on ART, we retrospectively analysed plasma samples taken from patients in a prospective randomized clinical trial of ART in HIV-positive Brazilians. METHODS: GBV-C viraemia was characterized by testing stored serum samples from 175 participants by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subjects were randomized to receive indinavir (n=59), zidovudine and lamivudine (n=58), or zidovudine, lamivudine and indinavir (n=58). The effect of GBV-C viraemia on the average change in HIV viral load and CD4 count following initiation of therapy was evaluated in a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of GBV-C viraemia was similar to that observed in previous studies (24%). HIV viral load decreased following ART to a significantly greater extent in patients with GBV-C viraemia (by 0.48 log(10) HIV-1 RNA copies/mL, P=0.009, adjusting for age, ART group, and baseline CD4 count). Although there was no significant difference in change in CD4 count between individuals with and without GBV-C viraemia overall, CD4 counts were higher following 48 weeks of therapy in GBV-C viraemic individuals receiving the least potent ART regimen (zidovudine and lamivudine) compared with those without GBV-C infection. CONCLUSIONS: GBV-C viraemia is associated with an enhanced reduction of HIV viral load in response to ART. In this study of treatment-naive individuals during 48 weeks of follow up, patients with GBV-C viraemia had reductions in HIV viral load that were approximately 0.5 log copies/mL greater than those found in patients without GBV-C viraemia. This is similar to reductions observed with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Adult↗

Emergence of protease inhibitor resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates from patients and rapid screening procedure for their detection.

Patient human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates that are resistant to protease inhibitors may contain amino acid substitutions L10I/V, M46L/I, G-48V, L63P, V82A/F/T, I84V, and L90M in the protease gene. Substitutions at positions 82 and/or 90 occur in variants that display high levels of resistance to certain protease inhibitors. Nucleotide substitutions at these two sites also lead to the loss of two HindII restriction enzyme digestion sites, and these changes make possible a rapid procedure for the detection of drug-resistant variants in patients on protease inhibitor therapy. This procedure was used to detect the emergence of mutated viruses at various times after the initiation of therapy with the HIV-1 protease inhibitor indinavir. The method includes viral RNA isolation from plasma and reverse transcription PCR amplification of the protease gene with fluorescence-tagged primers. The PCR product is digested with HindII, the cleavage products are separated on a urea-acrylamide gel in a DNA sequencer, and the extent of cleavage is automatically analyzed with commercially available software. In viruses from 34 blood samples from four patients, mutations leading to an amino acid change at residue 82 appeared as early as 6 weeks after the start of therapy and persisted throughout the course of the study period (48 weeks). Mutations leading to double substitutions at residues 82 and 90 were seen at a lower frequency and appeared later than the change at position 82. The changes detected by restriction enzyme cleavage were confirmed by DNA sequencing of the cloned protease genes by reverse transcription PCR amplification of viral RNA from isolates in plasma. In addition to the changes at positions 82 and 90, we have identified M46L/I, G48V, and I54V substitutions in isolates derived from indinavir-treated patients. HindII analysis of uncloned, PCR-amplified DNA offers a rapid screening procedure for the detection of virus isolates containing mutations at amino acid residues 82 and 90 in the HIV-1 protease gene. By using other restriction enzymes, the same method can be used to detect additional protease drug-resistant variants and is generally applicable for the detection of mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activities of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor nelfinavir mesylate in combination with reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors against acute HIV-1 infection in vitro.

Nelfinavir mesylate (formerly AG1343) is a potent and selective, nonpeptidic inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease that was discovered by protein structure-based design methodologies. We evaluated the antiviral and cytotoxic effects of two-drug combinations of nelfinavir with the clinically approved antiretroviral therapeutics zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine (3TC), dideoxycytidine (ddC; zalcitabine), stavudine (d4T), didanosine (ddI), indinavir, saquinavir, and ritonavir and a three-drug combination of nelfinavir with ZDV and 3TC against an acute HIV-1 strain RF infection of CEM-SS cells in vitro. Quantitative assessment of drug interaction was evaluated by a universal response surface approach (W. R. Greco, G. Bravo, and J. C. Parsons, Pharm. Rev. 47:331-385, 1995) and by the method of M. N. Prichard and C. Shipman (Antiviral Res. 14:181-206, 1990). Both analytical methods yielded similar results and showed that the two-drug combinations of nelfinavir with the reverse transcriptase inhibitors ZDV, 3TC, ddI, d4T, and ddC and the three-drug combination with ZDV and 3TC resulted in additive to statistically significant synergistic interactions. In a similar manner, the combination of nelfinavir with the three protease inhibitors resulted in additive (ritonavir and saquinavir) to slightly antagonistic (indinavir) interactions. In all combinations, minimal cellular cytotoxicity was observed with any drug alone and in combination. These results suggest that administration of combinations of the appropriate doses of nelfinavir with other currently approved antiretroviral therapeutic agents in vivo may result in enhanced antiviral activity with no associated increase in cellular cytotoxicity.

Cell Survival↗