梅毒合并HIV感染41例临床分析

目的观察梅毒合并HIV感染的临床表现及转归,探讨梅毒对已进行高效反转录抗病毒治疗（HAART）的HIV感染者血浆CD4^＋T细胞计数及病毒载量的影响。方法对41例梅毒合并HIV感染患者的性别、好发人群、临床表现、实验室检查及转归进行回顾性分析。并分别选择24例HIV单独及共梅毒感染者进行HAART,分析梅毒对CD4^＋T细胞计数与病毒载量的影响。结果在340例HIV感染者中,梅毒阳性者41例（10．2％）。男性同性恋人群是梅毒和HIV共感染的高危人群。经有效驱梅治疗梅毒滴度降低较满意。共感染者经HAART后CD4^＋T细胞计数增加不明显或降低,但病毒载量没有明显变化。结论梅毒不仅能增加传播HIV的几率,而且能够降低HIV感染者的免疫能力。     

HIV／AIDS患者血浆病毒载量及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的变化

目的：观察国内HIV／AIDS患者血浆病毒载量和外周血CD4^ 、CD8^ T淋巴细胞的变化，探讨这些变化的临床意义。方法：选择未经抗病毒治疗的HIV／AIDS患者124例，用bDNA法检测血浆病毒载量，并用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4^ 、CD8^ T淋巴细胞。结果：AIDS患者的血浆病毒载量明显高于HIV感染者，血浆病毒载量与CD4^ 细胞计数呈显著负相关，但其最高峰位于CD4^ 细胞计数100／μl处，然后随着CD4^ 细胞计数的下降而减少。CD4^ T细胞计数为AIDS组＜HIV组＜正常对照组：HIV感染者的CD8^ T细胞计数显著高于正常组和AIDS组，而AIDS患者CD8^ T细胞数则随着CD4^ T细胞减少而下降。结论：血浆病毒载量随着疾病进展而显著升高，但在疾病晚期则有所降低。外周血CD4^ T细胞计数随着疾病的进展而进行性减少；CD8^ T细胞计数在感染早期显著升高，进入晚期则减少。在评价HIV感染者和AIDS患者病情时，应结合病毒载量、CD4^ 、CD8^ T细胞计数综合分析。     

13例HIV/HBV重叠感染患者的实验指标分析

目的了解艾滋病病毒与乙型肝炎病毒（HIV/HBV）重叠感染患者的临床特征,分析HIV与HBV在疾病进展中的相互作用。方法回顾性分析、比较13例HIV/HBV重叠感染组、28例单纯HIV感染组、28例单纯HBV感染组患者,在免疫功能、肝脏功能及血常规方面的差异。结果免疫功能检测：CD4^＋T细胞计数和CD4^＋/CD8^＋T细胞比值表现为HIV/HBV重叠感染组〈单纯HIV组〈单纯HBV组（P〈0.01）;肝脏功能检测：HIV/HBV重叠感染组与单纯HIV感染组各项指标无显著性差异,而单纯HBV组的丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、总胆红素显著高于（P〈0.01）或高于（P〈0.05）另外两组;血常规检测：HIV/HBV重叠感染组和单纯HIV组各指标无显著性差异,但与单纯HBV组比较,则红细胞和血红蛋白显著降低（P〈0.01）,血小板明显升高（P〈0.01）。结论研究结果初步提示,HIV与HBV重叠感染后,可能减轻患者的肝细胞损伤,进一步降低患者的免疫功能。     

广西地区未感染HIV婴儿T淋巴细胞及亚群的研究

目的探讨广西地区未感染艾滋病病毒（HIV）婴儿T淋巴细胞及亚群的基本特征,为初步排除并辅助诊断HIV阳性产妇所生婴儿是否感染HIV提供依据。方法收集68例未感染HIV婴儿（未感染组）和13例感染HIV婴儿（对照组）的抗凝全血,用四色荧光流式细胞术检测外周血CD3＋、CD4＋、CD8＋T淋巴细胞绝对数及其百分比,并计算CD4/CD8比值;用Nuclisens EasyQ方法检测血浆HIV-1病毒载量。结果 （1）未感染组外周血CD3＋、CD4＋、CD8＋T淋巴细胞绝对数（细胞/mm3）的中位数分别为4 5702、8181、410;CD3、CD4、CD8的百分比中位数分别为61.42%、39.39%、18.40%;CD4/CD8比值的中位数为2.25;在未感染组中,男性婴儿与女性婴儿的T淋巴细胞及亚群的比较,各检测指标差异没有统计学意义（P〉0.05）;血浆HIV-1病毒载量均为未检测出水平。（2）对照组外周血CD3＋、CD4＋、CD8＋T淋巴细胞绝对数的中位数分别为4 930、1 4603、326（细胞/mm3）;CD3、CD4、CD8百分比的中位数分别为69.95%、13.77%、54.69%;CD4/CD8比值的中位数为0.25;血浆HIV-1病毒载量的中位数为800 000（拷贝/ml）。（3）除CD3＋T淋巴细胞绝对数之外,未感染组与对照组的CD4＋、CD8＋T淋巴细胞绝对数、CD3、CD4、CD8百分比及CD4/CD8比值的比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论在资源有限的情况下,参考婴儿T淋巴细胞及亚群的异常变化,可初步判断HIV阳性产妇所生婴儿是否感染HIV,T淋巴细胞及亚群的检测,可以作为一种辅助诊断HIV感染的手段。     

流式细胞术分析HIV-1高暴露持续血清阴性人群淋巴细胞亚群

目的了解经性传播途径高暴露不易感人群淋巴细胞亚群的差异,分析其与艾滋病病毒Ⅰ型（HIV-1）不易感的关系,探讨经性途径高暴露HIV不易感的免疫基础。方法收集37例经性传播途径高暴露HIV-1持续血清阴性者（Highly exposed and persistently remain seronegative,简称HEPS人群）、65例HIV-1感染者（简称HIV阳性人群）及128例健康对照人群（简称HC人群）的抗凝全血,用流式细胞仪检测相关淋巴细胞亚群,并分析其相关性。结果HEPS人群与HC人群外周血淋巴细胞亚群差异没有统计学意义;HIV阳性人群外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞数量、CD4/CD8比值显著低于HEPS和HC两组人群（P〈0.001）,CD8^＋T淋巴细胞数量则显著高于该两组人群（P〈0.001）;HIV阳性人群外周血CD19^＋B淋巴细胞、CD16^＋CD56^＋NK细胞数量显著低于HEPS人群和HC人群。HEPS人群的CD19^＋B淋巴细胞数量与CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞数量呈显著正相关,而CD16^＋CD56^＋NK细胞数量与其CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞数量无相关性。结论经性途径高暴露HIV-1持续血清阴性人群的淋巴细胞亚群,和健康对照人群比较无显著性差异,HIV感染可明显降低CD4^＋T淋巴细胞、CD19^＋B淋巴细胞和CD16^＋CD56^＋NK细胞数量。     

人类免疫缺陷病毒和丙型肝炎病毒重叠感染者的临床及免疫特征

目的 观察人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)和HCV重叠感染者与慢性丙型肝炎患者临床特征及HCV特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)的数量及功能,探讨两组患者免疫功能的差异及其可能的影响因素.方法 以HIV和HCV重叠感染患者59例、慢性丙型肝炎患者36例为研究对象,取治疗前外周血检测肝脏生物化学指标、血常规、外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(CD4+T、CD8+T淋巴细胞计数)及HIV、HCV病毒载量,以酶联免疫斑点法检测HCV特异性CTL的数量和功能,统计学分析两组问免疫功能的差异及与上述检测指标的相关性. 结果 中国河南省有偿献血、单采血浆人群HIV感染者中HIV和HCV重叠感染率达60.8%.ALT、AST值在重叠感染组与HCV组间差异无统计学意义;球蛋白在重叠感染组为(40.3±5.8)g/L,HCV组为(32.8±6.3)g/L,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).重叠感染组外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞数明显低于HCV组(P＜0.01),而CD8+T淋巴细胞数高于HCV组(P＜0.01).重叠感染组HCV RNA定量高于HCV组(P＜0.01).重叠感染组对HCV-NS3区肽段的反应强度(每106个外周血单个核淋巴细胞中斑点形成细胞的个数)较HCV组弱,649.34±685.90对比1233.70±1085.16,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).重叠感染组白蛋白与HCV病毒载量呈现负相关(r=0.540);重叠感染组对HCV-NS3区肽段反应强度与HIV病毒载量负相关(r=0.356);重叠感染患者CD4+T淋巴细胞数与血小板正相关(P＜0.05).但未见重叠感染组HCV RNA与CD4+T淋巴细胞数量及HIVRNA水平有相关关系.结论 重叠HIV感染有利于HCV的复制,而HIV载量可影响针对HCV的特异性免疫反应,HIV载量高则不利于HCV的清除.慢性丙型肝炎患者重叠HIV感染时,病情易慢性化,预后更差.     

CD4＋T淋巴细胞增殖与艾滋病疾病进展的关系研究

目的探讨CD4＋T淋巴细胞增殖与中国艾滋病病毒（HIV-1）感染者疾病进展的关系。方法用羧基荧光素乙酰乙酸（CFSE）示踪染色法,检测中国正常人、感染HIV-1的典型进展者（TP）和长期不进展者（LTNP）CD4＋T淋巴细胞增殖情况,并对三组人群CD4＋T淋巴细胞的增殖能力进行比较。结果与正常人对照相比,TP和LT-NP病例的CD4＋T淋巴细胞增殖系数（PI）和CFSElowCD4＋T淋巴细胞比例均明显降低（P〈0.01,P〈0.05;P〈0.01,P〈0.01）;其中TP病例的PI和CFSElowCD4＋T淋巴细胞的比例又低于LTNP病例（P〈0.01,P〈0.01）。对于HIV-1感染者（包括TP和LTNP病例）,CFSElowCD4＋T淋巴细胞比例和PI与CD4＋T淋巴细胞计数均呈正相关（R=0.946,P〈0.01;R=0.585,P〈0.05）,与病毒载量均呈负相关（R=-0.634,P〈0.05;R=-0.528,P〈0.05）。结论 CD4＋T淋巴细胞增值能力和艾滋病疾病进展相关,CD4＋T淋巴细胞保持较高的增殖能力,对中国HIV-1感染者长期不进展是一种保护因素。     

MSM HIV感染者外周血中ADCC反应水平与HIV-1感染早期病毒载量的关系

目的在艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染早期,观察HIV-1特异性抗体依赖的细胞毒性作用（ADCC）与病程进展的关系。方法利用HIV-1特异性多肽刺激和多色流式技术,对前期采集的、感染时间在1年以内的男男性行为人群（MSM）标本进行ADCC检测。结果共采集HIV-1感染者标本58份,CD4＋T淋病细胞计数与外周血病毒载量呈明显负相关（r=-0.281 6,P=0.032 3）。ADCC检测结果显示,病毒载量与HIV-1Pol特异性CD2＋IFN-γ＋细胞占CD3-细胞的比例呈显著的正相关（r=0.260 7,P=0.046 2）;而病毒载量与HIV-1Gp120特异性CD2＋CD107a＋细胞占CD3-[A1]细胞的比例呈显著负相关（r=-0.342 9,P=0.009 0）。结论在HIV-1感染早期,感染者体内即可产生针对Pol和Env蛋白的ADCC反应,其中针对Gp120蛋白的ADCC反应具有控制病程进展的作用。     

我国部分地区未治疗HIV感染人群的病毒载量趋势分析

目的了解中国艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者体内病毒载量状况,及病毒载量与临床指征之间的相互关系;为中国艾滋病的预防和抗病毒研究提供基础数据。方法回顾性分析中国2003-2005年间检测的HIV感染者的病毒载量和CD4计数等数据,用SAS9.1进行统计分析,非参数检验。结果中国未治疗的HIV感染人群其病毒载量的最大浓度区域,2005年为10^4-10^5拷贝/ml,浓度从2003年的11.2%,2004年19.7%上升到2005年33.6%。中国未治疗的HIV感染人群的病毒载量随着CD4数的升高而减小,病毒载量的中位数,CD4〈200时为5.16lg/ml,CD4〉500时为2.77lg/ml（P〈0.0001）。未治疗组男性病人的病毒载量中位数为4.52lg/ml,高于女性的3.84lg/ml（P〈0.0005）,差异有统计学意义。结论病毒载量是监测HIV感染者的病程,评估抗病毒治疗的重要指标。中国未治疗的HIV感染人群的病毒载量呈现逐年上升的趋势,应尽早开展抗病毒治疗。     

2005年陕西省HIV耐药监测结果分析

目的 评估陕西省艾滋病高效抗逆转录病毒治疗（HAART）效果，及时发现艾滋病病毒（HIV）耐药毒株。方法 选择26例艾滋病（AIDS）治疗患者和2例待治疗HIV感染者作为监测对象，进行横断面调查，填写调查问卷，采集20ml抗凝血，检测病毒载量、CD4^＋T淋巴细胞计数和基因型耐药变异。结果 26例治疗患者在4种方案HAART治疗2～23个月（平均15个月）后，临床症状明显改善，20例（76．9％）治疗患者病毒复制得到有效控制，11例（42．3％）血浆病毒载量在检测水平以下；CD4^＋T淋巴细胞绝对计数平均为346．8±164．0个／mm^3，其中9例（34％）〉400个／mm^3。28例HIV／AIDS患者均未出现原发性耐药变异。结论 4种治疗方案疗效良好，均可有效抑制HIV-1复制，促进机体免疫重建，改善临床症状，无原发性耐药变异发生，未检出耐药毒株。     

Inverse relationship between the titre of TT virus DNA and the CD4 cell count in patients infected with HIV

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and relative titre of TT virus (TTV) DNA, and to examine the relationship between the extent of TTV viraemia and the immune status among 144 patients with HIV infection; 178 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were also studied. METHODS: TTV DNA was detected quantitatively by two distinct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods [untranslated region (UTR) and N22]. UTR PCR detects all TTV genotypes, and N22 PCR can primarily detect four major TTV genotypes (1-4). RESULTS: Using UTR PCR and N22 PCR, respectively, TTV DNA was detected significantly more frequently in HIV-infected patients than in controls (99 versus 91%, P < 0.001; 56 versus 27%, P < 0.0001), and the relative titre (10N/ml) was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients [4.5 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- SD) versus 3.1 +/- 0.9, P < 0.0001; 2.6 +/- 1.5 versus 1.5 +/- 0.9, P < 0.0001]. Age, sex, co-infection with hepatitis B or C virus, and risk factors for HIV transmission did not appear to be significant factors associated with the titre of TTV viraemia. However, the titre of TTV DNA was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with AIDS (P < 0.0001), those with low CD4 T cell count (P < 0.0001), or those with high HIV viral loads (P = 0.0047). CONCLUSION: TTV is highly prevalent and high-titred in HIV-infected patients. The TTV viral load may reflect the degree of immune status of these immunocompromised hosts.     

Prevalence and persistence of a novel DNA TT virus (TTV) infection in Japanese haemophiliacs

To clarify the clinical implication of a newly discovered 'TT virus (TTV)', we assayed TTV DNA in sera from 50 haemophiliacs by a seminested-PCR. TTV DNA was detected in 75% (35/50), which was a much higher prevalence than for HBV (HBc-Ab), HCV RNA, or HGV RNA. In particular, TTV DNA was found in 44.4% (4/8) of patients who had been treated only with virally inactivated factor VIII concentrates. Elevated ALT levels were observed in patients with HCV RNA and TTV DNA; however, the elevation in TTV DNA was obtained from patients co-infected with HCV RNA (62.9%, 22/35). There was no significant difference in ALT levels between TTV DNA-positive and DNA-negative in patients without HCV RNA. 85.3% (35/41) of TTV DNA-positive sera in 1990 were again positive for TTV DNA in 1995. These findings suggest that many haemophiliacs have been infected with TTV. Although TTV infection was not associated with serum ALT elevation, persistent TTV infection may contribute to cryptogenic hepatic failure in haemophiliacs.     

人类免疫缺陷病毒感染的静脉吸毒者TT病毒的检测和部分基因序列分析

目的 研究人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染的静脉吸毒者TT病毒（TTV）感染情况和基因序列变化。方法 用聚合酶链反应（PCR）对35例HIV感染的静脉吸毒者（IVDUs),64例HIV未感染的IVDUs及45例正常献血员进行TTV DNA检测。对其中2例HIV感染的IVDUs和1例HIV未感染的IVDUs的TTV DNA部分基因核苷酸序列进行测定。结果 TTV DNA在HIV感染的IVDUs中检出率为25．71％（9／35）,HIV未感染的IVDUs中检出率为17．18％（11／64）,两者差异无显著性（P＞0．05）,正常献血员中的检出率为2．2％（1／45）。对2例HIV感染的IVDUs TTV DNA部分基因核苷酸序列与日本株比较,其同源性分别为96．44％和95．79％,对1例HIV未感染的IVDUs的TTV DAN部分基因核苷酸序列与日本株比较其同源性为98．25％;HIV感染和HIV未感染的IVDUs TTV DNA核苷酸序列比较,HVI感染者在被测定序列的第299－309位碱基有较大的变 异。结论 静脉吸毒是TTV感染的高危因素,TTV在IVDUs中感染率与HIV感染无明显相关性;HVI感染和HIV未感染者TTV DNA序列可能存在一定差异。     

High rate of TTV infection in multitransfused patients with pediatric malignancy and hematological disorders

The prevalence of transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) infection has not been known in patients suffering from pediatric malignancies and hematological disorders who receive blood transfusion and/or blood products during treatment. Blood samples were taken from 75 patients. TTV infection was identified when TTV DNA was detected in serum by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA were also assayed by PCR. TTV DNA was detected in 38 of 75 patients (51%). In 4 of 38 patients, the amount of blood transfused was less than 3 units. By time since last transfusion, TTV DNA was detected in 12 of 35 patients after more than 4 years, 12 of 21 between 1 and 4 years, and 14 of 19 within 1 year. Six patients had mixed infection of TTV and HCV, and 12 patients had mixed infection of TTV and HGV. Three different kinds of virus were found simultaneously in serum from 3 patients. Eight out of 75 patients showed abnormal levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>40 IU/liter), and 3 of them had TTV DNA. All patients who had TTV DNA and elevated ALT levels also were positive for HCV RNA and HGV RNA. The prevalence of TTV infection is high in patients with pediatric malignancies and hematological disorders after episodes of blood transfusion. Transfusion is one of the most important risk factors for TTV infection regardless of the amount of blood transfused.     

Investigation of HGVand TTVinfection in sera and saliva from non—hepatitis patients with oral diseases

AIM：To determine the frequencies of HGVand TTVinfections in serum and saliva samples of non-hepatitis patients with oral diseases in Hangzhou area,and to understand the correlation between detected results of HGVRNAand/orTTVDNAin sera and in saliva from the same patients.METHODS:RT-nested PCRfor HGVRNAdetection and semi-nestedPCRfor TTVDNAdetection were performed in the serum and saliva samples from226non-hepatits patients with oral diseases,and nucleotide sequence analysis.RESULTS:Twenty-seven(11.9%)and21(9.3%)of the 226serum samples were only positive for HGVRNAand TTVDNA,respectively,10(4.4%)and9(3.9%)of the 226saliva samples were only positive for HGVNA and TTVDNA,respectively.And7(3.1%)ofthe serum samples and2(0.9%)of the saliva samples showed the positive amplification results for bothHGVRNAand TTVDNA.12saliva samples from the 34patients(35.3%)withHGVor HGV/TTVviremia and 11saliva samples from the 28patients(39.3%)with TTV or HGV/TTVviremia were HGVRNAdetectable,respctively,including two patients positive for bothHGVRNAand TTVDNAin serum and saliva samples.No saliva samples from the 226patients were found to be HGVRNAor TTVDNAdetectable while their serum samples were negative for HGVorTTV.Homologies of the nucleotide sequences of HGVand TTVamplification products from the serum and saliva samples of the two patients compared with the reported sequences were 88.65&#177;91.49%and65.32-66.67%,respectively,In comparison with the nucleotide sequences of amplification products between serun and fromsaliva sample from any one of the two patients,the homlogies were98.58%and 99.29%for HGV,and were98.65%and98.20%forTTV,respectively.CONCLUSION:Relatively high carrying rates of HGVand/orTTVin the sera of non-hepatitis patients with oral diseases in Hangzhou area are demonstrated.Parts of the carriers are HGVand/orTTVpositive in their saliva.The results of this study indicate that dentists may be one of the populations with high risk for HGVand/orTTVinfection.and by way of saliva HGV and TTVmay be transmitted among individuals.     

Effects of HAART on hepatitis C, hepatitis G, and TT virus in multiply coinfected HIV-positive patients with haemophilia

In multiply coinfected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, we investigated the effects of high-activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) using HIV protease inhibitors on three other viruses: hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis G virus (HGV), and TT virus (TTV). Viral concentrations were measured serially by polymerase chain reaction methods in five patients with quadruple infection (HIV, HCV, HGV, and TTV) and in two patients with triple infection (HIV, HCV, and HGV) before and during HAART. In addition, CD4+ cell counts and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured serially. Generally we observed no difference in serum HCV RNA, HGV RNA, or TTV DNA concentrations between samples obtained before and after initiation of HAART, whereas HIV RNA concentration decreased and CD4 counts increased in most patients. However, two patients had markedly decreased concentrations of HCV RNA and HGV RNA, respectively, more than 12 months after beginning HAART. Normalization of serum ALT levels was observed in a patient with decline of HCV RNA concentrations. No interactions were observed among these four viruses. HAART had no apparent direct effects on HCV, HGV, or TTV. Further studies will be required to elucidate whether the restoration of immune status through suppression of HIV replication by HAART may affect HCV or HGV RNA concentrations.     

Analysis of lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons for HIV DNA

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects and depletes or alters the function of cells involved in immune responsiveness. While both T helper lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages can be infected via cell-surface CD4 in vitro, previous studies showed that few blood cells express HIV RNA in vivo. This study used DNA amplification to determine the levels of HIV DNA in purified lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils from HIV-infected asymptomatic individuals and persons with AIDS. The average numbers of HIV DNA copies in lymphocytes from AIDS patients and asymptomatic individuals were similar (approximately 100-140 copies/150,000 cells). However, when expressed on the basis of numbers of CD4+ T cells, AIDS patients' cells contained approximately 2.5 times more HIV DNA. While HIV DNA was present in lymphocytes from all 27 subjects, little or no HIV DNA was observed in monocytes or neutrophils. Only 1 asymptomatic person contained levels of HIV DNA in monocytes (125 proviral copies/150,000 cells) that were comparable to levels expressed in lymphocytes (160/150,000). While expression of monocyte HIV DNA in this person was persistent over at least 8 months, it was not observed in neutrophils, suggesting that monocyte HIV DNA did not originate in myeloid precursors. This study shows that in AIDS or asymptomatic HIV infection, lymphocytes are the predominant infected cell found in blood.     

Response of TT virus to IFN plus ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: TT virus (TTV) is a newly described DNA virus related to postransfusion hepatitis that produces persistent viremia in the absence of clinical manifestations. PEG-IFN plus ribavirin have been useful in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. This study investigated the responses ofTT virus(TTV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to PEG-IFN plus ribavirin therapy. METHODS: Fifteen patients infected with HCV were treated with PEG-IFN(0.5 μg/body weight/week) and ribavirin(1 000 mg-1 200 mg/daily) for 48 weeks. Blood samples were drawn at the beginning and the end of the therapy. Serum TTV DNA and HCV RNA were quantified by real time PCR. RESULTS: At the beginning of treatment, TIV infection was detected in 10/15 (66.6%) of HCV-infected patients. Loss of serum Trv DNA at the end of therapy occurred in 6/10(60%) patients. Out of these 6 patients, 4 (67%) became positive for TTV DNA after 6 months of therapy. Regarding HCV viremia, 11/15 (73%) patients were negative for serum HCV RNA after 48 weeks of therapy, 7/11 (64%) of these cases also became negative for TTV DNA following the combined treatment. In the 3/4 (75%) patients who were positive for HCV RNA at the end of therapy, TTV DNA was detected as well. Sustained HCV response at 6 months after treatment was 53% (8/15). CONCLUSION: No TTV sustained response can be achieved in any patient after PEG-IFN plus ribavirin administration.     

Infection with TT virus, a novel transfusion-transmissible DNA virus, in haemophiliacs and in blood products

We evaluated the characteristics and rate of infection with TT virus (TTV), a novel DNA virus, in Japanese haemophiliacs. TTV DNA was measured in 60 haemophiliacs by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction. Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis G virus (HGV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was also evaluated. In addition, the rate of detection of TTV DNA in blood products was evaluated. TTV DNA was detected in 35/60 haemophiliacs (58.3%). There were no differences in the backgrounds or characteristics between haemophiliacs with and without TTV infection, except for higher levels of IgG and IgM in patients with TTV infection. In patients infected with TTV of types other than type 1, which are rarely detected in Japan, the rate of co-infection with HCV of imported types was high; TTV of types other than type 1 in Japanese haemophiliacs were probably transmitted by imported blood products. TTV DNA was detected in over half of the blood products tested, but TTV DNA concentrations in these products were lower than in the serum of haemophiliacs.     

Early levels of HIV-1 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are predictive of disease progression independently of HIV-1 RNA levels and CD4+ T cell counts

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to assess the role of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoirs in the risk of disease progression, by studying the relationship between HIV DNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and progression toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: HIV-1 DNA levels in PBMCs were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for 383 patients enrolled in the SEROCO Cohort Study who had experienced seroconversion and had been followed up for >8 years. We compared the predictive values of HIV DNA level, HIV RNA level, and CD4+ cell count. RESULTS: Between 6 and 24 months after seroconversion, HIV DNA level was a major predictor of progression to AIDS independently of HIV RNA level and CD4+ T cell count (adjusted relative risk [RR] for a 1-log(10) increase, 3.20 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.70-6.00]). HIV DNA level was also a major predictor of disease progression during the first 6 months after seroconversion (adjusted RR, 4.16 [95% CI, 1.70-10.21]), when HIV RNA level and CD4+ T cell count were less predictive. Thus, a combination of these 3 markers provides the best estimate of the risk of disease progression for each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HIV DNA level could be a useful additional marker in clinical practice and could aid in helping to define the best time to initiate treatment for each patient.