Study on disease progression and efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients in Jilin city

  Objective   To evaluate disease pro gression and efficacy of hig hly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)in 93 HIV/AIDS patients in jinlin city, and to provide scientific basis to work outa guideline for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in China.

  Methods   93 HIV-seropositive individuals were enrolled in a prospective study.Anti-HCV was detected by ELISA method.Disease progression was determined by detecting CD₄⁺ Tcell counts every three months.Viral load, CD₄⁺ Tcell counts, clinical manifestations, drug related adverse events and adherence were monitored for HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAAER during 52 weeks follow-up.

  Results   In 93 HIV-1 infected individuals, 92.5%(86/93)were HCV antibody positive and infected through illegal donation blood.88 individuals infected HIV over 8 years, the per centage of patients with baseline CD₄⁺ Tcell counts < 200 cells/mm³, 200~500 cells/mm³ were 20.5%, 50%, 29.5% respectively.The mean viral load of 23 HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAARTwas 5.06 log copies/ml(4.39×10⁵copies/ml)atbaseline and decreased 3.47 log copies/ml after 52 weeks treatment(P < 0.001)and the viral load level of 70%(16/23)patients became undetectable(< 400 copies/ml).The mean CD₄⁺ Tcell counts of the 23 patients increased 48 cells/mm³ after 52 week treatment(P < 0.05).

  Conclusion   There are some HIV-1 infected individuals with delayed disease prog ression in Jilin city.HAARTis effective in reducing HIV-RNA and impr oving immune functions at 52 weeks, butthe rate of peripheral neuropathy is high by combining Didanosine(ddI)and Stavudine(d4T).Monitoring clinical pro gression and efficacy HAARTare importantfor antiretroviral therapy initation and regimen adjustment.