Haematologica, Vol 91, Issue 2, 244-247
Copyright © 2006 by Ferrata Storti Foundation
Differential dynamics of Epstein-Barr virus in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 receiving intermittent interleukin-2 and antiretroviral therapy
N Burighel,
S Ghezzi,
S Nozza,
P Del Bianco,
A Lazzarin,
G Tambussi,
G Poli,
and
A De Rossi
Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Section of Oncology, AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Italy.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) increases circulating CD4(+) lymphocytes in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1. We studied Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) dynamics in 40 patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) plus different IL-2 regimens. EBV-DNA tended to increase in both peripheral blood cells and plasma after continous infusion followed by intermittent subcutaneous high-dose IL-2, while EBV-DNA decreased in cells (p=0.0078) and disappeared in plasma after intermittent subcutaneous low-dose IL-2. Over 12 months, the dynamics of EBV differed between the two groups both in cells (p=0.0184) and plasma (p=0.0114). Thus, as a function of dose, IL-2 therapy may significantly affect the dynamics of EBV infection.
