Ongoing HIV replication in cerebrospinal fluid under successful monotherapy

Antivir Ther. 2013;18(4):641-3. doi: 10.3851/IMP2530. Epub 2013 Jan 23.

Abstract

We report a case of an HIV-infected patient who was successfully treated with ritonavir/lopinavir (r/LPV) monotherapy for several years. He presented with neurological symptoms and high HIV RNA levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Sequencing of the HIV from the CSF revealed mutations in the protease gene reflecting resistance against most protease inhibitors, that is, lopinavir and ritonavir. His regimen was switched and after 2 months the HIV RNA viral load was again undetectable in both plasma as well as in CSF. Monotherapy with r/LPV may not be sufficient to fully suppress viral replication in the central nervous system in all individuals and may lead to compartimentalization and the selection of resistant mutations of HIV in the central nervous system.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Viral / genetics
  • HIV / drug effects
  • HIV / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Lopinavir / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • RNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Viral Load / drug effects
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • HIV Protease Inhibitors
  • RNA, Viral
  • Lopinavir
  • Ritonavir