Objective: To observe that antiretroviral efficacy, immune reconstitution of four-year highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and evaluate its side effect in Chinese HIV-1-infected patients.
Methods: A total of 258 HIV-1 infected patients, given HAART regimens composed of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) for mean 51.5 months, measured HIV RNA viral load (VL) and the counts of CD(4)(+) T cell, CD(8)(+) T cell at the baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after HAART initiation, respectively, monitoring side effect, blood routine, main biochemical parameters, and other disadvantageous accidents during the 51.5-month treatment.
Results: Plasma HIV-1 RNA level was determined by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reactions (FQ-PCR) at the baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after starting HAART, and showed 5.27, 2.97, 2.74, 2.62, 2.67 and 2.75 lg (copies/ml), respectively. The counts of CD(4)(+) T cell from (127 ± 63) cells/µl at the baseline increased to (190 ± 115), (248 ± 93), (269 ± 127), (296 ± 156) and (317 ± 195) cells/µl at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after starting HAART. A total of 149 treated patients (57.8%)had gastrointestinal side effects, peripheral polyneuropathy, various rashes, central nervous system disorders, fever or baldness. Twenty-two patients changed one of three medicines to another because toxicity. Sixteen changed the regimen to the second line HAART for lactic acidosis or other serious toxicities.
Conclusions: A total of 258 HIV-1 infected Chinese patients treated with two NRTI and one NNRTI as first line HAART regimen during mean 51.5 months, showed a good antiretroviral efficacy and immune reconstitution, but a few side-effects at the parts of patients. It is necessary to treat adverse effect and change HAART regimen for severe toxicity in time.