LTNP: Are M36I and VL good predictors ?

[John2038]

Below an extract of an article I was reading on thebody.com
http://www.thebody.com/content/treat/art5523.html


In Italy, researchers studied a group of 18 people who were about to change anti-HIV therapy. Viral load, CD4+ count and HIV RC were tested at the time of the therapy change and one year later.

People in the study fell into one of two groups; those who had a sustained increase in CD4+ counts to greater than 100 (immune responders) and those who did not (non-responders). Twelve of the 18 were immune responders and six were non-responders. Immune responders had a significantly greater reduction in HIV RC, compared to non-responders, regardless of their CD4+ cell count or viral load at study entry.
Immune responders were also more likely than non-responders to have a specific mutation (M36I) in their virus.

A larger study of 189 people in San Francisco reported that reduced RC helps explain what is happening in people who have sustained increases in CD4+ cell counts even though HIV remains detectable. The study also showed that viral load was an important factor in predicting who might do well despite an incomplete virologic response to therapy. People who had viral loads below 10,000 were most likely to have continued good health.


This study is obviously too small to be of any interest. But I was wondering if a pool among the LTNPs in this forum will correlate the results presented in this study.

[redhotmuslbear]

John,
I believe that here and among other LTSs and LTNPs I know in the RW, survival has barely any correlation to traits of the virus, yet strong association to certain immune system traits of our own and/or deep involvement in our own care.  In my case, there's one copy of the delta-32 mutation of CCR5 receptors making my CD4 population less accessible to the virus, while one HLA allele provides the "benefit" of aggressive CD8 response that are also competent against HIV--I put "benefit" in quotes as the trait also makes me feel really crappy when I do get sick and it's linked in my mom to aggressive breast cancer.

Namaste,
David

[abstract4]

Hi There Everyone,
I am new to these forums. However, my understanding is that an LTNP is someone that tests positive but never (or takes a very long time)loses their T cells , does not get sick i.e. viral load<1500 and CD4>500 AND has never been on medication.

Long term survivors on meds are many, LTNP's are rare. They used to think 1 in 100,000, then 1 in 10,000 and now my MD says 1 in 100.

As someone pos since '89 and never medicated and almost never sick I feel very lucky indeed.

If there Are others like me I would appreciate a reply to markowitz4@gmail.com

All names are abstract.

Abstract4