CD4 Cell Count Increases in Patients with Sustained Virologic Suppression up to 5 Years

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University sought to determine the level of increase in CD4 cells in those patients who maintained virologic suppression for up to five years.

They determined the increase in CD4 level in patients in clinical practice who maintained sustained virologic suppression for as long as 5 years. The analysis was stratified by baseline CD4 as <200, 201 to 350, >350 cells/mL. The investigators compared the overall and annual incremental change (slope) in CD4.

The authors conclude, “Only patients with baseline CD4 >350 returned to near normal CD4 levels. Significant increases in CD4 are seen in all baseline CD4 strata during the first year. Thereafter, the CD4 continues to increase annually for 5 years only if the baseline CD4 <200. The incremental increase is not as great at higher baseline CD4 levels suggesting a plateau effect.”

Link to study poster: 529

Reference
J Keruly and R Moore. Increases in CD4 Cell Count to 5 Years in Persons with Sustained Virologic Suppression. 13^th CROI. J Keruly and R Moore. Increases in CD4 Cell Count to 5 Years in Persons with Sustained Virologic Suppression. Abstract 530.