Loss of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia following highly active antiretroviral therapy in the absence of specific anti-CMV therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia and retinitis in patients at high risk of disease.

DESIGN

Sixteen patients with CMV viraemia, but no evidence of end organ disease at the time of first receipt of HAART including a protease inhibitor, were studied. No patient had ever received specific anti-CMV therapy.

METHODS

CMV load in blood was measured using quantitative competitive PCR at baseline and for a median follow-up of 21 months. Regular ophthalmological screening for retinitis was conducted throughout the study period.

RESULTS

All 16 patients became CMV negative by PCR following the commencement of HAART. CMV loads prior to treatment ranged from 2.0 x 10(3) to 4.1 x 10(6) copies/ml (median, 7.6 x 10(4) copies/ml). The median time to becoming PCR negative was 13.5 weeks (range, 5-40 weeks). Fourteen patients remained CMV negative throughout follow-up. CMV viraemia recurred in two patients; these individuals were indistinguishable with respect to either baseline parameters or response to antiretroviral therapy. None of the 16 patients developed CMV retinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

HAART including a protease inhibitor can result in the complete suppression of CMV viraemia, an effect not previously observed in HIV-infected patients in the absence of specific anti-CMV therapy. This response correlated with protection against CMV retinitis in a group of patients at high risk of development of disease. These results help to explain why the natural history of CMV disease has altered since the introduction of such therapeutic regimens.