[Influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the evolution of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma].

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the Kaposi's sarcoma evolution.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 126 HIV infected patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma with or without HAART. Clinical evolution, immunological status (CD4+ cell count) and response to therapy (HIV-RNA plasma viral load and human herpes-8 virus determination).

RESULTS

All patients without HAART died and the cumulate probability survival (SD) among those who received HAART was 2.078 (74) days. The CD4+ count at baseline in the HAART group was 130 (125) * 106/l and the HIV-RNA viral load was 196,818 (244,195) copies/ml while at the moment of the clinical response was 235 (209) * 106/l CD4 + and 2,629 (6.444) copies/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSION

HAART prolongs survival in HIV patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma. There is a clear relationship among clinical response, HAART and immunological recovery.