| 1. |
- Bocci, Matteo, et al.
(author)
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Infection of Brain Pericytes Underlying Neuropathology of COVID-19 Patients.
- 2021
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In: International journal of molecular sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1422-0067 .- 1661-6596. ; 22:21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A wide range of neurological manifestations have been associated with the development of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the etiology of the neurological symptomatology is still largely unexplored. Here, we used state-of-the-art multiplexed immunostaining of human brains (n = 6 COVID-19, median age = 69.5 years; n = 7 control, median age = 68 years) and demonstrated that expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is restricted to a subset of neurovascular pericytes. Strikingly, neurological symptoms were exclusive to, and ubiquitous in, patients that exhibited moderate to high ACE2 expression in perivascular cells. Viral dsRNA was identified in the vascular wall and paralleled by perivascular inflammation, as signified by T cell and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, fibrinogen leakage indicated compromised integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Notably, cerebrospinal fluid from additional 16 individuals (n = 8 COVID-19, median age = 67 years; n = 8 control, median age = 69.5 years) exhibited significantly lower levels of the pericyte marker PDGFRβ in SARS-CoV-2-infected cases, indicative of disrupted pericyte homeostasis. We conclude that pericyte infection by SARS-CoV-2 underlies virus entry into the privileged central nervous system space, as well as neurological symptomatology due to perivascular inflammation and a locally compromised blood-brain barrier.
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| 2. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Asymptomatic Cerebrospinal Fluid HIV-1 Viral Blips and Viral Escape During Antiretroviral Therapy: A Longitudinal Study.
- 2016
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In: The Journal of infectious diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6613 .- 0022-1899. ; 214:12, s. 1822-1825
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examined longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (median, 5 samples/patients; interquartile range [IQR], 3-8 samples/patient) in 75 neurologically asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-seven patients (36%) had ≥1 CSF HIV RNA load of >20 copies/mL (23% had ≥1 load of >50 copies/mL), with a median HIV RNA load of 50 copies/mL (IQR, 32-77 copies/mL). In plasma, 42 subjects (52%) and 22 subjects (29%) had an HIV RNA load of >20 and >50 copies/mL, respectively. Two subjects had an increasing virus load in consecutive CSF samples, representing possible CSF escape. Of 418 samples, 9% had a CSF HIV RNA load of >20 copies/mL (5% had a load of >50 copies/mL) and 19% had a plasma HIV RNA load of >20 copies/mL (8% had a load of >50 copies/mL). A CSF-associated virus load of >20 copies/mL was associated with higher CSF level of neopterin. In conclusion, CSF escape was rare, and increased CSF HIV RNA loads usually represented CSF virus load blips.
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| 3. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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CSF biomarkers in patients with COVID-19 and neurological symptoms: A case series.
- 2021
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In: Neurology. - 1526-632X. ; 96:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To explore whether hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 and neurologic symptoms have evidence of CNS infection, inflammation and injury using CSF biomarker measurements.We assessed CSF SARS-CoV-2 RNA along with CSF biomarkers of intrathecal inflammation (CSF white blood cell count, neopterin, β2-microglobulin (β2M) and immunoglobulin G-index), blood-brain-barrier (BBB) integrity (albumin ratio), and axonal injury (CSF neurofilament light chain protein [NfL]) in 6 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and neurologic symptoms who had undergone a diagnostic lumbar puncture. Neurologic symptoms and signs included features of encephalopathies (4/6), suspected meningitis (1/6) and dysgeusia (1/6). SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by rtPCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs.SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the plasma of 2 patients (Cycle threshold [Ct] value 35.0-37.0) and in CSF at low levels (Ct 37.2, 38.0, 39.0) in 3 patients in one but not in a second rtPCR assay. CSF neopterin (median, 43.0 nmol/L) and β2-microglobulin (median, 3.1 mg/L) were increased in all. Median IgG-index (0.39), albumin ratio (5.35) and CSF white blood cell count (<3 cells/µL) were normal in all, while CSF NfL was elevated in 2 patients.Our results on patients with COVID-19 and neurologic symptoms suggest an unusual pattern of marked CSF inflammation in which soluble markers were increased but white cell response and other immunologic features typical of CNS viral infections were absent. While our initial hypothesis centered on CNS SARS-CoV-2 invasion, we could not convincingly detect SARS-CoV-2 as the underlying driver of CNS inflammation. These features distinguish COVID-19 CSF from other viral CNS infections, and raise fundamental questions about the CNS pathobiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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| 4. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Differential effects of efavirenz, lopinavir/r, and atazanavir/r on the initial viral decay rate in treatment naïve HIV-1-infected patients.
- 2010
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In: AIDS research and human retroviruses. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1931-8405 .- 0889-2229. ; 26:5, s. 533-40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Initial viral decay rate may be useful when comparing the relative potency of antiretroviral regimens. Two hundred twenty-seven ART-naïve patients were randomized to receive efavirenz (EFV) (n = 74), lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) (n = 77), or atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) (n = 79) in combination with two NRTIs. The most frequently used NRTI combinations in the EFV and ATV/r groups were the nonthymidine analogues tenofovir and emtricitabine or lamivudine (70% and 68%, respectively) and, in the LPV/r group, lamivudine and the thymidine analogue zidovudine (89%). HIV-1 RNA was monitored during the first 28 days after treatment initiation. Phase 1 and 2 decay rate was estimated in a subset of 157 patients by RNA decrease from days 0 to 7, and days 14 to 28. One-way ANOVA and subsequent Tukey's post hoc tests were used for groupwise comparisons. Mean (95% CI) HIV-1 RNA reductions from days 0 to 28 were 2.59 (2.45-2.73), 2.42 (2.27-2.57), and 2.13 (2.01-2.25) log(10) copies/ml for the EFV-, LPV/r-, and ATV/r-based treatment groups, respectively, with a significantly larger decrease in the EFV-based group at all time points compared with ATV/r (p < 0.0001), and with LPV/r at days 7-21 (p < 0.0001-0.03). LPV/r gave a greater RNA decrease compared with ATV/r from day 14 (p = 0.02). Phase 1 decay rate was significantly higher in the EFV group compared with LPV/r (p = 0.003) or ATV/r (p < 0.0001). No difference was found in phase 2 decrease. EFV-based treatment gave a more rapid decline in HIV-1 RNA than did either of the boosted protease inhibitor-based regimens. The observed differences may reflect different inherent regimen potencies.
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| 5. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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HIV-1 viral escape in cerebrospinal fluid of subjects on suppressive antiretroviral treatment.
- 2010
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In: The Journal of infectious diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6613 .- 0022-1899. ; 202:12, s. 1819-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Occasional cases of viral escape in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) despite suppression of plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA have been reported. We investigated CSF viral escape in subjects treated with commonly used antiretroviral therapy regimens in relation to intrathecal immune activation and central nervous system penetration effectiveness (CPE) rank.
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| 6. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975
(author)
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HIV Persistence and Viral Reservoirs
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively inhibit replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the virus is able to persist in cellular and anatomical viral reservoirs. Latently infected resting memory CD4+ T-cells are an important cellular reservoir, and the central nervous system (CNS) an important anatomical reservoir for HIV-1 infection. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain greater understanding of HIV-1 persistence, in regards to latent infection as well as the central nervous system. The initial viral decay rate after initiation of ART has been proposed as a measure of relative regimen potency. We compared initial viral decay in subjects treated with three ART regimens, and found that efavirenz-based therapy gave a faster initial viral decay than protease inhibitor (PI) treated subjects. In turn, lopinavir/ritonavir-based therapy gave a faster initial viral decay than atazanavir/ritonavir-based therapy. This may reflect different inherent antiretroviral potency between the treatment regimens. Latently infected CD4+ T-cells constitute a major barrier for the eradication of HIV-1 infection. We investigated if a high dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) given in addition to effective ART could reduce the size of the pool of latently infected resting cells, and found a reduction in the pool size in five of seven individuals where the latent reservoir was quantifiable. Our findings suggest that the reservoir became accessible through IVIG treatment, and indicate that novel modes of intervention can have an effect on the latent reservoir. Increased levels of intrathecal immune activation are often found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of treated patients despite effective systemic suppression of HIV-1. We investigated intrathecal immune activation, measured as neopterin and IgG-index, in patients with several years of successful therapy, and found that although ART has a substantial effect on lowering viral replication and immune activation in the CSF, a majority of patients still have ongoing intrathecal immune activation despite effective suppression of the virus for extended periods of time. Occasional cases of CSF viral escape have been reported. We investigated the occurrence of CSF viral escape in neuroasymptomatic patients effectively treated with commonly used ART regimens. We found that 7 (10%) of 69 patients had evidence of CSF viral escape, which is more common than previously recognized and may have important implications for future treatment strategies and the use of new drug combinations.
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| 7. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Immune activation of the central nervous system is still present after >4 years of effective highly active antiretroviral therapy.
- 2007
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In: The Journal of infectious diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0022-1899 .- 1537-6613. ; 196:12, s. 1779-83
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effectively reduces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as in plasma. The effect on intrathecal immunoactivation is less well studied. We had earlier found that a substantial number of patients still have evidence of intrathecal immunoactivation after up to 2 years of treatment. We identified 15 patients treated with HAART for > or =4 years who had plasma HIV-RNA levels of <50 copies/mL for > or =3.5 years. CSF samples were available from 10 patients before treatment. We measured white-blood-cell count, HIV-RNA level, neopterin level, and IgG index. During treatment, all patients had HIV-RNA levels of <50 copies/mL in plasma and CSF. In CSF, both neopterin level and IgG index decreased significantly. After 4 years, 9 (60%) of the 15 patients still had neopterin levels in CSF that were above the upper normal reference value (5.8 nmol/L). During HAART, 9 (60%) of the 15 patients had an abnormal IgG index (>0.63). HAART significantly decreases intrathecal immunoactivation, but, despite effective treatment for >4 years, with HIV-RNA levels <50 copies/mL for > or =3.5 years, a substantial proportion of patients continue to show signs of macrophage/microglia activation and intrathecal immunoglobulin production in the CNS.
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| 8. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Increased Intrathecal Immune Activation in Virally Suppressed HIV-1 Infected Patients with Neurocognitive Impairment
- 2016
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Although milder forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remain prevalent, a correlation to neuronal injury has not been established in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We examined the relationship between mild HAND and CSF neurofilament light protein (NFL), a biomarker of neuronal injury; and CSF neopterin, a biomarker of CNS immunoactivation, in virally suppressed patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We selected 99 subjects on suppressive ART followed longitudinally from the CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study. Based on standardized comprehensive neurocognitive performance (NP) testing, subjects were classified as neurocognitively normal (NCN; n = 29) or impaired (NCI; n = 70). The NCI group included subjects with asymptomatic (ANI; n = 37) or mild (MND; n = 33) HAND. CSF biomarkers were analyzed on two occasions. Geometric mean CSF neopterin was 25% higher in the NCI group (p = 0.04) and NFL and neopterin were significantly correlated within the NCI group (r = 0.30; p<0.001) but not in the NCN group (r = -0.13; p = 0.3). Additionally, a trend towards higher NFL was seen in the NCI group (p = 0.06). Mild HAND was associated with increased intrathecal immune activation, and the correlation between neopterin and NFL found in NCI subjects indicates an association between neurocognitive impairment, CNS inflammation and neuronal damage. Together these findings suggest that NCI despite ART may represent an active pathological process within the CNS that needs further characterization in prospective studies.
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| 9. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Neurochemical biomarkers to study CNS effects of COVID-19: a narrative review and synthesis.
- 2021
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In: Journal of neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 1471-4159 .- 0022-3042. ; 159:1, s. 61-77
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurological symptoms are frequently reported in patients suffering from COVID-19. Common CNS-related symptoms include anosmia, caused by viral interaction with either neurons or supporting cells in nasal olfactory tissues. Diffuse encephalopathy is the most common sign of CNS dysfunction, which likely results from the CNS consequences of the systemic inflammatory syndrome associated with severe COVID-19. Additionally, microvascular injuries and thromboembolic events likely contribute to the neurologic impact of acute COVID-19. These observations are supported by evidence of CNS immune activation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in autopsy tissue, along with detection of microvascular injuries in both pathological and neuroimaging studies. The frequent occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients with COVID-19 has generated different hypotheses, among which viral interaction with perivascular cells is particularly attractive, yet unproven. A distinguishing feature of CSF findings in SARS-CoV-2 infection is that clinical signs characteristic of neurotropic viral infections (CSF pleocytosis and blood brain barrier injury) are mild or absent. Moreover, virus detection in CSF is rare, and often of uncertain significance. In this review, we provide an overview of the neurological impact that occur in the acute phase of COVID-19, and the role of CSF biomarkers in the clinical management and research to better treat and understand the disease. In addition to aiding as diagnostic and prognostic tools during acute infection, the use of comprehensive and well characterized CSF and blood biomarkers will be vital in understanding the potential impact on the CNS in the rapidly increasing number of individuals recovering from COVID-19.
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| 10. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Reply to Seligman
- 2011
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In: J Infect Dis. ; 2011:1, s. 174-175
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 11. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Residual Central Nervous System Immune Activation Is Not Prevented by Antiretroviral Therapy Initiated During Early Chronic HIV Infection
- 2023
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In: Open Forum Infectious Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2328-8957. ; 10:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiated during acute infection can potentially impact the central nervous system (CNS) reservoir, but the differential long-term effects of ART initiation during early or late chronic infection are unknown. Methods We included neuroasymptomatic people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with suppressive ART initiated during chronic (>1 year since transmission) HIV with archived cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples after 1 and/or >= 3 years of ART from a cohort study. CSF and serum neopterin was measured using a commercial immunoassay (BRAHMS, Germany). Results In total, 185 people with HIV (median, 79 [interquartile range, 55-128] months on ART) were included. A significant inverse correlation was found between CD4(+) T-cell count and CSF neopterin only at baseline (r = -0.28, P = .002), but not after 1 (r = -0.026, P = .8) or >= 3 (r -0.063, P = .5) years of ART. No significant differences were seen in CSF or serum neopterin concentrations between different pretreatment CD4(+) T-cell strata after 1 or >= 3 (median, 6.6) years of ART. Conclusions In people with HIV initiating ART during chronic infection, occurrence of residual CNS immune activation was not correlated with pretreatment immune status, even when treatment was initiated at high CD4(+) T-cell counts, suggesting that the CNS reservoir, once established, is not differentially affected by the timing of ART initiation during chronic infection.
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| 12. |
- Edén, Arvid, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Viral Antigen and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients With COVID-19 Infection and Neurologic Symptoms Compared With Control Participants Without Infection or Neurologic Symptoms.
- 2022
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In: JAMA network open. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2574-3805. ; 5:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurologic symptoms are common in COVID-19, but the central nervous system (CNS) pathogenesis is unclear, and viral RNA is rarely detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).To measure viral antigen and inflammatory biomarkers in CSF in relation to neurologic symptoms and disease severity.This cross-sectional study was performed from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, in patients 18 years or older who were admitted to Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, with COVID-19. All patients had CSF samples taken because of neurologic symptoms or within a study protocol. Healthy volunteer and prepandemic control groups were included.SARS-CoV-2 infection.Outcomes included CSF SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen (N-Ag) using an ultrasensitive antigen capture immunoassay platform and CSF biomarkers of immune activation (neopterin, β2-microglobulin, and cytokines) and neuronal injury (neurofilament light protein [NfL]).Forty-four patients (median [IQR] age, 57 [48-69] years; 30 [68%] male; 26 with moderate COVID-19 and 18 with severe COVID-19 based on the World Health Organization Clinical Progression Scale), 10 healthy controls (median [IQR] age, 58 [54-60] years; 5 [50%] male), and 41 patient controls (COVID negative without evidence of CNS infection) (median [IQR] age, 59 [49-70] years; 19 [46%] male) were included in the study. Twenty-one patients were neuroasymptomatic and 23 were neurosymptomatic (21 with encephalopathy). In 31 of 35 patients for whom data were available (89%), CSF N-Ag was detected; viral RNA test results were negative in all. Nucleocapsid antigen was significantly correlated with CSF neopterin (r=0.38; P=.03) and interferon γ (r=0.42; P=.01). No differences in CSF N-Ag concentrations were found between patient groups. Patients had markedly increased CSF neopterin, β2-microglobulin, interleukin (IL) 2, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α compared with controls. Neurosymptomatic patients had significantly higher median (IQR) CSF interferon γ (86 [47-172] vs 21 [17-81] fg/mL; P=.03) and had a significantly higher inflammatory biomarker profile using principal component analysis compared with neuroasymptomatic patients (0.54; 95% CI, 0.03-1.05; P=.04). Age-adjusted median (IQR) CSF NfL concentrations were higher in patients compared with controls (960 [673-1307] vs 618 [489-786] ng/L; P=.002). No differences were seen in any CSF biomarkers in moderate compared with severe disease.In this study of Swedish adults with COVID-19 infection and neurologic symptoms, compared with control participants, viral antigen was detectable in CSF and correlated with CNS immune activation. Patients with COVID-19 had signs of neuroaxonal injury, and neurosymptomatic patients had a more marked inflammatory profile that could not be attributed to differences in COVID-19 severity. These results highlight the clinical relevance of neurologic symptoms and suggest that viral components can contribute to CNS immune responses without direct viral invasion.
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| 13. |
- Hagberg, Lars, 1951, et al.
(author)
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Blood biomarkers for HIV infection with focus on neurologic complications-A review.
- 2022
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In: Acta neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1600-0404 .- 0001-6314. ; 146:1, s. 56-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although clinical examinations, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analyses are the most important ways to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on the brain and in diagnosis of opportunistic infections, several blood biomarkers including HIV RNA concentrations, CD4 +T-cell count, and neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) concentration, along with tests for opportunistic infections can provide important information for clinical decisions.
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| 14. |
- Kanberg, Nelly, et al.
(author)
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COVID-19 Recovery: Consistent Absence of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Abnormalities in Patients With Neurocognitive Post-COVID Complications.
- 2024
-
In: The Journal of infectious diseases. - 1537-6613. ; 229:2, s. 493-501
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate evidence of residual viral infection, intrathecal immune activation, central nervous system (CNS) injury, and humoral responses in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with or without neurocognitive post-COVID condition (PCC).Thirty-one participants (25 with neurocognitive PCC) underwent clinical examination, lumbar puncture, and venipuncture ≥3 months after COVID-19 symptom onset. Healthy volunteers were included. CSF and plasma severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid and spike antigen (N-Ag, S-Ag), and CSF biomarkers of immune activation and neuronal injury were analyzed.SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag or S-Ag were undetectable in all samples and no participant had pleocytosis. We detected no significant differences in CSF and plasma cytokine concentrations, albumin ratio, IgG index, neopterin, β2M, or in CSF biomarkers of neuronal injury and astrocytic damage. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA1) analysis did not indicate any significant differences between the study groups in the marker sets cytokines, neuronal markers, or anti-cytokine autoantibodies.We found no evidence of ongoing viral replication, immune activation, or CNS injury in plasma or CSF in patients with neurocognitive PCC compared with COVID-19 controls or healthy volunteers, suggesting that neurocognitive PCC is a consequence of events suffered during acute COVID-19 rather than persistent viral CNS infection or residual CNS inflammation.
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| 15. |
- Kanberg, Nelly, et al.
(author)
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Neurochemical signs of astrocytic and neuronal injury in acute COVID-19 normalizes during long-term follow-up.
- 2021
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-3964. ; 70
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurologic manifestations are well-recognized features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the longitudinal association of biomarkers reflecting CNS impact and neurological symptoms is not known. We sought to determine whether plasma biomarkers of CNS injury were associated with neurologic sequelae after COVID-19.Patients with confirmed acute COVID-19 were studied prospectively. Neurological symptoms were recorded during the acute phase of the disease and at six months follow-up, and blood samples were collected longitudinally. Healthy age-matched individuals were included as controls. We analysed plasma concentrations of neurofilament light-chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAp), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15).One hundred patients with mild (n=24), moderate (n=28), and severe (n=48) COVID-19 were followed for a median (IQR) of 225 (187-262) days. In the acute phase, patients with severe COVID-19 had higher concentrations of NfL than all other groups (all p < 0·001), and higher GFAp than controls (p < 0·001). GFAp was also significantly increased in moderate disease (p < 0·05) compared with controls. NfL (r=0·53, p < 0·001) and GFAp (r=0·39, p < 0·001) correlated with GDF-15 during the acute phase. After six months, NfL and GFAp concentrations had normalized, with no persisting group differences. Despite this, 50 patients reported persistent neurological symptoms, most commonly fatigue (n=40), "brain-fog" (n=29), and changes in cognition (n=25). We found no correlation between persistent neurological symptoms and CNS injury biomarkers in the acute phase.The normalization of CNS injury biomarkers in all individuals, regardless of previous disease severity or persisting neurological symptoms, indicates that post COVID-19 neurological sequelae are not accompanied by ongoing CNS injury.The Swedish State Support for Clinical Research, SciLifeLab Sweden, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation have provided funding for this project.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Lindkvist, Annica, et al.
(author)
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Reduction of the HIV-1 reservoir in resting CD4+ T-lymphocytes by high dosage intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: a proof-of-concept study
- 2009
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In: AIDS research and therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-6405. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The latency of HIV-1 in resting CD4+ T-lymphocytes constitutes a major obstacle for the eradication of virus in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). As yet, no approach to reduce this viral reservoir has proven effective. METHODS: Nine subjects on effective ART were included in the study and treated with high dosage intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for five consecutive days. Seven of those had detectable levels of replication-competent virus in the latent reservoir and were thus possible to evaluate. Highly purified resting memory CD4+ T-cells were activated and cells containing replication-competent HIV-1 were quantified. HIV-1 from plasma and activated memory CD4+ T-cells were compared with single genome sequencing (SGS) of the gag region. T-lymphocyte activation markers and serum interleukins were measured. RESULTS: The latent HIV-1 pool decreased with in median 68% after IVIG was added to effective ART. The reservoir decreased in five, whereas no decrease was found in two subjects with detectable virus. Plasma HIV-1 RNA >or= 2 copies/mL was detected in five of seven subjects at baseline, but in only one at follow-up after 8-12 weeks. The decrease of the latent HIV-1 pool and the residual plasma viremia was preceded by a transitory low-level increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA and serum interleukin 7 (IL-7) levels, and followed by an expansion of T regulatory cells. The magnitude of the viral increase in plasma correlated to the size of the latent HIV-1 pool and SGS of the gag region showed that viral clones from plasma clustered together with virus from activated memory T-cells, pointing to the latent reservoir as the source of HIV-1 RNA in plasma. CONCLUSION: The findings from this uncontrolled proof-of-concept study suggest that the reservoir became accessible by IVIG treatment through activation of HIV-1 gene expression in latently-infected resting CD4+ T-cells. We propose that IVIG should be further evaluated as an adjuvant to effective ART.
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| 18. |
- Mellberg, Tomas, et al.
(author)
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Rebound of residual plasma viremia after initial decrease following addition of intravenous immunoglobulin to effective antiretroviral treatment of HIV
- 2011
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In: AIDS Research and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-6405. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Background High dosage of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been observed as a possible activator of HIV gene expression in latently infected resting CD4+ T-cells, leading to a substantial decrease in both the reservoir and the residual plasma viremia when added to effective ART. IVIG treatment has also been reported to expand T regulatory cells (Tregs). The aim of this study was to evaluate possible long-term effect of IVIG treatment on residual viremia and T-lymphocyte activation. Methods Nine HIV-infected subjects on effective ART included in a previously reported study on IVIG treatment were evaluated 48-104 weeks after therapy. In addition, 14 HIV-infected controls on suppressive ART were included. HIV-1 RNA was analyzed in cell-free plasma by using an ultrasensitive PCR-method with a detection limit of 2 copies/mL. T-lymphocyte activation markers and serum interleukins were measured. Results Plasma residual viremia rebounded to pre-treatment levels, 48-104 weeks after the initial decrease that was observed following treatment with high-dosage IVIG. No long-term effect was observed regarding T-lymphocyte activation markers, T-regulatory cells or serum interleukins. In a post-hoc analysis, a correlation between plasma HIV-1-RNA and CD4+ T-cell count was found in both IVIG-treated patients and controls. Conclusions These results indicate that the decrease in the latent HIV-1 pool observed during IVIG treatment is transient. Although not our primary objective, we found a correlation between HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ T-cell count suggesting the possibility that patients with a higher CD4+ T-cell count might harbor a larger residual pool of latently infected CD4+ T-cells.
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| 19. |
- Needham, E. J., et al.
(author)
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Brain injury in COVID-19 is associated with dysregulated innate and adaptive immune responses
- 2022
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In: Brain. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-8950 .- 1460-2156. ; 145:11, s. 4097-4107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- COVID-19 is associated with neurological complications including stroke, delirium and encephalitis. Furthermore, a post-viral syndrome dominated by neuropsychiatric symptoms is common, and is seemingly unrelated to COVID-19 severity. The true frequency and underlying mechanisms of neurological injury are unknown, but exaggerated host inflammatory responses appear to be a key driver of COVID-19 severity. We investigated the dynamics of, and relationship between, serum markers of brain injury [neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and total tau] and markers of dysregulated host response (autoantibody production and cytokine profiles) in 175 patients admitted with COVID-19 and 45 patients with influenza. During hospitalization, sera from patients with COVID-19 demonstrated elevations of NfL and GFAP in a severity-dependent manner, with evidence of ongoing active brain injury at follow-up 4 months later. These biomarkers were associated with elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the presence of autoantibodies to a large number of different antigens. Autoantibodies were commonly seen against lung surfactant proteins but also brain proteins such as myelin associated glycoprotein. Commensurate findings were seen in the influenza cohort. A distinct process characterized by elevation of serum total tau was seen in patients at follow-up, which appeared to be independent of initial disease severity and was not associated with dysregulated immune responses unlike NfL and GFAP. These results demonstrate that brain injury is a common consequence of both COVID-19 and influenza, and is therefore likely to be a feature of severe viral infection more broadly. The brain injury occurs in the context of dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses, with no single pathogenic mechanism clearly responsible. Needham et al. reveal elevations in blood biomarkers of brain injury in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The changes, which were severity-dependent, were associated with dysregulated immune responses including increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies. Ongoing active brain injury could still be seen months after infection.
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| 20. |
- Ripamonti, Enrico, et al.
(author)
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Longitudinal decline of plasma neurofilament light levels after antiretroviral initiation in people living with HIV.
- 2023
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In: Journal of internal medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 293:4, s. 445-456
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This retrospective follow-up study aims to investigate the dynamic longitudinal change of plasma neurofilament light (NfL) levels after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in a cohort of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH).We tested a convenience sample of 116 patients from the NORTHIV study. Plasma NfL levels-measured using Single molecule array (Simoa) technology-as well as other laboratory parameters were collected at baseline, weeks 4, 48, 96, and 144. Linear mixed-effects models were estimated to evaluate longitudinal change over time. Baseline CD4+ T-cell levels, CDC classification, and HIV RNA levels were considered. Models were adjusted by age, sex, treatment regimen, and baseline serum creatinine levels.Plasma NfL levels were higher at baseline and also declined faster during the follow-up for participants with CD4+ count <100 cells/µl compared with >100 cells/µl. No significant difference was found between the CD4+ strata 100-199 and 200-499/µl. Participants with CDC classification stages B and C had higher levels of plasma NfL at baseline, as well as faster decline compared with participants with stage A. No significant main effects or change over time was found in baseline HIV RNA levels, treatment regimen, or sex.Plasma NfL is a sensitive biomarker to assess ongoing central nervous system injury in PWH. Plasma NfL concentrations decline relatively fast following ART initiation and then stabilize after 48 weeks. Plasma NfL concentrations are associated with CD4+ count and stage of HIV disease. No correlations were seen with different ART regimens.
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| 21. |
- Robertson, Josefina, et al.
(author)
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Increased immune activation and signs of neuronal injury in HIV-negative people on preexposure prophylaxis.
- 2021
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In: AIDS (London, England). - 1473-5571 .- 0269-9370. ; 35:13, s. 2129-2136
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Persistent immune activation in the central nervous system and systemically are common in people living with HIV (PLHIV) despite antiretroviral therapy. It is not known whether this is generated by HIV replication or by other components such as coinfections and lifestyle-related factors.The aim of this study was to determine the importance of different factors; it is crucial to find well matched HIV-negative controls. In this context, HIV-negative persons on preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may constitute a suitable control group to PLHIV with similar lifestyle-related factors.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were collected from 40 HIV-negative persons on PrEP and 20 controls without PrEP. Biomarkers of immune activation, blood--brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuronal injury were analysed.CSF and serum β2-microglobulin, serum neopterin and CSF neurofilament light protein were higher in persons on PrEP compared with controls. Furthermore, persons on PrEP had higher CSF/plasma albumin ratio, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 concentrations, indicating BBB dysfunction. Of persons on PrEP, 90% were cytomegalovirus (CMV)-positive compared to 65% of the controls. CMV-positive individuals as a group had higher levels of serum β2-microglobulin than CMV-negative individuals (P<0.05). Drug users had higher serum β2-microglobulin compared to nonusers (P<0.01).HIV-negative persons on PrEP had higher levels of biomarkers for immune activation, BBB impairment and neuronal injury, compared with volunteers without PrEP. Moreover, serum β2-microglobulin was higher in CMV-positive than in CMV-negative individuals and in drug users compared with nonusers. These findings are important to consider when analysing immune activation and CNS injury in PLHIV, and emphasize the importance of appropriate controls.
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| 22. |
- Tyrberg, Erika, et al.
(author)
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Higher plasma drug levels in elderly people living with HIV treated with darunavir
- 2021
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 16:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The proportion of elderly people living with HIV-1 (PLHIV) is rising. In older patients, comorbidities and concomitant medications are more frequent, increasing the risk of potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs). Data on the pharmacokinetics of ART in individuals aged >= 65 years of age are scarce. We compared plasma drug levels of ART, PDDIs, and side-effects in PLHIV aged >= 65 years of age, with controls <= 49 years of age. Methods Patients >= 65 years of age and controls <= 49 years of age, all of whom were on stable treatment with atazanavir (ATV), darunavir (DRV), or efavirenz (EFV) were included cross-sectionally. Plasma drug levels of ART were analyzed, comorbidities, concomitant medication, adherence, and side-effects recorded, and PDDIs analyzed using drug interactions databases. Results Between 2013 and 2015, we included 100 individuals >= 65 years of age (study group) and 99 controls (<= 49 years of age). Steady-state DRV concentrations were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.047). In the ATV group there was a trend towards a significant difference (p = 0.056). No significant differences were found in the EFV arm. The DRV arm had a higher frequency of reported side-effects than the ATV and EFV arms in the study group (36.7% vs. 0% and 23.8% respectively (p = 0.014), with significant differences between DRV vs. ATV, and EFV vs. ATV). Conclusions Higher steady-state plasma levels of DRV and ATV (but not EFV) were found in PLHIV aged >= 65 years of age, compared to controls <= 49 years of age.
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| 23. |
- Ulfhammer, Gustaf, et al.
(author)
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Cerebrospinal Fluid viral load across the spectrum of untreated HIV-1 infection: a cross-sectional multi-center study.
- 2022
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In: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6591. ; 75:3, s. 493-502
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this large multicenter study was to determine variations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-RNA in different phases of untreated HIV-1 infection and its associations with plasma HIV-RNA and other biomarkers.Treatment naïve adults with available CSF HIV-RNA quantification were included and divided into groups representing significant disease phases. Plasma HIV-RNA, CSF white blood cell count (CSF WBC), neopterin, and albumin ratio were included when available.1.018 patients were included. CSF HIV-RNA was in median (IQR) 1.03 log10 (0.37-1.86) copies/mL lower than in plasma, and correlated with plasma HIV-RNA (r=0.44, p< 0.01), neopterin concentration in CSF (r=0.49, p< 0.01) and in serum (r=0.29, p< 0.01), CSF WBC (r=0.34, p< 0.01) and albumin ratio (r=0.25, p< 0.01). CSF HIV-RNA paralleled plasma HIV-RNA in all groups except neuroasymptomatic patients with advanced immunodeficiency (CD4 < 200) and patients with HIV-associated dementia (HAD) or opportunistic CNS infections.Patients with HAD had the highest CSF HIV-RNA (in median [IQR] 4.73 (3.84-5.35) log10 copies/mL). CSF > plasma discordance was found in 126 of 972 individuals (13%) and varied between groups, from 1% in primary HIV, 11% in neuroasymptomatic groups, up to 30% of patients with HAD.Our study confirms previous smaller observations of variations in CSF HIV-RNA in different stages of HIV disease. Overall, CSF HIV-RNA was approximately 1 log10 copies/mL lower in CSF than in plasma, but CSF discordance was found in a substantial minority of subjects, most commonly in patients with HAD, indicating increasing CNS compartmentalization paralleling disease progression.
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| 24. |
- Ulfhammer, Gustaf, et al.
(author)
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Persistent central nervous system immune activation following more than 10 years of effective HIV antiretroviral treatment
- 2018
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In: AIDS. - 1473-5571 .- 0269-9370. ; 32:15, s. 2171-2178
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Low-grade immune activation is common in people living with HIV (PLHIV), despite long-term viral suppression by antiretroviral therapy (ART). The clinical significance of this activation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine residual intrathecal immune activation in relation to signs of neuronal injury and neurocognitive impairment in PLHIV who had been virally suppressed on ART for more than 10 years. Design/methods: Twenty neuroasymptomatic PLHIV on suppressive ART for a median of 13.2 years were retrospectively identified from the longitudinal prospective Gothenburg HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study. HIV-RNA, neopterin, and neurofilament light protein (NFL) levels were measured in paired plasma and CSF samples. Pretreatment samples were available for 14 patients. Cognitive function was assessed by CogState at follow-up. Results: CSF neopterin decreased from a median (IQR) of 17.8 (10.6 - 29.7) to 6.1 (4.6 - 8.0) nmol/l during treatment (P < 0.001). In 11 out of 20 participants (55%), CSF neopterin levels were above the upper normal reference limit (5.8 nmol/l) at followup. Age-adjusted CSF NFL decreased to within-normal levels from a median of (IQR) 1179 (557 - 2707) to 415 (292 - 610) ng/l (P < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between CSF neopterin and CSF NFL or neurocognitive performance. Conclusion: Although CSF neopterin decreased significantly, more than 50% of the patients had CSF concentrations above the upper normal reference value despite more than 10 years of suppressive ART. We found no correlation between CSF neopterin, CSF NFL or neurocognitive performance at follow-up, indicating that low-grade immune activation during suppressive ART may be clinically benign.
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| 25. |
- Ulfhammer, Gustaf, et al.
(author)
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Persistent CNS immune activation following > 10 years of effective HIV antiretroviral treatment.
- 2018
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In: AIDS (London, England). - 1473-5571. ; 32:15, s. 2171-2178
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Low-grade immune activation is common in people living with HIV (PLHIV), despite long-term viral suppression by antiretroviral therapy (ART). The clinical significance of this activation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine residual intrathecal immune activation in relation to signs of neuronal injury and neurocognitive impairment in PLHIV who had been virally suppressed on ART > 10 years.Twenty neuroasymptomatic PLHIV on suppressive ART for a median of 13.2 years were retrospectively identified from the longitudinal prospective Gothenburg HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study. HIV-RNA, neopterin, and neurofilament light protein (NFL) levels were measured in paired plasma and CSF samples. Pre-treatment samples were available for 14 subjects. Cognitive function was assessed by CogState at follow-up.CSF neopterin decreased from a median (IQR) of 17.8 (10.6-29.7) to 6.1 (4.6-8.0) nmol/L during treatment (p<0.001). In 11 out of 20 participants (55%), CSF neopterin levels were above the upper normal reference limit (5.8nmol/L) at follow-up. Age-adjusted CSF NFL decreased to within normal levels from a median of (IQR) 1179 (557-2707) to 415 (292-610) ng/L (p<0.001). No significant correlations were found between CSF neopterin and CSF NFL or neurocognitive performance.Although CSF neopterin decreased significantly, >50% of the subjects had CSF concentrations above the upper normal reference value despite >10 years of suppressive ART. We found no correlation between CSF neopterin, CSF NFL or neurocognitive performance at follow up, indicating that low grade immune activation during suppressive ART may be clinically benign.
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