HIV(+) viral load in individuals with dengue virus infection in the Dominican Republic [poster]

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue Virus (DENV) is a (+) RNA virus that belongs to the flaviriridae family, and is transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily stegomyia aegyptii. S. aegyptii is broadly distributed in La Hispaniola. DENV prevalence has grown in the last years in tropical countries in Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. According to WHO, 2.2 million cases, and an incidence of 443.5 per 100,000 population, with 37,475 severe cases and 1,276 deaths in 2013. The impact of the co-infection of DENV and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is not well described, but some data suggested that in DENV infections a significant reduction of HIV viral load is observed. NS5 protein expression in flaviviruses is associated to a reduction in CD4+T cells replication. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted inpatients with HIV-1 infection in follow-up, with signs and symptoms of DENV infection. DENV infection was confirmed by serologicaltests (IgG and IgM), at baseline, and after admission to the hospital. CD4+ T cell count was assessed as well as HIV viral load before and three days after admission. Management of DENV infection was done according to the WHO guidelines for dengue management. Results: Six patients with chronic HIV infection and without antiretroviral treatment reported signs and symptoms of DENV infection in a period of two years in an outpatient clinic in SantoDomingo. CD4+ T cells count was assessed as well as HIV viral load at the onset of symptoms. After three days of admission, a plasma sample was obtained. A decrease in HIV viral load was observed in allthe cases with a median of 21,532 copies/ml prior DENV infections, and a median of 7624 copies/ml of decrease at third day afteradmission (SD: 12487.7).Conclusions: The decrease of HIV viral load in plasma reveals an interaction between the immune responses activated againstDENV infection, which appears to also be involved in HIV replication.A recent study of in vitro study of DENV infection in intentionally infected cells with HIV revealed the role of NS5 replicative proteins[4]. Our study is consistent with these findings.