Inflammation, Viral Replication, and Atherosclerosis in Treated HIV Infection
Inflammation, Viral Replication, and Atherosclerosis in Treated HIV Infection
This is a longitudinal observational study of HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative control
 patients that is being conducted to learn more about immunologic factors, inflammation, and
 cardiovascular risk in patients with HIV infection or in patients with autoimmune disease.
 The investigators plan to obtain measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT)
 using high resolution ultrasound as a noninvasive means for tracking atherosclerotic
 progression. The investigators will also measure lipid and lipoprotein levels, inflammatory
 markers, markers of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, thrombotic markers, atherogenic
 lipoproteins, and markers of immune function. Immunophenotyping will be performed on freshly
 collected blood and analyzed by flow cytometry to identify activated T-cells, T-cell
 turnover, proportions of T-cells, and CMV function. HIV-infected patients will have CD4 count
 and HIV viral load measured in addition. Patients will undergo detailed clinical history
 including HIV disease, specific HIV medications, comorbid conditions, and health related
 behaviors. Physical exam and measurements will be obtained to assess for the presence of
 lipodystrophy. Patients will undergo study visits for ultrasound, blood draw, and interview
 at 4-12 month intervals for the next 3 years.

 Patients will also go assessment of endothelial function, endothelial progenitor cells,
 arterial stiffness as measured using pulse wave tonometry.

 To demonstrate the feasibility of a larger scale investigation of cardiac arrhythmia in HIV
 positive and negative patients with cardiac disease, the investigators will use 48-hour
 Holter monitor surveillance to monitor HIV-infected and uninfected patients with a history of
 myocardial infarction, systolic left ventricular dysfunction, and/or pulmonary artery
 hypertension for the presence of cardiac arrhythmia.

 The FDG PET scan (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography)
 will be used to detect and quantify inflammation in the body.
This proposal is currently approved by CHR (#H9577-18534-03C, exp date 3/26/04); the purpose
 of this new application is to split the currently approved protocol into a separate protocol
 with a separate PI. Data collected and patients seen under the previously approved protocol
 will be carried over into this new separate protocol. This is a longitudinal observational
 study of HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative control patients, and individuals with
 autoimmune diseases. We plan to obtain measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness
 (IMT) using high resolution ultrasound as a noninvasive means for tracking atherosclerotic
 progression. In addition, patients will undergo ct scan for coronary calcium and single slice
 abdominal ct scan to assess visceral fat. We will also measure lipid and lipoprotein levels,
 inflammatory markers, markers of CMV infection, thrombotic markers, atherogenic lipoproteins,
 and markers of immune function. Immunophenotyping will be performed on freshly collected
 blood and analyzed by flow cytometry to identify activated T cells,T cell turnover,
 proportions of T cells, and CMV function. HIV-infected patients will have CD4 count and HIV
 viral load measured in addition. Patients will undergo detailed clinical history including
 HIV disease, specific HIV medications, comorbid conditions, and health related behaviours.
 Physical exam and measurements will be obtained to assess for the presence of lipodystrophy.
 Patients will undergo study visits for ultrasound, blood draw, and interview at 4-12 month
 intervals for the next 3 years. Patients will also go assessment of endothelial function,
 endothelial progenitor cells, arterial stiffness as measured using pulse wave tonometry. In
 patients with detectable calcium on CT scan, they will be given the option of obtaining CT
 angiography. Patients will also undergo testing for peripheral arterial disease using ankle
 brachial index testing and exercise treadmill testing.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Stable antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, and have no immediate plans to
 alter therapy.

 -  All plasma HIV RNA levels within the past year must be below conventional levels of
 detection (< 50 copies RNA/mL), although isolated single values > 50 but < 1000 copies
 will be allowed if they were preceded and followed by undetectable viral load
 determinations.

 -  Ability to provide reliable history of HIV medications or has received the majority of
 medical care from San Francisco General Hospital with available records of medical
 treatment