Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Women

Abstract

HAART use was associated with increased regression of SIL among HIV-infected women, and among women who used HAART, increased CD4+ T-cell counts were associated with a greater likelihood of regression. However, the majority of cervical lesions among HIV-infected women, even among individuals who used HAART, did not regress to normal.

Colposcopic Study of Lower Genital Tract Infections in HIV-Positive Women on Antiretroviral Therapy

“…Thus from the present study, it can be said that prevalence of lower genital tract infections is more common in HIVpositive women [12], whereas it can very well be concluded that HIV-positive women who were on HAART showed an increased clearance of HPV infections because of increased immune function.…”

“…In Ahdeich Grant et al [11,12], Hanskin's [13], Firnhasen [14], and Heard et al studies [15,16], they all said that low CD4 counts and increased HIV viral loads have an independent association with the incidence of delayed clearance of HPV infections as well as with the risk of progression of SIL (squamous intra-epithelial lesions).…”

Frequency and types of human papillomavirus among pregnant and non-pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Recife determined by genotyping

“…Women who used antiretroviral therapy have been found to present higher rates of IEL regression (Minkoff et al 2001, Ahdieh-Grant et al 2004). This seems plausible, since antiretroviral therapy reverses immunodeficiency, thereby increasing the number of TCD4 cells (Heard et al 1998) and reducing the viral load (Wagner et al 2001).…”

The Relation of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (pDCs) and Regulatory T-Cells (Tregs) with HPV Persistence in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Women

“…Furthermore, local Treg and pDC immunotherapy might be useful as adjuvants to reduce the risk of recurrent cervical neoplasia, especially in HIVpositive and other high risk populations. It is also possible that the relation of Tregs and pDCs with oncHPV persistence may play a role in the beneficial effects of HAART in reducing oncHPV persistence observed in prior studies (1,2,12). Larger and more comprehensive studies are therefore warranted to expand upon the current observations, and better understand the effects of pDCs and Tregs on HPV natural history.…”