Transient Increases in Numbers of Infectious Cells in an HIV-infected Chimpanzee Following Immune Stimulation

Efficient replication and production of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been shown to be influenced greatly not only by the activation state of the infected cell but also by a variety of cytokines. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume, as has been hypothesized, that any stimulus to the immune system, whether by intercurrent infection, exposure to new or recall antigens, or injury with inflammation, could enhance HIV expression in infected individuals. To test this hypothesis, we subjected an HIV-1-infected chimpanzee to repeated specific and nonspecific immune stimulation by inoculation of various vaccine preparations, adjuvant alone, or HIV-specific immune globulin. Transient increases both in numbers of infectious peripheral blood cells and in some HIV-specific immune responses occurred within 1 to 2 weeks after most inoculations, including administration of the immune globulin. These results have important implications for the use of immunotherapy as a treatment for HIV-infected persons and for immunization of HIV-infected infants and children against other pathogens. They suggest that both immunotherapy and vaccination of HIV-infected individuals should be accompanied by administration of an antiviral drug(s).