1. Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Dr. Jennifer Veltman

2. Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)
Definitions
Epidemiology
Clinical course
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

3. What is Acute Retroviral Syndrome???

4. Definitions:
Acute HIV Infection: Phase of HIV disease immediately after infection during which the initial burst of viremia in newly infected patients occurs: anti-HIV antibodies are undetectable at this time, while HIV RNA or p24 antigen are present. Recent Infection: considered the phase up to 6 months after infected during which anti-HIV antibodies are detectable. Early HIV: either acute or recent HIV infection Acute retroviral syndrome: patient w/ acute HIV infection w/ symptoms.

5. Epidemiology 40-90% of people infected with HIV develop ARS
Reported more in those infected via sexual exposure or health care related (needle stick) compared to IVDU
Onset 1-6 weeks after exposure. Peak onset is 3 weeks after exposure.

6. Day 0 Day 8 Weeks 10-24 exposed to HIV, and infection begins.
virus is detectable in blood using (PCR)
antibody test are negative.
amount of virus in the blood more than doubles every day.
The CD4 cell count (and total white blood cell count) begins to drop
Weeks 2-9
viral load peaks and begins to decline as the immune system begins to battle the virus
highly infectious!!!
Weeks 10-24
HIV viral load drops to its lowest point, also known as the set point, which is different in each person.
antibody tests become positive for HIV. Seroconversion is now complete, and chronic HIV infection begins.

7. Window period

8. What are the symptoms of Acute Retroviral Syndrome?

9. Symptoms Symptom # w/ finding (n=209) Frequency % Fever 200 96
Enlarged lymph nodes
154 74
Sore throat
146 70
Rash
Sore muscles or joints
112 54
Low platelets 94 45
Low WBC 80 38
Diarrhea 67 32
Headache 66
Nausea/vomiting 56 27
Elevated liver enzymes 21
Enlarged liver/spleen 30 14
Thrush 24 12
Neuropathy 13 6
Encephalopathy

10. What are some other diseases that can cause similar signs/symptoms?
“MONO” (EBV or CMV infection)
Sore throat, fatigue, enlarged glands, fever, muscle or joint aches, rash, enlarged liver/spleen, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
Influenza
Muscle aches, fevers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue
Acute HSV (Primary Herpes Infection)
Fever, fatigue, sore throat, headache, rash, sore muscles, enlarged glands near ulcer
Secondary Syphilis
Fatigue, headache, poor appetite, nausea, joint aches, fever, (rarely) meningitis and liver inflammation
Acute Hepatitis
Fever, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, enlarged liver

11. Symptoms Symptoms resolve 10-15 days
Acute opportunistic infections have been reported
Examples: P. jirovecii pneumonia, Cryptococci meningitis, and Candida esophagitis.
Likely caused by the depression of the CD4+cell count generally seen in acute HIV infection.

12. Diagnosis:
high-level HIV RNA viral load in the absence of anti-HIV antibodies.
(+)viral load. (–)ELISA
ELISA remains negative for an average of 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms, despite the appearance of specific antibodies on a Western blot of the patient’s serum.
If VL <10,000, may be false positive b/c usually VL >100,000 copies/mL
Pt should have elisa repeated over next 3-6 months to document seroconversion

14. Should your patient get on treatment?
Acute HIV Infection. ART initiation has been recommended for those with symptomatic acute HIV infection.7 In the absence of definitive data from randomized controlled trials on the risks and benefits of treating asymptomatic primary infection, several arguments can be made for initiating ART during acute and early infection.
Early treatment has been associated with reduced lymphoid tissue pathology, conserved lymphocyte function,41 lowered cell-associated HIV-1 DNA,42 and a transient reduction of viral set point after treatment interruption.43 Randomized clinical trials of immediate vs. deferred ART for recently infected individuals have shown a delayed rate of CD4 cell decline after treatment interruptions of 6 to 15 months compared with deferred treatment.44- 45
Quiz Ref IDA substantial proportion of ongoing HIV transmission is attributable to individuals with acute infection.46- 48 These individuals may have markedly higher HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma and genital secretions, which increases the risk of transmission per sexual encounter. Thus, offering persons with acute HIV infection early treatment represents a high priority in ART-for-prevention strategies.

15. Pros of starting treatment during Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Symptom relief
Decreases viral reservoir and viral set point
Decrease rate of viral mutation by suppressing viral replication
Prevent immune destruction
Public health, reduces transmission to serodiscordant sexual partners
Decreased set point may help slow disease progression if therapy is eventually stopped

16. Cons of starting treatment during Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Toxicity of medications
Risk of developing drug resistance if adherence is poor
Quality of life w/ daily medication in which strict adherence is necessary
Cost

17. The Setpoint Study (ACTG A5217): Effect of Immediate Versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy on Virologic Set Point in Recently HIV-1–Infected Individuals
In 1 year, about half of patients needed to start ART in Delayed Treatment group
Time to meeting eligibility criteria for initiation or reinitiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the immediate treatment (IT) and deferred treatment (DT) groups over the 96 weeks of the study; times were significantly longer in the IT group (P < .001; log–rank test).
CD4 <350 criteria to initiate ARV
Time to meeting eligibility criteria for initiation or reinitiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the immediate treatment (IT) and deferred treatment (DT) groups over the 96 weeks of the study; times were significantly longer in the IT group (P < .001; log–rank test).
Hogan C M et al. J Infect Dis. 2011;infdis.jir699

19. Guidelines say…
Treatment optional , unless pregnant, then recommended

20. What to say to patients… from www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics
Within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection, many, but not all, people develop flu-like symptoms, often described as “the worst flu ever.” Symptoms can include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, muscle and joint aches and pains, fatigue, and headache. This is called “acute retroviral syndrome” (ARS) or “primary HIV infection,” and it’s the body’s natural response to the HIV infection.
During this early period of infection, large amounts of virus are being produced in your body. The virus uses CD4 cells to replicate and destroys them in the process. Because of this, your CD4 count can fall rapidly. Eventually your immune response will begin to bring the level of virus in your body back down to a level called a viral set point, which is a relatively stable level of virus in your body. At this point, your CD4 count begins to increase, but it may not return to pre-infection levels. It may be particularly beneficial to your health to begin ART during this stage.
It is important to be aware that you are at particularly high risk of transmitting HIV to your sexual or drug using partners during this stage because the levels of HIV in your blood stream are very high. For this reason, it is very important to take steps to reduce your risk of transmission.

21. References
DHHS guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1 infected adults and adolescents; considerations for antiretroviral use in special patient populations. Acute and recent HIV infection. Last updated 2/12/13.
Mendel's
Emedicine accessed 8/10/13

22. Now, how much do you remember?
Definitions
Epidemiology
Clinical course of ARS
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

23. What are the most common signs/ symptoms in Acute Retroviral Syndrome?

24. Symptoms Symptom # w/ finding (n=209) Frequency % Fever 200 96
Enlarged lymph nodes
154 74
Sore throat
146 70
Rash
Sore muscles or joints
112 54
Low platelets 94 45
Low WBC 80 38
Diarrhea 67 32
Headache 66
Nausea/vomiting 56 27
Elevated liver enzymes 21
Enlarged liver/spleen 30 14
Thrush 24 12
Neuropathy 13 6
Encephalopathy

25. What are the Pros of treating patients during Acute Antiretroviral Syndrome?

26. Pros of starting treatment during Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Symptom relief
Decreases viral reservoir and viral set point
Decrease rate of viral mutation by suppressing viral replication
Prevent immune destruction
Public health, reduces transmission to serodiscordant sexual partners
Decreased set point may help slow disease progression if therapy is eventually stopped

27. What are the Cons of treating patients during Acute Antiretroviral Syndrome?

28. Cons of starting treatment during Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Toxicity of medications
Risk of developing drug resistance if adherence is poor
Quality of life w/ daily medication in which strict adherence is necessary
Cost

29. How do you diagnosis Acute Retroviral Syndrome?

30. Diagnosis:
high-level HIV RNA viral load in the absence of anti-HIV antibodies.
(+)viral load. (–)ELISA
ELISA remains negative for an average of 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms, despite the appearance of specific antibodies on a Western blot of the patient’s serum.
If VL <10,000, may be false positive b/c usually VL >100,000 copies/mL
Pt should have elisa repeated over next 3-6 months to document seroconversion

31. When are HIV patients the most infectious?

32. highly infectious!!! Day 0 Day 8 Weeks 10-24
exposed to HIV, and infection begins.
Day 8
virus is detectable in blood using (PCR)
antibody test are negative.
amount of virus in the blood more than doubles every day.
The CD4 cell count (and total white blood cell count) begins to drop
Weeks 2-9
viral load peaks and begins to decline as the immune system begins to battle the virus
highly infectious!!!
Weeks 10-24
HIV viral load drops to its lowest point, also known as the set point, which is different in each person.
antibody tests become positive for HIV. Seroconversion is now complete, and chronic HIV infection begins.

33. What is the window period?

34. Window period

35. Thank you!