Prognostic Value of HIV-1 Syncytium-Inducing Phenotype for Rate of CD4+ Cell Depletion and Progression to AIDS

Abstract

The HIV-1 biological phenotype is a practical, binary marker for progression to AIDS, which is independent of decreased CD4+ cell counts and antigenemia. Appearance of SI variants, occurring 2 years before progression to AIDS on the average, is predictive for a significantly increased rate of CD4+ cell decline.