Stable coreceptor usage of HIV in patients with ongoing treatment failure on HAART

Background Disease progression in HIV infection has been associated with switch of viral coreceptor usage from CCR5 to CXCR4. Objectives To investigate the relationship between HIV-coreceptor tropism and clinical and virological outcome in 40 heavily pretreated patients over time. Methods Coreceptor phenotype was predicted after sequencing the V3 loop of the HIV glycoprotein 120. Results Coreceptor use was stable during observation time in 87% of patients, and CCR5 tropism was predominant. Viral mutations in the pol gene and clinical parameters were not predictive for coreceptor switching. Conclusions Even in patients with repeated HAART failure, CCR5 antagonists might be a valuable treatment option