Crack cocaine: effect modifier of RNA viral load and CD4 count in HIV infected African American women

Front Biosci. 2007 Jan 1:12:1488-95. doi: 10.2741/2162.

Abstract

This study reports on the role of cocaine as effect modifier of the association of CD4+ cell counts and RNA viral load. HIV-1 seropositive (n = 80) and seronegative (n = 42) African American women (AAW) crack cocaine smokers were recruited. Increasing cocaine use, based on self-reports and laboratory values, significantly exacerbates the immunopathology of HIV-1 in a dose-response manner, confirmed by a non-linear drop in CD4+ cell number for a given viral load in HIV+ AAW. This report supports a view of deleterious effects due to cocaine use in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count*
  • Crack Cocaine / toxicity*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV-1* / genetics
  • HIV-1* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Viral Load*

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine
  • RNA, Viral