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We investigated whether interferon-inducible genes (IFIGs) with known anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity in vitro were associated with in vivo virological response in HIV infection. Nine untreated HIV-1-infected volunteers were treated for 12 weeks with peginterferon alfa-2a. A subset of IFIGs (23 of 47) increased compared with baseline through 6 weeks beyond therapy, and 10 of the 23 IFIGs significantly inversely correlated (r = -0.7; P < .05) with virological response. The strength of peginterferon alfa-2a- induced IFIG response significantly correlated with declines in HIV load during treatment (r2 = 0.87, p = .003). This study links HIV virological response to a specific IFIG subset, a potential prognostic indicator in peginterferon alfa-2a-treated patients with HIV infection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstrates the reciprocal relationship between opportunistic infections (OI) and HIV type 1 on macrophages. Dependence of HIV-1 on susceptible host cells that express both CD4 and chemokine co-receptors; Possibility of HIV replication in infected lymphocytes and macrophages; Enhancement of viral replication and viremia following activation of immune system by OI, enhancing viral expansion.