Changes in B-Cell Counts and Percentages during Primary HIV Infection Associated with Disease Progression in HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Preliminary Study

Figure 6

Persistent elevation in CD4⁺ T-cell counts and persistent low-level of viral loads of the individuals with higher baseline B-cell counts. We grouped 45 HIV-infected subjects based on the absolute B-cell counts or percentages at the baseline visit. Subjects were put into the “B median” group when their absolute baseline B-cell counts were below the median (139 cells/μL). In contrast, subjects were put into the “B median” group when their absolute baseline B-cell counts were above or equal to the median. Similarly, our study subjects were also grouped into the “Percent B median” group and the “Percent B median” group based on how subjects’ baseline B-cell percentages compared to the median (7%). (a) The changes of CD4⁺ T-cell counts or HIV viral loads were plotted. The rapid drop in CD4⁺ T-cell counts and persistently higher viral loads were shown in the individuals with the low baseline B-cell counts and percentages. Each line represents 1 individual. Each solid line (—) represents one individual in the “B ⩾ median” group or the “Percent B median” group. Each dotted line (- - -) represents one individual in the “B median” group or the “Percent B median” group. (b) The changes of the CD4⁺ T-cell counts and HIV viral loads were plotted the same as in Figure 6(a). Loess curve fitting was applied to the data. By comparing with the “B median” group and the “Percent B median” group (blank), CD4⁺ T-cell counts were elevated in the “B median” group and the “Percent B median” group (red).

(a)

(b)