Introduction Demographics Causes Clinical features Diagnosis Treatment Outcome
Acute human immunodeficiency virus infection syndrome refers to symptoms experienced by many people at the time of initial infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is also known as acute retroviral syndrome.
The syndrome consists of nonspecific symptoms including fever and rash. It resolves gradually as seroconversion occurs.1,2
It is estimated that acute HIV infection syndrome occurs in 40 to 90% of people infected with HIV during the first few weeks after initial exposure.3
HIV infection occurs predominately through sexual exposure in most areas of the world. There are some geographical areas where intravenous transmission among intravenous drug users or via nosocomial transmission also occur. Mother to child transmission is becoming less frequent as a result of HIV testing and treatment during pregnancy.
HIV belongs to the Retroviridae family of viruses. There are two subgroups: HIV-1 and HIV 2.
Symptoms begin after the virus has successfully infected its specific target, T helper/CD4 cells, followed by bursting viraemia.1 A very high viral load incites cytokine production by the innate immune system causing the clinical syndrome.2
Acute HIV infection syndrome is classified according to general, neurologic, and dermatological manifestations.1 Fever is the most common symptom. None of the symptoms or signs of acute HIV infection syndrome are specific to acute HIV infection. 4–7 However, they are very infectious at this time due to the high HIV viral load. Early diagnosis is important to prevent sexual transmission during the highly viraemic phase of acute HIV infection.
The rash is a symmetrical maculopapular erythematous exanthem that involves face, palms and soles as well as trunk and limbs.
About 10% of cases of acute HIV infection syndrome are atypical and present with fulminant immunological and clinical collapse, sometimes with an opportunistic infection.1
Diagnosis depends on observing typical clinical features together with evidence of HIV infection.8 The currently favoured algorithm combines an antigen and antbody i.e. the HIV (1+2) Ag/Ab test and/or an HIV RNA test.
Once HIV infection has been confirmed, further tests are performed to clarify immune function and background HIV resistance before starting treatment.
Western blot testing is no longer performed by many laboratories.
HIV viral load levels are high at the time of HIV seroconversion. The HIV viral load reaches a "set point" once specific cytotoxic T cells begin to fight the virus. A high set point means a high viral load and expectation of rapid progression of disease. A lower set point and lower viral load in general predicts slower progression.
Recommendations to treat or not to treat acute HIV infection have altered in recent years. In 2015, most experts recommend commencing antiretroviral treatment (ART) as soon as the diagnosis of HIV infection is made and the patient has a good understanding of the importance of adherence to treatment. The benefits of early treatment have been supported by a randomised clinical trial (START study, 2015).9
The aim of ART is to suppress HIV RNA count to undetectable levels. Genotypic antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance testing helps in the selection of an effective regimen of several active medications. Not all drugs are available or funded in every country.
HIV treatments are continuing to evolve. A comprehensive view on what regimen should be commenced is beyond the scope of this article. A good resource on treatment is available at the DHHS website AIDSinfo.
The symptoms of acute HIV infection syndrome settle within a few days to weeks.
Once HIV infection is established, there is a clinical latency period when patients may be asymptomatic. The median time of this period is approximately 10 years, during which there is active HIV replication and CD4 T-cell count declines.
Chronic HIV symptoms are variable, mostly depending on CD4 count and/or viral load. If HIV infection is not detected and treated with ART, progression to AIDS spectrum of illness is inevitable with opportunistic infections and/or malignancy.
