Factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus-1 low-level viremia and its impact on virological and immunological outcomes: A retrospective cohort study in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the impact of low-level viremia (LLV) on virological failure and immune reconstitution among people living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) treated with different antiretroviral regimens in Beijing, China.

METHODS

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-positive adults who were registered at an infectious disease hospital in Beijing between January 1, 2005 and January 1, 2020 were administered antiretroviral therapy (ART) and whose viral load and CD4 counts were monitored were included in this retrospective cohort study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with LLV in patients on different ART regimens. Cox proportional hazard model was employed to analyze the virological suppression and immune reconstitution cumulative probability in patients with LLV during follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 10 124 HIV-1-infected participants was included. LLV occurred in 723 (8.2%), 204 (10.9%), 133 (8.6%), and 53 (14.4%) patients on first-line ART, second-line ART, third-line ART, and simplified regimens, respectively. Virological failure occurred in 514 (5.8%), 289 (15.5%), 86 (5.5%), and 34 (9.2%) patients on first-line ART, second-line ART, third-line ART, and simplified regimens, respectively. Earlier enrollment, lower baseline CD4 count, and higher baseline viral load were risk factors associated with LLV. LLV was related to increased hazards of virological failure compared to viral suppression of ≤50 copies/ml for those on first-line ART.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of virological failure and poor immune reconstitution increases when LLV occurs. Targeted viral load and CD4 count monitoring are recommended for people living with HIV-1 with LLV to improve health-related outcomes.