HIV-1 viraemia during granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor therapy

Replication of HIV-1 can be influenced by several viral or non-viral factors. Recently, Ho has shown that acute influenza infections or influenza vaccinations were able to enhance HIV-1 viraemia. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has recently been proposed for the treatment of haematological complications in HIV-1 infection. However, GM-CSF has been shown to be capable of enhancing HIV-1 replication in vitro. We determined quantitative plasma and cellular viraemia in six AIDS patients receiving 10 mu g/kg GM-CSF (Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA) per day subcutaneously.