The statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, act to regulate the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Statins also deplete nonsterol cholesterol precursors, the isoprenoids, which are necessary for prenylation of critical membrane proteins that regulate cellular communication, including the inflammatory response. In a retrospective review of 388 bacteremic infections due to aerobic gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus, there was a significant reduction in both overall (6% vs. 28%; P=.002) and attributable (3% vs. 20%; P=.010) mortality among patients taking statins compared with patients not taking statins. This reduction in mortality persisted in a multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-57.5). Among the statin group, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were more prevalent (P<.001), and there were more skin and soft tissue infections identified as sources of bacteremia (P=.008). These data suggest a potential clinical role of statins in bacteremic infection; however, the mechanism by which mortality is reduced remains undefined.

Hepatic dysfunction is not uncommon in HIV-infected persons and is attributable to multiple causes. In the appropriate clinical setting, syphilitic hepatitis is an easily diagnosed and reversible etiology of liver dysfunction. The recognition of this entity will prevent unnecessary evaluation of abnormal liver enzyme levels in HIV-positive patients.

Both HIV and treatment for HIV have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Unfavorable lipid changes could offer a possible explanation for the increased risk of CVD. We examined the association of lipoprotein particles with CVD in HIV-infected patients. The Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (SMART) study was a trial of intermittent use of ART (drug conservation [DC]) versus continuous of ART (viral suppression [VS]). In a nested case-control study, lipoprotein particles (p) by nuclear magnetic resonance were measured at baseline and at the visit prior to the CVD event (latest levels) for the 248 patients who had a CVD event and for 480 matched controls. Odd ratios (OR) were estimated using conditional logistic models. Total, large and small HDL-p, but not VLDL-p nor LDL-p, were significantly associated with CVD and its major component, non-fatal coronary heart disease. The HDL-p associations with CVD remained significant after adjustment for high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer. Latest levels of total HDL-p were also significantly associated with CVD and treatment interruption led to decrease of total HDL-p; adjusting for latest HDL-p did not explain the greater risk of CVD that was observed in the DC vs VS group. Lipoprotein particles, especially small and large HDL-p identify HIV-infected patients at increased risk of CVD independent of other CVD risk factors.

Background The effects of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on usual lipid levels have been reported. The effects of initiating versus deferring ART on high- and low-density lipoprotein particle concentrations (HDL-P and LDL-P) and apolipoprotein (Apo) levels are not well described. Methods In a subgroup of participants not taking ART at study entry who were randomized in the Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (SMART) to immediately initiate ART (‘VS group’) or to defer it (‘DC group’), lipoprotein particle concentrations and ApoA1 and ApoB levels were measured at baseline and at 2 and 6 months following randomization. Results Compared to DC group (n=126), HDL-P and ApoA1 levels increased among VS participants (n=128) after starting ART. At 6 months, VS participants had 13% higher total HDL-P (p < 0.001) and 9% higher ApoA1 (p < 0.001). LDL-P, VLDL-P, and ApoB did not differ significantly between the VS and DC groups. Among VS participants, predictors of HDL-P and ApoA1 increases included baseline levels of hsCRP and IL-6, but not HIV RNA level, CD4 count or traditional CVD risk factors. The effect of starting ART on changes in HDL-P and ApoA1 was greater for those with higher versus lower baseline levels of IL-6 (p=0.001 and 0.08, respectively, for interaction) or hsCRP (p=0.01 and 0.04, respectively, for interaction). Conclusion HDL-P and ApoA1 increase following ART initiation, to a degree that depends on the degree of inflammation present at entry. These findings suggest that activation of inflammatory pathways contribute to HIV-associated changes in HDL.