Abstract
Based on monitoring CD 4+ and CD 8+ T cell counts, previous studies have indicated that orthopedic surgery does not influence on clinical status of HIV-1 infected patients. However, there are no reports of influence of such surgery on HIV-1 RNA (viral load) in plasma. Here, we measured plasma viral load CD 4+ nad CD 8+ T cell counts in four HIV-1 infected hemophiliacs (five operations) be-fore and after orthopedic surgery, Which included four total knee arthroplasties and one total hip arthroplasty operation performed under general anesthesia between 1997 and 1999. Compared with baseline values (pre-surgery), CD 4+ and CD 8+ T cell counts did not change significantly at one and three months after orthopedic surgery. None of the patients developed fever or inflammatory reaction that delayed postoperative recovery. Furthermore, viral load did not increase at one and three months after operation. Our data suggest that orthopedic surgery does not influence on clinical course of HIV-1 infection judging from changes of viral load, CD 4+ and CD 8+ T cell counts. However, to con-firm our conclusion, further studies with long-term follow-up and a larger number of patients are necessary.
