Preliminary Data From the Study of Coagulative Profile of HIV Infected Individuals Suggest a Role For Point Mutations in the Gene in Protein S Deficiency in Individuals Undergoing Highly Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND: HIV infection is a known prothrombotic condition but factors involved are still controversial. A role for antiretrovirals, especially protease inhibitors, was advocated. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to analyze the levels of anticoagulant proteins in virally suppressed HIV-infected subjects treated with different anti-retroviral regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients were included in the study. C and PS, D-Dimers and Fibrinogen levels were determined as well as APC-resistance. PROS1 gene was sequenced in a group of patient. RESULTS: Twelve of the 44 subjects (27%) showed reduced levels of PS, while lower levels of PC were found only in 2 patients (4,5%). No difference in the mean values of PC and PS was found stratifying the study population by antiretroviral regimen administrated (p>0.05). Three patients had higher levels of D-Dimer concentrations and in two of these patients, an association between higher D-Dimer values and lower levels of PS was observed; but however no correlation was found by statistical analysis. PROS1 gene analysis was performed in 26 of the 44 HIV-1 patients and the subjects with low levels of PS had mutation in the fifteen exon of PROS 1 gene. While among individuals with normal levels, this mutation was observed only in 8/18 (44%) of the cases (p=0,0072). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with low PS levels also had mutations in the fifteen exon of PROS 1 gene. Genetic determinants, deserving further investigations, rather than antiretrovirals might cause PS deficiency in HIV-1 positive patients.