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High‐intensity cannabis use associated with lower plasma human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA viral load among recently infected people who use injection drugs

High‐intensity cannabis use associated with lower plasma human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA viral... Introduction and Aims Cannabis use is common among people who are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). While there is growing pre‐clinical evidence of the immunomodulatory and anti‐viral effects of cannabinoids, their possible effects on HIV disease parameters in humans are largely unknown. Thus, we sought to investigate the possible effects of cannabis use on plasma HIV‐1 RNA viral loads (pVLs) among recently seroconverted illicit drug users. Design and Methods We used data from two linked longitudinal observational cohorts of people who use injection drugs. Using multivariable linear mixed‐effects modelling, we analysed the relationship between pVL and high‐intensity cannabis use among participants who seroconverted following recruitment. Results Between May 1996 and March 2012, 88 individuals seroconverted after recruitment and were included in these analyses. Median pVL in the first 365 days among all seroconverters was 4.66 log10 c mL−1. In a multivariable model, at least daily cannabis use was associated with 0.51 log10 c mL−1 lower pVL (β = −0.51, standard error = 0.170, P value = 0.003). Discussion and Conclusions Consistent with the findings from recent in vitro and in vivo studies, including one conducted among lentiviral‐infected primates, we observed a strong association between cannabis use and lower pVL following seroconversion among illicit drug‐using participants. Our findings support the further investigation of the immunomodulatory or antiviral effects of cannabinoids among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. (Milloy M‐J, Marshall B, Kerr T, Richardson L, Hogg R, Guillemi S, Montaner JSG, Wood E. High‐intensity cannabis use associated with lower plasma human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA viral load among recently infected people who use injection drugs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:135–40) http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Drug and Alcohol Review Wiley

High‐intensity cannabis use associated with lower plasma human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA viral load among recently infected people who use injection drugs

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References (28)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs
ISSN
0959-5236
eISSN
1465-3362
DOI
10.1111/dar.12223
pmid
25389027
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Introduction and Aims Cannabis use is common among people who are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). While there is growing pre‐clinical evidence of the immunomodulatory and anti‐viral effects of cannabinoids, their possible effects on HIV disease parameters in humans are largely unknown. Thus, we sought to investigate the possible effects of cannabis use on plasma HIV‐1 RNA viral loads (pVLs) among recently seroconverted illicit drug users. Design and Methods We used data from two linked longitudinal observational cohorts of people who use injection drugs. Using multivariable linear mixed‐effects modelling, we analysed the relationship between pVL and high‐intensity cannabis use among participants who seroconverted following recruitment. Results Between May 1996 and March 2012, 88 individuals seroconverted after recruitment and were included in these analyses. Median pVL in the first 365 days among all seroconverters was 4.66 log10 c mL−1. In a multivariable model, at least daily cannabis use was associated with 0.51 log10 c mL−1 lower pVL (β = −0.51, standard error = 0.170, P value = 0.003). Discussion and Conclusions Consistent with the findings from recent in vitro and in vivo studies, including one conducted among lentiviral‐infected primates, we observed a strong association between cannabis use and lower pVL following seroconversion among illicit drug‐using participants. Our findings support the further investigation of the immunomodulatory or antiviral effects of cannabinoids among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. (Milloy M‐J, Marshall B, Kerr T, Richardson L, Hogg R, Guillemi S, Montaner JSG, Wood E. High‐intensity cannabis use associated with lower plasma human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA viral load among recently infected people who use injection drugs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:135–40)

Journal

Drug and Alcohol ReviewWiley

Published: Mar 1, 2015

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