HIV-RNA CD4/CD8 ratio and HDL concentration in a cohort of HIV + ART-naïve patients.

HIV infection is associated with dyslipidemia marked by low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and increase of triglycerides. To maximise lipid rafts and virus budding, HIV Nef protein downregulates ATP cassette binding transporter A1 (ABCA1), reducing cholesterol efflux from macrophages and the generation of nascent HDL.. To analyse the correlation between HDLs level, HIV viremia and CD4/CD8 ratio in a group of ARTnaive HIV-positive patients and to evaluate its role in HIV replication and disease progression.