Effect of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis on the development of HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in HIV-exposed healthcare workers

We evaluated the effects of zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) on the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in 20 healthcare workers with occupational exposures to HIV. Seven healthcare workers were treated with zidovudine PEP. Only 1 of 7 treated, versus 6 of 13 not treated, developed an HIV envelope-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response. These data suggest that zidovudine abrogated HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses may be useful as a surrogate marker of HIV replication in the evaluation of new regimens for PEP of occupational HIV exposures.