Moxibustion versus non-moxibustion for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients with HIV: A 48-week prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective

To assess the effects of moxibustion on immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by tracking T-cell subsets over a 48-week prospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients with AIDS who had low viral loads and weakened immune systems were divided into a moxibustion group and a non-moxibustion group. The non-moxibustion group received standard western treatment, including 48 weeks of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The moxibustion group received ART combined with moxibusion therapy, administered three times weekly. Each treatment lasted 10 weeks, with four courses completed over 48 weeks, separated by 2-week breaks. At different time points, plasma levels of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD45RA⁺, CD45RO⁺, CD4⁺CD28⁺, CD8⁺CD38⁺, and CD4⁺CD38⁺ were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 200 eligible patients were included and divided into two groups, with 100 in the non-moxibustion group and 100 in the moxibustion group. At Week 24, the CD4⁺T cell count was (180.71 ± 79.62) cells/μL in the non-moxibustion group and (218.22 ± 82.02) cells/μL in the moxibustion group. By Week 36, the counts were (204.83 ± 96.78) cells/μL and (239.35±81.90) cells/μL, respectively. At Weeks 24 and 48, the CD8⁺ T cell and CD45RO⁺ counts were higher in the moxibustion group than in the non-moxibustion group (P < 0.05). By Week 48, the CD45RA⁺ count was also higher in the moxibustion group (P < 0.05). At Week 24, the CD4⁺CD25⁺ count was lower in the moxibustion group than in the non-moxibustion group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Moxibustion enhances immune function in patients with AIDS and IRIS by regulating T-HIVcell subsets and increasing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocyte counts.