Progressive Human Immunodeficiency Virus—Specific Immune Recovery with Prolonged Viral Suppression

摘要: The degree of immune recovery achievable with anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy remains to be established. effects potent antiretroviral therapy, including ritonavir and saquinavir, on function were studied for a prolonged period in 41 patients. After 96 weeks, 88% patients had plasma HIV RNA levels below the limit quantitation. There continuous increases CD4 lymphocyte counts CD4:CD8 ratios over time. About half developed lymphoproliferative responses p24 antigen, nearly all phytohemagglutinin. This occurred parallel interleukin-12 production expression CD28 CD8 lymphocytes, despite potential antiproliferative protease inhibitors. Transient load temporally associated loss proliferative responses. improved function, HIV-specific immunity many subjects, demonstrates reversibility HIV-induced does not identify recovery.