Early therapy of vertical human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection: control of viral replication and absence of persistent HIV-1-specific immune responses

J Virol. 2000 Aug;74(15):6984-91. doi: 10.1128/jvi.74.15.6984-6991.2000.

Abstract

Studies of potent antiretroviral combination regimens were undertaken in young infants to evaluate the potential for long-term suppression of viral replication and to evaluate the immune consequences of such therapies. Early combination antiretroviral therapy led to a loss of plasma viremia, cultivable virus, and labile extrachromosomal replication intermediates. Despite preservation of immune function, persistent human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)-specific immune responses were not detected in most infants. The absence of detectable, persisting immune responses in most HIV-1-infected infants treated early contrasts with what is typically seen in adults who are treated early. These results are consistent with the notion that early combination antiretroviral therapy of HIV-1-infected infants allows the long-term suppression of viral replication.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors