Dynamics of the resting CD4+ T-cell latent HIV reservoir in infants initiating HAART less than 6 months of age

Deborah Persaud, Paul E. Palumbo, Carrie Ziemniak, Michael D. Hughes, Carmelita G. Alvero, Katherine Luzuriaga, Ram Yogev, Edmund V. Capparelli, Ellen G. Chadwick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Identification of HIV infection in exposed infants facilitates early therapy, which may limit viral reservoirs that maintain HIV infection under HAART. Methods: The dynamics of the resting CD4+ T-cell latent HIV reservoir was determined over the first 2 years of life in 17 HIV-infected infants initiating lopinavir/ritonavir-based HAART at a median age of 8.1 weeks and achieving adequate suppression of plasma viral load by 24 weeks. Results: The resting CD4+ T-cell latent HIV reservoir was detected in 12 of 14 (86%) infants tested at 24 weeks of HAART [median frequency 1.88 infectious units per million (IUPM); range <0.22 to 81.7), and remained measurable (median IUPM=0.32; range <0.22 to 3.25) in six of 10 (60%) children retested at 96 weeks. The reservoir declined, from 24 to 96 weeks of HAART, at an estimated mean rate of 0.028log10IUPM/month, corresponding to a half-life of 11 months (95% confidence interval 6-30 months]. A strong relationship was found between the frequency of latently infected CD4+ T cells at 96 weeks of HAART and time to first undetectable plasma viral load (Spearman r=0.91, P<0.001). Conclusion: Although the resting CD4+ T-cell latent reservoir remains detectable over the first 2 years of HAART in a substantial proportion of infants, its size is associated with time to first undetectable viral load. To minimize HIV reservoirs in infants, rapid curtailment of viremia may limit HIV reservoirs and should be a therapeutic goal of early HAART in infants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1483-1490
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS
Volume26
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 31 2012

Keywords

  • early HAART
  • infants
  • latent reservoir dynamics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamics of the resting CD4+ T-cell latent HIV reservoir in infants initiating HAART less than 6 months of age'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this