ROLE OF THE THYMUS IN PEDIATRIC HIV-1 INFECTION

Several lines of evidence suggest that HIV-1 is present in the thymus during HIV-1 infection. Precursors to mature CD4(+) T lymphocytes deve lop in the thymus, which suggests that thymic infection may play a rol e in the CD4(+) T-cell decline observed during the course of pediatric HIV-1 infection. We illustrate, through mathematical modeling, the po tential effects of thymic infection on the course of pediatric AIDS di sease progression. We find that infection in the thymus not only can s upplement peripheral infection but can help explain the faster progres sion in pediatric cases, as well as the early and high viral burden.