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

Studies of potent antiretroviral combination regimens were undertaken in yo ung infants to evaluate the potential for long term suppression of viral re plication and to evaluate the immune consequences of such therapies. Early combination antiretroviral therapy led to a loss of plasma viremia, cultiva ble virus, and labile extrachromosomal replication intermediates. Despite p reservation of immune function, persistent human immunodeficiency type 1 (H IV-1)-specific immune responses were not detected in most infants. The abse nce of detectable, persisting immune responses in most HIV-1-infected infan ts treated early contrasts with what is typically seen in adults who are tr eated early. These results are consistent with the notion that early combin ation antiretroviral therapy of HIV-1 infected infants allows the long-term suppression of viral replication.