Residual viral replication during antiretroviral therapy boosts human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses in subjects treated early after infection

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected subjects treated early after infection have preserved HIV-1-specific CD4(+) T-cell function. We s tudied the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the fr equency of HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T cells in patients treated during early ( n = 31) or chronic (n = 23) infection. The degree of viral suppression and time of initiation of treatment influenced the magnitude of the CD8+ T-cell response. HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T cells can increase in number after HAART in subjects treated early after infection who have episodes of transient v iremia.