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 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.