Early antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV DNA following perinatal HIV infection. (24th August 2017) - Foster, Caroline
Abstract : N/A: The impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the size of the HIV reservoir has implications for virological remission in adults, but is not well characterized in perinatally acquired infection. In a prospective observational study of 20 children with perinatally acquired infection and sustained viral suppression on ART for more than 5 years, proviral DNA was significantly higher in deferred (>4 years) versus early (first year of life) ART recipients ( P = 0.0062), and correlated with age of initiation ( P = 0.13; r = 0.57). No difference was seen in cell-associated viral RNA ( P = 0.36). Identifying paediatric populations with smaller reservoirs may inform strategies with potential to induce ART-free remission. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text