Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on thymical reconstitution of CD4 T lymphocytes in vertically HIV-infected children

AIDS. 2002 May 24;16(8):1181-3. doi: 10.1097/00002030-200205240-00013.

Abstract

CD4 T-cell percentages, viral load and thymic function measured as T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circle (TREC) levels were determined every 2-3 months in six treated HIV-infected children for 4 years. All children experienced a marked increase in CD4 cell count after therapy, accompanied by a concomitantly marked increase in TREC levels. In children, the decrease in viral load caused by antiviral therapy leads to an increase in CD4 T cells, mainly because of a recovery in the thymic production of new T cells.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Child
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / drug effects
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects*
  • Thymus Gland / physiopathology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell