Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on thymical reconstitution of CD4 T lymphocytes in vertically HIV-infected children.
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.
Correa
Rafael
R
Department of Inmunology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Dr. Esquerado, 46, 28007 Madrid, Spain.
Muñoz-Fernández
Angeles
A
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell