title: Long-term effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on immunologic features in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) into a chronic condition. The effects of long-term HAART on the immune system activity of early infected children are not fully understood. Hence, the aim of this review is to investigate immune system recovery and residual alteration in HIV-infected children receiving HAART in high-income countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was performed by searches of PubMed and references of the relevant articles. Studies published between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2014 and conducted in high-income countries reporting data on immunological features in HIV-infected children receiving HAART were included in this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three articles were included in this review. Present knowledge on B-cell and T-cell function, immunoglobulin production, response to vaccine and innate immune system activity in HIV-infected children receiving HAART is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Starting therapy as soon as diagnosis is ascertained and monitoring vaccine response in children under HAART are the most important tools to safeguard immunological function in HIV-infected children.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Health Sciences, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montagnani
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonsignori
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Martino
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014612:Vaccines