艾滋病患者胃黏膜与外周血中人类免疫缺陷病毒感染和CD4~+T淋巴细胞数量的区室性差异的探讨

目的 探讨AIDS患者胃黏膜与外周血中HIV感染和CD4~+T淋巴细胞数量的区室性差异.方法 选取AIDS患者35例,对照组为HIV抗体阴性者10例,均进行胃镜检查并收集外周血.PCR法制备地高辛标记HIV-1长末端重复序列(LTR)、gag基因的双链cDNA探针,核酸原位杂交方法观察胃黏膜组织冰冻切片和外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)涂片H1V感染情况,免疫组织化学方法检测CD41T淋巴细胞,数据结果行t检验.结果 AIDS未治疗组胃黏膜中HIV阳性率为(1.67±1.48)%,PBMC中为(19.37±9.23)%.AIDS未治疗组与高效抗反转录病毒治疗(HAART)组各组间的胃黏膜HIV阳性率差异尤统计学意义(t=-0.996,t=-0.794,t=-0.461;P＞0.05).PBMC涂片中,治疗1～4年组HIV阳性率为(4.25±3.47)%,明显低于未治疗组的(19.37±9.23)%(t=3.000,P＜0.05).AIDS未治疗组胃黏膜单个核细胞(MMC)中CD4+T淋巴细胞阳性率为(12.53±8.14)%,PBMC中CD4+T淋巴细胞阳性率为(19.00±9.55)%,HAART1～4年组胃黏膜MMC中CD4~+T淋巴细胞计数为(37.44±18.00)%,仍低于对照组的(50.35±3.41)%(t=-4.620,P＜0.01),但PBMC中CD4+T淋巴细胞计数与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(t=-2.094,P＞0.05).结论 胃黏膜与外周血中HIV感染和CD4~+T淋巴细胞数量存在区室性差异.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者胃黏膜组织人类免疫缺陷病毒感染分析

Objective To investigate the distribution and amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in gastric mucosa from untreated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated patients.Methods Thirty-five AIDS patients (14 untreated patients and 21 patients receiving HAART) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled and examined by upper endoscopy.The labeled HIV-1 double-stranded cDNA probe was a PCR product corresponding to the LTR and gag gene of the HIV-1 genome.HIV in gastric mucosal tissues from AIDS patients was detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) and compared with that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results ① No obvious character was found in gastrointestinal symptoms,endoscopy examination and pathology results of AIDS patients.② The expression of HIV gene was mainly detected in the gastric mucosal mononuclear cell (MMC).Other cells were also observed with HIV expression including mucosal epithelial cells,gland epithelial cells and interstitial cells.③There was no difference in HIV expression between sinus ventriculi and gastric body.④ HIV gene expression from AIDS patients was (1.97±3.25)% in gastric mucosa,no difference in HIV gene expression between two groups (P＞0.05).⑤ HIV gene expression in PBMC smear from AIDS patients was (12.38 ± 9.17)%.HIV expreesion in PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 1-4 years were markedly lower than that from patients who had not received HAART (P＜0.05).Conclusions The gastric mueosa is one of HIV infected sites.The potential effect of HAART on the decrease of HIV infected cells in gastric mucosa was unsatisfactory.     

AIDS患者胃黏膜病理改变与HIV感染的关系

目的探讨AIDS患者胃黏膜病理改变与HIV感染的关系。方法选取AIDS期HIV慢性感染患者25例,PCR法制备地高辛标记HIV-1-LTR、gag基因的双链cDNA探针,对胃黏膜组织切片采取核酸原位杂交方法观察HIV感染情况和黏膜病理改变。结果AIDS患者胃黏膜主要表现为慢性浅表性胃炎（CSG）和慢性萎缩性胃炎（CAG）。且AIDS患者胃黏膜组织多种细胞中均有HIV阳性显色：淋巴滤泡细胞、固有层中散在的单个核细胞（似淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞）、胃黏膜上皮细胞、腺上皮细胞、极少数间质细胞。CSG组与CAG组胃黏膜HIV的阳性表达率无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论HIV／AIDS疾病的进程与胃黏膜局部病理改变之间可能存在一定关联性,但HIV感染可能并非发挥重要作用。     

Elevated mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is maintained during antiretroviral therapy by intestinal pathogens and coincides with increased duodenal CD4 T cell densities

Reduced intestinal CD4 T cell numbers and gastrointestinal disease are common features of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Duodenal lymphocyte densities and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM)-1 expression were analyzed in patients with AIDS after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Compared with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative individuals, HAART-naive patients with AIDS displayed reduced duodenal CD4 T cell densities. After HAART, AIDS patients with opportunistic intestinal pathogens displayed greater increases in duodenal lamina propria (LP) CD4 T cell densities than patients without such infections. Duodenal MAdCAM-1 expression was elevated in all HAART-naive patients with AIDS but remained elevated only in the intestinal pathogen group after HAART. The data suggest that, in HIV-1 infection, lymphocyte migration to the intestine may be promoted by increased MAdCAM-1 expression. After HAART, opportunistic intestinal pathogens maintain elevated MAdCAM-1 expression, which results in prominent increases in LP CD4 T cell densities in the absence of HIV-mediated CD4 T cell destruction.     

Highly active antiretroviral treatment initiated early in the course of symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection: results of the ANRS 053 trial.

Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) was given early to 64 patients with symptomatic primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. At the time of analysis, patients had been followed up for 9-21 months. No patient had died or developed an AIDS-defining event. Survival analysis showed that by month 21 the proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL was 72% (95% confidence interval, 58%-95%) in intention-to-treat analysis. After 18 months of treatment, 50% of the patients with undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA also had undetectable HIV-1 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Only 1 of 3 patients had undetectable HIV-1 RNA in lymphoid tissue, while all patients had quantifiable HIV-1 DNA both in PBMC and lymphoid tissue. The median CD4 lymphocyte increase from baseline was 230 cells/microL. These preliminary results support the use of HAART in patients with primary HIV-1 infection.     

Divergent in vitro and in vivo correlates of HIV-specific T-cell responses during onset of HIV viraemia

BACKGROUND: Cellular immune responses to HIV-1 have been examined mainly in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). During onset of HIV replication and antigenaemia after discontinuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), PBMC may theoretically contain HIV-specific T cells that are qualitatively and quantitatively different from specific T cells dominating in the tissues. PBMC responses throughout HIV immunotherapy trials may therefore be skewed during recurrent viraemia. OBJECTIVE: To compare cellular HIV-specific in vitro responses in PBMC during onset of HIV viraemia with corresponding in vivo responses, represented by classical delayed-type hypersensitivity tests (DTH). METHODS: HIV patients (n = 38), pre-immunized with four HIV-1 p24-like consensus peptides (Vacc-4x) during HAART, were subjected to a 14-week treatment interruption with recurrent HIV viraemia. Proliferative T-cell responses to Vacc-4x p24 peptides, HIV p24 protein, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) proteins were measured in PBMC. Corresponding Vacc-4x peptide DTH were expressed as skin infiltrate areas after 48 h. RESULTS: After 14 weeks without HAART, HIV-1 RNA increased to 72,500 copies/ml (median). The Vacc-4x p24 peptide- and HIV-1 p24 protein-induced T-cell proliferation concurrently decreased by 81 and 93% in PBMC during viraemia (medians, P < or = 0.03), whereas proliferative responses to CMV antigens were stable. In contrast, the Vacc-4x DTH areas, rather tended to increase by 36% (P = 0.08) and contained infiltrates dominated by proliferating T cells and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Divergent in vitro and in vivo HIV-specific cellular immune responses were found during recurrent HIV viraemia. The clinical relevance of both surrogate markers for HIV-related immune responses should be compared in future studies.     

Cell-associated HIV-1-DNA quantitation after highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated primary infection in patients with persistently undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of cell-associated HIV-1-DNA quantification during the follow-up of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated primary-infected patients with persistently undetectable plasma RNA loads. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 27 patients given HAART within a median of 24 days after symptomatic primary HIV infection, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) HIV-1 RNA were less than 50 copies/ml and less than 50 copies/10(6) cells after 18 months of treatment. HIV-1 RNA and DNA were quantified every 6 months in PBMC in these 27 patients, 14 of whom accepted excision lymph node biopsy after month 18 for HIV-1-RNA and -DNA quantification in lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMC). RESULTS: The median decreases in plasma HIV-1 RNA, PBMC HIV-1 RNA and DNA over the 18 months of follow-up were 3.6 log (P< 0.005), 1.1 log (P< 0.05), and 1.0 log (P<0.001), respectively. HIV-1 DNA was detected in 92.3% of PBMC samples at baseline and at month 18. In LNMC, 100% of samples were detectable for HIV-1 DNA. CONCLUSION: In this highly selected population of patients with excellent plasma virological response under HAART, HIV-1 DNA showed a progressive decrease but was still detectable in 92.3% of samples at month 18, whereas all LNMC samples tested scored positive for HIV-1 DNA. The utility of proviral HIV-1-DNA monitoring was not clearly demonstrated in this 18-month follow-up of HAART-treated primary-infected patients. However, this finding could be reconsidered when using other therapeutic strategies such as structured treatment interruptions, reinforced treatment or additive immunotherapy.     

Impact of 5 years of maximally successful highly active antiretroviral therapy on CD4 cell count and HIV-1 DNA level

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact on CD4 cell count and HIV-1 DNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the setting of maximal success, i.e., constant plasma HIV-1 RNA load suppression. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of patients selected for a constantly undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA load since HAART initiation. METHODS: HIV-1 DNA was measured in PBMC using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Loess estimates and regression analysis were used for modelling the variations of the CD4 cell count and HIV DNA level over time. RESULTS: The study included 41 patients chronically infected with HIV-1 who had been taking HAART for a median duration of 60.4 months and had an undetectable plasma HIV RNA load ever since the first 6 months of HAART; 25 were tested for HIV-1 DNA. The mean CD4 cell count increase was high during the first 18 months on therapy (168 x 10 cells/l per year), much lower afterwards (38 x 10 cells/l per year), independently of the baseline CD4 cell count. Most of the patients (73.2%) reached a CD4 cell count constantly > or = 400 x 10/l during follow-up. HIV-1 DNA showed a mean decrease of 0.48 log10 copies/10 PBMC during the first year, of 0.18 log10 copies/10 PBMC per year during the 2nd and 3rd years, but no significant decrease afterwards. CONCLUSIONS: These results question the benefit of very long-term maintenance of HAART in terms of CD4 gain and HIV-1 DNA reduction.