U.S. HHS: Pool of latently infected, "resting" cells established early in HIV infection

0 Comments | M2 Presswire, July, 1998

M2 PRESSWIRE-21 July 1998-U.S. HHS: Pool of latently infected, "resting" cells established early in HIV infection (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD RDATE:200798 Soon after the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enters a person's body, the virus sets up shop in resting (non-dividing) CD4 T cells, according to researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

The pool of latently infected immune system cells is established even if a patient is treated soon after acute infection with powerful antiretroviral drugs that reduce plasma levels of virus to extremely low or undetectable levels. Within the safe havens of resting CD4 T cells, the virus may persist for years, despite highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which is...