The impact of early initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific CD8 T cell response in children.

This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of early highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-specific CD8 T cell responses in children. HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell responses were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay to measure interferon-gamma-secreting cells. HIV-1-infected children were classified by time of HAART initiation prior to age 1 year or after age 2 years as early (n=24) or late (n=28) treated. The magnitude and breadth of the HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell response was significantly lower in children receiving early compared with late HAART treatment (P=.0007 and.0001, respectively). However, total CD8 T cell responses in the early HAART treatment group did not differ significantly from those of age-matched non-HAART-treated controls (n=30). Thus, the reduced magnitude and breadth of the HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell response in early HAART-treated children is due to their younger age.