Fig 1.
The time ART is initiated may prove to be critical determinant of post-treatment control.
Treatment of “hyperacute” HIV infection (Fiebig 1) may prevent the development of an effective immune response. During a subsequent treatment interruption, the virus will rebound rapidly, and there will be limited chance for post-treatment control. In contrast, a delay in treatment for too long will result in a generation of escape mutants, a large and difficult-to-control reservoir, and a damaged immune system. ART, antiretroviral therapy; CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte.
Fig 2.
Favorable immune responses in order to achieve control of viremia in acute infection and in order to maintain control once achieved as in post-treatment control.
(A) Favorable immune responses to achieve control in acute infection. (B) Favorable immune responses to maintain virus control once achieved. SIV, simian immunodeficiency virus.