Highly active antiretroviral therapy results in a decrease in CD8+ T cell activation and preferential reconstitution of the peripheral CD4+ T cell population with memory rather than naive cells

Abstract

HAART results in changes in activation to a greater extent than absolute changes in CD4+ T cell numbers, but is not accompanied by an increase in naive CD4+ T cells. Measurements of CD4+ T cell numbers alone may not allow appropriate interpretation of immune activation or immune competence in patients receiving those drugs.