Question:
Question: I'm very curious to hear about what was said about the
increase in CD4 cells that many of us are having due to the triple
combinations. Do these new cells have a memory or are they empty? Are
they protecting us from lets say PCP, CMV, MAI, or are they performing
other functions? I look forward to your answers. BillG. Camarillo, CA
Dr. Pavia's Response:
The answer to this question is still only partly clear.
Several papers looked at whether the new cells are so-called memory T
cells (which are dedicated to attacking a bug you have already seen such
as Candida) or naive cells (which can react to a new attacker). In
general, the greatest increase in CD4 T cells appears to be from an
increase in memory cells, at least in the first 6 months. However, a
late breaker from an ACTG immunology team reported that in ACTG 315
there were substantial increases in naive CD4 and CD8 cells,and
improvement in skin test responses.
Bottom line: There is substantial, but only partial rebuilding of your
immune function by the new CD4 cells. It will be very important to learn
what happens over the second year. After a bone marrow transplant, it
takes 2 or more years to rebuild the immune system to normal levels.
Will this happen with HIV and HAART? Let's hope so.
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