Human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection in neonates: correlation of plasma and cellular viremia and clinical outcome. French Pediatric Cohort Study Group.

Among human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) vertically infected children, two patterns of disease progression have been observed: about 25% develop a severe immunodeficiency within the first 2 years of life; the rest experience a slower progression, like adults. We have assessed infectious viral burden in infected neonates through the French National Prospective Study. Plasma and cell-associated viremia were assayed by endpoint-dilution cultures in samples from 46 infants followed prospectively from birth.