Abundant HIV-infected cells in blood and tissues are rapidly cleared upon ART initiation during acute HIV infection.

The timing and location of the establishment of the viral reservoir during acute HIV infection remain unclear. Using longitudinal blood and tissue samples obtained from HIV-infected individuals at the earliest stage of infection, we demonstrate that frequencies of infected cells reach maximal values in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and lymph nodes as early as Fiebig stage II, before seroconversion. Both tissues displayed higher frequencies of infected cells than blood until Fiebig stage III, after which infected cells were equally distributed in all compartments examined.

Safety and efficacy of VRC01 broadly neutralising antibodies in adults with acutely treated HIV (RV397): a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: HIV-1-specific broadly neutralising antibodies such as VRC01 could promote HIV remission by halting viral replication and clearing infected cells. We investigated whether VRC01 could promote sustained viral control off antiretroviral therapy (ART) in adults who initiated ART during acute HIV infection.

Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.