Primary and early HIV infection represents a potentially unique opportunity to better understand the pathogenesis of HIV infection, as well as to potentially prevent the establishment of latent infection. Approved antiretroviral therapy is able to reduce plasma viremia to unmeasurable levels in established infection and several groups have observed comparable effects in recently infected adults. This study is designed to evaluate and follow a cohort of patients with primary or early HIV infection and to evaluate the time course of latent infection and whether latent infection in CD4 cells will allow viral persistence despite antiretroviral therapy.

Patients begin antiretroviral therapy within 7 days of enrollment. All patients are evaluated for treatment compliance and complete a compliance questionnaire regularly. Clinical evaluations, including CD4, CD8, and HIV RNA counts also are done regularly. Antiretroviral therapy is discontinued if there is no detectable virus by ultrasensitive assay and culture techniques in plasma, PBMCs, and lymphoid tissue. In a subset of patients, genital secretions and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) are evaluated. If relapse occurs, antiretroviral therapy is re-instituted. In addition, virology and immunology substudies are performed.