Qualitative and quantitative HIV antibodies and viral reservoir size characterization in vertically infected children with virological suppression.

BACKGROUND

Absence of detectable viraemia after treatment cessation in some vertically HIV-infected (VHIV) children suggests that early initiation of HAART could lead to functional cure.

OBJECTIVES

We described the factors associated with HIV antibody levels and the viral reservoir size in HAART-treated VHIV children.

METHODS

Study included 97 VHIV children with virological suppression, in Bamako, Mali. The anti-gp41 antibody activities and HIV serostatus were assessed. The viral reservoir size was measured by quantifying total cell-associated HIV DNA.

RESULTS

Among the children studied, the median total HIV DNA level was 445 copies/10 6 cells (IQR = 187-914) and the median anti-gp41 antibody activity was 0.29 OD (IQR = 0.18-0.75). Low activity of anti-gp41 antibodies was associated with a younger age of HAART initiation ( P  =   0.01). Overall, eight HIV-1 seroreversions were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Study identified potential candidates with low viral reservoir and low antibody levels or activities for future trials aiming to reduce HIV-1 reservoir to limit HAART duration.