HIV controllers: A homogeneous group of HIV-1-infected patients with spontaneous control of viral replication

Abstract

We identified a total 15 patients who have maintained undetectable plasma HIV RNA loads without antiretroviral treatment for >10 years from cohorts of 1300 and 1551 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These 15 patients, whom we have referred to as "HIV controllers," are characterized by a low HIV DNA load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and by a strong HIV-specific immune response. © 2005 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.