Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection and circulating IgD+ memory B cells

Levels of circulating naive and memory B cells were measured in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and control subjects to determine whether the irreversible depletion of memory B cells described in HIV-infected adults occurs in children with HIV infection. Depletion of circulating IgD(+) memory B cells was seen in HIV-infected children despite control of the HIV load with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (P = .04). IgD(+) memory B cell percentages did not correlate with CD4(+) cell percentages (P = .27) or disease duration (P = .26). Naive/transitional and IgD(+) memory B cell numbers were not affected. Pediatric HIV infection is associated with selective depletion of circulating IgD(+) memory B cells despite control of the HIV load with HAART.