Normalization of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 T cells in HIV-1-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy

HIV infection is characterized by a loss of immunological function and the development of severe opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus. To determine the frequency of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 T cells in healthy and HIV-infected individuals, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 HIV-negative and 55 HIV-positive individuals for antigen-induced intracellular cytokine responses. We found that HIV suppression with antiretroviral therapy leads to a normalization of previously increased cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 T cells, indicating the efficient control of an opportunistic pathogen.