Immune restoration in the context of HAART

The advent of highly active antiretroviral combination therapy (HAART) has resulted in significantly improved survival of patients and a reduction in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. At the root of these clinical benefits is a dramatic reduction in HIV viral load. HAART induces a sustained effective suppression of HIV replication in most patients and leads to a preservation or restoration of immune function. The restoration of an impaired immune system is assessed by clinical parameters, immunological changes which can be measured in the laboratory and a marked reduction in the morbidity and mortality of patients. To understand the features of immune restoration it is necessary to review the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection and highlight areas where improvement of function occurs with HAART. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine Vol. 5 (1) 2004: 8-1