Cellular immune correlates analysis of an HIV-1 preexposure prophylaxis trial

The demonstration and clinical relevance of HIV-1–specific immune responses in exposed but uninfected seronegative individuals have been controversial. Studies seeking to detect these responses have generally been small in size and have varied in study population, methods of detection, and control groups. We conducted a large case–control immunology study of participants in the Preexposure Prophylaxis Initiative (iPrEx) chemoprophylaxis trial, selecting preinfection time points for those who became infected compared with persistently HIV-1–negative controls. We confirmed that HIV-1–specific responses are present in exposed uninfected individuals, sometimes at very high magnitude. HIV-1–specific responses also correlated with infection risk.

Duke Scholars

Author Brian Shaw