Is Treatment for Primary HIV Infection Beneficial?
Radjin Steingrover presented an evaluation of transient HAART during primary HIV infection (PHI) from the Dutch Primo-SHM Cohort (CROI 70LB). Eligible patients had a negative or indeterminate western blot and detectable plasma HIV RNA or historical documentation of negative HIV screening tests within the past 180 days, now with positive HIV tests. All patients initiated an Efavirenz-based regimen, followed by treatment interruption if pVL was undetectable at time of interruption. “Most” patients with PHI in Dutch treatment centers were offered randomization to either no ART, 24 weeks ART, or 60 weeks ART, though provider and patient preference did dictate assignment to no ART or early HAART in a significant number of patients. A previous study from this group suggested that treatment of PHI had a beneficial effect upon the steady-state viral load [8], thus, the primary study endpoint was duration of time without ART. Following ART interruption, patients were advised to restart ART upon
