Evaluation of Genetic Markers as Explanations for the Observed Differences in Disease Progression in HIV+ Youth

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between HLA class I genotypes with
differing progression to AIDS in individuals who are followed after being off antiretroviral
therapy. These studies do not always associate the same HLA class I alleles with the risks
of HIV-1 disease progression; however they consistently demonstrated that HLA-B*35 and B*53
portend a bad outcome compared to the better outcome observed in HLA-B*27 and B*57 carriers.
Despite this information, very little data exists to explain the mechanism of this
association.

This longitudinal study will look at the HIV-1 specific CD8+ T-cell responses and the
dominant HIV-1 genotype among individuals identified as HLA-B*27, B*35, B*53 and B*57
positive through studies done in collaboration with the REACH project.

Inclusion Criteria:

- HLA-Class I HLA-B*27, B*35, B*53 and/or B*57 positive identified through the REACH
study

- Subject's ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

- Subject's ability and willingness to be followed at least one year on this ATN 026
study

Exclusion Criteria:

- On chronic immunosuppressive therapy, not including topical or inhaled steroid use.

- Any prohibited medication listed in protocol within 2 weeks prior to the Entry visit
labs