Once a patient is infected with HIV, the virus penetrates into the white blood cells, known as CD4 cells, which are responsible for boosting the immune system.
The publication on CD4 count being more important than undetectable viral load can be found in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. This study reviewed the cases of more than 17,000 HIV-positive patients and monitored 2,300 patients for five years.
It was observed that HIV-affected patients often seek medical help when they are already severely immune-compromised. Patients in the long-term study included those who started treatment when their CD4 levels were very low, at below 200.
APCO scientists came up with LIV capsules which are formulated from plant extracts and have been proven to stimulate Th17, Th1 and Th9 by 5, 2 and 2 folds respectively.
All the stimulated Th cells increase the activities of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells that eliminate HIV.
UCSF Researchers Identify A Potential New HIV Vaccine/Therapy Target
By Jeff Sheehy on May 30, 2012
After being infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in a laboratory study, rhesus macaques that had more of a certain type of immune cell in their gut than others had much lower levels of the virus in their blood, and for six months after infection were better able to control the virus.
SIV is a retrovirus that infects primates. Strains of SIV that crossed over to humans resulted in the evolution of HIV. In rhesus macaques, SIV causes simian AIDS (though in many primates it is harmless) and studying the virus in these animals offers crucial insights into how HIV acts in humans, the researchers said.
Source: SciTechDaily – Increasing Th17 Cells in the Gut May Improve the Control of HIV Growth
A new study from a team of microbiologists and immunologists suggests that treatment aimed at increasing Th17 cells in the gut may improve the control of HIV growth by promoting an environment in which T cells having more anti-viral capabilities are produced.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The findings of a new study in monkeys may help clarify why some people infected with HIV are better able to control the virus. They also may pinpoint a target for treatment during early HIV infection aimed at increasing the supply of certain immune cells in the gut, which the study shows could be an important factor in limiting HIV growth in cells throughout the body.