Philip Goulder and his team at the University of Oxford tracked children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who acquired HIV from their mothers. After starting antiretroviral treatment early, five children unexpectedly stopped visiting the clinic for their medication yet remained healthy with undetectable viral loads. A study indicated these children could remain in remission for extended periods without treatment. Furthermore, recent research revealed that around 5 percent of HIV-infected children receiving early antiretroviral therapy can suppress the viral reservoir to negligible levels, suggesting unique immunological responses in children could facilitate a potential cure for HIV.
Goulder and his colleagues were keen to monitor their progress and adherence to standard antiretroviral treatment, which stops HIV from replicating.
Five of the children stopped coming to the clinic to collect their drugs, and when the team eventually tracked them down many months later, they appeared to be in perfect health.
In a study published last year, Goulder described how all five remained in remission, despite having not received regular antiretroviral medication for some time.
Around 5 percent of HIV-infected children who receive antiretrovirals within the first six months of life ultimately suppress the HIV viral reservoir.
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