Studying immune and virus changes in people recently infected with HIV

Trial details

Who runs it

University Hospital, Ghent

Trial code

NCT03449706

Record updated

17 September 2026

Original description

In this prospective longitudinal study we aim to assess how immunologic and viral aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral reservoir, established during early HIV infection and responsible for viral rebound at treatment interruption, evolve in individuals who start combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) during acute seroconversion.Read full original descriptionShow less

Accurate Staging of Immuno-virological Dynamics During Acute HIV Infection

In this prospective longitudinal study we aim to assess how immunologic and viral aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral reservoir, established during early HIV infection and responsible for viral rebound at treatment interruption, evolve in individuals who start combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) during acute seroconversion.

Recently infected patients will be selected based on Fiebig staging for an in depth sampling protocol at different timepoints during a 2 year follow up period. Colonbiopsies, lymphnode resection, lumbar puncture, leucapheresis and repeated peripheral venous blood-draws will be performed. Immunological, virological and genome expression analysis will be performed on the gathered samples.

Inclusion: Documented recent HIV-1 infection, early diagnosis: clinical symptoms of acute seroconversion and incomplete Western Blot OR negative screening test within the past 6 months and incomplete Western Blot OR risk contact within the 3 months and presumable primo-infection with or without clinical symptoms and incomplete Western Blot; Able and willing to provide written informed consent; Ability to attend the complete schedule of assessments and patient visits for patients participating in option A schedule (described below), or ability to attend a partial schedule of assessments and patient visits for patients participating in option B (described below); Ability and willingness to have blood and tissue samples collected and stored indefinitely and used for various research purposes.

Exclusion: Previous or current history of opportunistic infection (AIDS defining events as defined in category C of the CDC clinical classification), consisting of chronic HIV-1 infection; Evidence of active HCV infection: HCV antibody positive result within 60 days prior to study entry with positive HCV viral load or, if the HCV antibody result is negative, a positive HCV RNA result within 60 days prior to study entry; Previous participation in a trial evaluating an immune modulating agent; Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements; Acute or serious illness, in the opinion of the site investigator, requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 60 days prior to entry; Evidence of active HBV infection (Hepatitis B surface antigen positive or HBV viral load positive in the past and no evidence of subsequent seroconversion (=HBV antigen or viral load negative and positive HBV surface antibody); Current or known history of cardiomyopathy or significant ischemic or cerebrovascular disease; Current history of cancer; Any conditions, including psychiatric and psychological disorders, which will in the opinion of the investigator interfere with the trial conduct or safety of the participant; Abnormal laboratory tests results at screening: confirmed Hemoglobin <11g/dl for women and <12 g:dl for men/ confirmed platelet count < 100000/l / confirmed neutrophil count <1000/μl/ confirmed AST and/or ALT > 3xULN; Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03449706