Scientists dive deep into HIV immune cells to unlock secrets of early treatment

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adult (18 years old or older) with HIV-1. 2. Adequate venous access for research blood collection. 3. Positive HIV antibody immunoassay and a positive confirmatory HIV test (as defined by current CDC criteria). Tests may be done in our clinic or by an outside provider. For individuals with suspected early HIV-1, the following additional criteria may be used: HIV-1 RNA levels of \>2,000 copies/ml with a negative result from an HIV antibody immunoassay. 4. Willingness to be able to make follow up visits at least once in the next 4 months and prior to the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). 5. Blood pressure \< 180/100; pulse rate between 50-100 unless a lower pulse rate is considered normal for the volunteer. 6. Adequate blood counts (hemoglobin greater than or equal to 9.0 g/dL, hematocrit greater than or equal to 28 percent, platelets greaterhan or equal to 50,000). 7. Willingness and ability to give informed consent including consent for the storage of blood samples and genetic testing. 8. Antiretroviral naive, no antiretroviral use in the last six months, or previously enrolled 02-I-0202 participants on whom there are samples stored in the repository. 1. Participants who acquire HIV-1 while taking ART for pre-exposure prophylaxis will be eligible for enrollment as long as they meet diagnostic criteria for HIV positivity. 2. Participants who enroll under another LIR apheresis protocol within the past three months and complete the apheresis within 4 weeks of starting ART will also be eligible for enrollment. 3. Participants with limited (no more than 4 weeks before screening visit) recent use of ART may be eligible for study participation if, the opinion of the investigator, the ART usage will not impact the scientific validity of the protocol. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Pregnant and / or breastfeeding. 2. Be currently abusing alcohol or other drugs that potentially could interfere with the participant s compliance or safety. 3. Have a condition which in the opinion of the investigators would make the participant ineligible for the study.