Impaired IFN-γ-secreting capacity in mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4 T cells during chronic HIV-1 infection despite long-term HAART

Despite an improvement in CD4 T-cell counts after HAART, MTB-specific CD4 T cells from chronically infected patients have impaired IFN-gamma-secreting capacity. The early initiation of HAART might preserve functional CD4 T-cell responses to MTB, and warrants evaluation in populations with a high risk of dual infection.