biostudies-literatureMassanella MNIDA NIH HHSUniversité de MontréalFred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterNIAID NIH HHSCIHRe198-e209https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8622834biostudies-literatureUnknown2(5)<h4>Background</h4>Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (ie, within 3 months of infection) limits establishment of the HIV reservoir. However, the effect of early ART initiation on the long-term dynamics of the pool of infected cells remains unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>In this longitudinal analysis, we included cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (aged 18-54 years) at high risk for HIV infection, enrolled in the ongoing longitudinal MERLIN study in Peru between Oct 28, 2014, and Nov 8, 2018. Participants were eligible if they had been infected with HIV less than 90 days before enrolment, and if they had cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples. Participants were stratified into three groups on the basis of whether they initiated ART atThe Lancet. MicrobeLong-term effects of early antiretroviral initiation on HIV reservoir markers: a longitudinal analysis of the MERLIN clinical study.PMC8622834364408R01 DA040532R01 DA032106K23 AI129659Lama JRPinto-Santini DMassanella MIgnacio RABDuerr AChomont NPagliuzza AGilada TDasgupta SRios JAlfaro RGanoza CfalseLong-term effects of early antiretroviral initiation on HIV reservoir markers: a longitudinal analysis of the MERLIN clinical study.<h4>Background</h4>Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (ie, within 3 months of infection) limits establishment of the HIV reservoir. However, the effect of early ART initiation on the long-term dynamics of the pool of infected cells remains unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>In this longitudinal analysis, we included cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (aged 18-54 years) at high risk for HIV infection, enrolled in the ongoing longitudinal MERLIN study in Peru between Oct 28, 2014, and Nov 8, 2018. Participants were eligible if they had been infected with HIV less than 90 days before enrolment, and if they had cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples. Participants were stratified into three groups on the basis of whether they initiated ART at2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May2026-05-08T16:48:46.439Z2022-02-11T13:35:51.808ZS-EPMC86228343484136910.1016/s2666-5247(21)00010-0