Figure 1

Plasma viral RNA appearance and the depletion of CD4+ T-cells were delayed (A) while virus-specific CD8+ T-cell response appeared earlier (B) in the animal infected intrarectally. The opposite pattern was observed in the animal infected intravenously (C, D). Plasma viral RNA was detected by NASBA. Total number of CD4+ T-cells was counted in the blood. Virus-specific CD8+ T-cell response was assessed by tricolor staining with CD3, CD8, and tetrameric complexes to Gag 181, Tat 28, and Env 622. CD8+ T-cells were defined by gating on CD3+ CD8+ cell population. An equivalent number of cells (1 × 10⁴) was acquired through this gate in each analysis performed.