Table 1 Definition criteria of viral controller and non-viral controller groups investigated, according to the time of infection without ART, immunological and virological measurements
Groups according to disease progression | Time of known infection | Time of data collection | Use of antiretroviral therapy | Measurements of T CD4+ lymphocytes | Measurements of HIV-1 viral load | Important remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VC1: Viremia Controller 1 (Elite Controller) | >6Â years | Since 2007 (minimum of 3Â years of data) | No ART | >500 cells/mm3 | <50 copies/mL (not detectable) | No episodes of increase in viral load; counts of LTCD4+ greater than 500 cells/mm3; maintains stability for more than 6Â years; no ART intervention |
VC2: Viremia Controller 2 | >6 years | Since 2007 (minimum of 3 years of data) | No ART | >500 cells/mm3 | ≤ Log10 4 (up to 10,000 copies/mL) | Episodes of increase in viral load and decrease in counts of LTCD4+, independent of the number of occurrences, but with natural remission, representing no more than 50% of measurements; maintain control for more than 6 years without ART intervention |
NC: Non-Viremia Controller | >6Â years | Since 2007 (minimum of 3Â years of data) | No ART | <500 cells/mm3 | > Log10 4 (greater than 10,000 copies/mL) | Â |