A preliminary study to determine the effect of an infusion of cryopreserved autologous lymphocytes on immunocompetence and viral load in HIV-infected patients

An autologous infusion of CD8 lymphocytes may boost the immune system in people with HIV infection. Autologous transfusions occur when a patient donates blood and then receives it back at a later time. The CD8 lymphocyte appears to be active in fighting HIV infection. Researchers evaluated 12 HIV-infected patients who donated CD8 lymphocytes early in the infection and then received their own donated lymphocytes back later on in the infection. These transfusions raised T cell levels and lowered viral levels in seven patients. In two patients, T cell levels rose to the level seen at the time of the donation.