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HIV-1 elite controllers possess the unique ability to control viral replication to undetectable levels in the absence of antiretroviral drugs, usually for prolonged periods of time. The exact mechanisms of this phenomenon are unknown, but host genetic factors appear to play a central role.
In this report, the authors describe an HIV-1–infected HLA-B*57–positive elite controller who was in a long-term relationship with an HIV-negative partner and then became superinfected after engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with a new partner. Following this event, his viral load increased, peaking at 25,000 copies/mL at 12 months, and then decreased back to 1700 copies/mL by 24 months. At 48 months, his viral load remained low (2200 copies/mL), …