Interventions during primary HIV infection (PHI) can modify the immune control and the
clinical evolution during the chronic phase. Although several studies suggest the benefit of
antiretroviral treatment (ART) during PHI, indication of ART is still not universally
recommended. The investigators randomized patients with PHI, with a favourable immunological
profile and well controlled on ART, to undergone structured treatment interruptions alone or
with low doses of IL-2, stopping ART thereafter. The endpoints were immune control of HIV
replication and time to resume ART. Immunological profile, specific CD4 and CD8 responses and
clinical data were analysed for both groups up to 48 weeks, and during a long follow-up, up
to nine years since final ART stop.