Preservation and Expansion of T-cell Subsets Following HAART De-intensification to Atazanavir/Ritonavir (ATV/r)

This is a randomized, proof of concept study of youth 18- 24 years of age with confirmed HIV after age 9 with CD4+ T cells above 350 cells/mm3 who are randomized 3:1 to begin HAART consisting of TDF/FTC/ATV/r (preferred), AZT/3TC/ATV/r, or other recommended NRTI backbone with ATV/r upon entry or to begin treatment under current DHHS guidelines. Subjects in the experimental group who achieve virologic control by week 24 and maintain good control through 48 weeks will then de-intensify to ATV/r alone and will be followed for two years. Subjects randomized to the standard care arm will begin HAART with TDF/FTC/ATV/r (preferred), AZT/3TC/ATV/r, or other recommended ATV/r based HAART regimen according to current DHHS standard of care.