Is interruption of HIV therapy always harmful?

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with progressive immune damage leading to AIDS. Since the advent of combination antiretroviral chemotherapy clear morbidity and mortality benefits have been shown.¹ Reversal of clinical disease and improvement in health status has resulted in a massive change in the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS² and is seen as a remarkable therapeutic success story. However, these benefits have been accrued in spite of increasing evidence of long-term drug toxicity³ and with difficulty in compliance in taking this therapy.⁴