Triple-drug therapy clears HIV in newborn primates when given within three days

Researchers reported that a combination of three antiretroviral agents completely cleared simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from the bodies of newborn rhesus macaques.

The treatment was started within the first three days after experimental infection and continued for a defined course.

When the same drugs were given individually, none achieved viral clearance, indicating that the synergistic effect of the combination was essential.

The study used a model that mimics mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with infection introduced orally to replicate the natural route in infants.

Viral RNA and DNA became undetectable in blood and lymphoid tissues after the treatment period, and no rebound was observed during the follow-up window.

The findings suggest that very early intervention with a multi-drug regimen can eradicate the virus before it establishes stable reservoirs.

Investigators caution that the results are from a non-human primate model and that safety, dosing, and long-term outcomes in human infants remain to be established.

Further studies are planned to define the minimal effective duration and to test the approach against diverse viral strains.