HIV under control, but the immune system remains different

The thesis examined why immune recovery varies among people with HIV whose virus is equally well controlled by treatment. It compared individuals who naturally control HIV without therapy with those whose immune systems do not recover despite successful treatment, and identified biological patterns linked to different recovery paths. It also found markers tied to biological aging, which may help explain elevated risk of age-related diseases. The work indicates standard clinical markers do not capture full immune health and provides a basis for more personalized monitoring and treatment aimed at identifying those at greater risk of later complications and improving long-term health and quality of life.