Acute HIV Infection Induces Mucosal Infiltration With CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells, Epithelial Apoptosis, and a Mucosal Barrier Defect

Before depleting CD4+ T cells, acute HIV infection induces infiltration of the mucosa with activated effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The HIV-induced barrier defect of the intestinal mucosa is evident already in acute infection; it might arise from increased epithelial apoptosis, induced by perforin-positive mucosal cytotoxic T cells.