Immune Therapies and Anti-HIV Therapy Withdrawal in Controlling Viral Load

Inclusion Criteria

Patients may be eligible for this study if they:

• Are HIV-positive.
• Are more than 18 years old.
• Have been receiving their current HAART (2 or more anti-HIV drugs in combination) for more than 6 consecutive months.
• Have a CD4 count of 200 cells/microL or more within the 12 months prior to entering the study and 400 cells/microL or more on 2 occasions at least 2 weeks apart within 30 days of entry.
• Have never had a viral load higher than 2 million molecules/ml and have had the viral load controlled with HAART to less than 50 molecules/ml on 2 occasions at least 2 weeks apart within 30 days of entry.
• Have not had virologic failure on the current HAART regimen.
• Have a negative urine pregnancy test within 14 days of entering the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients will not be eligible for this study if they:

• Have a current AIDS-defining illness.
• Have had failure of the current HAART regimen (viral load higher than 10,000 molecules/ml).
• Have a history of using agents affecting the immune system.
• Have active uncontrolled heart disease.
• Have had IL-2 therapy within 4 weeks of entering the study.
• Have received other treatment that affects the immune system within 4 weeks of entry.
• Have a history of a cancer requiring chemotherapy.
• Have untreated thyroid disease, within 4 weeks of entering the study.
• Have uncontrolled allergic disorders or autoimmune diseases, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.
• Abuse substances that may interfere with the ability to follow study requirements.
• Are allergic to eggs.
• Have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Work in close contact with canaries, such as a job at breeding farms or bird shops.