HLA-DR+ cells were detected at high levels in the HIV-specific CD8+ T cell subset compared to the overall CD8+ subset at 3–6 months (81%, range 45–97 versus 43%, range 35–62, respectively; p = 0.017), 7–12 months (79%, range 45–90 versus 39% range 24–51, respectively; p = 0.005), and 23–24 months post HIV-1 infection (80%, range 68–85 versus 34%, range 32–35%, respectively; p = 0.0032). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and HIV-1 infection.