Support for this latter perspective is based on several consistent observations, including: (1) measures of T cell activation rather than viral load predict outcome in the natural host of SIV [29], (2) measures of T cell activation in humans predict subsequent disease outcome independent of viral load [8], [9], [30], and (3) generalized T cell activation in the absence of SIV/HIV infection can cause CD4+ T cell but not CD8+ T cell depletion [31], [32]. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is HIV infectious disease.