CD8A and infection: PHI was symptomatic in 9 of 12 patients, and the median interval between the estimated date of infection and ART initiation was 11 weeks (IQR 5.5–12), median VL was 103,500 copies/mL (IQR 23,379–207,000), median CD4 cell count 536.5 cells/mm3 (IRQ 391–612.5) and CD4/CD8 ratio 0.735 (IQR 0.425–0.970), all variables being comparable between the two groups.