CD38 and HLA-DR expression levels on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, both markers of T-cell activation, are increased in HIV-infected patients and their levels of expression are associated with the HIV disease stage in untreated patients.13 Furthermore, elevated CD38 expression on CD8+ T-cells is a strong marker for the risk of chronic HIV disease progression to AIDS and, eventually, death.14 There is some evidence that aberrant immune activation, at least in part, leads to T-cell depletion through activation-induced cell death or enhanced HIV replication.15,16. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is AIDS.