This pattern of association is congruent with previous associations observed between HIV infection and carotid plaque, but not CCA-IMT, providing further coherence to the hypothesis that monocyte activation is one mechanism underlying the increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis among HIV-infected individuals Similarly, the differential association of CCL2 with bifurcation IMT, but not CCA-IMT, has not been previously reported to our knowledge. The gene discussed is CCL2; the disease is atherosclerosis.