Moreover, in addition to viral load, quantification of CD4+ RTE has long been known as a suitable marker for HIV disease progression, and a recent study has demonstrated the use of RTE CD4+ T cells as a marker of perinatal HIV infection in infants (30); further strengthening the link between viral infection, efficient thymic function, and therapeutic implications of thymic atrophy. The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is thymus atrophy.