Our observation that both pVL setpoint and pre-ART rate of CD4+ T-cell decline correlate with pre-ART proviral clearance rate, where the latter correlation is even stronger than the former, is important because it supports the notion that, even during untreated infection, higher levels of viral replication and/or more rapid loss of CD4+ T-cells create conditions that are less favorable to proviral persistence. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and infection.