Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Elite Controller: A Case Report from Limpopo Province, South Africa

Elite Controllers (ECs) are a less frequent but distinct group of HIV infected patients. Recent treatment guidelines encourage ART initiation in all HIV-infected individuals as early as 2 possible to control the infection and prevent transmission. Initiating ART in ECs remains controversial, although there are multiple hypothetical benefits. Currently, there is evidence that ECs must be initiated on ART in order to prevent non-AIDS related comorbidities associated with immune activation. Clinicians are to weigh the risks and benefits of initiating ART as well as monitor the patients for effective therapy. In this case report, we present an HIV management dilemma of an EC, a middle-class South African woman from the Limpopo province.