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HIV replication control is important to reduce AIDS progression. We determined frequency and activation status of immune cells in spontaneous HIV controllers vs. individuals with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-controlled viral load. HIV controllers exhibited significantly higher frequency of CD4+ T cells and myeloid dendritic cells compared with HAART-controlled viral load. Additionally, HIV controllers have a significantly lower percentage of cells expressing activation markers on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, myeloid dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. These findings suggest that during HIV infection, conservation of a normal frequency and physiological range of immune activation is associated with spontaneous, but not HAART-induced, control of viral replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]