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CD8⁺ T lymphocytes are thought to play an important role in the control of acute and chronic human immunodeficiency virus infections. However, there is a significant delay between infection and the first observed increase in virus-specific CD8⁺ T-cell numbers. Prior to this time, viral kinetics are not significantly different between controls and vaccinees. Surprisingly, higher initial virus-specific CD8⁺ T-cell numbers lead to a longer delay prior to initial CD8⁺ T-cell expansion, and slower CD8⁺ T-cell increases. Nevertheless, higher initial CD8⁺ T-cell numbers were associated with reduced peak and chronic viral loads and reduced CD4⁺ T-cell depletion.