Which patient would most likely benefit from antiretroviral therapy (ART)?

The patient who tested positive for HIV 2 years ago and now has cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis would most likely benefit from antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the significant health risks associated with both HIV and the opportunistic infections that frequently occur in immunocompromised individuals. In this case, CMV retinitis is an opportunistic infection that can occur in individuals with a severely compromised immune system, specifically when the CD4+ count drops below 200/µL.

Initiating ART is crucial for this patient because it not only helps to manage the HIV viral load but also improves immune function, which is vital in controlling opportunistic infections like CMV. Effective antiretroviral therapy can help prevent further complications, reduce the risk of additional opportunistic infections, and improve overall health outcomes. Therefore, for someone with an HIV infection and concurrent opportunistic infections, timely initiation of ART is critical to preserve sight and overall health.

In contrast, the other patients presented in the choices either do not currently manifest such complications or have CD4+ counts indicating they might not be in urgent need of ART yet. For example, the patient with a CD4+ count of 840/µL is well above