Abstract: Objective To analyze the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) in AIDS patients with different baseline CD₄ cell counts.Methods A total of 110 AIDS patients receiving the first HAART in Lanzhou Infectious Disease Hospital were recruited and divided into two groups with the baseline CD₄ cell count of <200/μL and 200-349/μL.CD₄ cell count of the patients at 3,6,and 12 month of HAART was detected and the viral load of baseline,at 9 and 12 month of HAART treatment was also measured.Baseline viral load,increase of CD₄ cell count at different treatment stage,and viral load at 12 month of the treatment were compared between the two groups.Results The baseline viral load and the increase of CD₄ cell counts after HAART showed significant differences between the two groups(t=2.808,P<0.01;t=-2.780,P<0.01),while the difference in viral load after HAART was not significant(χ²=0.921,P>0.05).The CD₄ cell count showed significant differences among the patients in different treatment stages(F=12.674,P<0.001).Conclusion Beginning HAART in the AIDS patients with higher baseline CD₄ cell count may achieve a better treatment outcome.