Decay of cell-associated HIV-1 DNA correlates with residual replication in patients treated during acute HIV-1 infection

Abstract

To evaluate the decay rate of cell-associated HIV-1 RNA and DNA and to identify factors associated with residual viral load in patients treated at the time of primary HIV-1 infection. A group of 15 patients adherent to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with sustained undetectable HIV-1 viremia for at least 24 months. Viremia, cell-associated HIV-1 RNA and DNA in blood and lymph node mononuclear cells were measured using ultrasensitive assays. Viremia decreased rapidly in all patients; HIV RNA remained P The clearance of HIV-1 infected cells is correlated with the extent of viral replication as measured by cell-associated RNA levels in both blood and lymph nodes. Quantification of cell-associated RNA and DNA further defines treatment efficacy in ‘aviremic’ patients.