Systemic and mucosal differences in HIV burden, immune, and therapeutic responses.

Background: Mucosal tissues represent major targets for HIV transmission but differ in susceptibility and reservoir function by unknown mechanisms.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, HIV RNA and infectious virus were compared between oral and genital compartments and blood in HIV-infected women, in association with clinical parameters, copathogens, and putative innate and adaptive HIV inhibitors.

Results: HIV RNA was detectable in 24.