Transient relapses ("blips") of plasma HIV RNA levels during HAART are associated with drug resistance.

Introduction: In a large number of patients on HAART who achieved plasma HIV RNA levels below the limit of detection (50 copies/ml), transient relapses of HIV RNA levels ("blips") are observed.

Objective: To determine whether relapses of plasma HIV RNA during HAART are associated with development of drug resistance.

Methods: Plasma samples from 15 patients with a transient viral load relapse during HAART were studied.