Factors associated with unquantifiable total HIV-1 DNA in peripheral blood in persons living with HIV: An observational study.

J Virus Erad

Service d'Immuno-infectiologie, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.

Published: March 2024

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cannot be eradicated even with suppressive antiretroviral therapy because its retrotranscribed genome integrates into the DNA of host cells, creating a long-term reservoir. Quantification of total HIV-1 DNA in peripheral blood is a biomarker of this reservoir that can predict progression of the infection, treatment response, and HIV-1-related complications. A deeper understanding of the reservoir may help develop a cures.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize persons living with HIV-1 (PLWH) with unquantifiable total HIV-1 DNA in blood (below the quantification threshold) and identify associated factors.

Methods: We have conducted a retrospective observational study. During the study period, all PLWH who had total leukocyte-associated HIV-1 DNA measured by quantitative PCR were included. We have isolated a population of participants with HIV-1 DNA levels below the quantification threshold (40 copies/10 leukocytes).

Results: Out of 1094 patients analysed, 62 had unquantifiable and 1032 quantifiable HIV-1 DNA levels in blood. We have found that those with unquantifiable HIV-1 DNA had a higher CD4 T cell nadir (p = 0.006) and a lower viral load zenith (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that initiation of treatment in primary infection was the only protective factor against HIV-1 DNA quantifiability, the odds of HIV-1 DNA quantifiability decreased by 82% in those treated within 30 days of infection, after controlling for other factors.

Conclusion: Our research highlights the importance of an early start of anti-retroviral therapy to limit the size of the HIV-1 reservoir, as receiving treatment during primary infection was found as the only protective factor against quantifiability of HIV-1 DNA in blood.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11002866PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jve.2024.100370DOI Listing

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