Temporary increase in circulating replication-competent latent HIV-infected resting CD4+ T cells after switch to an integrase inhibitor based antiretroviral regimen.

ABSTRACT: The principal barrier to an HIV cure is the presence of a latent viral reservoir (LVR) made up primarily of latently infected resting CD4+ (rCD4) T-cells. Studies in the United States have shown that the LVR decays slowly (half-life=3.8 years), but this rate in African populations has been understudied. This study examined longitudinal changes in the inducible replication competent LVR (RC-LVR) of ART-suppressed Ugandans living with HIV (n=88) from 2015-2020 using the quantitative viral outgrowth assay, which measures infectious units per million (IUPM) rCD4 T-cells. In addition, outgrowth viruses were examined with site-directed next-generation sequencing to assess for possible ongoing viral evolution. During the study period (2018-19), Uganda instituted a nationwide rollout of first-line

SUBMITTER: Ferreira RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10246077 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature