Natural control of HIV infection in young women in South Africa: HPTN 068.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some individuals control HIV replication without antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.

Objective

To analyze viral suppression in young women in rural South Africa enrolled in a trial evaluating a behavioral intervention for HIV prevention.

Methods

Plasma samples were obtained from women ages 13-24 (81 infected at enrollment, 164 seroconverters). ARV testing was performed using an assay that detects 20 ARV drugs. Women were classified as viremic controllers if they were virally suppressed for ≥12 months with no ARV drug use.

Results

Samples from 216/245 (88.2%) women had no ARV drugs detected at their first HIV-positive visit. Thirty-four (15.7%) of the 216 women had a viral load <2,000 copies/mL. Fifteen of the 34 women were followed for ≥12 months; 12 were

SUBMITTER: Sivay MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6442735 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature