title: Dynamics of cell-free viral burden in HIV-1-infected patients.
abstract: Whereas previous cross-sectional studies have shown a 1-2 log increase in cell-free HIV-1 RNA viral burden associated with disease progression, recent longitudinal studies reveal a less dynamic association. We addressed this conundrum in a cohort of 17 rapid and 20 slow progressors. Initial levels of serum viral RNA from the rapid progressors were 1 log unit higher than those from the slow progressors. Serum RNA increased by >0.5 log in 10 of the rapid progressors (increase group), but the remaining seven showed a <0.5 log increase (static group). Patients whose serum RNA increased had lower amounts of serum RNA at study entry but not at follow-up compared with the static group. There was a trend toward lower CD4 counts in the static group at follow-up. These data suggest that the timing of specimen evaluation can influence interpretation of viral RNA dynamics in HIV disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Retrovirology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Birx
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral