Variance of plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA levels measured by branched DNA within and between days.
Previous studies have shown that CD4-positive T cells vary in a predictable manner over 24 h. This diurnal variance has significant clinical implications. Recently, viral RNA measurements have been increasingly used as a standard marker in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Little detailed analysis of the variability of this marker has been conducted. To define the variance of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels within days, 11 clinically stable patients with established HIV infection and a baseline viral RNA level >40,000 copies/mL were studied. Following the patients' admission to an inpatient research unit, plasma samples were obtained frequently over 48 h and analyzed for HIV-1 RNA levels by use of a quantitative branched chain DNA assay (bDNA). No diurnal pattern was detected. In these clinically stable patients, viral RNA levels exhibited a variance of approximately 0.4 log.
Deeks
S G
SG
University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, 94110, USA.
Coleman
R L
RL
White
R
R
Pachl
C
C
Schambelan
M
M
Chernoff
D N
DN
Feinberg
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018401:Sample Size; D019562:Viral Load / Q000379:methods*
D012367:RNA, Viral