Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV shedding in semen.
BACKGROUND
The effect of antiretroviral therapy on seminal HIV shedding in the community remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV shedding in semen.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
University hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


METHODS
93 HIV-infected men.


METHODS
Antiretroviral therapy as prescribed by each patient's physician.


METHODS
HIV RNA in semen and blood plasma before and after introduction of therapy.


RESULTS
At baseline, HIV RNA was detected in 69 semen samples (74%) and 89 blood samples (96%). Six months after introduction of therapy, HIV RNA was detected in 29 semen samples (33%) and 33 blood samples (38%). The mean reduction in levels of HIV RNA in semen at 6 months was 1.65 log10 units.


CONCLUSIONS
Antiretroviral therapy reduces shedding of HIV in semen, which probably in tum reduces HIV transmissibility. However, a substantial proportion of patients may still be infectious and may have drug-resistant strains of the virus.
Laboratório de Pesquisas, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
P F
PF
Barroso
M
M
Schechter
P
P
Gupta
M F
MF
Melo
M
M
Vieira
F C
FC
Murta
Y
Y
Souza
L H
LH
Harrison
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019562:Viral Load; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000187:drug effects*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral