title: Analysis of HIV-1 variation in blood and semen during treatment and treatment interruption.
abstract: The variability of populations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in blood and semen, with respect to envelope and polymerase gene sequences, was examined longitudinally in a patient experiencing treatment failure, interruption of treatment, and successful reintroduction of therapy. During treatment failure, there was little evidence of compartmentalisation between blood and semen, with virus with identical resistance-associated mutations observed in both compartments and lack of clustering with respect to envelope gene sequences. After cessation of treatment, wild-type virus became the predominant population, displaying distinct envelope gene populations, indicating that wild-type virus had overgrown the resistant virus, rather than the resistant virus reverting to wild-type. Once successful therapy had been recommenced, it was possible to distinguish distinct populations of virus in the two compartments. These data support the hypothesis that the male genital tract represents a distinct HIV-1 reservoir.
authors.affiliation: PHLS Antiviral Susceptibility Reference Unit, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bhudipa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: Deenan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pillay
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral