Quantitative DNA proviral detection in HIV-1 patients treated with antiretroviral therapy.
The amount of proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 93 HIV-1 seropositive patients on long-lasting antiretroviral therapy was measured by the SYBR green real-time PCR technique. Variable levels of proviral DNA, ranging from 14 to 1847 copies of HIV-1 DNA per 10(6) PBMC were found, without a significant correlation between proviral load and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels or CD4(+) lymphocyte counts. To investigate the possible role of HIV-1 DNA levels as prognostic markers in clinical practice, the amount of proviral DNA and peripheral blood CD4(+) lymphocyte counts were further evaluated after 5 months of continued therapy in 32 patients who maintained a persistently undetectable viremia throughout the observation period. Interestingly, a clear-cut decrease (> or =0.5 log) in proviral DNA levels was significantly associated with a definite increase in CD4(+) lymphocyte counts. Even though plasma HIV-1 RNA levels remain the basic parameter to monitor both the intensity of viral replication and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, the results obtained in our study seem to indicate that measuring proviral DNA levels could represent an adjunct prognostic marker, especially useful in patients whose HIV-1 RNA levels drop below detectable limits.
Vitone
Francesca
F
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Microbiology Section, University of Bologna, St. Orsola Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna 40138, Italy.
Gibellini
Davide
D
Schiavone
Pasqua
P
Re
Maria Carla
MC
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors