title: Modifications of residual viraemia in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected subjects undergoing repeated highly active antiretroviral therapy interruptions.
abstract: Residual viraemia is detectable in the majority of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies ml(-1). In the present study, the impact of repeated treatment interruptions on residual HIV-1 viraemia was investigated in 58 subjects enrolled in the ISS-PART, a multicentre, randomized clinical trial comparing 24 months of continuous (arm A) and intermittent (arm B) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Residual viraemia was measured by a modified Roche Amplicor HIV-1 RNA assay (limit of detection 2.5 copies ml(-1)). At baseline, the median value of residual viraemia was 2.5 copies ml(-1) in both arms; after 24 months, the median value was 2.5 in arm A and 8.3 in arm B. The median change from baseline to month 24 was significantly different between patients under continuous or intermittent HAART: 0 copies ml(-1) (range -125.2 to +82.7) of HIV-1 RNA in arm A versus 2.1 copies ml(-1) (range -80 to +46.8) in arm B (P=0.024). These results suggest that intermittent HAART tends to modify HIV-1 viraemia set point even if a virological response is achieved after HAART reinstitution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palmisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bucciardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fragola
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Pirillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Liliana E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Weimer
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D014766:Viremia
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral