title: Persistent HIV RNA shedding in semen despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce HIV sexual transmission by lowering genital HIV levels. A prospective study of men starting ART (n = 25) demonstrated rapid, substantial reductions in semen HIV RNA. However, despite an undetectable blood viral load, isolated semen HIV shedding was detected at more than one visit in 12 of 25 (48%) participants, with semen HIV RNA levels exceeding 5000 copies/ml in four of 25 (16%). Isolates were drug-sensitive, and this phenomenon was not associated with semen drug levels or regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Prameet M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Kimdar S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kemal
authors.forename: R Brad
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Raboud
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pilon
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: la Porte
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loutfy
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weiser
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaul
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral