title: Rectal cell-associated HIV-1 RNA: a new marker ready for the clinic.
abstract: Gut-associated lymphoid tissue is a huge reservoir for HIV-1. Developing new strategies to target "residual" HIV-1 in patients on effective therapy brings the need for an evaluation of tissue reservoirs in the clinic. We measured cell-associated HIV-1 RNA and DNA in blood and rectal biopsies from 23 patients, including 14 with undetectable viremia on HAART, by using an adaptation of commercially available tests. Rectal cell HIV-1 RNA was detected in all viremic patients, with median levels of 4.90 log(10) copies/million CD4. Although plasma viremia was found at a median of 3 copies/mL in "aviremic" patients, rectal cell HIV-1 RNA was detected in 28.5% with median levels of 5.17 log(10) copies/million CD4. Consequently, we propose to use this marker in future clinical trials targeting "residual" HIV-1 in patients with viremia below the detection limit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, General Hospital, Toulon, France. alain.lafeuillade@ch-toulon.fr
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lafeuillade
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheret
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hittinger
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuquemelle
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jullian
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poggi
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012007:Rectum / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral