title: Seminal HIV-1 RNA Detection in Heterosexual African Men Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy.
abstract: Intermittent shedding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) in semen occurs despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and suppressed blood HIV-1 RNA levels.
  
  
  
  We assessed the frequency, magnitude, and correlates of seminal HIV-1 RNA shedding in HIV-1-infected African men initiating ART.
  
  
  
  Seminal HIV-1 RNA was detected in 24% (37 of 155), 10% (5 of 49), and 11% (8 of 70) of samples collected 0-3, 4-6, and >6 months after ART initiation. When blood HIV-1 levels were suppressed, seminal HIV-1 RNA was detected in 8% (16 of 195), and 82% (13 of 16) had an HIV-1 RNA load of < 1000 copies/mL.
  
  
  
  Seminal HIV-1 RNA shedding was infrequent and present at low levels in HIV-1-infected African men with suppressed blood HIV-1 RNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Department of Epidemiology.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mujugira
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Coombs
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Department of Epidemiology.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heffron
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Department of Epidemiology Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celum
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ronald
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi.
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mugo
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Department of Epidemiology Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Baeten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: HIV-1; RNA; antiretroviral therapy; semen