title: HIV-1-RNA in seminal plasma correlates with detection of HIV-1-DNA in semen cells, but not with CMV shedding, among MSM on successful antiretroviral regimens.
abstract: Intermittent seminal HIV-RNA detection can occur in MSM despite concomitant plasma virological control on combined ART (cART). We undertook the present study to determine if seminal HIV detection was associated with seminal cytomegalovirus (CMV) detection or detection of HIV-infected cells in semen.
  
  
  
  Longitudinal semen samples from HIV-1-infected MSM on successful cART enrolled in the EVARIST ANRS EP 49 study were analysed. We first conducted a case-control analysis (ratio 1 : 3) to assess HIV-DNA detection in semen cells in the 20 patients with detectable HIV-RNA in seminal plasma (cases) matched with 60 participants with undetectable HIV-RNA (controls) based on total HIV-DNA load in blood cells. Second, we measured CMV-DNA in all seminal plasma samples.
  
  
  
  HIV-1-DNA in semen cells was detected on at least one sample visit in 12/20 cases and 11/60 controls. Detection of HIV-RNA in seminal plasma was associated significantly with the detection of HIV-DNA in semen cells [OR, 7.6 (95% CI, 2.1-28.4); P = 0.002] when adjusted on total HIV-DNA in blood cells. CMV-DNA was detected in 107/273 seminal plasma samples with a median value of 3.62 log10copies/mL (IQR, 2.83-4.38), yielding a prevalence of 39.2%. Seminal CMV-DNA shedding [OR, 1.5 (95% CI, 0.6-3.6); P = 0.343] was not associated with the risk of detection of HIV-RNA in seminal plasma.
  
  
  
  The presence of HIV-DNA in semen cells was predictive of HIV-RNA detection, suggesting that viral particles arise through local HIV replication by infected semen cells. Despite virological control, compartmentalization of HIV in the genital tract might act in residual replication and transmission.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, EA 7327, Université Paris Descartes PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France.|Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gantner
authors.affiliation: Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLSEP UMRS 1136), F-75013 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Lambert
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Assoumou
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, EA 7327, Université Paris Descartes PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France.|APHP, Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leruez-Ville
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, EA 7327, Université Paris Descartes PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Ludivine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR912 (SESSTIM), 13006 Marseille, France.|Aix Marseille Université, UMR_S912, IRD, 13006 Marseille, France.|ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13006 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzan-Monti
authors.affiliation: Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLSEP UMRS 1136), F-75013 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, EA 7327, Université Paris Descartes PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France.|APHP, Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rouzioux
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, EA 7327, Université Paris Descartes PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France jade.ghosn@aphp.fr.|APHP, Unité Fonctionnelle de Thérapeutique en Immuno-Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jade
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghosn
mesh_terms: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral