Plasma viral loads during early HIV-1 infection are similar in subtype C- and non-subtype C-infected African seroconverters

J Infect Dis. 2013 Apr;207(7):1166-70. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit015. Epub 2013 Jan 11.

Abstract

Recent data suggest that infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C results in prolonged high-level viremia (>5 log10 copies/mL) during early infection. We examined the relationship between HIV-1 subtype and plasma viremia among 153 African seroconverters. Mean setpoint viral loads were similar for C and non-C subtypes: 4.36 vs 4.42 log10 copies/mL (P = .61). The proportion of subtype C-infected participants with viral loads >5 log10 copies/mL was not greater than the proportion for those with non-C infection. Our data do not support the hypothesis that higher early viral load accounts for the rapid spread of HIV-1 subtype C in southern Africa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Africa, Eastern
  • Black People
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Seropositivity / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • South Africa
  • Time Factors
  • Viral Load*
  • Viremia / virology
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus