HIV type 1 cervicovaginal reservoirs in the era of HAART

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2005 Aug;21(8):714-8. doi: 10.1089/aid.2005.21.714.

Abstract

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) does not lead to viral eradication, due to HIV-1 residual disease. We investigated whether the cervicovaginal tract serves as a viral reservoir. Seven out of eight cervicovaginal fluids were positive for cell-free HIV-1, by supersensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), with a detection limit of 1 copy/ml. No viral outgrowth, intracellular proviral DNA, or viral RNA was detected from cervicovaginal lavage and ecto- and endocervical cells. The cervicovaginal tract of patients on HAART is likely not a major solid tissue reservoir for HIV-1. Nonetheless, the presence of even low cell-free HIV-1 RNA in cervicovaginal secretions continues to suggest the importance of practicing protected sex, even in the era of HAART.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Cervix Uteri / virology*
  • Female
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Vagina / virology*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral