AEGiS-14IAC: Dynamics of viral rebound in plasma and semen after stopping effective antiretroviral therapy.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Dynamics of viral rebound in plasma and semen after stopping effective antiretroviral therapy.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. ThOrB1441)

Liuzzi G, D'Offizi G, Topino S, Amendola A, Capobianchi M, Perno CF, Narciso P, Antinori A
NIID-L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy

BACKGROUND: The persistence of a reservoir of HIV in genital tract compartment can be considered as an impediment to the long-term control and/or eradication of HIV in infected individuals who are receiving HAART: The pathogenic significance of this reservoir as well as its involvement in the rebound of plasma viremia after discontinuation of HAART remain to be fully delineated. Structured interruptions of antiretroviral therapy of HIV-1 infected individuals are currently being tested in clinical trials to study the effect interruptions have on the immune responses and control of virus replication.

METHODS: We examined the dynamic of viral load rebound in plasma and semen in 12 HIV-1-infected patients who decided to discontinue HAART after 1 year of HAART treatment and effective virologic response. We also assessed the response after reintroducing the same therapy. Peripheral blood and semen specimens were collected at baseline and every 4 weeks for determination of viral load by bDNA methodology.

RESULTS: See table.

CONCLUSIONS: We reported preliminary observations about rebound of HIV-RNA in semen during discontinuation of HAART. Our data suggest that discontinuation of treatment is always associated with viral rebound in plasma and semen and that after reintroduction of HAART is possible to obtain an effective virologic response also in semen. These data reinforce the body of evidence that during the viral replication the male genital tract is a separate compartment to plasma. [table: see text]

Keywords: AEGIS, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Viral Load, HIV-1, Semen, HIV Infections, Viremia, Plasma, Virus Replication, Drug Therapy, Combination, Male, Human, virology, therapy, drug therapyKWDaegis,antiretroviraltherapy,highlyactive,viralload,hiv-1,semen,hivinfections,viremia,plasma,virusreplication,drugtherapy,combination,male,human,virology,therapy,drugtherapy

020707
ThOrB1441

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.