No evidence of ongoing HIV replication or compartmentalization in tissues during combination antiretroviral therapy: Implications for HIV eradication

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav2045
• Publication Date: 2019-09-25T23:16:30Z
• Authors: G. Bozzi; F. R. Simonetti; S. A. Watters; E. M. Anderson; M. Gouzoulis; M. F. Kearney; P. Rote; C. Lange; W. Shao; R. Gorelick; B. Fullmer; S. Kumar; S. Wank; S. Hewitt; D. E. Kleiner; J. Hattori; M. J. Bale; S. Hill; J. Bell; C. Rehm; Z. Grossman; R. Yarchoan; T. Uldrick; F. Maldarelli
• Keywords: Compartmentalization (fire protection); Replication; ANTIRETROVIRAL AGENTS

HIV persistence during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is the principal obstacle to cure. Mechanisms responsible for remain uncertain; infections may be maintained by and clonal expansion of infected cells or ongoing replication in anatomic locations with poor penetration. These mechanisms require different strategies eradication, determining their contributions essential. We used phylogenetic approaches investigate, at DNA level, populations blood, lymphoid, other tissues obtained colonoscopy autopsy individuals who were on cART 8 16 years. found no evidence compartmentalization HIV; we did detect that present before cART. Long-term persistence, not replication, primarily maintaining HIV. HIV-infected when initiated represent only identifiable source appropriate focus eradication.