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New Tools for Quantifying HIV-1 Reservoirs: Plasma RNA Single Copy Assays and Beyond

  • The Science of HIV (AL Landay, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Quantification of plasma HIV-1 RNA below the limit of FDA-approved assays by a single copy quantitative PCR assays (SCA) has provided significant insights into HIV-1 persistence despite potent antiretroviral therapy as well as a means to assess the impact of therapeutic strategies, such as treatment intensification, on residual viremia. In this review, we discuss insights gained from plasma HIV-1 RNA SCA and highlight the need for additional assays to characterize better the cellular and tissue reservoirs of HIV-1. Accurate, reproducible, and sensitive assays to quantify HIV-1 reservoirs, before and after therapeutic interventions, are essential tools in the quest for a cure of HIV-1 infection.

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Acknowledgment

Supported by award T32 AI065380 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIAID, Division of AIDS (University of Pittsburgh CTU Grant 1U01 AI069494-01 and supplement), a Virology Support Laboratory subcontract (204VC009) of the ACTG Central Group Grant (1U01AI068636-01), and by the NCI (SAIC contract 25XS119).

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  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, S818 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Benedict B. Hilldorfer, Anthony R. Cillo, Guillaume J. Besson, Margaret Anne Bedison & John W. Mellors

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  1. Benedict B. Hilldorfer
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  2. Anthony R. Cillo
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Correspondence to John W. Mellors.

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Hilldorfer, B.B., Cillo, A.R., Besson, G.J. et al. New Tools for Quantifying HIV-1 Reservoirs: Plasma RNA Single Copy Assays and Beyond. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 9, 91–100 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-011-0104-6

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