Nonstructured Treatment Interruptions Are Associated with Higher Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reservoir Size Measured by Intact Proviral DNA Assay in People Who Inject Drugs

Gregory D. Kirk, Jacqueline Astemborski, Shruti H. Mehta, Kristen D. Ritter, Gregory M. Laird, Rebeka Bordi, Rafick Sekaly, Janet D. Siliciano, Robert F. Siliciano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The latent reservoir for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in CD4+ T cells is a major barrier to cure. HIV-1-infected persons who inject drugs (PWID) often struggle to maintain suppression of viremia and experience nonstructured treatment interruptions (NTIs). The effects of injecting drugs or NTIs on the reservoir are unclear. Using the intact proviral DNA assay, we found no apparent effect of heroin or cocaine use on reservoir size. However, we found significantly larger reservoirs in those with frequent NTIs or a shorter interval from last detectable HIV RNA measurement. These results have important implications for inclusion of PWID in HIV-1 cure studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1905-1913
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume223
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2021

Keywords

  • ART
  • HIV-1 latent reservoir
  • HIV-1 viral suppression
  • NTI
  • PWID
  • antiretroviral therapy
  • nonstructured treatment interruption
  • people who inject drugs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nonstructured Treatment Interruptions Are Associated with Higher Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reservoir Size Measured by Intact Proviral DNA Assay in People Who Inject Drugs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this