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The article presents a study on cell-associated HIV-1 DNA and provirus-infected cells during the Istituto Superiore di Sanità-Pulsed Antiretroviral Therapy (ISS-PART) clinical trial. It states that HIV-1 DNA was calculated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 37 subjects enrolled in the ISS-PART.

The article presents a randomized study which determines the factors that influence the virologic and immunologic outcome of structured interruptions (STIs) in HIV chronic infection. The main outcome measures of the study was aimed at testing the noninferiority of STIs to continuous highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in terms of CD4 cell count. The results of the study is presented and discussed.

Abstract: Background: Recent data have shown that plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are a quantitative indicator of microbial translocation in HIV infected individuals. Objectives: To assess the impact of residual viral replication on plasma LPS in HAART-treated HIV+ subjects with <50copies/ml HIV-1 RNA and to evaluate LPS changes during repeated HAART interruptions not exceeding 2-month duration. Study design: LPS was measured in 44 HIV+ subjects at T0 (during HAART) and at day 15 of the first and fourth HAART interruption. Ten uninfected, healthy donors were studied as well. Residual plasma HIV-1 RNA was measured at T0 by an ultra-ultrasensitive method with limit of detection of 2.5copies HIV-1 RNA/ml. Subjects with less than 2.5copies/ml (fully suppressed – FS) were compared to those with 2.5–50copies/ml (partially suppressed – PS). Results: At T0, plasma LPS levels were comparable in FS and uninfected subjects, whereas in PS they were higher than in uninfected subjects (p =0.049). After 4 HAART interruptions, they did not change significantly. However, LPS values were lower in FS than in PS (p =0.020). An inverse correlation was found between CD4 and LPS levels (p =0.044) in PS group only. Conclusions: A reduced degree of microbial translocation was seen in subjects with a more complete suppression of viral replication. Repeated HAART interruptions had no significant impact on plasma LPS levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]