Understanding the Factors Behind Persistent HIV-1 Viremia
A study investigated the mechanisms behind non-suppressible HIV-1 viremia (NSV), a condition where individuals have persistent low-level viremia despite adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and lacking drug resistance. The researchers found that NSV is fueled by clonally expanded HIV-infected cells and identified features of host integration sites that differentiate proviruses contributing to NSV. They also observed potentially permissive host cell and immune environments in patients with NSV. The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the viral, cellular, and immune mediators of NSV, shedding light on the factors that contribute to this clinical conundrum.