PI Perspective 24: HIV and the Genital Tract

PI Perspective 24: HIV and the Genital Tract

Project Inform - April, 1998

The presence of HIV in the genital tract has been previously reported, with several studies showing that reductions in viral load in this compartment correlate with decreases in blood for individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, recent studies have shown that HIV is also produced in cells in the genital tract and can have unique resistance mutations compared to those in blood. In addition, viral load can sometimes be measured in the genital tract in the presence of infections or invasive procedures, even when it is not measurable in blood. This is important because many have assumed that undetectable virus levels in blood, using the currently available tests, automatically means undetectable virus levels in the genital tract. These findings have implications for both perinatal and sexual transmission, but further research is required.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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The original of this article can be found at http://www.projinf.org/pub/24/hepatitis.html

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1998. AEGiS.