Extended high viremics

Abstract

Objective: The present study addressed two questions: what fraction of individuals maintain a sustained high HIV-1 RNA load after the acute HIV-1C infection peak and how long is a high HIV-1 RNA load maintained after acute HIV-1C infection in this subpopulation? Design/methods: Plasma HIV-1 RNA dynamics were studied in 77 participants with primary HIV-1C infection from African cohorts in Gaborone, Botswana, and Durban, South Africa. HIV-infected individuals who maintained mean viral load of at least 100 000 (5.0 log₁₀) copies/ml after 100 days postseroconversion (p/s) were termed extended high viremics. Individuals were followed longitudinally for a median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 573 (226–986) days p/s. Results: The proportion of extended high viremics was 34% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23–44%] during the period 100–300 days p/s and 19% (95% CI 9–29%) over the period of 200–400 days p/s. The median (IQR) duration of HIV-1 RNA load at least 100 000 copies/ml among extended high viremics was 271 (188–340) days p/s. For the subset with average viral load at least 100 000 copies/ml during 200–400 days p/s, the median (IQR) duration was 318 (282–459) days. The extended high viremics had a significantly shorter time to CD4 cell decline to 350 cells/μl (median: 88 vs. 691 days p/s for those not designated as extended high viremics; P < 0.0001, Gehan-Wilcoxon test). Conclusion: A high proportion of extended high viremics – individuals maintaining high plasma HIV-1 RNA load after acute infection – have been identified during primary HIV-1 subtype C infection. These extended high viremics likely contribute disproportionately to HIV-1 incidence.