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BMC Infectious Diseases
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Viral blips during suppressive antiretroviral treatment are associated with high baseline HIV-1 RNA levels

Authors: Erik Sörstedt, Staffan Nilsson, Anders Blaxhult, Magnus Gisslén, Leo Flamholc, Anders Sönnerborg, Aylin Yilmaz

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Many HIV-1-infected patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) have transiently elevated HIV RNA levels. The clinical significance of these viral blips is uncertain. We have determined the incidence of blips and investigated important associations in the Swedish HIV-cohort.

Methods

HIV-1-infected ART naïve adults who commenced ART 2007–2013 were retrospectively included. Viral blips were defined as a transient viral load between 50 and 500 copies/mL Subjects not suppressed after six months on ART were excluded.

Results

Viral blips were found in 76/735 included subjects (10.3 %) and in 90/4449 samples (2.0 %). Median blip viral load was 76 copies/mL (range 56–138). Median follow-up time was 170 weeks (range 97–240). Baseline viral load was higher in subjects with viral blips (median log10 4.85 copies/mL) compared with subjects without blips (median log10 4.55 copies/mL) (p < 0.01). There was a significant association between viral blips and risk for subsequent virological failure (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The Swedish national HIV-cohort has a low incidence of viral blips (10 %). Blips were associated with high baseline viral load and an increased risk of subsequent virological failure.
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Metadata
Title
Viral blips during suppressive antiretroviral treatment are associated with high baseline HIV-1 RNA levels
Authors
Erik Sörstedt
Staffan Nilsson
Anders Blaxhult
Magnus Gisslén
Leo Flamholc
Anders Sönnerborg
Aylin Yilmaz
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-016-1628-6

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