Persistent HIV-1 controllers

In persistent controllers, HIV-1 control is maintained indefinitely in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. In transient controllers, virological control is only temporary. In this study, researchers assessed the HIV-1 reservoir in these two phenotypes to identify factors predicting HIV progression. In both phenotypes, total, intact and defective proviruses were found in lower quantities than in patients on antiretroviral therapy. Intact provirus levels were lower in persistent than in transient controls. The ratio of intact to defective HIV-DNA was significantly higher in transient controls.