New Study Finds HIV Reservoir May Endure Longer Than Thought

A new study has revealed that the HIV reservoir of those on successful treatment for the virus dissipates much slower than thought.

According to the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project's report, "In 111 antiretroviral-treated people with long-term viral suppression, HIV reservoir half-life averaged 12 years (144 months) [1], much longer than in previous studies."

Researchers presented their findings at the IDWeek 2016 conference in New Orleans, noting that the 111 study subjects had an undetectable viral load for at least five years (a median of eight years), as noted after following participants for a median 1.4 years and taking a median three tests of their reservoirs.

POZ reports that the researchers estimated the half-life of the viral reservoir to be about 144 months (12 years). Its persistence continues to frustrated efforts to cure HIV, largely because of the long-lived immune cells latently infected by HIV.

Because the latent cell isn't replicating, standard antiretroviral treatment can't attack it. But these latent cells could start replicating at any time, leading to a viral rebound in patients. This new study may lead to possible methods of curing HIV, which focus on reducing the size of or eliminating this viral reservoir.