Association between Cellular Human Immunodeficiency Virus DNA Level and Immunological Parameters in Patients with Undetectable Plasma Viremia Level during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

The association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA load and immunologic parameters was investigated in 163 HIV-infected patients with undetectable plasma viremia during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Patients with HIV DNA below the 25th percentile (133 copies/10 6 peripheral blood mononuclear cells) had higher pre-HAART ( P = 0.001) and current ( P = 0.005) CD4 counts and a prolonged duration of treatment ( P = 0.001). At adjusted analysis, prolonged duration of treatment was independently associated with lower ( P = 0.006) and undetectable ( P < 0.001) HIV DNA values.