Effects of reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy on the HIV-1 viral burden in semen

Drug treatment for HIV infection may reduce the amount of virus in semen. Researchers measured HIV RNA in blood and semen samples of 11 HIV-infected men before and after they began treatment with reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as zidovudine. In 82% of the men, levels of HIV in semen dropped after treatment. Five of the men were followed for at least a year and their semen HIV levels continued to be below the level measured before treatment. In much of the world, sexual intercourse is the primary means of HIV transmission.