Single-copy assay quantification of HIV-1 RNA in paired cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples from elite controllers

AIDS. 2013 Apr 24;27(7):1145-9. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835cf235.

Abstract

Objective: Elite controllers are a rare subset of HIV-1-infected individuals who maintain HIV-1 RNA concentrations in plasma below the lower limit of quantification of clinical assays (<20-50 copies/ml) in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Here, we examine to what extent elite controllers also control infection of the central nervous system (CNS).

Design: We analysed paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples using a highly sensitive assay for HIV-1 RNA quantification.

Methods: We analysed 28 CSF samples and 27 concurrent plasma samples from 14 elite controllers with the highly sensitive single-copy assay (SCA) that allows for HIV-1 RNA quantification down to less than one copy of HIV-1 RNA per millilitre.

Results: Three samples were excluded because of internal standard failure. HIV-1 RNA was detected in only five of 26 CSF samples compared with 14 of 26 plasma samples (P = 0.02), with a median of 0.2 (range, 0.1-6) copies/ml in CSF compared with 0.8 (range, 0.1-189 copies/ml) in plasma (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: HIV-1 RNA could not be detected in CSF in most elite controllers using the highly sensitive SCA, and when detected, it was at significantly lower frequencies and concentrations than in plasma. Elite controllers thus control HIV-1 in the CNS very well. Whether the infrequent and small amounts of HIV-1 RNA in the CSF reflect production from a local reservoir or virion exchange between the blood and the CSF is uncertain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / blood
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology*
  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / blood
  • Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / immunology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • RNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • RNA, Viral / immunology*
  • Viral Load
  • Virion / immunology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral