Low-level HIV replication in a patient on effective antiretroviral therapy is a relatively frequent event, generating stress for both patient and physician, due to the fear of subsequent virological escape with emergence of resistant virus(es) and/or transmission of such virus(es) to partner(s). Understanding the origin of this low-level viral replication would enable informed therapeutic decisions to be made (therapeutic intensification, modification of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment with the use of molecules belonging to other therapeutic classes, or maintenance of the status quo), and reassure patients of the scientific rationale guiding their course of action.
This is a single-center, cross-sectional study designed to compare the parameters of the cellular viral reservoir between a group of participants with persistent viral replication under ARV treatment and a group of participants with perfect viral replication control (stable virological suppression).
Patients meeting the eligibility criteria will be offered the opportunity to have two additional blood tubes taken for research purposes, as part of an integrated visit to monitor HIV infection, which already includes a venipuncture. Patients meeting these criteria will have been previously identified by a feasibility survey carried out by the clinical research team of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department (SMIT) at Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard (AP-HP. Nord).