Genital Shedding of HIV — The Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy and the Menstrual Cycle

Cervicovaginal HIV RNA and proviral DNA were largely undetectable in women on atazanavir-based antiretroviral therapy.

Distribution of antiretroviral drugs into various compartments, including the female genital tract, is not well characterized. Concern has been raised about the possibility of intermittent viral shedding, particularly in the presence of factors known to increase it (sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, local inflammation, and menstrual-cycle phase).

To address these concerns, investigators studied 20 HIV-infected women with normal menstrual cycles who were taking TDF/emtricitabine/ritonavir-boosted atazanavir and had documented undetectable plasma HIV RNA. Blood and cervicovaginal (CV) samples were collected twice weekly for 3 weeks and tested for antiretroviral-drug concentrations, HIV RNA, and proviral DNA. If a study visi…

Reviewing Author

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Genital Shedding of HIV — The Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy and the Menstrual Cycle

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Reviewing Author