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Clinical Trial
. 2000 Aug 15;133(4):280-4.
doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-133-4-200008150-00012.

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV shedding in semen

P F Barroso  1 , M Schechter, P Gupta, M F Melo, M Vieira, F C Murta, Y Souza, L H Harrison
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV shedding in semen

P F Barroso et al. Ann Intern Med. .

Abstract

Background: The effect of antiretroviral therapy on seminal HIV shedding in the community remains unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV shedding in semen.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: University hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Patients: 93 HIV-infected men.

Intervention: Antiretroviral therapy as prescribed by each patient's physician.

Measurement: HIV RNA in semen and blood plasma before and after introduction of therapy.

Results: At baseline, HIV RNA was detected in 69 semen samples (74%) and 89 blood samples (96%). Six months after introduction of therapy, HIV RNA was detected in 29 semen samples (33%) and 33 blood samples (38%). The mean reduction in levels of HIV RNA in semen at 6 months was 1.65 log10 units.

Conclusions: Antiretroviral therapy reduces shedding of HIV in semen, which probably in tum reduces HIV transmissibility. However, a substantial proportion of patients may still be infectious and may have drug-resistant strains of the virus.

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