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Comment
. 2020 Apr 1;130(4):1611-1614.
doi: 10.1172/JCI135905.

The gift of a lifetime: analysis of HIV at autopsy

Frank Maldarelli
Comment

The gift of a lifetime: analysis of HIV at autopsy

Frank Maldarelli. J Clin Invest. .

Abstract

Currently, the incidence of HIV infection exceeds the death rate from HIV, and as a result, the prevalence of individuals living with the infection continues to increase. A critical limitation preventing the development of curative strategies is the lack of knowledge regarding mechanisms that allow HIV-infected cells to persist in individuals during combination antiviral therapy (ART). In this issue of the JCI, Chaillon and coworkers assessed HIV-infected cells from various anatomic compartments obtained through a rapid autopsy program of individuals undergoing long-term ART. This study, made possible with strong community collaboration, provides new insights on the potential locations of reservoirs of HIV-infected cells that persist during therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The author has declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Reservoirs of HIV-infected cells persist during ART.
Cells infected with genetically diverse HIV variants including clones of cells are present throughout infected individuals even after prolonged ART. GALT, gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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