Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can replicate independently in extravascular compartments like central nervous system, resulting in either cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) discordance or escape, that may be associated with neurological symptoms. This article outlines the research findings of a recent study that used MRI scans to help identify when HIV is persisting in the brain despite effective treatment. It is evident that HIV can continue to replicate in disparate compartments during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Several studies have reported that up to 10% of individuals on ART who are peripherally suppressed have detectable HIV RNA in their CSF that is hypothesized to increase the risk of neurological syndromes and neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Despite an increasing understanding of CSF discordance, the identification of risk factors associated with the…
