As resistant virus died off and wild type virus returned, viral load rose more quickly and CD4 cells began to decline. There was no detectable resistant virus. Again this may be due to a lack of adequate technology to detect small populations of virus. The study demonstrated that some people will have partial viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy and when that treatment is removed virus will return to wild type. They also concluded that the wild type virus is more fit as indicated by higher viral load and a faster decline in CD4s.
Further study is needed to look at whether resistant virus is indeed still present.
More research needed These studies, which represent only a few of those presented at the conference, make a strong argument for further research into these areas. As antiretroviral-based treatment aimed at HIV infection continues to show limitation, the need for new areas of treatment becomes increasingly important. Still, before proceeding from clinical trial to doctor's office we need more information. John Slovick is a treatment advocate in AIDS Project Los Angeles' Client Health Education and Advocacy Department.