HIV-DNA in rectal cells is well correlated with HIV-DNA in blood in different groups of patients, including long-term non-progressors

Most of the body's lymphoid tissue is in gut and constitutes an immense HIV reservoir. We quantified HIV-DNA in rectum and compared it with blood levels for 27 HIV-infected adults from different groups. We observed a large range of rectal and blood HIV-DNA levels. They were positively correlated (r = 0.841, P < 0.0001). Long-term non-progressors and patients in 'remission' after antiretroviral treatment interruption had the lowest blood and mucosal HIV-DNA levels.