Deep-sequencing of viral genomes from a large and diverse cohort of treatment-naive HIV-infected persons shows associations between intrahost genetic diversity and viral load

What is it about?

We studied HIV from blood of 2,640 HIV+ persons to identify and quantify the genetic variation that was present among the HIV particles within each person. In general, we found that most genetic variation was in a specific genetic region of the virus called the env gene. We also discovered that persons with more viral particles in their blood (viral load) had greater genetic variation, especially if they had been infected by the virus for more than 2 years. We were further able to detail that variation present at specific sites within genetic regions could be used to explain the variation in viral load and that the genetic variation within the single individual explained viral load better than if we used genetic variation present between viruses from different individuals.

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Why is it important?

Our research suggests that measuring the genetic variation of the virus may be a better way to predict disease progression (viral load) than looking at the variation of the virus between persons.

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