Latent reservoirs for HIV-1

Combination therapy for HIV-1 infection can reduce viremia to undetectable levels, suggesting that prolonged treatment might eradicate the infection. However, one potential mechanism for viral persistence involves the establi shment of a state of latent infection. Recent studies have directly confirm ed that HIV-1 establishes a state of latent infection in resting memory CD4 (+) T cells in vivo. This reservoir is likely to frustrate current efforts to eradicate the infection with combination therapy. Curr Opin Infect Dis 1 2:5-11. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.