Sexual transmission and propagation of SIV and HIV in resting and activated CD4(+) T cells

In sexual transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus, and early and late r stages of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection, both vir uses were found to replicate predominantly in CD4(+) T cells at the portal of entry and in Lymphoid tissues, infection was propagated not only in acti vated and proliferating T cells but also, surprisingly, in resting T cells. The infected proliferating cells correspond to the short-lived population that produces the bulk of HIV-1. Most of the HIV-1-infected resting T cells persisted after antiretroviral therapy. Latently and chronically infected cells that may be derived from this population pose challenges to eradicati ng infection and developing an effective vaccine.