Comparison of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA sequence heterogeneity in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma

The source of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in cerebrospi nal fluid (CSF) during HIV-1 infection is uncertain. The sequence heterogen eity of HIV-1 RNA in simultaneous CSF and plasma samples was characterized for five patients at the baseline and during the first week of antiretrovir al therapy by two commercial genotyping methodologies. In individual subjec ts, the sequences in CSF samples differed significantly from those in plasm a. In contrast, the viral sequences in CSP at the baseline did not differ f rom the sequences in CSF during treatment. Similarly viral sequences in pla sma did not vary over this interval. This study provides evidence that HIV- 1 RNA in CSF and plasma arise from distinct compartments.