Richard E. Nettles, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues investigated the nature and clinical significance of blips by assessing the HIV-1 RNA (ribonucleic acid) levels of 10 patients every 2 to 3 days over 3 to 4 months between June 19, 2003 and February 9, 2004.
"With the intensive sampling, blips were detected in 9 of 10 patients," the researchers report. "There was no association between blips and demographic, treatment, or HIV-associated clinical factors. Furthermore, blips were unrelated to intercurrent illnesses, vaccination, or decreases in antiretroviral drug concentrations. Blips were marginally associated with self-reported nonadherence." The researchers add that most importantly, an ultrasensitive method for detecting drug resistance showed no new resistance mutations before, during, or shortly after blips in the study patients.
(JAMA. 2005; 293:817-829. Available post-embargo at JAMA.com )
Editor's Note: Please see JAMA study for funding sources and financial disclosures.
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