Transient viral load increases in HIV-infected children in the UK and Ireland: What do they mean?

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate transient increases in viral load during sustained suppression in children in the UK and Ireland Collaborative HIV Paediatric Study (CHIPS). Design: Cohort of HIV-infected children from 39 centres. Methods: Transient viraemia was defined as ≥1 detectable viral loads (≥50 copies/ml) between two undetectable values (<50 copies/ml) <280 days apart, during a period of sustained viral suppression (from a confirmed level of 50 copies/ml). Results: Of 595 children initiating HAART without previous treatment, 347 (58%) achieved sustained suppression. Of these, 78 (23%) experienced 109 episodes of transient viraemia (median 134 copies/ml); 92 (84%) had levels of <1,000 copi..