Two-drugs regimens did not influence total HIV-1 DNA in people living with HIV

BackgroundQuantitative HIV-1 DNA (qDNA) is a biomarker of the viral reservoir. We evaluated whether two-drug regimens (2DRs) maintain qDNA values comparable to those of three-drug therapies (3DRs).Materials and methodsWe collected data from people living with HIV (PLWH) undergoing qDNA testing. Total HIV-1 DNA was measured using the HIV-1 DNA Test PRO (Diatheva) on InGenius (ELITech) platform. Descriptive analyses and non-parametric tests were performed. Bivariate logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of qDNA levels ≥2.3 log copies/10⁶ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Results263 PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) were included; 118 (44.9%) had qDNA ≥2.3 log copies/10⁶ PBMC. Age (OR: 1.44 per 10-years increase, <i>p</i> = 0.008) and prior CDC C stage events (OR: 2.26, <i>p</i> = 0.025) were associated with qDNA >2.3 log copies/10⁶ PBMC. Years of treatment (OR: 0.71 per 5-years increase, <i>p</i> = 0.018) was associated to lower probability of qDNA >2.3 log copies/10⁶ PBMC. No association was found between ART type (2DR vs 3DR) and qDNA levels (<i>p</i> = 0.441).ConclusionThe impact of 2DRs on the viral reservoir assessed by mean of qDNA is not different from what observed with 3DRs and may be a viable option for PLWH at risk of disease progression.