Abstract: Objective To determine if there is integrated human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1) DNA in variety of cell subsets at different stages after highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) through detecting HIV-1 DNA in CD4⁺T cell, CD8⁺T cell and B cell by Alu-long terminal repeat(LTR) polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Methods The genomic DNA from purified CD4⁺T, CD8⁺T, B cells of 20 HIV-1 patients after HAART 0, 4, 12 W and 10 healthy control subjects was obtained by Alu-LTR PCR. Results After Alu-LTR PCR, integrated HIV-1 was detected in each of the 20 cases of HIV/AIDS of CD4⁺T cells and CD8⁺T cells after HAART. The product of CD8⁺T cells were lower than that of the CD4⁺T cells. The product of HAART 4, 0, 12 W had no significant difference. Conclusion There exists integrated HIV-1 DNA in CD4⁺T cells and CD8⁺T cells, and HIV viral reservoir mainly exists in CD4⁺T cells. Integrated HIV-1 DNA do not exist in B cells. Integrated HIV-1 DNA still exist, and HAART do not eradicate HIV viral reservoir.

Key words: Alu-LTR PCR, integrated human immunodeficiency virus-1, CD4⁺T cell, CD8⁺T cell, B cell