Defective HIV copies explain most persistent traces in blood following treatment, study finds

Article excerpt

A new study reveals why some HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy continue to show detectable viral traces in their blood. Researchers discovered that most of these persistent remnants are defective copies of the virus, incomplete genetic material incapable of replication, rather than viable infectious particles. The finding offers hope for patients who remain anxious despite undetectable viral loads and strict medication adherence, potentially explaining a decades-old mystery about what causes these traces. Scientists say understanding the composition of residual virus could reshape how doctors counsel patients and design future treatments aimed at achieving true viral elimination.