Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
[HIV superinfection: myth or reality?]
P L Vernazza1, E Bernasconi, B Hirschel
1Departement Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen. Pietro.Vernazza@KSSG.ch
Abstract:
Most viral infections result in lifelong immunity against the virus, which prevents subsequent superinfection. In the light of recent findings on recombination of different viral clades, infection with two different HIV strains is unlikely to occur during primary infection. However, it is unclear whether true superinfection occurs during chronic HIV infection. If it does occur, superinfection could constitute a risk for HIV-concordant couples, since transmission of drug-resistant or more virulent viruses may result in worsening of the disease or treatment failure. We review the available data on superinfection and conclude that HIV-discordant couples should be informed of the theoretical risk of superinfection, especially where only one partner is receiving effective antiretroviral treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

