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Amplification of Near Full-length HIV-1 Proviruses for Next-Generation Sequencing
Published on: October 16, 2018
Reservoir differences across HIV-1 subtypes: a systematic review to guide cure research
Myrthe S Willemsen1,2, Anniek A N Tanja3, Sody Munsaka4
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Immunology
|August 13, 2026
Summary
This review found that HIV-1 subtype B may have a larger viral reservoir than non-B subtypes. Standardized methods are needed to compare reservoir sizes across different HIV-1 subtypes globally.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) controls HIV-1 but does not eliminate the viral reservoir, a major obstacle to a cure.
- Research on HIV-1 reservoir size and dynamics has predominantly focused on subtype B, neglecting non-B subtypes prevalent globally.
- Understanding subtype-specific reservoirs is crucial for developing globally applicable HIV-1 cure strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on HIV-1 reservoir size in individuals with non-B subtypes.
- To compile reported reservoir outcomes, demographic, and clinical metadata for non-B subtypes.
- To identify gaps and provide recommendations for future research on HIV-1 reservoirs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and EMBASE for studies quantifying HIV-1 reservoirs in peripheral blood of individuals with non-B subtypes.
- Inclusion criteria required quantification of reservoir size in at least three non-B samples stratified by subtype or direct subtype comparisons.
- Data extraction included subtype, reservoir size, statistical comparisons, and demographic/clinical metadata; study quality was assessed.
Main Results:
- Forty studies quantifying HIV-1 reservoir size in non-B subtypes were included from 1589 unique records.
- Comparisons between subtype B and pooled non-B subtypes suggest a potentially larger reservoir size for subtype B.
- Significant heterogeneity in study design, data reporting, and comparability limited direct cross-study comparisons.
Conclusions:
- Available data suggest possible differences in HIV-1 reservoir size between subtype B and non-B subtypes.
- Standardized subtyping methods and detailed metadata reporting are essential for future research.
- Recommendations include using standardized methods, reporting according to Los Alamos guidelines, and employing cross-validated multi-subtype reservoir assays.
