Infectious decay of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in plasma
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Updated: Nov 7, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
1Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90048.
Abstract:
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Recent methods have been developed to estimate infectious titer in various bodily fluids, including blood. However, lack of information about HIV-1 stability in blood has restricted the use of these techniques to fresh samples in immediately accessible virology laboratories. In studies of infectious virus decay, it was found that at room temperature, complete decay of infectious HIV-1 in plasma can require > 7 days. Furthermore, the stability of HIV-1 was enhanced by storage at 4 degrees C, suggesting that fresh plasma could be sent on ice to core laboratories for viral quantitation. These studies also emphasize the need for thorough decontamination of all potentially infectious material.
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