Analysis of HIV RNA Results in HIV/AIDS Patients

Aim: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the demographic features and the results of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA testing in 65 cases with HIV infection. Methods: We analyzed HIV RNA values in patients investigated using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) between June and September 2010. HIV RNA levels of less than 500 copies/ml in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were considered virological response. Results: Of 65 patients aged between 23-80 years old (median: 42±12), 55 were male; and six of them were diagnosed over one year and followed up in different medical centers. In fifteen patients (25%), who were aged between 23 and 69 years and were newly diagnosed with HIV, HIV RNA levels were found to be between 481 and 1.497.088 copies/ml (median 215.554 copies/ml). Of 44 patients followed up in our clinic, 39 (89%) were receiving HAART and their HIV RNA levels ranged between 0 and 680.842 copies/ml, and viral load was