Table 1

Definitions of plasma HIV-1 RNA detection during ART according to different guidelines and the Low-Level HIV Viremia Consensus Panel

EACS4 JAMA/IAS5 6 HIVinfo.gov/DHHS8 WHO7 LLHV-CP
Residual viremiaNot definedHIV RNA levels>20 and <50 copies/mL6 Not definedNot definedQuantifiable HIV-1 RNA levels below 50 copies/mL.
Low-level viremiaHIV RNA levels>51 and <200 copies/mLHIV RNA levels 50–200 copies/mL5 6 Confirmed detectable HIV RNA levels<200 copies/mLHIV RNA levels 50–1000 copies/mL≥2 consecutive HIV RNA measurements between 50 and 500 copies/mL.
Viral blipNot definedAn outlier increase in HIV RNA levels to<1000 copies/mL that returns to undetectable levels5 After vs, an isolated detectable HIV-RNA level that is followed by a return to vsAn isolated HIV-RNA measurement of 50–1000 copies/mL with a return to suppressed levelsA single HIV-1 RNA measurement between 50 and 1000 copies/mL with adjacent measurements<50 copies/mL.
Viral reboundConfirmed HIV RNA levels>50 copies/mL in someone with previously undetectable viremiaNot definedAfter vs, confirmed HIV RNA levels≥200 copies/mLNot definedConfirmed HIV-1 RNA>50 copies/mL following previously suppressed viremia.
  • ART, antiretroviral therapy; DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services; EACS, European AIDS Clinical Society; JAMA/IAS, Journal of American Medical Association/International Antiviral Society; LLHV-CP, Low-Level HIV-1 Viremia Consensus Panel; VS, viral suppression.