Human immunodeficiency virus RNA levels in US adults: A comparison based upon race and ethnicity

Volunteers in a natural history study of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) at two military medical centers were studied to determine whether plasma HIV-1 RNA levels differ among racial and ethnic groups of US adults infected with HIV-1. Cross-sectional analyses of plasma HIV-1 RNA and CD4 cell counts were done using demographic and clinical data collected during study visits, Age, gender, CD4 cell count, seroconversion status, and use of antiretroviral therapy were studied in 545 military members (46% white, 49% black, and 6% Hispanic), No association was found between HIV-1 RNA levels and race or ethnicity among infected adults for whom access to care and socioeconomic status were not confounding factors.