FIG. 1.

Quantitation of viral loads and localization of HIV-infected cells in GALT during primary-stage HIV infection. (A) Viral RNA levels, measured by B-DNA assay, ranged between 4 and 6 logs per ml of plasma. (B) At corresponding time points, viral burden was detected in GALT biopsy samples, varying between 1 and 4 log copies per μg of total RNA. (C) Viral p24 was localized to both lymphocytes and macrophages. CD3⁺ T cells appear red, macrophages pink, and HIV p24 yellow. Double staining in a p24-positive lymphocyte results in a green cell, while double staining in a p24-positive macrophage appears blue.