In a patient with HIV-1 infection, the viral genome is most commonly found in which cell type besides helper T lymphocytes?

In patients with HIV-1 infection, the viral genome is most commonly found in macrophages in addition to helper T lymphocytes. Macrophages serve as significant reservoirs for HIV, allowing the virus to persist even in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. These cells can take up the virus through various mechanisms, including phagocytosis and direct cell-to-cell transmission.

The presence of HIV in macrophages is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of the infection, as these cells can harbor the virus for extended periods and play a role in viral dissemination and immune evasion. The ability of HIV to infect macrophages also helps facilitate the establishment of latent viral reservoirs, which pose challenges for eradication strategies.

While other cell types such as neutrophils, endothelial cells, and natural killer cells play roles in the immune response, they are not as commonly associated with HIV infection or replication compared to macrophages. Neutrophils, for instance, primarily function in the acute immune response and are not efficient targets for HIV. Endothelial cells are involved in the vascular system and can be influenced by HIV infection but do not replicate the virus to the same extent as macrophages. Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune response and help eliminate infected cells,