Background:  Combination ART (cART) suppresses but does not eradicate HIV in infected persons, and infection persists despite many years of suppressive ART. Long-term ART is associated with emergence of drug resistance as well as debilitating adverse effects. The development of strategies to cure HIV infection is therefore a compelling imperative. There are fundamental gaps, however, in our understanding of the nature of HIV persistence that limit out ability to design curative approaches.

Conclusions:  This presentation will review current concepts of the nature of HIV infection during suppressive ART, describe progress in characterizing viral persistence, and explore the requirements of useful eradication strategies.