What is the significance of latent HIV reservoirs in the body?

Latent HIV reservoirs play a crucial role in the persistence of the virus in the body, primarily by allowing the virus to evade treatment. These reservoirs consist of infected cells in a dormant state, which means they don't actively produce the virus and are not targeted by antiretroviral therapies. This dormancy can occur in various sites such as lymphoid tissues, brain, and other immune cells. When the immune system is activated, these reservoirs can reactivate and resume viral replication, leading to a resurgence of the virus even in individuals who are on effective antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, understanding and targeting these latent reservoirs is vital for developing strategies aimed at achieving a functional cure or complete eradication of HIV from the body, as they represent a significant barrier to eradication efforts.