∞ generated and posted on 2016.03.20 ∞
Number of virion particles found in blood.
Though in principle the amount of virus found in blood can be determined by assaying for the number of viable particles, in practice genetic assays are employed instead. These include polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid hybridization-based assays.
Viruses found in plasma may be detected prior to seroconversion of patients. Virus presence in blood may be used as a means of quantifying the degree of disease and/or treatment success.
For example, reductions in plasma viral load is a hallmark of success anti-HIV treatment. In addition, increases in plasma viral load are associated with the transition of subclinical HIV infection to AIDS.