SIV reservoir decay did not differ across groups.

SIVgag DNA was quantified in sorted CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood (A), lymph nodes (B) and rectal biopsies (C) starting from week 0 (start of ART) to week 48 of ART. The fold change from week 0 to week 48 was calculated for SIVgag DNA in CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood (D) and lymph nodes (E). Intact proviral SIV DNA was quantified in sorted CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood (F), lymph nodes (G), and rectal biopsies (H) at week 48 of ART. Individual data points are plotted with horizontal lines drawn at the median. Statistical analysis was performed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Missing data points on graphs are the result of insufficient cells for the respective timepoint or missing paired data in the case of E, ART only group. ns = not significant; p > 0.05.