Looking for HIV reservoirs
Researchers want to know where HIV hides in the body. So they also use other methods besides leukapheresis to collect samples from the body, including:
- Lymph node examination (using a biopsy or other minor procedure)
- Intestinal examination
- Brain and brain fluid examination (using a lumbar puncture)
- Swabs of anogenital fluids, such as semen, anal mucus or vaginal fluid