Level of viral RNA detected in plasma of LTS and individuals who progressed to AIDS (Progressors). Plasmas from the peripheral blood of 10 LTS and 13 Progressors were recovered and stored at −70°C within 2 hours of venipuncture. Each plasma was then evaluated for the level of virus using quantitative-competitive PCR.17 Each point represents the level of HIV in the plasma from a different individual. Bars represent the mean value for the plasma of each group of individuals tested. The level of HIV in the plasma of LTS and Progressors was statistically different (P< .01) using the Mann-Whitney U test.