Quantification of total HIV-1 DNA in buffy coat cells, feasibility and potential added value for clinical follow-up of HIV-1 infected patients on ART

•qPCR for total HIV-1 DNA quantification is possible on DNA extracted from buffy coat.•HIV-1 DNA load varied between 0.60 and 3.37 copies/106 blood cells.•HIV-1 DNA load evolves slowly before and after treatment.•HIV-1 DNA load correlates with pre-ART CD4+ T-cell nadir and peak viral RNA load.