Methods of evaluating a cellular sample for latent cellular replication competent HIV-1

A method of evaluating a cellular sample for latent cellular replication competent HIV-1, the method comprising:

• activating a whole blood sample, the activating consisting essentially of contacting the whole blood sample with an HIV-1 inducing compound consisting essentially of a lectin to produce an activated cellular sample, wherein the whole blood sample is not contacted with culture medium;
• and
• assessing plasma viral load in the activated cellular sample to evaluate the cellular sample for latent cellular replication competent HIV-1.