Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific antibody in cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained from women infected with HIV type 1

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Sep 1;35(5):611-7. doi: 10.1086/342201. Epub 2002 Aug 7.

Abstract

To evaluate correlates of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) immunoglobulin (Ig) in the genital tract, anti-HIV-gp120 IgA and IgG titers in cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained from 104 HIV-1-infected women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 24% and 94% of women had detectable anti-gp120 IgA and IgG, respectively. CD4 cell count correlated negatively with total IgA concentration (r=-0.301; P=.0027) and positively with specific IgA activity (anti-gp120 IgA titer/total IgA concentration, r=0.306; P=.0023). Women with bacterial vaginosis had 5-fold lower anti-gp120 IgG titer (P=.0042), 5-fold lower total IgG concentration (P< or =.0001), and 4-fold higher specific IgG activity (P=.0474) compared with women who did not have bacterial vaginosis. Enhanced understanding of correlates of mucosal immunity to HIV-1 may assist in the design of vaccine strategies or in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Female
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G