PROBLEM: In HIV-1-infected pregnant women with low plasma viral load, risk factors associated with perinatal HIV-1 transmission are not clearly understood. METHOD OF STUDY: We analyzed distribution of peripheral CD8 T-cell subsets, plasma cytokines and measured secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) and myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8 levels in whole-blood and cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) specimens obtained from 35 HIV-1-infected pregnant women (group 1), 12 HIV-1-infected non-pregnant women (group 2) and 15 HIV-1 uninfected pregnant women (group 3). RESULTS: The group 1 women had higher expression of CD38, human leukocyte antigen-DR and CD95 on CD8 T-cells and higher levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor. CVF-SLPI levels were the highest in group-3, while MRP-8 levels were the highest in group 1 women in plasma and CVF (P < 0.01). Although there were no cases of perinatal HIV-1 transmission, group 1 women undergoing HIV-1-indicated cesarean section had lower levels of CVF-SLPI as compared with those undergoing normal vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy contributes to the activation of peripheral CD8 T cells and increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Production of protective mucosal secretory factors such as SLPI is affected by HIV-1 infection in pregnant women and down-regulated SLPI levels may indirectly indicate a higher possibility of perinatal HIV-1 transmission.
PROBLEM: In HIV-1-infected pregnant women with low plasma viral load, risk factors associated with perinatal HIV-1 transmission are not clearly understood. METHOD OF STUDY: We analyzed distribution of peripheral CD8 T-cell subsets, plasma cytokines and measured secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) and myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8 levels in whole-blood and cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) specimens obtained from 35 HIV-1-infected pregnant women (group 1), 12 HIV-1-infected non-pregnant women (group 2) and 15 HIV-1 uninfected pregnant women (group 3). RESULTS: The group 1 women had higher expression of CD38, human leukocyte antigen-DR and CD95 on CD8 T-cells and higher levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor. CVF-SLPI levels were the highest in group-3, while MRP-8 levels were the highest in group 1 women in plasma and CVF (P < 0.01). Although there were no cases of perinatal HIV-1 transmission, group 1 women undergoing HIV-1-indicated cesarean section had lower levels of CVF-SLPI as compared with those undergoing normal vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy contributes to the activation of peripheral CD8 T cells and increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Production of protective mucosal secretory factors such as SLPI is affected by HIV-1 infection in pregnant women and down-regulated SLPI levels may indirectly indicate a higher possibility of perinatal HIV-1 transmission.
Authors: Alcina F Nicol; Laurie L Brunette; Gerard J Nuovo; Beatriz Grinsztejn; Ruth K Friedman; Valdiléa G Veloso; Cynthia B Cunha; José R Coutinho; Cecilia Vianna-Andrade; Nathalia S Oliveira; Andrew W Woodham; Diane M DA Silva; W Martin Kast Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2016-09-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Eliane Borges-Almeida; Helaine M B P M Milanez; Maria Marluce S Vilela; Fernanda G P Cunha; Beatriz M Abramczuk; Suiellen C Reis-Alves; Konradin Metze; Irene Lorand-Metze Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2011-02-03 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Livo F Esemu; Emile K Yuosembom; Rui Fang; Shayne Rasay; Barriere A Y Fodjo; John T Nguasong; Winifrida Kidima; Gabriel L Ekali; John J Chen; Lishomwa Ndhlovu; Jude D Bigoga; Diane W Taylor; Rose G F Leke; Anna Babakhanyan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-05-01 Impact factor: 3.240