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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of serious, potentially fatal, respiratory infection in infants, but no preventive vaccine is available. In addition to ongoing research and development of [...]

Human neutrophil peptides 1–3 (defensins) are granule constituents released from activated neutrophils. We hypothesized that amniotic fluid (AF) defensin levels are elevated in preterm labor (PTL) patients with subclinical intrauterine infection (IUI). AF samples were obtained from 203 pregnant patients with varying clinical characteristics. Defensin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Median AF defensin levels were fourfold to 24-fold higher in patients with IUI than in preterm and term controls. Among patients with subclinical IUI, the degree of AF defensin elevation was greater in those with a positive AF culture. AF defensin levels increased exponentially with increasing severity of histologic chorioamnionitis. An AF defensin level of >2,500 ng/mL identified 88% of patients with a positive AF culture, whereas a level of >400 ng/mL identified 85% of all infected patients. AF defensin levels accurately identify patients with subclinical IUI, as defined by a positive AF culture or placental histology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sexually transmitted diseases, including trichomoniasis, are risk factors for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Enhancement mechanisms are unknown. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) from saliva appears to prevent transmission of HIV through inhibition of virus entry into monocytic cells in vitro. This study was undertaken to determine if secreted cysteine proteases of Trichomonas vaginalis degrade SLPI and render it nonfunctional. It was determined if SLPI levels were decreased in vaginal fluids from pregnant women infected with T. vaginalis. Isolated proteases were incubated with recombinant human SLPI, and the degradation was followed by Western analysis with SLPI antiserum. SLPI levels were measured by ELISA in vaginal fluids from women infected with T. vaginalis and uninfected controls. Cysteine proteases cleaved SLPI and rendered it nonfunctional. Median levels of SLPI from infected patients were 26% of those of controls (P <.005). The degradation of SLPI in association with trichomonal infection may increase the risk of HIV acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]