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Recently, we developed an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-capture BED-enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to identify recent HIV-1 infections. We estimated HIV-1 incidence among inner-city pregnant women in Atlanta, Georgia (1991-1998) using this assay. The annual cumulative incidence was estimated at 2.4/1000 (95% CI = 2.0-2.9). Incidence declined from 3.1/1000 in 1991-1994 to 1.4/1000 in 1995-1998 (risk ratio = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.5-3.4). Women with recent HIV-1 infection more often reported a previous negative antibody test (p = 0.018) and sexual relations with men other than the father during the past year (p = 0.046). Fewer seroconverters in 1995-1998 used crack cocaine than in the earlier time period. A high but declining HIV-1 incidence was found among inner-city pregnant women in Atlanta.

Results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and p24 antigen detection after immune complex dissociation (p24-ICD) were compared with antibody results after 18 months of age for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis in 345 prospectively followed, perinatally exposed infants. Of 59 infected and 286 uninfected infants tested at 1-6 months of age, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 100% and > 97% for PCR and 90% and > 97% for p24-ICD. Testing was done on > or = 2 occasions in the first 6 months of life in 43 infected infants; 77% had > or = 2 positive results with the same test. Of these infants, 68% had 2 positive p24-ICD tests. In uninfected infants, 96% had only negative tests; none had > 1 positive. By 6 months, all uninfected infants with > or = 2 PCR results could have been diagnosed. HIV status can be determined by PCR by age 6 months in most HIV-exposed infants. p24-ICD should not be used alone, because of its lower sensitivity, but may be useful in areas without advanced laboratory support.

Objective: To estimate the perinatal HIV transmission rate and describe the natural history of infant HIV infection in a situation in which HIV status is known in more than 95% of delivering women., Design: A cohort of HIV-exposed infants born between 7 July 1987 and 30 June 1990, whose mothers were identified by routine voluntary universal HIV testing, were followed using clinical and laboratory measures., Setting: Grady Memorial Hospital, a major health-care site for individuals of lower socioeconomic status in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, with approximately 7000 deliveries per year., Patients: HIV-exposed infants (n = 165), 98% of whom were African American., Results: Annual maternal HIV seroprevalence increased from 0.58 to 0.86%. The annual proportion of HIV-positive women having a second delivery increased from 4.3 to 25%. Clinical outcome was known for 132 out of 165 infants (22 infected and 110 uninfected), the transmission rate was 17% (confidence interval, 11-24%). The rate declined to 11% by the third year of the study. Gestational growth, prematurity and mode of delivery were unrelated to infant outcome. There was a trend for intravenous drug use to be more common in mothers of infected infants (P = 0.08). After 35 months median follow-up of infected infants, eight out of 22 (36%) had an opportunistic infection (seven Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia); three out of 22 (14%) had lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, and 10 out of 22 (45%) were asymptomatic or had only nonspecific symptoms. Cumulative mortality in infected infants was 9, 32 and 32% by 1, 2 and 3 years of age, respectively., Conclusion: In this cohort of HIV-exposed infants, perinatal HIV transmission was 17% overall. Factors affecting the transmission rate and possible future changes in the rate require further study.

A 10-year retrospective study of age-frequency, sites of infection, and pre-existing conditions in 297 children with Hemophilus influenzae (HI) disease seen at Grady Memorial Hospital from 1974 through 1984 is described. The majority of the patients were black (73%) and of lower socioeconomic status and were less than 2 years of age. Manifestations of HI disease were similar to those described in reports from other centers, with meningitis being the most common (56.7%). Epiglottitis was much less common in the present study than is generally reported. The death rate of all patients was 1.8 percent. The results of this study indicate that HI disease continues to be a significant risk in children less than 2 years of age.