Correlation of immune activation during late pregnancy and early postpartum with increases in plasma HIV RNA, CD4/CD8 T cells, and serum activation markers

A previously observed rise in the plasma viral load postpartum in both treated and untreated HIV-positive women remains unexplained. Virological and immunological markers were evaluated in HIV-negative controls and HIV-positive pregnant women with and without antiretroviral treatment. Plasma HIV RNA, CD4/CD8 T cells, and serum activation markers were sequentially measured during the third trimester, at delivery, and 2 to 8 weeks postpartum in a cohort of HIV-positive pregnant women ( n = 96) enrolled in a maternal-fetal HIV transmission study and a control group of HIV-negative pregnant women ( n = 28). Mean plasma HIV RNA ( P = 0.003) increased from delivery to postpartum, and mean CD4 T cells ( P = 0.002) and serum β2-microglobulin ( P < 0.0001) increased from the third trimester through postpartum among the HIV-positive women. Mean CD8 T cells increased from the third trimester through postpartum in women receiving zidovudine (ZDV) and in those not treated ( P < 0.05) but remained stable in those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the HIV-negative controls. Increases in serum β2-microglobulin were correlated with increases in HIV RNA ( P = 0.01). HIV-positive pregnant women showed postpartum increases in plasma HIV RNA, CD4 T cells, and serum β2-microglobulin regardless of the treatment regimen. The rise in CD4 T cells and β2-microglobulin was also observed in HIV-negative pregnant women, suggesting hormonal changes and/or labor-induced cytokines may contribute to immune activation. Immune activation correlated with increased plasma HIV RNA in postpartum women despite treatment, although HAART appeared to blunt the effect. The observed rise in plasma HIV RNA postpartum, which correlated with markers of immune activation, may have implications for enhanced transmission to infants through early breast-feeding and to sexual partners.