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A predominance of R5-like HIV genotypes in vaginal secretions is associated with elevated plasma HIV-1 RNA levels and the absence of anti-retroviral therapy
- Source :
- Virology Journal, Vol 5, Iss 1, p 87 (2008)
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2008.
-
Abstract
- Abstract HIV expressed in genital secretions provides the inoculum from which transmitting variants are selected, both in sexual transmission and mother-to-infant transmission during partuition. Characterization of HIV levels and genotypes found in vaginal secretions and the impact of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) on this virus can provide valuable insight for the prevention of HIV transmission. Vaginal HIV was evaluated in a cohort of 43 women attending a New Orleans HIV outpatient clinic. Predominant vaginal genotypes were characterized as R5- or X4-like by heteroduplex tracking analyses of the envelope V3 region. Most women (67.4%) shed R5-like genotypes in vaginal secretions which was associated with elevated plasma HIV levels (≥ 10,000 copies HIV-RNA/mL) and absence of ART. Because R5-like genotypes are more frequently associated with transmission, these observations suggest that the majority of women shedding HIV in genital secretions present a transmission risk. The levels of vaginal virus were similar between both groups, but shedding of X4-like genotypes was associated with lower plasma viral loads and the use of ART, suggesting that ART use may impact the genotypes of virus found in the female genital compartment.
- Subjects :
- Infectious and parasitic diseases
RC109-216
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1743422X
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Virology Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.55fea754e8714b4a8a6bee613c8c7904
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-5-87