HIV-1-specific mucosal IgA in a cohort of HIV-1-resistant Kenyan sex workers
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Date
1999Author
Kaul, R
Trabattoni, D
Bwayo, JJ
Arienti, D
Zagliani, A
Mwangi, FM.
Kariuki C.
Ngugi, Elizabeth N
MacDonald KS.
Ball TB.
Clerici M.
Plummer FA.
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objectives: Most HIV-1 transmission is sexual; therefore, immune responses in the
genital mucosa may be important in mediating protection against HIV infection. This
study examined HIV-1-specific mucosal IgA in a cohort of HIV-1-resistant Kenyan
female sex workers.
Methods: HIV-1-specific immune responses were compared in HIV-1-resistant and
HIV-1-infected sex workers, and in lower risk uninfected women. Cervical and
vaginal samples from each group were tested for HIV-1-specific IgA and IgG by
enzyme immunoassay. Systemic T-helper lymphocyte cell responses to HIV-1
envelope peptide epitopes were assayed using an interleukin 2 bioassay. HIV-1 risktaking
behaviours were assessed using standardized questionnaires.
Results: HIV-1-specific IgA was present in the genital tract of 16 out of 21 (76%)
HIV-1-resistant sex workers, five out of 19 (26%) infected women, and three out of
28 (11%) lower risk women (P < 0.0001). Among lower risk women, the presence of
HIV-1-specific IgA was associated with HIV-1 risk-taking behaviour. Systemic
T-helper lymphocyte responses to HIV-1 envelope peptides were present in 11 out
of 20 (55%) HIV-1-resistant women, four out of 18 (22%) infected women, and one
out of 25 (4%) lower risk women (P < 0.001). T-helper lymphocyte responses did
not correlate with the presence or titre of virus-specific mucosal IgA in any study
group.
Conclusions: HIV-1-specific IgA is present in the genital tract of most HIV-1-
resistant Kenyan sex workers, and of a minority of lower risk uninfected women,
where it is associated with risk-taking behaviour. These data suggest a role for
mucosal HIV-1-specific IgA responses in HIV-1 resistance, independent of host
cellular responses.
URI
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10207541http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/16219
Citation
AIDS. 1999 Jan 14;13(1):23-9Publisher
Department of Medical Microbiology and Community Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada, The Cattedra di Immunologia, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Subject
AfricaHIV-1 resistance
Commercial sex workers
Genital tract,
Humoral immunity
Cellular immunity
Sexual behaviour
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10378]