HIV-specific IgG in cervicovaginal secretions of exposed HIV-uninfected female sexual partners of HIV-infected men

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2001 Dec 10;17(18):1689-93. doi: 10.1089/08892220152741388.

Abstract

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific antibodies was examined in plasma and cervicovaginal (mucosal) samples of 24 HIV-exposed uninfected (EU) female sexual partners of HIV-infected men, and compared with findings in 18 HIV-infected and 15 low-risk HIV-uninfected women. Only HIV-infected women had detectable HIV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) (18 of 18) or HIV-IgA (6 of 18) in cervicovaginal samples by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). However, 3 of 24 EU women had positive Western blot (WB) for HIV-IgG in cervicovaginal secretions, while 2 of 24 EU women and 1 of 15 low-risk controls had indeterminate IgG-WB. EU women with positive or indeterminate IgG-WB in the cervicovaginal samples were similar in risk to the remaining EU women. None of the HIV-uninfected women had mucosal HIV-IgA. The findings suggest that some sexually or parenterally exposed HIV-uninfected women might develop low-level mucosal IgG responses. However, it appears unlikely that HIV-specific cervicovaginal antibodies play a major role in protection from HIV infection in this EU population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis
  • Adult
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cervix Uteri / metabolism*
  • Demography
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Seronegativity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Vagina / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G