Association between cervical inflammation and cervical shedding of human immunodeficiency virus DNA

J Infect Dis. 1994 Dec;170(6):1597-601. doi: 10.1093/infdis/170.6.1597.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted among prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya, to determine the prevalence and correlates of cervical human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA. Ninety-two HIV-seropositive prostitutes were evaluated during 137 clinic visits. Cervical HIV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction assay in 36 (39%) women at initial visits and in 40 (44%) women at any visit. There was a significant correlation between cervical HIV and microscopic evidence of cervical inflammation (odds ratio [OR], 7.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-24.6). Using multivariate analysis to adjust for possible confounding, the adjusted OR for the association between cervical inflammation and cervical HIV DNA was 8.7 (95% CI, 2.0-37.2). Conditions associated with cervical inflammation are associated with the detection of HIV proviral DNA. Whether such conditions lead to increased infectivity remains to be proven.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Female
  • HIV / isolation & purification*
  • HIV / physiology
  • HIV Seropositivity / virology*
  • Humans
  • Kenya
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Proviruses / isolation & purification
  • Sex Work
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Uterine Cervicitis / virology*
  • Virus Shedding*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral