Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific antibody in cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained from women infected with HIV type 1

Abstract

To evaluate correlates of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) immunoglobulin (Ig) in the genital tract, anti-HIV-gp120 IgA and IgG titers in cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained from 104 HIV-1-infected women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 24% and 94% of women had detectable anti-gp120 IgA and IgG, respectively. CD4 cell count correlated negatively with total IgA concentration (r = -0.301; P = .0027) and positively with specific IgA activity (anti-gp120 IgA titer/total IgA concentration, r = 0.306; P - .0023). Women with bacterial vaginosis had 5-fold lower anti-gp120 IgG titer (P = .0042), 5-fold lower total IgG concentration (P ≤ .0001), and 4-fold higher specific IgG activity (P = .0474) compared with women who did not have bacterial vaginosis. Enhanced understanding of correlates of mucosal immunity to HIV-1 may assist in the design of vaccine strategies or in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV-1.