The impact of pregnancy on anti-HIV activity of cervicovaginal secretions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mucosal immunity of the female genital tract plays a critical role in defense against sexually transmitted infections like HIV. Pregnancy is associated with both structural and immunologic alterations in the genital mucosa, but the impact of these changes on its ability to suppress HIV infection is unknown. Current epidemiologic data are conflicting as to whether pregnancy increases the risk of HIV acquisition.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to define the association between antimicrobial peptides and chemokines in cervicovaginal secretions and in vitro HIV infectivity among pregnant and nonpregnant women.

Study design

Forty pregnant and 37 nonpregnant women were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study at a single tertiary care women's

SUBMITTER: Hughes BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5124521 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature