Transient association between semen exposure and biomarkers of genital inflammation in South African women at risk of HIV infection.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Semen induces mucosal changes in the female reproductive tract to improve pregnancy outcomes. Since semen-induced alterations are likely short-lived and genital inflammation is linked to HIV acquisition in women, we investigated the contribution of recent semen exposure on biomarkers of genital inflammation in women at high HIV risk and the persistence of these associations.

Methods

We assessed stored genital specimens from 152 HIV-negative KwaZulu-Natal women who participated in the CAPRISA 008 trial between November 2012 and October 2014. During the two-year study period, 651 vaginal specimens were collected biannually (mean five samples per woman). Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was screened for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by ELISA, whereas Y-chromosome DNA

SUBMITTER: Jewanraj J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8223121 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature