Source Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Research Articles

Socio-Demographic Correlates of HIV Sero-Discordance among Couples in West Bengal, India: a Cross Sectional Analysis.

Serodiscordant couples serve as potential sources of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Understanding the demographic dynamics of serodiscordant couples plays an important role in tailoring interventions to eliminate HIV infection. We conducted this cross-sectional analysis among 314 integrated counseling and testing centers in West Bengal, India, from April 2016 to March 2020. General individuals who were detected as HIV-reactive and whose spouses were also tested for HIV comprised the study population, in which a total of 8,740 couples were included. Sociodemographic variables were compared across concordant and discordant arms, as well as between male positive (M+ F-) and female positive (F+ M-) subgroups of serodiscordant couples. Among the couples studied, 35.2% (95% CI: 34.2-36.2%) were serodiscordant. Among serodiscordant couples, the proportion of M+ F- (86.1%) was significantly higher than that of F+ M- (13.9%). We observed that higher mean ages of couples, higher education, business and service occupations, and urban residence were significantly associated with the serodiscordance relationship (P < 0.05). A high mean age of couples and a low proportion of housewives were associated with the F+ M- subgroup. As approximately 35% of serodiscordant couples carry the risk of transmission to negative spouses, particularly in older age and urban residence, reorientation of HIV programs may be required to avert transmission in the future.

English

Mother-to-child transmission is the largest source of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children. About one third of children are believed to be infected vertically through breast-feeding. Infant feeding in the context of HIV is complex. HIV positive women are confused about feeding methods and mixed feeding continued to be widespread. However, there are few studies on the practice of HIV positive mothers and counseling message of health workers in Ethiopia (Maru and Haidar, 2009). Objective: The objective of this study was to assess magnitude and factors associated with infant and young child feeding practice of HIV positive mothers in selected hospitals of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples of Region, 2011. An institution based cross sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 201 HIV positive mothers with children less than two years of age were purposively selected at morning time in order of arrival. Health workers working on anti -retroviral therapy and prevention of mother to child transmission clinics were taken for in-depth interview in Hawassa, Yirgalem and Dilla Hospitals. Of all respondent, 87 (47.5%) HIV positive mothers had children with the age of less than 6 months, among 87 (47.5%) HIV positive mothers, 56.3% had experience of exclusive breast feeding, 13 (35.6%) of the mothers mix fed their babies while 8.1% exclusive replacement feeding. Regarding issues discussed during counseling time by health workers, from total of 183 HIV positive mothers, 78.7% mothers received counseling on different feeding options. Most, 96.2 and 76.0% of mothers received counseling on advantages and disadvantages of breast feeding respectively, and 67.8 and 71% disadvantages of replacement and mixed feeding respectively. Mother‘s who had antenatal follow up and favorable attitude towards feeding options were more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding and less likely to practice mixed feeding. More than half of the mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding and very small proportion of HIV positive mothers chose replacement feeding, but still greater than one third of HIV positive mothers practiced mixed feeding. In general, infant and young child feeding practices observed in this study fall short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, so it is recommended that all HIV positive mothers should be provided with adequate information to enable them to select the best feeding option for their babies, and to successfully carry out their infant feeding decisions. Key words: Infant and young child, feeding practice, HIV.

Methamphetamine and HIV-1 gp120 Effects on Lipopolysaccharide Stimulated Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Production by Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Monocytes/macrophages are a primary source of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in the central nervous system (CNS). Macrophages infected with HIV-1 produce a plethora of factors, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) that may contribute to the development of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). MMP-9 plays a pivotal role in the turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and functions to remodel cellular architecture. We have investigated the role of methamphetamine and HIV-1 gp120 in the regulation of lipopolysaccaride (LPS) induced-MMP-9 production in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Here, we show that LPS-induced MMP-9 gene expression and protein secretion are potentiated by incubation with methamphetamine alone and gp120 alone. Further, concomitant incubation with gp120 and methamphetamine potentiated LPS-induced MMP-9 expression and biological activity in MDM. Collectively methamphetamine and gp120 effects on MMPs may modulate remodeling of the extracellular environment enhancing migration of monocytes/macrophages to the CNS.

Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Transmission in Colonial Cameroon

In southern Cameroon, where SIV(cpz), the source of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) group M, is prevalent among wild chimpanzees, approximately 50% of some human birth cohorts have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) through unclear mechanisms. To evaluate indirectly the hypothesis that medical interventions contributed to the early emergence of HIV-1, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 451 inhabitants of Ebolowa in southern Cameroon aged 60 years, using HCV as a marker of parenteral transmission of blood-borne viruses. We administered a questionnaire and tested serum for antibodies against HCV. Viral gene sequences were obtained from HCV-positive sera. Molecular clock analyses provided an independent source of information on epidemic history. A total of 252 participants (56%) were HCV seropositive. HCV sequences were amplified and genotyped from 171 individuals. Independent risk factors for HCV seropositivity were older age, having received intravenous treatment against malaria, and having attended an ethnic school (women only), whereas having been circumcised by a traditional practitioner (men only) tended to be associated with HCV. In addition, transfusions were associated with HCV genotype 1 transmission. Molecular clock analyses of HCV genotypes 1, 2, and 4 revealed that each independently underwent exponential growth during the first half of the 20th century. Medical interventions (intravenous antimalarial drugs, transfusions) and to a lesser extent traditional practices (circumcision) were associated with the massive transmission of HCV among this population decades ago. This finding supports the hypothesis that medical interventions contributed to the transmission of blood-borne viruses, perhaps including SIV(cpz) and HIV-1, in the same region during the early 20th century.

Sources of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Disease Information and Responses to Prevention Messages among Massachusetts Men Who Have Sex with Men

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have continued to increase among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study used qualitative methods to assess sources of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/STD information and responses to HIV/STD prevention messages among MSM. This was done to understand how to design more effective media campaigns on HIV/STD prevention and testing for this population. One-on-one semistructured, qualitative interviews and a brief demographic written survey were conducted. A Massachusetts community-based organization specializing in HIV/AIDS healthcare. A novel, modified, respondent-driven sampling method was used to recruit a diverse sample of 50 Massachusetts MSM between January and April 2005; qualitative interviews were conducted until redundancy in responses was achieved. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. NVIVO software was used to organize transcripts, identify themes, and report frequency of responses. Respondents reported having derived information on sexual health from multiple media sources. Direct outreach, gay- and HIV-centered organizations, print and broadcast media, public transportation ads, and the Internet held the greatest potential for dissemination. Primary care providers were also frequently seen as trusted sources of HIV/STD prevention information. Ideas for content often included having "people just like you" in ads. Health messages that focus on getting tested for HIV and STDs, practicing safe sex, and incorporating straightforward and accurate information on prevention may be the most acceptable to MSM. Providers should be proactive in disseminating information about HIV/STD prevention.

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 expression in the female genital tract in association with cervical inflammation and ulceration

Objectives: Determining the source of human immunodeficiency virus 1 in the female genital tract and identifying factors that influence the amount of virus shed are important in the understanding of heterosexual human immunodeficiency virus 1 transmission. Study Design: Cervicovaginal human immunodeficiency virus 1 ribonucleic acid shedding was quantified before and after treatment of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in 14 women. Genotypic analysis was performed on peptide HIV-1 env gp120 of the major human immunodeficiency virus 1 species in plasma and cervicovaginal lavage of selected samples. Results: At 2 to 4 weeks after treatment, when cervices were inflamed and ulcerated, human immunodeficiency virus 1 ribonucleic acid in lavage samples increased 1.0 to 4.4 log 10. Genotypic analysis showed significant differences between the predominant human immunodeficiency virus 1 species in paired plasma and lavage samples from 2 of 4 women, suggesting that the increase in human immunodeficiency virus 1 was the result of local viral replication. Conclusions: Cervical inflammation and ulceration are associated with local human immunodeficiency virus 1 expression, which increases as much as 10,000-fold the amount of human immunodeficiency virus 1 shed into genital secretions. This may explain why sexually transmitted diseases are important risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus transmission. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:279-85.)

T lymphocytes and macrophages, but not motile spermatozoa, are a significant source of human immunodeficiency virus in semen.

The cellular fraction of semen contains spermatozoa, immature germ cells, leukocytes, and epithelial cells. Recent evidence implicates seminal cells as a major source of sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen, but the identity and infectious potential of infected cells remains poorly understood. HIV provirus was found in 75% of viable semen cell samples by polymerase chain reaction and in 88% of paired blood cell samples from HIV-seropositive men. When semen cell subpopulations were isolated by an immunomagnetic bead technique, T cells were found to be most commonly HIV-infected (75% of samples), followed by macrophages (38% of samples). Viral DNA was never detected in motile spermatozoa or immature germ cell populations. Semen leukocytes proliferated in response to mitogenic and antigenic challenge and produced p24 following stimulation with irradiated allogeneic cells. These data provide evidence that both T cells and macrophages, but not germ cells, are cellular vectors of HIV transmission in semen.

The eighth mystery of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the ‘Trojan horse’ mechanism

Human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors produce in acquired immune deficiency virus patients a decrease in both existing and new human immunodeficiency virus accompanied by an increase in CD4 + T cells. Yet these inhibitors are not capable of destroying existing human immunodeficiency virus. Thus human immunodeficiency virus cannot explain this ‘eighth’ mystery, nor can it explain the destruction of five times more CD4 + T cells than the plasma human immunodeficiency virus, either by apoptosis, by reduction in the half-life of human immunodeficiency virus, or by inducing killer cells. It is proposed that the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors (and the reverse transcriptase non-nucleoside inhibitor Nevirapine) inhibit the sperm's proteases which then produces: (1) a reduction in existing human immunodeficiency virus by causing an increase in CD8 + T cells; (2) a reduction in new human immunodeficiency virus by inhibiting the activity of the ‘Trojan horse’ sperm, and (3) an increase in CD4 + T cells by a reduction in the ability of the sperm's proteases to cause apoptosis. The protection of the human immunodeficiency virus genetic material inside the ‘Trojan horse’ sperm produces a steady-state, rapid turnover of human immunodeficiency virus. Thus the body's immune system, although capable of quickly destroying human immunodeficiency virus, can only dramatically destroy the offspring released into the plasma from sperm-infected T cells and is unable to destroy the source of human immunodeficiency virus, the ‘Trojan horse’ sperm.