Objectives
Epidemiologic data are conflicting as to whether pregnancy increases the risk of HIV acquisition. Cervicovaginal secretions have antiviral properties. Our objective was to compare, in an adequately powered study, the protection against HIV infectivity conferred by cervicovaginal secretions among pregnant and non-pregnant women using a novel in vitro model.
Methods
Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Pregnant women were followed across gestation and non-pregnant women were followed across a menstrual cycle. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was performed at each visit (n = 4 and 3, respectively), and the fluid incubated with NL4-3 HIV virus in a TZM-bl infectivity assay. Infectivity was measured using a luminometer, and compared as a proportion of positive control (virus alone) between groups. In order to detect a doubling of infectivity, with 80% power and alpha= 0.01 to account for multiple comparisons, 35 women per group were required.
Methods
Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Pregnant women were followed across gestation and non-pregnant women were followed across a menstrual cycle. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was performed at each visit (n = 4 and 3, respectively), and the fluid incubated with NL4-3 HIV virus in a TZM-bl infectivity assay. Infectivity was measured using a luminometer, and compared as a proportion of positive control (virus alone) between groups. In order to detect a doubling of infectivity, with 80% power and alpha= 0.01 to account for multiple comparisons, 35 women per group were required.
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