AEGiS-13IAC: Dual infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2: Impact on plasma HIV-1 viral load and markers of immune activation in HIV-seropositve female sex workers (FSWs) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Dual infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2: Impact on plasma HIV-1 viral load and markers of immune activation in HIV-seropositve female sex workers (FSWs) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrA170)

Nkengasong JN, Kestens L, Ghys P, Koblavi Deme S, Bile C, Maurice C, Otten R, Kalou M, Laga M
J.N. Nkengasong, Project Retro-CI, 01 BP 1712, Abidjan 01, Cote D'ivoire, Tel.: +225 212 541 89, Fax: +225 212 429 69, E-mail: Jcn5@cdc.gov

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of dual infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2 on HIV-1 replication and MIA among HIV seropositive FSWs in Abidjan.

METHODS: We analyzed blood samples obtained from consenting HIV-seropositive FSWs attending a confidential clinic between September 1996 and June 1997. Plasma HIV-1 viral load (VL) was quantified by the Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor test, and CD4+ T cell counts and markers of immune activation (MIA) by three-color FACsan flow cytometry. Among HIV-1/HIV-2 dually seroreactive women, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with HIV-1 and HIV-2 primers was used to differentiate between FSWs who were PCR positive only for HIV-1 (Sero-D/PCR-1) and those positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Sero-D/PCR-D).

RESULTS: Of the 194 FSWs, 148 were HIV-1 seropositive only (median age, 26 years) and 46 were HIV-dually seropositive (median age, 30 years). The median duration of sex work was 24 months (range, 8-48 months) for the HIV-1 positive FSWs, and 44 months (24-84 months) for HIV-dually reactive women (p > 0.001). Of the 46 dually seropositives, 32 (70%) were Sero-D/PCR-D and 14 were Sero-D/PCR-1. Median CD4+ T cells/m L were not significantly different among the three groups (525 for HIV-1 positive only, 502 for Sero-D/PCR-D, and 416 for Sero-D/PCR-1) (p = 0.14). Median VL (log₁₀ copies/mL) was not significantly different among the HIV-1 only FSWs (4.8 log₁₀ copies/ml) compared with the 32 Sero-D/PCR-D (4.6 log₁₀ copies/ml), and 14 Sero-D/PCR-1 FSWs (4.7 log₁₀ copies/ml; p = 0.95). Median levels of HLA-DR immune activation were increased in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells for the Sero-D/PCR-D (n = 28) FSWs compared with those infected with HIV-1 only (n = 123) (p = 0.017, and p = 0.085, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Dual infection does not appear to influence levels of HIV-1 replication in vivo. However, levels of HLA-DR are higher among FSWs dually infected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 than those infected with HIV-1 only.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV-2, Viral Load, HIV-1, HIV, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Prostitution, Biological Markers, HIV Seronegativity, Receptors, HIV, HIV Seroprevalence, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Cote d'Ivoire, Human, Female, immunology
000709
MoOrA170