Markers of local immunity in cervico-vaginal secretions of HIV infected women: implications for HIV shedding

Markers of local immunity in cervico-vaginal secretions of HIV infected women: implications for HIV shedding.

OBJECTIVES To link local proinflammatory cytokines with HIV related nucleic acids in cervico-vaginal secretions and the factors associated with them. METHODS An observational study on 60 HIV positive women attending the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, University of Pavia, Italy. HIV-1 RNA in plasma, proviral HIV-1-DNA, cell associated and cell free HIV-1 RNA in cervico-vaginal secre...

Comparative Evaluation of HIV-1 Neutralization in External Secretions and Sera of HIV-1-Infected Women

OBJECTIVES Although human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific antibodies are detectable in external secretions by ELISA and western blot (WB), the presence of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies is difficult to evaluate due to the low levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) and the presence of humoral factors of innate immunity. The objective of this study was to determine virus neutralization acti...

The ethical implications of screening for HIV: whose choice reigns?

HPV in HIV-Infected Women: Implications for Primary Prevention

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women might have a different human papillomavirus (HPV) type distribution in cervical dysplasia specimens as compared to the general population. This has implications for primary prevention. OBJECTIVE We aimed to obtain preliminary data on the HPV genotypes prevalent in histological samples of HIV-infected w...

Governance of HIV/AIDS: Implications for Health Sector Response

This paper reviews the essence of effective governance and importance of a multi-sectoral approach in generating health systems response to HIV/AIDS. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of integrating reproductive sexual health programs and HIV prevention services, including peer education, life skills, and Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), for Prevention of Mother–to-Ch...