Immunopathological Factors for Vertical Transmission of HIV-1

Abstract

With the global rise in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in women of childbearing age, there has also been an alarming rise in the number of mother-to-child transmissions of HIV-1. Although drug therapies such as zidovudine as well as nevirapine have been demonstrated to significantly decrease the incidence of vertical transmission of HIV-1, these therapeutic regimens are still not widely available in some developing countries where maternal-to-child transmission of HIV-1 continues to occur at an alarming rate. Therefore, the continued studies of mechanisms and correlates of vertical transmission of HIV-1 are warranted. The current status of immunological and virological correlates of vertical transmission are summarized in this review. In addition, information concerning recent therapeutic agents for the prevention of HIV-1 vertical transmission is presented.

Short Communication: Antiretroviral Therapy Resistance Mutations Present in the HIV Type 1 Subtype CpolandenvRegions from Therapy-Naive Patients in Zambia

“…4 Nevertheless, these regimens have only recently become available in the developing world. 5 As ART is rapidly scaled up in Africa and other resource-limited countries, surveillance of the prevalence of ART resistance-associated mutations is necessary to ensure optimal therapy. 6 In 2002 the Zambian Ministry of Health initiated an ART program at the country's two largest hospitals, making treatment available to the public sector.…”

Evolution of subtype C HIV-1 Env in a slowly progressing Zambian infant

“…Transmission of HIV-1 from infected mothers to their infants is the primary mode of HIV-1 infection in children and can occur in utero , intrapartum, or postnatally through breast milk. The use of antiretroviral regimens has successfully reduced the rate of HIV-1 infection in infants in the developed world to approximately 1%; nevertheless, such regimens have only recently become available in many of the developing nations where HIV-1 mother to child transmission (MTCT) is most significant [ 5 ].…”