Detection of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 in infants by an anti-HIV immunoglobulin A assay using recombinant proteins.
To diagnose infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) soon after birth in infants born to HIV type 1-infected women, we developed antiviral IgA Western blot and dot blot assays with recombinant HIV-1 proteins. Thirty-three infants born to HIV-1-seropositive mothers and nine infants born to HIV-1-seronegative intravenous drug-abusing mothers were followed prospectively. Infection was documented by positive virus culture. Results with the polymerase chain reaction were used for comparison. Twelve infants were found infected with HIV-1; the earliest age at which cultures became positive ranged from birth to 31 weeks of age. Of the 12 culture-positive infants, 10 had anti-HIV IgA antibodies detectable initially between birth (cord blood) and 27 weeks of age. Anti-HIV IgA was not present in the uninfected infants or in the control subjects, either by Western blot or dot blot assays. Testing for anti-HIV IgA antibodies with recombinant HIV-1 proteins is an effective method for detecting viral infection in newborn and young infants.
Martin
N L
NL
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
Levy
J A
JA
Legg
H
H
Weintrub
P S
PS
Cowan
M J
MJ
Wara
D W
DW
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000032:analysis; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase