title: Immunoglobulin G3-specific antibodies as a marker for early diagnosis of HIV infection in children.
abstract: Early diagnosis of HIV infection in the child of an HIV-infected mother may be difficult as HIV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies are transmitted to the fetus transplacentally. In an attempt to provide a new, simpler tool for early identification of HIV-infected children we analysed the HIV-specific IgG subclass pattern during the first year of life. One hundred and one samples were collected from 35 children born to HIV-seropositive mothers, among whom 18 seroreverted during follow-up and 17 were HIV-infected (two P1 and 15 P2 according to the Centers for Disease Control classification). Serum HIV-specific IgG3 was detectable at least in one sample in 26 out of 35 children. All 17 HIV-infected children showed persistently detectable specific IgG3, both with stable or progressive disease. Out of the 18 uninfected children who seroreverted during follow-up, nine were HIV-specific IgG3-negative when first tested and nine lost HIV-specific-IgG3 within 28 weeks after birth. The correlation of the serological results with clinical information and any other diagnostic tool on each child suggests that the clearance of specific-IgG3 antibodies heralds seroconversion in uninfected passive antibody-carrier children. This observation provides the basis for a new, simple and effective method for early diagnosis of HIV infection in children born to seropositive mothers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aricò
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caselli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Avanzini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasinetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maccabruni
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Rondanelli
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Burgio
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G