Cyclic shedding of HIV-1 RNA in cervical secretions during the menstrual cycle.
The association between hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA shedding in cervical and vaginal secretions was examined daily for 17 HIV-1-seropositive women, for the duration of 1 cycle. Serum levels of RNA were evaluated 3 times/week. A marginally significant positive correlation between serum levels of progesterone and serum levels of HIV-1 RNA (P=.04) was observed. Cervical virus levels were significantly correlated with the number of days from the midcycle surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) (P=.008). The lowest levels of cervical HIV-1 RNA were present at the LH surge, and this nadir was followed by an increase in virus levels that reached a maximum before the start of menses. In contrast, there was no significant association between the number of days from the LH surge and the level of HIV-1 RNA in vaginal secretions (P=.4). These data support the hypothesis that the level of HIV-1 RNA in cervical secretions is influenced by the menstrual cycle, and they suggest that the risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 may increase as menses is approached.
Benki
Sarah
S
Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
Mostad
Sara B
SB
Richardson
Barbra A
BA
Mandaliya
Kishorchandra
K
Kreiss
Joan K
JK
Overbaugh
Julie
J
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology; D017201:Virus Shedding
D012367:RNA, Viral; D011374:Progesterone