Influence of sex hormones, HIV status, and concomitant sexually transmitted infection on cervicovaginal inflammation.
The impact of demographic characteristics, phase of the menstrual cycle, use of hormonal contraceptives, and concomitant lower genital-tract infections on cervicovaginal inflammatory cells was assessed in 967 women, 654 of whom were infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) fluid was evaluated for total white blood cell (WBC), polymorphonuclear leukocyte, and monocyte counts. HIV-1 infection was not associated with statistically significant differences in numbers of inflammatory cells in CVL fluid except in 1 group--HIV-1-infected women with Chlamydia trachomatis infection had a 0.43 log(10) higher WBC count than their HIV-uninfected, chlamydia-positive counterparts (P=.04). Younger age and use of progesterone-based hormonal contraceptives were independently associated with increased numbers of inflammatory cells in CVL fluid. A 0.15-0.2 log(10) increase in inflammatory cells was seen in black versus white and Hispanic women after adjustment for known potential confounders. Progesterone-based contraceptives, younger age, and race have an independent effect on cervicovaginal inflammatory cells.
Ghanem
Khalil G
KG
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. kghanem@jhmi.edu
Shah
Nina
N
Klein
Robert S
RS
Mayer
Kenneth H
KH
Sobel
Jack D
JD
Warren
D L
DL
Jamieson
Denise J
DJ
Duerr
Ann C
AC
Rompalo
Anne M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones