HIV seroreversion time in HIV-1-uninfected children born to HIV-1-infected mothers in Malawi.
OBJECTIVE
To study temporal changes in HIV-1 seroreversion (change in reactivity of HIV serology from positive to negative) in uninfected infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from 3 cohort studies conducted in Malawi among infants born 1989 through 1991 (International Collaborative AIDS Research [ICAR]), 1993 through 1996 (HIV Network for Prevention Trials [HIVNET]), and 2000 through 2003 (nevirapine/zidovudine [NVAZ]). The proportion of children HIV seroreverting at ages 15, 18, and 21 months and the relative odds for seroreversion comparing infants born before 1997 to those born after 1999 were calculated.


RESULTS
Included in this analysis were 635 infants from ICAR, 459 from HIVNET, and 1020 from NVAZ. During the study, there was a consistent trend of decrease in proportion of children seroreverting over time: highest during 1989 through 1991, intermediate during 1993 through 1996, and lowest during 2000 through 2003. Additionally, there was a strong association between seroreversion and year of birth (before 1997 vs. after 1999): adjusted relative odds 5.1 at 15 months, 8.2 at 18 months, and 11.2 at 21 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Age of seroreversion in HIV-1-exposed uninfected infants increased over time. Persistence of maternal HIV-1 antibodies could have implications on timing of infant HIV-1 diagnosis using serological diagnostic methods.
Gulia
Jyoti
J
Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Kumwenda
Newton
N
Li
Qing
Q
Taha
Taha E
TE
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors