Persistently HIV-1 seronegative Nairobi sex workers are susceptible to in vitro infection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether resistance to HIV-1 infection in a subset of highly exposed sex workers correlates with resistance at the cellular level.


METHODS
In vitro evaluation of susceptibility to infection by Kenyan HIV-1 isolates and cellular production of potential mediators of resistance.


METHODS
Samples were collected in a primary care clinic in Nairobi.


METHODS
Thirteen individuals from a cohort of sex workers with a similar risk of acquiring HIV infection and six unexposed controls.


METHODS
Subjects were provided with appropriate primary care and counselling on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.


RESULTS
No inherent cellular resistance to infection was identified. CD8⁺ cells from a subset of subjects strongly inhibited viral replication.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of infection in this cohort was not attributable to factors inherent to CD4⁺ cells. Resistance to HIV infection is likely to be multifactorial, and products of CD8⁺ cells and unique features of mucosal sites probably contribute to this state.
Bienzle
D
D
Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario. dbienzle@uoguelph.ca
Macdonald
K S
KS
Copeland
K F
KF
Bwayo
J J
JJ
Plummer
F A
FA
Rosenthal
K L
KL