Increased levels of HIV-1-infected cells in endocervical secretions after the luteinizing hormone surge.
Levels of HIV-1 RNA in endocervical specimens fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that cell-free HIV-1 levels may vary during the cycle, which could influence infectivity. Here, we examined daily changes in endocervical HIV-1-infected cells during 1 cycle. There were significant positive associations between the number of days from the luteinizing hormone surge and the number of HIV-1 DNA copies/swab (P = 0.001) and the number of total cells/swab (P < 0.001) in endocervical specimens. These data suggest that sampling of cell-associated endocervical HIV-1 increases after the periovulatory period, which could result in increased exposure to HIV-1-infected cells during sexual contact.
Benki
Sarah
S
Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Mostad
Sara B
SB
Richardson
Barbra A
BA
Mandaliya
Kishorchandra
K
Kreiss
Joan K
JK
Overbaugh
Julie
J
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology; D017201:Virus Shedding
D004279:DNA, Viral; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone