HIV seroconversion without infection after receipt of adenovirus-vectored HIV type 1 vaccine.
BACKGROUND
We analyzed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroresponses from 3 phase I HIV-1 vaccine trials to assess the frequency of vaccine-induced seroconversion.


METHODS
HIV-1 and HIV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed during trials of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-vectored clade B HIV-1 monovalent gag and trivalent gag/pol/nef vaccines given to HIV-seronegative adults. Doses were administered at day 1, week 4, and week 26. Results were analyzed by vaccine formulation and dose and were stratified by baseline Ad5 titer. ELISA-positive samples were reflexively tested by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Overall, 165 (41%) of 406 evaluable vaccine recipients had positive ELISA results but negative PCR results by week 78. Seroconversion rates were directly related to vaccine dose, were inversely related to baseline Ad5 titer, and were unaffected by vaccine valency. One hundred (89%) of 113 evaluable patients with low baseline Ad5 antibody titers (<or=200) who were given >or=1 dose of vaccine with >or=1 x 10(10) gag-containing Ad5 particles per dose experienced seroconversion. Of 163 vaccine recipients who had positive ELISA results and available Western blot results, 150 (92%) had indeterminate results of Western blot, typically involving bands at p24, p40, and/or p55. Thirteen uninfected patients (8%) had equivocally positive Western blot results, usually because of an additional weak glycoprotein 41 band. Env-specific enzyme immunoassay results were falsely positive for 2 uninfected vaccine recipients.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive ELISA results were similarly common for monovalent and trivalent vaccine recipients. Vaccine dose and baseline Ad5 immunity were major determinants of vaccine-induced seroconversion rates. Corresponding Western blots characteristically showed bands directed only at Gag proteins, which helped to distinguish HIV-uninfected vaccine recipients who experienced seroconversion from true HIV-infected patients. If available, an enzyme immunoassay exclusively targeting proteins not expressed by the vaccine should be the screening test of first choice for vaccine recipients.
Quirk
Erin K
EK
Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania 19454-1099, USA. erin_quirk@merck.com
Mogg
Robin
R
Brown
Deborah D
DD
Lally
Michelle A
MA
Mehrotra
Devan V
DV
DiNubile
Mark J
MJ
Robertson
Michael N
MN
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015483:HIV Antibodies