Chronic Inflammation with Increased Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) RNA Expression in the Vaginal Epithelium of HIV‐Infected Thai Women | Zendy

Michael Cohn | Zendy; Sarah S. Frankel | Zendy; Sungwal Rugpao | Zendy; Mary Young | Zendy; Gerald Willett | Zendy; Sodsai Tovanabutra | Zendy; Chirasak Khamboonruang | Zendy; Thomas C. VanCott | Zendy; Lertlakana Bhoopat | Zendy; Sandra Barrick | Zendy; Cecil H. Fox | Zendy; Thomas C. Quinn | Zendy; Maryanne Vahey | Zendy; Kenrad E. Nelson | Zendy; Drew Weissman | Zendy

Open Access

Chronic Inflammation with Increased Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) RNA Expression in the Vaginal Epithelium of HIV‐Infected Thai Women

Author(s) -

Michael Cohn,

Sarah S. Frankel,

Sungwal Rugpao,

Mary Young,

Gerald Willett,

Sodsai Tovanabutra,

Chirasak Khamboonruang,

Thomas C. VanCott,

Lertlakana Bhoopat,

Sandra Barrick,

Cecil H. Fox,

Thomas C. Quinn,

Maryanne Vahey,

Kenrad E. Nelson,

Drew Weissman

Publication year - 2001

Publication title -

the journal of infectious diseases

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.69

H-Index - 252

eISSN - 1537-6613

pISSN - 0022-1899

DOI - 10.1086/322780

Subject(s) - inflammation , transmission (telecommunications) , immunology , sexual transmission , virus , epithelium , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , viral load , vagina , medicine , viral disease , biology , virology , pathology , electrical engineering , microbicide , surgery , engineering

Thai residents have a greater risk of heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than do US residents. To analyze host factors associated with heterosexual transmission, vaginal epithelial biopsies from HIV-seropositive Thai and US women were evaluated for tissue virus load and histologic makeup. In all, 84% of Thai and 14% of US women exhibited a chronic inflammatory T cell infiltrate in the vaginal epithelium. In Thai tissue, the infiltrate was associated with elevated levels of HIV RNA in the epidermis. Uninfected Thai women also had vaginal epithelial inflammation. Inflammation did not correlate with sexually transmitted diseases or HIV disease stage. The higher rates and increased risk of heterosexual transmission in Thailand may be due to chronic inflammation at the site where the virus is transmitted, which leads to the accumulation of activated T cells. Such cells might act as targets for initial viral infection and subsequently as reservoirs that support efficient transmission.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research