Open AccessLower levels of HIV-2 than HIV-1 in the female genital tract: correlates and longitudinal assessment of viral shedding
Author(s) -
Stephen E. Hawes,
Papa Salif Sow,
Joshua Stern,
Cathy W. Critchlow,
Geoffrey S. Gottlieb,
Nancy B. Kiviat
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
aids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.195
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1473-5571
pISSN - 0269-9370
DOI - 10.1097/qad.0b013e328315cdbc
Subject(s) - viral load , viral shedding , transmission (telecommunications) , virology , sex organ , viral disease , lentivirus , immunology , virus , odds ratio , sida , confidence interval , biology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , sexually transmitted disease , sexual transmission , medicine , microbicide , electrical engineering , genetics , syphilis , engineering
The differing magnitude of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 epidemics is likely a consequence of differing transmission rates between the two viruses. Similar to other sexually transmitted pathogens, risk of HIV-1 and HIV-2 transmission is likely associated with the presence and amount of HIV in the genital tract. Thus, understanding patterns of, and risk factors for HIV genital tract shedding is critical to effective control of HIV transmission.