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Soluble CD 14 levels in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV + women: Lack of association with morbidity and mortality in their exposed infants
Author(s) -
Baroncelli Silvia,
Galluzzo Clementina M.,
Liotta Giuseppe,
Andreotti Mauro,
Ciccacci Fausto,
Mancinelli Sandro,
Tolno Victor T.,
Gondwe Jane,
Amici Roberta,
Marazzi Maria C.,
Vella Stefano,
Giuliano Marina,
Palombi Leonardo,
Palmisano Lucia
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12812
Subject(s) - medicine , breastfeeding , pregnancy , gestation , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , lactation , obstetrics , antiretroviral therapy , plasma concentration , pediatrics , immunology , viral load , biology , genetics
Problem Data on soluble CD 14 ( sCD 14) during pregnancy and lactation are scarce. We assessed the levels of sCD 14 in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV ‐positive women and evaluated the possible association with morbidity and mortality in the HIV ‐exposed children. Method of study One hundred and forty‐nine mother/child pairs were studied. Women received antiretroviral therapy from 26 weeks of gestation to at least 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. sCD 14 concentrations were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results sCD 14 levels measured at 26 weeks of pregnancy (median: 1418 ng/mL, IQR : 1086‐1757) were inversely correlated to maternal CD 4+ cell count ( r = −.283, P = .001) and to neonatal birthweight ( r = −.233, P = .008). At 6 months, sCD 14 plasma levels were significantly higher compared to baseline (1993 ng/mL, IQR : 1482‐2604, P < .001), and breastmilk sCD 14 levels (7668 ng/mL, IQR : 5495‐10207) were 4‐fold higher than in plasma (although the concentrations in the two compartments were not correlated). No association was found between sCD 14 levels in plasma or breastmilk and morbidity or mortality in children. Conclusion Higher sCD 14 levels in HIV ‐positive women were associated with a more compromised maternal immunological status and to a lower neonatal birthweight, but not to poorer clinical outcomes in the HIV ‐exposed children.