TY - JOUR
T1 - Virus levels in untreated African infants infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1
AU - Biggar, Robert J.
AU - Janes, Michelle
AU - Pilon, Richard
AU - Miotti, Paolo
AU - Taha, Taha E.T.
AU - Broadhead, Robin
AU - Mtimivalye, Laban
AU - Kumwenda, Newton
AU - Cassol, Sharon
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - In developed areas, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected infants have high virus levels and rapidly progress to death. HIV levels were assessed in 1994-1997 in untreated infants in Malawi by analysis of dried blood spots tested by nucleic acid silica-bound amplification. Of 24 umbilical cord blood (CB)-positive samples, 83% had >10,000 copies/mL. The median virus level was 78,000 copies/mL. First positive sample median levels were 355,000 copies/mL among 52 perinatally infected infants and 130,000 copies/mL among 43 infants infected by breast-feeding. Virus levels were stable, and initial levels predicted levels 1 year after infection (P = .005), at which time levels did not significantly differ among in utero, perinatally, or postnatally infected infants. Thus, neither age at infection nor route of infection significantly influenced HIV levels measured 1 year after infection. Most (87%) CB-positive infants were infected before labor onset, since virus levels greatly exceeded those expected in their mothers.
AB - In developed areas, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected infants have high virus levels and rapidly progress to death. HIV levels were assessed in 1994-1997 in untreated infants in Malawi by analysis of dried blood spots tested by nucleic acid silica-bound amplification. Of 24 umbilical cord blood (CB)-positive samples, 83% had >10,000 copies/mL. The median virus level was 78,000 copies/mL. First positive sample median levels were 355,000 copies/mL among 52 perinatally infected infants and 130,000 copies/mL among 43 infants infected by breast-feeding. Virus levels were stable, and initial levels predicted levels 1 year after infection (P = .005), at which time levels did not significantly differ among in utero, perinatally, or postnatally infected infants. Thus, neither age at infection nor route of infection significantly influenced HIV levels measured 1 year after infection. Most (87%) CB-positive infants were infected before labor onset, since virus levels greatly exceeded those expected in their mothers.
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U2 - 10.1086/315122
DO - 10.1086/315122
M3 - Article
C2 - 10558939
AN - SCOPUS:0032735965
VL - 180
SP - 1838
EP - 1843
JO - Journal of Infectious Diseases
JF - Journal of Infectious Diseases
SN - 0022-1899
IS - 6
ER -